On Máchova street alone, you can find two tattoo shops, an elderly care home, two restaurants, and a bodega-like corner store. This is certainly a testament to the wonderful offering of the surrounding neighborhood here in Prague 2. This dorm is in the middle of a quiet, friendly neighborhood that seems to be mostly populated by families, but it really does have everything you need to live happily.
Convenience: the DM and Datart
The first thing I did upon my arrival here in Prague, after I put down my bags and got my room key, was walk to the local DM. The DM is basically a slightly limited version of American CVS. You won’t be able to find Advil, Tylenol, or anything else considered pharmaceutical, but you’ll have your pick of everything from shampoo to laundry detergent. It’s a 3 minute walk from the dorm and it’s conveniently located right next to an electronics chain-store called Datart, where I was able to purchase a new Czech-outlet-compatible computer charger and a $9 hair straightener. These two places will be your go-tos during your time living in Máchova.
Grocery: the corner store and Albert
Picture this: it’s 7 p.m. on a Monday. Y0u just finished class and you’re headed home to Máchova, but you’ve got a crazy craving for potato chips. The Mini Market, located up the street and less than a minute walk away from Máchova, is your new best friend. Anytime I’ve needed a last minute snack or wanted an extra ingredient for my dinner, I’ve been able to run to the Mini Market and pick it up. They offer a pretty basic range of foods, and the location is impossible to beat. If you’re looking for a meal, or a place to buy all of your groceries, you may have to go a bit further to Albert. There’s a location 9 minutes away from Máchova that has basically everything you could ask for in a grocery store.
Nature: Grébovka and Riegrovy Sady
One of the best things about this dorm is its proximity to amazing parks, the nearest of which is about a 6 minute walk away. That park, called Grébovka, can only be described as charming. There’s a relatively well-known section with benches, a statue, and a fountain, but there’s also much more to explore, like a panoramic view of the city and even a cafe. Riegrovy Sady, another park, is a bit further away but is noticeably bigger. It’s essentially a field of green and serves as the perfect backdrop for a picnic.
Shopping: Prague Thrift Store and Book Therapy
If you’re in the mood to shop but you don’t feel like making the trek to St. Wenceslas Square, our neighborhood has some pretty decent offerings. The first of which is the Prague Thrift Store (or just “Thrift Store” if you’re looking on Google maps). This fun thrift store has a pretty wide selection of clothing to sort through, as well as cutesy Prague souvenirs. Other thrift stores in the area I recommend are Clochard9.2 and FILTR Coffee and Clothes, but my favorite spot to shop near Máchova is Book Therapy, a relatively expensive bookstore with a solid English selection. It’s definitely not going to have anything specific you’re looking for, but it’s a fun place to browse and find new reads.
Food: SLOW Café, Arepas de Lyna, and The Electric Sheep Book Bar
I fully believe that when I return to the United States next semester I will still be dreaming about the pancakes and coffee at SLOW Café. Slow is just a block away from Machova; it’s a chill, modern coffee shop that almost evokes a Brooklyn hipster vibe. It’s a great place to sit and study or sip on coffee served in a painted mug. If you’re a bit hungrier or you’re craving Venezuelan food, Arepas de Lyna is a lovely restaurant that’s a bit farther from the dorm. The walk will be worth it when you try their arepas. Last of my recommendations, and also my personal favorite, is The Electric Sheep Book Bar. It’s a bookstore and bar combination complete with board games and cards (free to use) and a perfect place to hang out with friends.