Best Dining Bets

Kampa Park (Na Kampe 8b, Praha 1; tel. 296-826-102): This is the best bet for summer outdoor dining in Prague. The restaurant has a riverside view, where you can dine in the shadow of Prague's most famous bridge during the high season.

U Malíru (Maltézské nám. 11, Praha 1; tel. 257-530-000): Though for years it took heat for its sky-high prices, the now more-affordable menu of this gourmet haunt brings its haute cuisine a little closer to earth.

Nebozízek (Petrínské sady 411, Praha 1; tel. 257-315-329):The food may not be anything to write home about, but you can't beat the best bird's-eye view of Prague offered on Petrín Hill.

Kavárna Obecní dum (námestí Republiky 5, Praha 1; tel. 222-002-763): This reinvigorated Art Nouveau cafe at the Municipal House has re-created the grandeur of Jazz Age afternoons.

Bellevue (Smetanovo nábrezí 18, Praha 1; tel. 222-221-443): This best spot for an important lunch or dinner has artful Continental fare and impeccable business-friendly service with a cozy atmosphere and super views near Charles Bridge.

Restaurant U Cízku (Karlovo nám. 34, Praha 2 tel. 222-232-257): With huge portions of hearty Czech food perfectly accompanied by a Pilsner lager, this spot feels like a festive Bohemian hunting lodge.

Best Pub Gulás (Goulash): Old Town's boisterous U Vejvodu (tel. 224-219-999) dishes out a fine spicy goulash along with Pilsner Uruqell.

Best Homemade Italian Pasta: Feel the Italian ambiente and enjoy the great taste of southern Europe and its cuisine at family-run Il Ritrovo (tel. 224-261-475).

Best American Bistro: With the death of Planet Hollywood and the California-esque Avalon, Red Hot & Blues (tel. 222-314-639) remains the last best hope for Yankee food in Prague. The menu is mostly Tex-Mex and Cajun, with a good burger thrown in.

Best Seafood: Old Town's Rybí trh (tel. 224-895-447) ships in fresh monkfish, salmon, shellfish, and just about anything else that swims in saltwater, and serves them in an airy space in the courtyard behind Týn Church.

Best Bagels: Bohemia Bagel (tel. 257-310-694) at Újezd in Malá Strana and at Masná Street in Staré Mesto (tel. 224-812-560) has filled what was a curious vacuum.

Best Hot Dog: I bet you have never had a hot dog like they make in a stand on námestí Míru square. When strolling around Vinohrady, take a break here. There are plenty of benches.

Best Kosher: Astonishingly, it was several years after the revolution before a real kosher restaurant returned to Prague's Jewish Quarter. The King Solomon Strictly Kosher Restaurant (tel. 224-818-752), across from the Pinkas Synagogue, finally gets it right.

Best for Kids/Best Pizza: You can please the kids and satisfy your own cravings at Pizzeria Rugantino (tel. 222-318-172), a friendly and energetic Old Town room run by an Italian family that loves kids.

Best Pancakes (Crepes): The Creperie Café Gallery Restaurant at the foot of Charles Bridge (tel. 221-108-240) is for those who have a sweet tooth.

Best for Vegetarians: The Radost FX Café (tel. 224-254-776) dishes out veggie burgers, burritos, and salads to the trendy post-club crowd until 5am.