Katerina Kaftanova (1982)

Osteria da Clara is a small non-smoking restaurant specialized in the Tuscany kitchen, located in the quiet part of Vršovice. It can be easily reached by a combination of public transport and a short walk.

The menu in Da Clara could fit onto one page (or two) – there are a couple of starters and soups, main courses (“primi” and “secondi”) and desserts. Besides the printed menu, there are always daily specials written on the boards. Some days, only the menu on the boards is available (!).

The cuisine is made from fresh and quality ingredients (depending on the season, now it’s asparagus time) and well executed recipes. There is something for everybody on the menu. I recommend trying any of the soups but be careful, it can be considered a main dish! From the regular main dishes, try the meat or fish (fresh fish and sea food is usually served on Wednesdays and Fridays) – it is always accompanied with delicious vegetables. At the end, the tiramisu is a must-eat – of course only if you have still some room for it .

The prices are quite reasonable given the quality (although they’ve gotten higher over time); a glass of basic (but drinkable) wine is from CZK 44. Since Da Clara has gained a lot of popularity among locals, I strongly recommend making a reservation.

If you love Vietnamese food, you should check out the so-called little Hanoi aka Sapa, situated in Prague.

TTTM Sapa, located in the south surround of Prague called Písnice is a wholesale market where you can buy a lot of stuff (the majority of the items sold come from Asia of course). Actually it’s like a town in a town with different amenities for the Vietnamese community: restaurants and bistros (including some bubble tea places) beauty salons, a school, a temple etc.

I’m a big fan of Sapa especially because of the food. I like the Vietnamese groceries, where you can buy different ingredients for Asian cuisine that you can not buy anywhere else (or they are way too expensive) – various vegetables and fruits, herbs, sauces, frozen prawns, alive crabs, strange looking meat, tea, rice, tofu and much more…

Besides checking the shops you should definitely eat there. The criteria of a good place to eat is simple: eat where local people eat! Places which are oriented in one type of food are usually the strike home. My favorite place is a tiny place named Hai Há – the have the best bún chả- it is rich and savory.

P.S. if you go to Sapa by bus, you can take bus 113 from metro station Kacerov (C line) – that is the best way. A second option is the bus 198 from Smichovske nadrazi metro station (B line). The place is really on the outskirts of the city so don’t be surprised

Having a beer pub in the neighbourhood, where they have one of the largest selections of beers on tap in Prague + a beer shop next door can be quite dangerous (and money consuming). Especially if it is on your way home .

Zlý časy literally means “bad times” but trust me, you’ll always have a good time there . If you like beer and different beer styles, you can find them all there – lagers, wheat beers, IPA, EPA…mostly from Czech (micro)breweries and some specials from abroad.

Three floors (=three bars), 48 taps in total (the selection of beer is if course changing regularly) + a selection of bottled beer from all around the world –  that’s certainly worth a visit. If you want to eat something with your beer, I can recommend the classic “pub” snacks like a pickled camembert-type cheese, pork knee or ribs.

And one good thing – the place is non-smoking (after a poll taken among visitors). The pub can be quite crowded, so it is better to make a reservation, especially if you are with more than two.

P.S. If you want to buy some bottled beer, go next door to Pivkupectví shop which belongs to Zlý časy.

I’m not a big fan of fast food. Nevertheless, when I’m in a hurry looking for a quick bite, it’s a suitable option.

Since my studies, I have had a thing for hot dogs. It has always been cheap plus I had the feeling that I wasn’t supporting international corporations .

In Czech republic we actually have our version of hot dog called “párek v rohlíku” – the sausage is not placed in a lengthwise cut bun, but in a hole made in this bun. You can find quite a lot of hot dog stalls all around Prague. I like the one which is at Náměstí Míru (called Mírák), situated strategically near the subway entrance. You can have your hot dog with different types of mustards and ketchup. There’s also an economic value meal, with a hot dog, a wafer and a cold drink.

I recommend you take your hot dog and then eat it on the steps of the nearby church – eating fast food does not mean, that we can not slow down a little bit at the same time, right?

There are many places in Prague where I would like to live. One of my dream locations is the district Vinohrady (something like NYC´s Upper East – check this great comparative article . There is one place that I really like – the park called Riegrovy sady alias „Riegráče”. I have to make a confession – I really envy the park not only to all inhabitants of the neighbourhood but also to the employees of an unnamed advertising agency which is located there .

When I was studying at the university, I often went to Riegráče to prepare myself for the exams. I brought lecture notes and within learning (or at least an attempt at learning) observed people walking their dogs.

I like the park not only for its location but also for the variety of pubs. On warm days, there is a quite large open-air self-service beer garden (where you can watch a sports game or play a table soccer) and a couple of other pubs including one which is situated in the local sport centre.

But there is one thing, that I like the most about Riegrovy sady – the amazing view of the city. I could sit on the bench for hours contemplating my beloved city. Try it yourself, but be careful: it can be addictive !