IMAGES: KRISTÝNA HADAČOVÁ; MIKULÁŠ GOTTWALD; GETTY; NIKOL BALCAR


A DAY IN NOVÉ MĚSTO & STARÉ MĚSTO


With gothic, Renaissance and baroque architecture, Prague’s historic city centre draws tourists from near and far. Nové Město and Staré Město — New Town and Old Town — have traditionally offered visitors some of Prague’s least impressive cuisine. Nowadays, though, a growing number of upscale restaurants and cosy cafes make it a destination that food-lovers should seek out. Start at EMA Espresso Bar, a hip, minimalist


affair known for its killer coffee and simple baked goods. The real gem here is the koláče, a sweet pastry made by beloved local bakery Alf & Bet, which tastes like the sort of traditional home-bake a Czech grandma might make. Walking is the best way to experience


central Prague. From Prašná brána (one of the city’s gates) head down the winding streets to Old Town Square. Wait to see the Twelve Apostles appear on the over 600-year-old astronomical clock. From here, cobblestone paths lead to the beautiful Charles Bridge. For the best upscale lunch spot, head to elegant Café Louvre, a 120-year-old staple


once frequented by the likes of Franz Kafa and Albert Einstein. Its small menu offers traditional tasty dishes like goulash and pork shoulder. Alternatively, if you’ve had your fill of Czech food, visit QQ Asian Kitchen, where chefs Nyoman Purnata and Lee Chang blend family-style pan-Asian cuisine with inventive fine dining. Or, for a lighter meal, try Palo Verde Bistro, an innovative restaurant with plant-based dishes ranging from mushroom tortellini to crispy non-chicken burger. Rent a paddleboat at Slovanka Boat Rentals


to spend a couple of hours paddling along the Vltava River. Afterwards, follow Náplavka riverbank walkway, stopping at the renovated kobky — former waterside dungeons that now house bars, cafes and art exhibits. End the day at U Kalendů, just south of the


Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić-designed Dancing House. This modern Czech restaurant puts a fresh spin on traditional food. Expect fried carp, homemade pâté and flavourful beef tartare paired with soft homemade bread and local brews.


TOP CZECH RESTAURANTS


Kantýna Smoked and roasted meats are at the heart of Czech cuisine, and no place does it better than Kantýna. Housed in the Ringhoffer Palace, this butchery and restaurant specialises in beef and pork, cooked over an open fire. Expect flavourful spit-roasted tri-tip beef, homemade sausages and the Czech potato pancake, bramborák. kantyna.ambi.cz


Výčep Chef Jiří Hrachový and his team sit at the forefront of modern Czech gastronomy, putting their own spin on classic pub dishes. The seasonal menu pays homage to the regional ingredients central to nearly all Czech meals, such as dill, caraway seeds and lovage. Thick sauces and flavour- packed broths beautifully underscore its fish, venison and rabbit dishes. vycepkorunni.cz


Vinohradský Parlament Chef Jan Pípal celebrates lesser-known regional meals (like the rolled meat dish, španělský ptáček) and unique variations on the Czech staple, dumplings. Lunch menus alternate, but its core menu always includes some variety of homemade dumplings. Opt for roasted duck legs or the stuffed plum dumplings, which are perfectly accompanied by a fresh pilsner beer. vinohradskyparlament.cz


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