Katerina Kaftanova (1982)

When I used to live in the neighbourhood of Strašnice, I passed along Gutovka every day but never really had a chance to go there.

Gutovka is a large compound where you can find a playground for kids with a waterworld, a climbing wall, a skatepark and even a minigolf course (plus some other sports playgrounds).

If you have kids and you are short of ideas what to do in the city centre, take them to Gutovka. Besides the usual attractions, they will find the unique waterworld (this year the start is- meaning they will “switch on” the water – May 1st). It contains 15 playing components like a water mill, a water screw etc. And if you are in a sporty mood, you can practice your skills at the (paid) climbing wall or minigolf course:-). There is a restaurant in the area, so if you want some refreshment, you can get it.

Last but not least: Gutovka is situated a few steps from “Strašnická” metro station (green line A) – just a 9 minute ride from the city centre (“Muzeum” metro station). One not for dogs owners: dogs are not allowed there.

One my favorite places near Namesti Miru is a pleasant place named Bio Zahrada (Bio garden) which is situated in Belgicka street. 

As the name suggests, Bio zahrada is a shop with organic food including fresh vegetables (sometimes meat) and also functions as a point of supply for veggie boxes (which is becoming a growing popular trend among certain people).

Bio zahrada is also a nice non-smoking coffee house with a lovely courtyard garden open in warm days. You can have a cup of really good coffee (try the single origin coffees prepared in a french press) and a delicious dessert – various types of cakes (my favourite one is the lemon tart, try it!). 

Besides the cakes you can get a proper lunch there – from Monday to Friday, there is always one soup, one main dish (mostly vegetarian) and a salad. The menu changes every day. Recently, they started to serve dinners as well. Daily from 17:30 you can expect 4-5 dishes.

Bio Zahrada is not only a friendly place for getting together over a cup of coffee but also a place for occasional events like various tastings (coffee, chocolate, wine etc.), scrapbooking courses etc. 

When I heard that the Czech fashion brand Lazy Eye is moving their showroom to my side of the river, just a few steps from Náměstí Míru, I was delighted (well, my bank account was less pleased).

Lazy Eye was founded in 2012 and has become quite popular since then. The brand is concentrating on 50′s style fashion and all the dresses are made based on authentic patterns from that time. Imagine a feminine silhouette with accentuated waist, ruffled petticoats, thin leather belts, fine fabrics and original design. What I also like is the fact, that each dress is practically a unique design, so it does not happen, that you meet a half of Prague in it .

Besides dresses, you can also find retro bathing suits (made upon request), skirts and accessories as belts or (sun)glasses (these from another brand).

I have to admit that as a mother of a small toddler, I’m often tired. And I need some doping . I Need Coffee is a small café, where I often pick up a coffee to go and continue my stroll towards the Vltava river.

The interior of the café is bright and has an “industrial” feeling. The high chairs are rather destined for a short coffee break than a long talk over a cappuccino which I don’t mind (I think that it is good to have “different purpose” coffee shops).

Once there, don’t hesitate to try something sweet. I strongly recommend to try anything from the talented blogger and baker Chez Lucie or one of the best (homemade) ice creams in town made by Tři kopečky.

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