Things to eat and do in Prague

September 7, 2005 2:47 PM

Help a vegan have fun in Prague...

I'm going to be in Prague for two weeks. I've googled for vegan friendly restaurants, and have a list of ones that all appear to be in the centre of the tourist district (and they're all listed in "Vegetarian Europe"). Are there any ones that aren't widely known? Particularly tasty falafel places? And just how do I navigate Prague maps and addresses? They don't seem to have a logical quadrant system or anything.

Also, any suggestions for non touristy things to do in the evenings and on the weekend? I particularly enjoy alcohol and alcohol-related activities, but I don't really feel comfortable going to bars alone.

posted by cmonkey to Travel & Transportation around Prague, Czech Republic (8 answers total)

Although my experience in Prague is limited to visiting as a tourist, it doesn't seem likely that you'll be able to find non-touristy vegan cuisine. I visited lots of cool places in the suburbs, but I don't remember there being many vegan offerings beyond beer.

As far as finding your way around, most Prague street signs tend to have the neighborhood name and number on them. This won't help you before you go, but if you can find addresses or restaurant listings that give a neighborhood that should make navigation easier. You can probably google for more info.. off the top of my head, Stare mesto, Nove mesto, and Josefov are downtown on the east side of the river, while Mala Strana and other neighborhoods are on the other side.
posted by komilnefopa at 3:53 PM on September 7, 2005

In case you haven't tried. Vegan and vegetarian Prague.

"They don't seem to have a logical quadrant system or anything"

Not all cities are planned.
posted by asok at 4:46 PM on September 7, 2005

I understand that you probably had these come up in a search -- they're certainly not that out of the way -- but I can personally vouch for Maly Buddha and Radost FX. In previous AskMe threads on Prague, I've sung the praises of Radost FX. The food was nothing short of amazing. Of course, that was the vegetarian fare, but I'd guess the vegan fare is pretty far out of the park too.
posted by ontic at 7:54 PM on September 7, 2005

I highly recommend this guide. Incidentally, it also mentions Radost FX and gives it a glowing review.
Walking will be the best way to get around in Prague. You can walk through a good chunk of the city in two or three days. The metro is cheap and intuitive, and there are lots of trams. Take tram 22 or 23, if you want a scenic route. Oh, and read up on the taxis, and you might save yourself some korunas.

There are lots of landmarks, so it's not hard to keep your bearings. My hotel was by the river so the Charles Bridge kept me oriented.

Try the Pilsners. Avoid the Czech absinthe. And don't drink the Becherovka, which I'm convinced is Czech for fermented ass.
posted by horsewithnoname at 12:09 AM on September 8, 2005

Response by poster: In case anyone comes across this in the future:

I highly recommend Albio at Truhlářská 20, Praha 1, near the Náměstí Republiky metro stop. Amazing food there and the staff is nice.

Country Life, at least the one at Jungmannova 1, Praha 1, was a good balance between cheap and filling.

The Tesco near the Mustek (I think) stop sells soy milk. You can also hop on Tram 9 right in front there to get to Bohemia Bagels (Ujezd 16, across the river). Get off at the Ujezd stop and turn right around the corner.

Luriete's snide remark aside, I actually ate better vegan food in Prague than I have in Portland, Oregon.
posted by cmonkey at 12:05 PM on October 22, 2005 [2 favorites]

Becherovka is HEAVEN, you have got to be kidding me! Although it is an acquired taste, given. But Becher and tonic is the finest summertime drink ever. And it's vegan!
posted by jennyjenny at 11:35 AM on February 26, 2006

Also, beware asking if there is any meat in menu items in Czech restaurants. I've been told there was no meat in Smazeny Syr, only to find a big slab of ham in the middle of it.

Apparently pigs are a vegetable.
posted by jennyjenny at 11:36 AM on February 26, 2006

I wish my disagreement with Becherovka were seasonal in nature, but my only experience with it occured in the middle of August. After the first gulp, I wanted to suck off a corpse to get the taste out of my mouth.
posted by horsewithnoname at 10:05 PM on April 2, 2006