Eating out in Prague

Restaurants in the Czech Republic serve dumplings as pudding and as a main course, and Prague is no exception. That should tell you something - namely that Czech food is hearty, heavy, and fattening if you aren't careful. Animal fat, creamy butter sauces, starches and meat in mind-numbing quantities - this is a pretty accurate description of traditional Czech gastronomy. This isn't to say that you won't find anything else in this enchanting historical city. There is a wide variety of ethnic restaurants, and many international cuisines are represented in Prague. Chances are you won't find a vegetarian restaurant though. In this country vegetarianism is considered more of an illness than a lifestyle.
An advantage in Prague is offered in terms of pricing. High-class restaurants charge less than their counterparts in London and Paris, but not at the expense of quality. Most restaurants have menus in English and German, complete with photos of the dishes. Beware - overcharging is common, so look for clearly listed prices.
Apart from the classic soups - beetroot, potato, vegetable, tomato and bean - Prague offers certain unique kinds. A good starter is Czech onion soup. If you want to start a hearty meal out right, there is beef soup with liver dumplings or Moravian cabbage soup with sausage. Traditional solid starter courses include Prague ham with horseradish and smoked ox tongue seasoned with dill sauce. You have been warned about main courses. There is the famous Czech platter, which includes roast duck and pork, dumplings, veal sausages and a bit of cabbage on the side. The traditional leg of lamb is prepared with garlic and spinach, with dumplings on the side. Other solid fare includes Prague pork goulash with beer, pork medallions with herbed potatoes, and stuffed meatloaf. Little distinction between vegetarian cuisine and salad is made. That being said, popular salads are crispy fried mushrooms, vegetable salad with almonds and chicken liver and fried cheese with potatoes and tartar sauce.
For dessert, fruit dumplings are served with vanilla and cream. You can go for pancakes with ice cream or fruit filling, a traditional dish in this part of Europe.
Traditional Czech restaurants in Prague include Le Lapin Bleu, Lví Dvůr and Marie Teresie Czech. You will be offered solid, nourishing meals and excellent drinks in a cosy, welcoming atmosphere.
Cravings for ethnic and international food will certainly be satisfied. A popular American-style restaurant in Prague is the Ambiente. It offers pasta, typical US desserts and other American fare at very reasonable prices. Another classic American restaurant is Buffalo Bill's. You must try their sumptuous ice cream desserts.
Of course, you will find Chinese restaurants in Prague as well. The Canton Chinese restaurant serves frogs in brown sauce, stewed pig's trotters and even jellyfish. Needless to say, this one is for the more adventurous. Excellent Chinese liquor is always in store.
The most notable French restaurants in Prague are La Perle de Prague, Cartouche and U Malířů. U Malířů translates as "At the Painter's" and dates back to 1543, featuring a charming, artistically designed interior. Locals tell that in the 1500s the food samplers of Rudolf II gave it three royal stars, the greatest distinction possible. A fine selection of traditional and modern French dishes is available. Some ingredients are directly imported from France. The waiters are attentive, but not ubiquitous. La Perle de Prague, as the name suggests, is a trendy, upscale joint with an elegant atmosphere. It is located on the seventh floor of a historical building, offering a panoramic view of the Vltava River. A gastronomic highlight here is the duck liver terrine permeated with superb French cognac.
Finally, Art Diogenes is a great reason to become familiar with Greek cuisine, if you aren't already. The menu is divided into ancient and classic dishes. A specialty is lamb cutlets with rosemary. The restaurant is quite expensive, but most definitely worth it.
You will be pleased to know that Prague has many specialty food shops. Some offer organic products.

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