BEST LUNCHTIME COFFEEHOUSE: Press Café

This comfortable corner café is a lovely spot to grab a coffee or get a light lunch consisting of salads, quiches, homemade soups and daily specials. In the evening the kitchen switches over to an extended dinner menu of bistro-style food. Breakfast is served all day on weekdays, brunch happens on Saturdays and Sundays. Velehradská 4, Prague 3. Tel: +420 605 250 958. Open Mon.-Fri. 8:30-23:00, Sat.-Sun. 10:00-20:00.

BEST CAFÉ: Kaaba Café and Tabak
Set at street level and lined with huge windows, the atmosphere of this café is light, comfortable, and cheerful. The retro design elements combine beautifully with original Art Deco pieces and furniture to make it well worth a visit. Specialties include gourmet coffees and teas, homemade desserts, soups and snacks and a large international wine list. Free WiFi throughout the day.
Mánesova 20, Prague 2 , tel.: +420 / 222 25 40 21. Open Mon- Fri from 8am, Saturday from 9am, Sunday from 10am.

BEST NEW RESTAURANT: Kofein
This family-owned restaurant serves delicious cold and hot tapas , burgers, and specialty menu items with a Spanish flair. The owners put a great deal of care into the details of this tastefully renovated space, and a big draw is the open kitchen where you can watch the chef expertly cook up the made-to-order food. Their weekly lunch menu includes soup, a choice of several hot meals and sandwiches and a glass of home-made ice tea. 
Nitranská 9, Prague 3. Tel: +420 273 132 145. Open Mon- Fri 11:00– midnight , Sat-Sun 17:00–midnight.

BEST CLASSIC CZECH FOOD: Restaurace u Básníka Pánve  (‘The Poet’s Pan’)
This medieval-style restaurant is a great venue for out-of-town guests who want to sample some authentic Czech food. Although the prices are higher than what you would find in a typical pub restaurant, so is the quality. The kitchen expertly prepares classic game dishes such as duck, wild boar, and venison, as well as an excellent beer goulash with some of the best dumplings in town. They also do reasonably priced daily lunch specials throughout the week. Mánesova 62, Praha 2. Tel: +420 222 250 072.  Open daily 11:00-midnight.

BEST BISTRO: Mozaika Restaurant
Our #1 favorite neighborhood restaurant consistently offers delicious, top-quality, creative cuisine. The food is thoughtfully presented and prepared with homemade stocks, sauces and condiments, and the majority of the meats and vegetables are locally sourced. Gourmet cheeseburgers served on homemade onion buns keep us coming back for more.
 Nitranská 13, Prague 3, Tel: +420-224-253-011. Open Mon-Fri 11:30-24:00, Sat 12:00-24:00, Sun 16:00-24:00

BEST PIZZERIA: Sorrento Ristorante
Sorrento stands out from the multitude of bland-to-average neighborhood pizzerias in that the wood-fired-oven pizzas are tasty in the crust department and topped with generous amounts of fresh ingredients. Our favorite double-bill order is ‘Diavolo’ and ‘Bolognaise’, with extra mushrooms. Delicious every time.
 Nitranská 20, Prague 3, Tel: +420-224-250-003. Open Mon-Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun 13:00-23:00

BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT: Radost FX Café
Radost is famous for its eclectic vegetarian menu offering dishes from around the world (Thai, Mexican, Italian, etc.). Nearly every entree is a Radost ‘original’ and the portions are big and filling. The homemade desserts are delicious (Key Lime Pie!) and they have an impressive list of cocktails and smoothies as well. The front cafe is now non-smoking. 
Bělehradská 120, Prague 2, Tel: +420 224 254 776. Open daily 11am-late. Weekend brunch 10:30-15:00

BEST ITALIAN/HIGH-END FOOD: Aromi Restaurant & La Bottega Deli
Aromi serves some of the best fresh seafood and authentic Italian dishes in town. As well as superior Italian cuisine, diners can expect to find unparalleled service and a great wine selection in a low-key, comfortable atmosphere. This easily qualifies as the best spot in the neighborhood to throw down some serious cash and walk away feeling like it was absolutely worth it.  Their ‘La Bottega’ Italian deli across the street (Mánesova 83) serves pasta and prepared sauces to-go, as well as pre-made daily lunch and dinner specials. They also offer an extensive line of Italian cheeses, meats, wines, as well as fresh fish and shellfish. 
Mánesova 78, Prague 2, Tel: +420-222-713-222. Open Mon-Sat 12:00-23:00, Sunday 12:00-22:00. La Bottega: Open Mon – Fri 11:00 – 20:30, Sat 11:00 – 19:00, Sun closed.

BEST MICROBREW PUB: U Slovanské Lípy
U Slovanské Lípy has been an active pub since the building it’s housed in was erected in 1908, and was a family-operated establishment for nearly a century. Although the pub has changed hands and is now run by a younger set, it retains the classic pub atmosphere and is decorated with historical and cult movie memorabilia. The real draw here is the collection of draft Czech microbrews, including unfiltered and unpasteurized Kout beer from Šumava. They have a non-smoking room and a limited pub food menu.
Tachovské nám. 288/6, Prague 3. Tel.: +420-602-190-112. Open Mon.-Sat. 16-23:00.

BEST ORIGINAL PUB: Hospoda U vystřelenýho oka (‘The Shot-Out Eye’)

Located between the newly refurbished Vitkov Rail Trail and Husitska street, far under the watchful one-eye of the giant General Jan Žižka statue, the Shot Out Eye has been a unique neighborhood watering hole since the early ’90′s. The décor designed by absurdist artist Martin Velíšek is a real treat (he even designed the ashtrays). There’s an outdoor terrace/amphitheater for summertime socializing, but if you want to sit inside, especially in winter, show up early as seats fill up fast. 
U Božích bojovníků 3, Prague 3. Tel: +420 222 540 465. Open Mon-Sat. 16:30-01:00, closed Sundays.

BEST OLD-SCHOOL PUB: Nad Viktorkou
Along with The Shot Out Eye, Nad Viktorkou hasn’t changed in decades. This ‘rock pub’ has been pouring excellent Czech draft beer, cooking up pub grub until midnight, and rocking out as far back as we can remember. In the downstairs music club you can party on until the sun rises. This is one of the few remaining pre-communist pubs left in the neighborhood that has not been sold, remodeled, and homogenized. Bořivojova 79, Prague 3. Tel: +420 222 722 557. Upstairs Open daily 17:00-01:00. Downstairs until 04:00.

BEST ALL-AROUND PUB: Pastička Kvelb and Pub
It’s always fun at Pasticka. Great atmosphere (they manage to do ‘cozy’ without the standard bricka-brack overkill), friendly staff, unpasteurized Bernard beer on tap, Czech food with a creative twist and…a fireplace! It’s advisable to reserve a table around any holidays, even for two, as this popular pub is a favorite for big and small parties alike.
 Blanická 25, Prague 2. Tel: 222 253 228. Open Mon-Fri: 11:00 – 01:00, Sat-Sun: 17:00 – 01:00

BEST BEER PUB: U Sadu
Although it can be tough to pick a best “beer” pub U Sadu definitely covers a lot of bases. With an impressive selection of bottled and tap beers they also feature weekly special drafts from local and regional breweries. The kitchen serves big, tasty portions of traditional Czech food as well as seasonal specials until after midnight (for the hungry and lazy they now offer free food delivery in Zizkov/Vinohrady). And if you want to get your rock-star on, the basement has a jukebox with some solid classic rock selections.
 Škroupovo náměstí. 5, Prague 3. Open Mon-Fri 8:00-4am, Sat-Sun 9:00-4am.

BEST PUB TO MEET UP WITH A BIG GROUP OF PALS: Sokool Bar
Housed within the Riegrovy Sady Sokol building, this laid-back pub with big tables is a great place to meet up with a bunch of friends once the beer garden closes down for the winter. High ceilings, warm lighting and a long hardwood bar make for a comfortable atmosphere and the beer (Gambrinus/Pilsner) always flows freely. The friendly wait staff is used to handling big tables, so the lag time between drinks is minimal, but be sure to reserve, as it packs out fast.
 Polská 1, Prague 2. Tel: +420-222-210-528. Open Mon-Fri 11:00-24:00, Saturday 12:00-24:00, Sunday 12:00-23:00.

BEST COCKTAIL BAR: Hapu
Hapu hit the neighborhood 14 years ago and remains one of the friendliest bars around, mixing excellent cocktails made from the freshest ingredients available. Patrons can sip their drinks and relax in the comfy little living-room-like atmosphere where the vibe is always lively and welcoming. They also offer a multitude of top-shelf liquors, including an extensive rum and tequila selection. As of September 2011, Hapu officially went NON-SMOKING. Orlická 8, Prague 3, Tel: +420-775-109-331. Open daily 18:00-03:00.

BEST LATE-NIGHT BAR: Bukowski’s
Whether you want to lounge in a dimly lit corner for a quiet drink or elbow up to the usually-packed bar, Bukowski’s is a great place to keep the party going into the wee hours. The friendly expert bar staff serves some of the best cocktails in the neighborhood and the music is always pumping. Good times…(what you remember of them the next day anyway…). 7Kc beers on Sundays and ladies drink sangria for free on Tuesdays. 
Bořivojova 86, Prague 3. Open daily 19:00-02:00

BEST OVERALL VENUE: Palác Akropolis
One of the most interesting cultural spaces in Prague, the aptly named Palác Akropolis, contains a labyrinth of activity. Upstairs the uniquely designed corner pub serves food from lunchtime until around 22:00 daily. Next door you’ll find a small café and a stairwell leading down to the funky theater bar, ‘small stage’ bar, and concert hall, which collectively host local and internationally acclaimed bands and theater events. The entire venue is showcase for Czech design and a real hub for neighborhood party people. 
Kubelíkova 27, Prague 3 Tel: +420 296 330 911. Open Mon-Fri 10:00-05:00, Sat-Sun 16:00-05:00

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD ADDITIONS: Pho & Yes Burger
In a city that has extremely limited ‘street-food’ options compared to other world cities, two new hole-in-the-wall joints Pho and Yes Burger are here to start filling in the gap. Pho offers Vietnamese soups and Asian specialties including summer rolls, sushi and Czech Chinese. Yes Burger serves up grilled-to-order hamburgers. Customers can eat standing up (Pho), have a seat in the little side room (Yes Burger), or get orders to go. Pho: Slavikova 1, Prague 2. Tel:+420 774 167 786. Open daily 11:00-22:00. Yes Burger: Seifertova 14, Prague 3. Tel: +420 608 956 345. Open daily 10:00-23:00.

Tunnel on the Vítkov rail-trail

Where and When: Tachovské námesti, Vítkov rail-trail, Žižkov, September 24th, 9am to 6pm.

Urban Garden, Greenways, ReReRe, Lokal Burger and other partners will be organizing a street fair along the Vitkov rail-trail and Tachovské náměstí in Žižkov during Auto*Mat’s Experience a Different City Festival Saturday the 24th of September, with food, music, and cultural and educational events taking place all day.

Enjoy a free concert at legendary pub At Shot-Out Eye (U vystřeleného oka), sample Czech microbrew at U Slovanské Lipy, watch a special performance on the trail by Ponec Theater, consider the possibilities of urban and guerrilla gardening, try Karlin-based Homeport public bikes, get to know the architects who plan to better connect the Vítkov rail-trail with Žižkov and Karlín, craft useful items with recycled materials at the ReReRe workshop, and get a chance to sample Lokal Burger’s specialties.

New York has its High Line park , a 2.3km stretch of greenway built on an old elevated freight line, and Berlin its amazing urban garden Prinzessingarten, and time has come for Prague to embark on similar projects, projects that not only improve the city for citizens and visitors alike, but also inspire the people that live around these areas to participate in the development of such public spaces. As such, our event will focus on public gardening, city cycling and multi-purpose greenways (not just for cycling anymore!), volunteering, and recycling. We aspire to inspire local inhabitants, businesses, town hall and NGO´s to work together on further development of the rail-trail as a vital public space in the heart of Prague.

Our September 24th Program:

• 9:00-10:00    Clean up of trail with volunteers—show up and get involved, meet like-minded people!
• 10:30-11:30  ReReRe workshop–coloring of bags, bike bags, and more using recycled goods.
• 11:30-12:30  Excursion along Vítkov rail-trail, learn about its history and consider ideas for the future.
• 13:00-15:30  Fall 2011 Critical Mass ride across Prague.
• 16:00-17:00  Concert in garden pub At Shot-Out Eye (U vystřeleného oka).
• 17:00-17:30  Dance performance on trail put on by Ponec Theater.

All-Day Events 11:00-18:00 and Partners:

• Amulet (bike riding school for kids); ReReRe (clothes and books swap & textile bag painting–bring items to swap or give away); Nadace Partnerství and Greenways (bikeworkshop and city cycling stand); atelier Prostor 008 (presentation of accessibility project to Vítkov trail from streets Jeronýmova and U Božích bojovníků); Architects e-chmelar.com (presentation of project study “Karlin Vitkov Conected!” the elevator to Vítkov); Urban garden.cz (presentation of public garden concepts), Homeport from Karlín, (public bikes); Galasovy mobile stand of unusual bikes and bike rodeo); cyklojízdy (bike sound system); Šmídová Landscape Architects;  Za lepší Koněvku (organization for the improvement of  Koněvova street); and others to be announced.
• Food and Booze: LokalBurger.cz, Restaurace U Slovanské lípy, pub U vystřeleného oka and other businesses along the Husitská and Koněvova corridor.

Getting There:

Walk from Metro B, C  at Florenc
Bus 133, 175 to Tachovské náměstí
Walk from Tram 5, 9, 26 at Husinecká

View Larger Map

Experience a Different City September 24th 2011

This year’s September 24th Critical Mass bicycling event and Experience a Different city festival put on by Auto*Mat will have a slightly different “spin.” Instead of the Critical Mass ride (which starts at 2:00 on Americká and Rumunská at Náměstí Míru) ending at one specific location for the festival, this year Auto*Mat, in cooperation with individuals, clubs, associations, and small businesses will be creating neighborhood and community events around the city. In this way individuals living in those areas can see what potential their own surroundings hold for development and can learn to play active roles in the transformation of their neighborhoods. If you are interested in volunteering your time for the function, please write to iva.pohankova (at) car-mat.cz. The Experience a Different City 2011 itinerary is a work-in-progress will be updated and published on Green Map as it develops.

If you’re not familiar with Auto*Mat’s Experience a Different City, it’s the 6th annual one-day event to let us contemplate our approaches to transportation and show how individuals could transform Prague into a more pleasant place to live. Impromptu roadside and sidewalk cafes, shops, and entertainment will be set up, creating a fun, safe, and community-focused event that can make us consider where our priorities now lie—giving preference to cars and parking rather than community and standard of living. Paired with the Critical Mass ride, which last year attracted 5,000 cyclists, you can begin to fathom that this is not just some movement fueled by a handful of hippies.

Cyclists will begin gathering at 1:00 on Americká and Rumunská streets September 24th, the Critical Mass ride set to begin at 1:30. The ride will follow an easy course through town to make it accessible to cyclists of all ages and abilities, ending in Letná park around 3:30.

Presently post-ride Experience a Different City events are being organized in Vinohrady, Košíře, Žižkov, Palmovka, Karlovo náměstí, Vršovice, Břevnov, Letňany, Letná, and possibly others. As of September 1st the specifics of the festival are still being worked out but you can keep tabs on the progress of the itinerary at Green Map or by joining Auto*Mat’s event page on Facebook.

Along with Auto*Mat, Urban Garden, Greenways, ReReRe, Lokal Burger and other partners will be organizing the event along the Vitkov rail-trail in Žižkov, with food, music, and cultural and educational events taking place all day, with a focus on the future development of the Vitkov rail-trail and Husitská and Koněvova streets. Details are still being worked out, so check back here for updates on the day’s events. There will be a volunteer clean-up of the trail in the morning, and all hands will be welcome. If you would like to volunteer to help out at the event on the Vitkov rail-trail in any capacity, please write to info (at) urbangarden.cz.

Dragon Boat Racing

If you’re looking for a unique place to take the kids or spend a hopefully sunny and warm Saturday, stop on down to Cisarska Louka island the 10th of September and check out the annual Prague Dragon Autumn boat festival.

Hosted by the Prague Dragon Boat Club, the day will feature racing from participants from all over Europe. If you’re not familiar with Dragon Boat racing, don’t worry, you’re probably not alone, even though the competition has been floating around rivers for some 2000 years. Today dragon boat racing is an international sport and Saturday’s event will feature different types of races—a 250 meter Hong Kong style race, a 1000 meter long distance race, and the “Tanjunk-Pinang” cup, an Indonesian 600 meter race.

The event will span the entire day and will feature dances, food and drink, music and other entertainment throughout the day. More information at PragueDragons.cz.

Saturday 10.9.2011
8:00 – festival area opening
9:00 – captains meeting
9:30 – Opening ceremony
9:40 – Awakening of the dragon
10:00 – morning sport block
12:30 – lunch break
13:00 – afternoon sport block
17:00 – recessive race – Boat pulling
19:00 – Awarding trophies
19:30 – Closing ceremony of Prague Dragon Autumn
19:40 – Final dragon dance – Dragon falling asleep
20:00 – Dragon party
22:00 – Evening surprise

Getting there: 12, 13, 14, and 20 Trams to Lihovar. Walk toward the river, cross Strakonické street. The road leading onto the island is to the left of the inSPORTline store on Strakonické street. The event is at the Water Stadium in the middle of the island (at the old school yellow and blue tower).

View Larger Map

Click to view informational PDF (in CZ)

Thursday, the 12th of May, stop by the grand opening of Prague’s newest farmers’ market, Farmářského Tržiště František, in Prague 1. The market will be located on the waterfront of the Vltava embankment Dvorak, at the Čechova Bridge across from Na Františku street (in front of the Intercontinental Hotel).

Not only is the market the first to start up in Prague 1, it’s also run by the Archtyp Civic Association that operates the markets on Jiřího z Poděbrad, Kubánské náměstí, and Náplavka, some of the bigger, and better organized, markets in the city. The market will run from 8-18:00 every Thursday throughout the season.

International seminar for companies, municipalities and professional public is focused on Mobility plans, Greenways and public spaces.

*When: Thursday, 7.4.2011, 9:00-16:00
*Where: Česká spořitelna, Mramorový sál, Rytířská 29, 110 00 Praha 1 (map)

Please register early, capacity is limited.

Cities in Motion

Jiřího z Poděbrad and Žižkov TV Tower

After living in Prague 2 & 3 neighborhoods for over a decade we have a lot of love for the place. We’ve assembled a 2010 short list of a few of our favorite local cafes, bars and restaurants. Our picks include a combination of venues recommended for good ambiance, friendly service and excellent quality. Hopefully you’ll enjoy frequenting them as much as we do, please submit any tips for other great finds in this neighborhood or your district of Prague!

BEST CAFÉ: Kaaba Café and Tabak
Set at street level and lined with huge windows, the atmosphere of this café is light, comfortable, and cheerful. The retro design elements complement original Art Deco pieces and furniture to make it well worth a visit. Specialties include gourmet coffees and teas, homemade desserts, soups and snacks and an impressive international wine list. Free WiFi throughout the day.
Mánesova 20, Prague 2 , tel.: +420 / 222 25 40 21. Open Mon- Fri from 8am, Saturday from 9am, Sunday from 10am.

BEST BISTRO: Mozaika Restaurant
Our favorite neighborhood restaurant Mozaika offers high quality, consistency and creativity with their ever-changing menu. The food is thoughtfully presented and prepared with homemade stocks, sauces and condiments, and the majority of the meats and vegetables are locally sourced. One thing that sets them apart is the hands-on presence of the head chef and owners who make sure guests are looked after. Their gourmet cheeseburgers served on a fresh homemade spinach bun keep us coming back for more.
Nitranská 13, Prague 3, Tel: +420-224-253-011. Open Mon-Fri 11:30-24:00, Sat 12:00-24:00, Sun 16:00-24:00

BEST MEXICAN FOOD: Fosil Cantina
Having moved from their original tiny closet on Belehradska, the Fosil team now run a festive joint at the bottom of Milíčova ulice near Prokopovo náměstí. Every night has a perk, whether it’s a free sombrero, group salsa lessons, or 2-for-1 tequila shots. But the real reason to go is to enjoy the authentic Mexican grub that by all rights should embarrass the too-prevalent ‘Czech Mex’ restaurants right out of town.
Milíčova 25, Prague 3, Tel: +420- 737-502-824. Open Sun-Weds 11:00-12:00, Thurs-Sat 11:00-02:00

BEST PIZZERIA: Sorrento Ristorante
Sorrento stands out from the multitude of neighborhood pizzerias in that the wood-fired oven pizzas are consistently excellent and they never skimp on the high-quality ingredients. Our top favorite double-bill order is ‘Diavolo’ and ‘Bolognaise’, both with mushrooms added. Delicious every time.
Nitranská 20, Prague 3, Tel: +420-224-250-003. Open Mon-Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun 13:00-23:00

BEST VEGETERIAN RESTAURANT: Radost FX Café
After all these years we still love Radost (and yes, we are biased). The eclectic vegetarian menu covers a wide variety of foods (Thai, Mexican, Italian, etc.), and nearly every meal is original, tasty, and huge. The desserts are outstanding (Key Lime Pie!) and the cocktails and smoothies are terrific. If you haven’t visited in a while, as of September the front cafe has been remodeled and is now non-smoking!
Bělehradská 120, Prague 2, Tel: +420 224 254 776. Open daily 11am-late. Weekend brunch 10:30-15:00

BEST ITALIAN/HIGH-END FOOD: Aromi Restaurant & La Bottega Deli
Much to our delight, Aromi opened its doors in 2005 and began serving some of the best fresh seafood and authentic Italian dishes in town. It has a low-key, tasteful atmosphere, unparalleled service, and a great wine selection. This easily qualifies as the best spot to throw down some serious cash and walk away feeling like it was absolutely worth it.  They also run the ‘La Bottega’ Italian deli across the street at Mánesova 83 offering take-way pasta and sauces as well as pre-made daily dinner specials. They have an extensive line of Italian cheeses, meats, wines, as well as fresh fish and shellfish.
Mánesova 78, Praha 2, Tel: +420-222-713-222. Open Mon-Sat 12:00-23:00, Sunday 12:00-22:00. La Bottega: Open Mon – Fri 11:00 – 20:30, Sat 11:00 – 19:00, Sun closed.

BEST COCKTAIL BAR: Hapu
Celebrating it’s 13th year in operation, this friendly, relaxed neighborhood joint is well-heeled in mixing the best cocktails in the neighborhood and possibly all of Prague. The space is decorated like a comfy little living room and the vibe is always lively and welcoming. Their fresh-squeezed juice cocktails are fantastic –and they offer a multitude of top shelf liquors, including an extensive tequila selection.
Orlická 8, Prague 3, Tel: +420-775-109-331. Open daily 18:00-02:00

BEST ALL-AROUND PUB: Pastička Kvelb and Pub
It’s always fun at Pasticka! Great atmosphere (they managed to do ‘cozy’ without the standard bricka-brack overkill), friendly staff, unpasteurized Bernard beer on tap, Czech food with a creative twist and…a fireplace! Definitely reserve around any holidays, even for two, as this popular pub is a favorite for big parties.
Blanická 25, Prague 2. Tel: 222 253 228. Open Mon-Fri: 11:00 – 01:00, Sat-Sun: 17:00 – 01:00

BEST BEER PUB: U Sadu
It’s a stretch to choose a ‘best’ pub, but U Sadu definitely covers a lot of bases. With an impressive selection of bottled and tap beers they also feature weekly special draft beers from local and regional breweries. Additionally they boast one of the best Czech kitchens in these parts serving big, tasty portions and as well as seasonal specials (for the hungry and lazy they now offer free food delivery in Zizkov/Vinohrady!). And if you want to get your rock-star on, the basement has a jukebox with some solid old school selections.
Škroupovo náměstí. 5, Praha 3. Open Mon-Fri 8:00-4am, Sat-Sun 9:00-4am

BEST PUB TO MEET UP WITH A BIG GROUP OF PALS: Sokool Bar
Housed within the Riegrovy Sady Sokol building, this laid-back pub is a great place to reserve a table for a bunch of friends once the beer garden closes down for the winter. The high ceilings, warm lighting and long hard-wood bar make for a fun atmosphere and the beer (Gambrinus/Pilsner) always flows freely. The wait staff is used to handling big tables, so the lag time between drinks is minimal. Wednesday evenings are smoke-free.
Polská 1, Prague 2, Tel: +420-222-210-528. Open Mon-Fri 11:00-24:00, Saturday 12:00-24:00, Sunday 12:00-23:00

BEST LATE-NIGHT BAR: Bukowski’s
Whether you want to hang in the dimly lit corner for a quiet drink or elbow up to the usually-packed bar, Bukowski’s is a great place to keep the party going into the wee hours. The friendly bar staff serves some of the best cocktails in the neighborhood and the music is always pumping. Good times…(what you remember of them the next day anyway…)
Bořivojova 86, Prague 3. Open daily 19:00-02:00

BEST NON-STOP JOINT: Pizzeria Roma Uno
A neighborhood staple, Pizza Roma has been serving the hungry late-night wanderers of Žižkov and Vinohrady with decent pizza, pastas, and lasagna for years on end. And don’t worry about the kitchen closing before you stagger in, it’s open every day and night, round-the-clock.
Jagellonská  16, Prague 3. Tel: +420-222-714-154. Open daily Non-stop

BEST NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: Dirty Dog Bar
This casual little bar located just off Vinohradska is the perfect place to stop in for a decent cocktail or tasty little snack. The super-friendly owners personally greet their guests, as well as cook up some fine bar food including grilled Panini sandwiches, spicy nachos, and gourmet quesadillas. It’s a great new addition to the neighborhood and it’s open late!
Vinohradská 102, Prague 3. Open Mon – Thurs: 18:00- 02:00, Fri – Sun: 18:00- 04:00

BEST OVERALL VENUE: Palác Akropolis
One of the most interesting cultural spaces in Prague, the aptly named Palác Akropolis contains a labyrinth of activity. Upstairs the uniquely designed corner pub serves food till after midnight every day. Next door you’ll find a small café and stairwell leading down to the funky theater bar, ‘small stage’ bar, and concert hall which hosts local and internationally acclaimed bands and theater events. The entire venue is showcase for Czech design and a real hub for neighborhood party people.
Kubelíkova 27, Prague 3 Tel: +420 296 330 911. Open Mon-Fri 10:00-05:00, Sat-Sun 16:00-05:00

Yummy Stuffed Peppers.

This version of stuffed peppers was inspired by our friends at  PaleoDiet.cz where the traditional rice filling is replaced by cauliflower and nuts (and we think it tastes even better). You can also easily substitute ground turkey for the ground beef. Traditionally the pepper shells are steamed before being filled and baked. Here they sit in a chopped tomato mixture during the backing process, which accomplishes the same goal.

500g of ground beef

4 large bell peppers (any color)

1 medium red onion, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1+1 Tbl olive oil

250 grams cauliflower, processed in food processor until fine

¼ cup of almonds, processed in food processor until fine

1 handful of fresh herbs, (oregano, parsley, basil, or a combination) finely chopped

1 large can of tomato paste (about 120g)

1 Tbl Worcestershire sauce

1 can of chopped tomatoes (or 2 cups of fresh chopped tomatoes, with juice)

Tabasco sauce to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

Mozzarella Cheese (optional)

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

Remove the tops and seed the bell peppers. Finely chop the remaining tops. (If you prefer, you can also cut the peppers in half).

In a large skillet sauté ground beef, onion, garlic, and chopped peppers in 1 tablespoon of olive oil until lightly browned. Drain off excess oil.

Stir in the herbs, tomato paste, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper. Stir over low heat  for two minutes. Place meat mixture into a reserve container.

In the same skillet add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the cauliflower and chopped almonds for five minutes on medium-high heat. Add the reserved meat mixture and  simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Spread the chopped tomatoes on the bottom of a greased baking dish. Stuff the peppers with the mixture and bake for about 40 minutes, or until pepper shells are soft (we like to top them with a slice of mozzarella about 10 minutes before they come out of the oven). Top with the cooked chopped tomatoes and serve!

The Green Map System offers a refreshing perspective where the car-heavy streets and highways take a back seat to the possibility of making one’s way around the city without four wheels and a gas motor. Also included are hundreds of tips for residents and tourists seeking out cultural monuments and eco-friendly businesses around town, as well as smoke-free establishments.

Prague Green Map.

As stated on the official Green Map website, this guide is instrumental in mapping out environmentally sound living, nature and culture with adaptable tools and icons. The goal of the association is to promote inclusive participation in sustainable community development worldwide, using map-making as the medium.

The paper map is free, with over 40,000 copies currently in distribution.