Image by Tomáš Jungwirth

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Prague

Image by Jana Kneschke

My last visit proved all the words written more than two years ago. Actually, the food is now far better than before. I keep testing almost every two months

The status of Lemon Leaf as “the best Thai in the city” will make it – only in case there would not be the Noodle bar-restaurant just couple blocks down the road. But “Noodles” does not have such a nice all-you can-eat…

The truth is that Ll`s Thai cuisine is indeed good and does not go up and down in quality according to the tourist season as do many other places in the city. So if you are in the mood for something spicy, in good portions and relatively well priced, choose Lemon Leaf. And what always counts is their friendly staff, pleasant atmosphere and nice music.

Worth mentioning is also the self-service weekend buffet menu – all you can eat for just for 239 CZK, while browsing the morning news thanks to free wi-fi spot.

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Lemon Leaf | Snacks, Restaurants (Thai) | Main meal CZK 120
Myslíkova 14 | Praha 2 | +420224919056
Mon – Thu 11:00 – 22:00, Fri 11:00 – 00:30, Sat 12:30 – 00:30, Sun 12:30 – 22:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Prague

Image by Jana Kneschke

“Sentimental, maudlin, melodramatic, corny”, that’s what Urban dictionary says about the word “cheesy”.

The truth is that after having some cheese from this place I do feel maudlin and sentimental. Sentimental when there is not a single crystal left from the super-old Gouda I love. Maudlin is that phase when there is only one last bite left. Melodramatic fits when I offer a mature goat cheese around my office. Corny are the comments of those who refuse.

Cheesy is a franchise, with shops open all over the Czech Republic, and with couple in Prague. You can find all shops in map on their website.

List of those in Prague:

Prague 1 at Na Poříčí streetPrague 2 Vinohrady – Jugoslávská 23 (where picture is taken)

Prague 5 Smíchov – Štefánikova 18/25

Prague 7 Letná – Letenské náměstí 6Prague 8 Kobylisy – at the metro station Kobylisy

Prague 9 Balabenka – Sokolovská 264

Probably thanks to Cheesy, there are many other cheese shops in Prague, springing to life on many streets and corners.

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Cheesy | Shopping, Snacks
Jugoslávská 23 | Praha 2
Depends on location, see website

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Prague

Image by Filip Grimm

This is an extraordinary place, yet it is not suitable for everyone. Imagine a one-room pub (it used to be an apartment) located in the garden of Prague botanical garden and occupied mostly by students.

The interior has been renovated in summer 2011 but do not expect superb modern design, there is only simple wooden furniture and two bathrooms. What makes this spot interesting is the people who come there. I have never seen anybody older than 35 years in here.

Mrtvá ryba (Dead Fish) is the nearest bar/pub both from 1st Medical Faculty of Prague and Natural Sciences Faculty so students coming here after their lectures usually attend one of these schools. It is a great place to meet some local people from Prague, especially if you’re about my age or even interested in the same fields.

People come here to study, hang out, drink, kill time between lectures or also work on computer (plugs are available). Another advantage of this place is the price range, it shows this place is really a student one.

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Mrtvá ryba | Bars, Coffee & tea | Beer Staropramen 0,5L CZK 21
Benátská 4 | Praha 2
Mon – Fri 16:00 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Prague

Image by Katerina Vankova

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 98.00
Bělehradská 90 | Praha 2 | +420773644561
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 21:00, Sat 12:00 – 20:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Prague

Image by Katerina Vankova

One my favourite 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 becomes a growing popular trend among certain people, myself included).

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 french press) and a delicious dessert – various types of cakes (apricot, rapsberry, cheesecake etc) .

Besides the cakes you can get a proper lunch there – whether you prefer a salad, quiche or sandwich or something bigger – recently a kitchen opened there and every working day, you can have a soup and a main course. The menu changes each day.

For those, who are Internet addicts or just want to check their emails it might be a 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, eg. coffee tastings managed by the coffee roasting company which supplies Bio Zahrada or some organic wine testing.

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Bio zahrada | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks | Espresso CZK 38.00
Belgická 33 | Praha 2 | +420603752468
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 21:00, Sat 14:00 – 21:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Prague

Image by Katerina Vankova

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Prague

Image by Katerina Vankova

Like every woman, I love to receive flowers, especially, when there is no special occasion. I like to decorate my flat with fresh cut flowers to make it more cosy (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 .

My favourite spot where I buy flowers is called Belles Fleurs. The shop is situated just a few steps from the famous Radost FX (another location can be found in Prague 7) I like Belles Fleurs because hey 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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Prague

Image by Katerina Vankova

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 actually awarded “The best café bar” in the annual competition Czech Bar Awards and I think that it´s well deserved. Not only do they have 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 – Fri 08:30 – 21:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Prague

Image by Katerina Vankova

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 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)

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Prague