Expert recommendations for the best places to eat in four price ranges: budget ($), moderate ($$), expensive ($$$), and luxury ($$$$).
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Fraktal
Laid-back bar with a college-town feel and a beer-friendly menu of ribs, burgers, and Czech-Mex. “The best burgers in Prague and the brunch omelet is surprisingly fluffy. Not bad for a dive.”—Dave Faries, restaurant critic, The Prague Post. Smeralova 1; tel. +420 777 794 094. www.fraktalbar.cz
Hotel Hormeda
Simple Czech cooking done well at a small family hotel in the residential neighborhood of Brevnov. Try the Pilsner Urquell beer and roast pork knee served in a secret marinade. Na Zastrelu 422/15; tel. +420 220 513 604. www.hormeda.cz
Lehka Hlava
Excellent vegetarian in a relaxed, New Wave space. Daily lunch options include soups and small main courses like vegetable curry with broccoli. Regular menu items range from Middle Eastern hummus to Mexican cheese quesadillas. Borsov 2; tel. +420 222 220 665. www.lehkahlava.cz
$$
Bredovsky Dvur
“The duck and the pork ribs are best.”—Dave Faries. Czech pub with hearty fare and great unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell beer. Politickych veznu 13; tel. +420 224 215 428. http://bredovskydvur.unas.cz
Café Imperial
Stylish art nouveau café is a showcase for renowned chef Zdenek Pohlreich. Lots of Czech entrees, including svickova (roast beef tenderloin in cream sauce) and halusky (noodles with cabbage, bacon, and grilled sausages). Also full English- and American-style breakfasts. Na Porici 15; tel. +420 246 011 440. www.cafeimperial.cz
Café Savoy
Popular turn-of-the-century cafe offering inventive French and international dishes and local classics like svickova. Heaping breakfasts every morning; excellent wine list. Vitezna 5; tel. +420 257 311 562. www.ambi.cz
Kolkovna
Laid-back pub owned by the Pilsner Urquell brewery and hard to fault. Probably the best beer in Old Town and a menu long on Czech standards like koleno (pork knee, served on a tiny spit with the traditional sides of brown mustard and horseradish) and roast pork and dumplings. V Kolkovne 8; tel. +420 224 819 701. www.kolkovna.cz
Mozaika
Local favorite in the upscale neighborhood of Vinohrady. Fusion food intermixed with local standards like pork and duck. Draws a mix of successful Czechs and expats, plus a smattering of tourists. Nitranska 13; tel. +420 224 253 011. www.restaurantmozaika.cz
$$$
Aromi
Arguably the best of the city’s many new Italian restaurants. Simple, modern decor works equally well for an informal dinner or a romantic evening. Friendly service; homemade pastas, grilled meats, and some of the city’s best seafood. Manesova 78; tel. +420 222 713 222. www.aromi.cz
Cerny Kohout
Excellent Czech menu and wines served in an elegant setting. Three-course Bohemian tasting menu centers on filet of veal with porcini mushrooms and home-made bread dumplings. Reasonably priced two-course business lunches served weekdays. Vojtesska 9; tel. +420 251 681 191. www.cernykohout.cz
Hergetova Cihelna
Similar to but more affordable than its sister restaurant, Kampa Park, with a better terrace view of the Charles Bridge. Menu suited to the Prague everyman: steaks, seafood, pizzas, and pricey but good burgers. Cihelna 2b; tel. +420 296 826 103. www.kampagroup.com
Oliva
Welcoming, informal, and affordable restaurant where the accent is placed squarely on the food. The name refers to southern European regional cooking, such as lamb chops with vegetable moussaka and duck breast flavored with lavender honey and grapes. Plavecka 4; tel. +420 222 520 288. www.olivarestaurant.cz
Zahrada v Opere
Underrated and overlooked, the “Opera Garden” boasts arguably the best food for the money. Menu is casual-international, but the chefs occasionally experiment with more exotic fare like Nepalese or South African. Legerova 75; tel. +420 224 239 685. http://zahradavopere.cz
$$$$
Bellevue
Chefs Petr Bures and Jacques Auffrays have assembled one of the city’s most adventurous menus, such as black cod with wasabi mashed potatoes and shiitake mushrooms. Stark, modern decor offers a pleasing contrast to the illuminated castle across the river. Smetanovo nabr. 18; tel. +420 222 221 443. www.zatisigroup.cz
La Degustation
“The most intriguing dining experience in Prague.”—Dave Faries. Three set menus, including a traditional Bohemian option. Each menu includes seven courses and an equal number of amuse-bouches (bite-size morsels) in between. Not for light appetites; three sommeliers guide guests through the wines. Hastalska 18; tel. +420 222 311 234. www.ladegustation.cz
Svata Klara
Dark, secluded wine cellar, north of the city center. Romantic setting—candlelight, fine linens, extensive wine list. Menu balances Angus steaks with local favorites like venison, roast duck, and baked goose served with potato dumplings. U Trojskeho zamku 35; tel. +420 233 540 173. www.svataklara.cz
