• Černá Madonna
  • The Black Madonna is a café/restaurant with an Art Deco, mid century modern interior. Right below the Grand Orient Café, while equally as charming, a little more crowded, probably because it’s on the ground level, and just off the Old Town Square. I came here with a sweet tooth and ordered crepes with plum jam and sambuka (holy moly that is some strong liquor, my 1st sip was eye watering lol.)
  • The one cultural difference between the states and Europe I’m still getting used to is paying for tap water in resturants. As I metioned above, I ordered sweet crepes and sambuka, so you know I’m gunna need some WATER. I reluctantly ordered a glass, and I literally watched my waiter grab a small glass, turn on the faucet, and continue to pour me a glass of tap water, fully knowing that it would appear on my bill.
• Al Karim
  • Indian restaurant two blocks away from the J building. You have to follow arrows to a basement, definitely a little spooky, but once you enter, there is a small buffet that changes everyday. You pay by weight, admittedly I don’t know how much per what they charge, but I got a tray with rice, naan, curried vegetables, and chicken tikka masala for about $5. Not really much to write about atmosphere, a little cavernous, seeing that we are in a basement. The food is good, really tastes like someone’s Grama is back there cooking it. Great spot for low key comfort food! Naan could be better and the food gets cold quickly, probably because of the metal trays.
• Bistro 8
  • Located in Praha 7, the newly acclaimed hipster part of town, Bistro 8 is a cozy and hip place to have a chill solo lunch, or to bring parties of 3 max. Katka, my Czech teacher introduced us to this spot as one of her favorite cafés. It’s very rustic/modern chic. White tiles with white, black color lock walls, few green plants (which I see a lot actually, I think Prague in general is really down with plants) and classic rock playing in the background definitely attest to the neighborhoods hipster vibe. I ordered a raspberry lemonade and breakfast BLT, before even eating, beautiful. Tastes even beautiful-er (a word? It should be.) Definitely one of the best things I’ve had in Prague so far.
  • You’ll notice in the picture below, Bistro 8 has water pitchers at each table! I love not paying for tap water!

• Comebuy
  • Comebuy is a cute bubble tea place located right next to the J Building. If you plan to come often enough (I sure as hell do) pick up a stamp card, after your 10th visit, you can claim 1 free drink, up to 109 Kc of course. Casual atmoshpere, like anyother bubble tea spot, however they do not offer any food items, but have an extensive selection of bubbles, jellies and puddings you can add to customize your tea.
  • The people who work here are very nice, honestly though, it reminds me of how pathetic it is to only know one language. While I waited for my tea, I heard the cashier speak English, Czech, and Vietnamese, with three different customers, whithin the span of 10 minutes! As I travel around Prague, I’m sure I’ll see this in the other countries I visit, I lowkey get more envious of people who are able to speak more than one language fluently! It’s absolutly facinating and extremly impressive and helpful.
• Lokál
  • I believe Lokál is a chain, but like, not a crap american chain. What im trying to say is that though there are multiple location in Prague, Lokal uses local ingrediants and you can definantly taste the difference . I went to the location at Douhááá, which I guess is the “longest” location it’s the span of one block. You walk into the bar and have to walk straight in (like you know what your doing *confidence is key*) and wait to be seated. I dined alone, so I was sat at a community table. Lokál is large party friendly, in fact I’m sure it’s a better experience with more people. I ordered the beef cheek goulash and a Pilsner, and it came very quickly. I’ve only had goulash and dumplings once before on this trip and wasn’t impressed, but holy moly I was really happy with this serving. Though not traditional Czech, but typical Czech, I think goulash is Hungarian in origin, but I digress. Halfway through my meal one of the waiters asked me if like more sauce, like I’d say no, I didn’t even know that was an option! Great open atmoshpere, but again, better in a group.
• Havelská Koruna
  • Buffet style dinning, once you walk in someone hands you a ticket, which is then used the fill out what you order. There is a station for salads and breads, soups and entrees. I ordered (Fried cheese, tasted like a dryer mozzarella stick) beef goulash, potatoes, and of course a Pilsner. It’s an inexpensive restaurant, I paid around $10 USD for my meal. No real ambiance, I’d say it’s a place for a good, cheap meal.
• The Saturday Farmers Market
  • The Saturday farmers market is, you guessed it, every Saturday! Kinda like a mini Smorgasberg (a food festival) a walk-way along the river is crowded with food vendors selling sweets, coffees, fresh produce and meats, mulled wines, beers, and savory food.

As I move forward with this whole food blog thing, I find myself slowly becoming the thing I loath: a person who takes pictures of their food before eating it.