Vaguely reminiscent of a French countryside living-room, with its blue and white décor and lavender stems in glass vases, Prádelna is all nouveau Žižkov. With mismatched quaint furniture, white walls and black-board menu, this non-smoking café seems to be made for a lazy afternoon of conversation and light snacking.

Prádelna, or laundry room in translation, is home-made through and through. Aside from the furnishing, the cakes, panini, soups and even the paté, which is a staple on the menu, are also all made with love by the café staff and associates. Although service can be a bit on the slow side – all the times I’ve been there, there was only one young lady serving the whole place – it is very pleasant and laid-back.

This café is definitely a great stop on your way from Riegrovy Sady (check the article) or a late-morning coffee after doing your shopping at the farmers’ market (check the article) at Jiřího z Poděbrad. I prefer the latter. The only downside to this place is that it closes at 20:00.

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Prádelna Café | Coffee & tea, Relaxing | Home-made paté CZK 65
Slavíkova 21 | Praha 2 | +420774843477
11:00 – 20:00 daily

Sitting by the river in a restaurant named after that same river – what else do we need. I officially confirm that Saturday February 25th 2012 was the first spring-like day this year and I had a beer outside of the Restaurant Vltava and I did not freeze. Between the Hamburk boat and the Nautilus boat, directly on the riverside, is a simple wooden building that was built there shortly after the Second World War. Until now, it serves its original purpose and after restitution belongs to the family which built it.

I love to ride my bike along the river and to stop there for one beer or two. During spring and summer, the riverside is very popular for walks and cycling. In the afternoon, when the sun shines directly on this side of the river and the time is slowing down, enjoy the light dancing on the water level. Restaurant Vltava offers also some nice Czech meals, usually average quality. I would recommend small meals going along with beer. The restaurant is located in the centre and you can afterwards continue your walk almost anywhere.

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Restaurant Vltava | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Czech cuisine) | Large Pilsner CZK 39.00
Rašínovo nábřeží 2084 | Praha 2 | +420224930015
11:00 – 22:00 daily

As you enter the front space of Dobra Trafika on Korunni you find yourself in a normal cafe combined with a trafika – or a newspaper and tobacco shop. But when you enter the main room in the back, you actual feel like you’re in someone’s living room. And it has to be noted, that this someone collects random old furniture, likes to play boardgames and used to smoke.

The backroom is filled with random chairs, a big comfy couch, an old armchair that you have to fall into at least once, and similarly haphazard objects on the walls. One of my favorite things about Dobra Trafika has always been the backyard, which, although small, is quiet and peaceful for great summer-time conversations and real Vinohrady courtyard feel. Recently, they made a kind of wooden shed extension of the cafe, taking up half of the yard, so you can sit there even if it’s raining or not so warm out.

The cafe has an absurdly long list of exotic teas and coffees (they even have a shop selling them separately two doors down) and serves up small and curious snacks like half a pita bread filled with apple and cinnamon or banana. There are also books sold at the front.

This place is great to come and just relax, feeling slightly cut off from the world in the quiet back room or the yard. The service is usually not that speedy, but in a place like this, it really doesn’t have to be.

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Dobrá trafika | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Cappuccino CZK 35
Korunní 42 | Praha 2 | +420737907635
Mon – Fri 06:30 – 23:00, Sat 07:30 – 23:00, Sun 09:00 – 23:00

It is a place you will probably find in all regular city-guides. However, as it is not directly in the center, many people (even the locals) just miss the opportunity to visit it, which is definitely a shame. Vyšehrad is an important place in Czech history, appearing in many national myths and legends (most of which appear in this book).

There are basically two ways to get there. Either you can take the Metro “C” and get out at the stop “Vyšehrad” – it is still a small walk, but that shouldn’t bother you. Or – and I prefer that one – you can take the tram to the stop “Podolská vodárna” and walk up the hill. Up there, there is not only the majestic and huge church and an ancient rotunda, but most importantly a spacious and calm park.

Vyšehrad is not just a summer place. Thanks to all the trees, it is very beautiful in the fall. And when its freezing and the city rests under a pillow of snow, Vyšehrad is a place for a nice silent walk. The great view of the city (from different places at Vyšehrad, you can see different parts of the city and get a complete picture) makes it a relaxing spot.

Up on the hill, there is also a cemetery called “Slavín” at which the Czech heroes and heroins of the past two centuries rest. Surely worth seeing!

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Vyšehrad castle | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Vyšehrad | Praha 2
Park 24 hours daily

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 !

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Riegrovy sady | Relaxing | Free
Polská 3 | Praha 2
24 hours daily

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, where 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.

Besides the cakes you can get a proper lunch there – from Monday to Friday, there is always one soup, one main dish (often vegetarian) and a salad. The menu changes every day.

For those, who are Internet addicts or just want to check their emails it might be useful information that they have wi-fi connection there.

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. 

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Bio zahrada | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks | Soup of the day CZK 39.00
Belgická 33 | Praha 2 | +420603752468
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 21:00, Sat 14:00 – 21:00

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

Since my studies, I have had a thing for hot dogs. It has always been cheap plus I had a feeling that I’m not 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 hot dog, a wafer and a cold drink.

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

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Hot dog at Mírák | Snacks | Hot dog CZK 20.00
Náměstí Míru | Praha 2
Practically daily, the opening hours might vary (also depending if they are not sold out for the day)

Like every woman, I love to receive flowers, especially, when there is no special occasion. I like to decorate my flat with freshly cut flowers to make it more cozy (which works perfectly until my cat tries to be a gardener). But as my man still does not understand the importance of giving flowers to woman for no special reason, I have to buy them by myself too .

My favorite spot where I buy flowers is called Belles Fleurs. The shop is situated just a few steps from the famous Radost FX (check the article here) and another location can be found in Prague 7. I like Belles Fleurs because they have a variety of already prepared bouquets (both one kind and mixed flowers) which are reasonably priced. You can of course let the florist assemble a bouquet by picking up single flowers.

At the conclusion, a little recommendation for men: if you would like to have a romantic dinner in Prague with your partner or date, flowers would be definitely a nice thing on top. So don’t hesitate – now you know, where you can find them .

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Belles Fleurs | Shopping | Flowers CZK 99
Bělehradská 124 | Praha 2 | +420222512486
07:30 – 20:30 daily

Although I think that I could not be a vegetarian, I try to eat less meat and I often eat and cook vegetarian cuisine.

One of the vegetarian places that I like is a vegetarian self-service eatery specialized in North Indian meals. Beas has three branches in Prague. They do not use meat, fish, eggs or any products which would contain them. The food is based mainly on vegetables and pulses, which may sound boring for carnivores, but believe me, it´s really tasty.

On the menu, they have both fixed menus (big menu, small menu etc.) plus a daily offer. I usually take the small menu, which consists of soup, salad, raita, rice, dhal, sabji (for the last three mentioned you are always choosing between two possibilities – eg. plain and colored rice).

As far as drinks are concerned, besides water (which is for free) you can try delicious yoghurt based drink lassi, a mango shake and other vegetable and fruit fresh drinks.

Beas is often crowded around noon, hence I recommend to come little bit later. If it´s warm, you can sit in the courtyard garden.

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Beas | Restaurants (Indian) | Big menu CZK 105
Bělehradská 90 | Praha 2 | +420773644561
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 21:00, Sat 12:00 – 20:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00

It seems that the places with good coffee tend to be in the same neighbourhood. Besides Bio zahrada (check the Bio zahrada article), there is Al Cafetero, situated in the Blanicka street (the ending vertical to Vinohradska street).

This non-smoking café bar was ranked several times as one of the best coffee places in Czech republic. Al Cafetero has a nice selection of coffee, but they also know perfectly well how to prepare it. Besides the classics like espresso or cappuccino you can also try their specialty – single origin coffee from a vacuum pot.

If you are not a coffee person, you can have a glass of wine together with some small stuff to eat – some tapas, salads and small meals (try for example the tuscanny grilled vegetable). Al Cafetero can be also a nice place where to start your day – they prepare breakfasts as well (eggs in different style etc.)

The overall ambiance of the place is very nice and the staff (the owners) are always very friendly (but professional). And if you can not live without Internet, you can relax – they have wifi

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Al Cafetero | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Espresso CZK 38
Blanická 24 | Praha 2 | +420777061161
Mon – Thu 08:30 – 21:00, Fri 08:30 – 18:00