Italian: Taverna Toscana
Can’t get a reservation at Pasta Fresca? Taverna Toscana has got you covered! Taverna Toscana is the oldest Italian restaurant in Prague, and is conveniently located right next to campus! Fittingly, the Tuscan restaurant is built around two Gothic stone halls and has an amazing menu with every pasta option I could have ever imagined. The best part: all of their pastas are under 200 Kč! All in all, the atmosphere is pleasant and trendy, and perfect for a dinner out with friends.
My recommendations: Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Spinaci Aglio, and most of all, the tiramisu
Korean Food: Matzip
If you are looking for a quick bite near campus that isn’t super touristy or super Czech, look no further than Matzip. One of the big things I missed from New York was diverse food. Korean food has always been a comfort food to me, as it is part of my heritage and when navigating living in a new place I really started to crave the familiar cuisine.
I soon realized that Korean food is all around Prague if you take the time to look for it! Matzip is a great choice as it offers a variety of authentic dishes. You can get bibimbap, Korean fried chicken, and plenty of kimchi. Each dish is served with banchan, Korean side dishes.
My recommendations: Yangnyeom chicken (share with a friend), jeyuk deopbap, and kimchijeon
Asian Fusion: Phoenix
If you live in Osadní, you are in luck! There are a ton of Vietnamese restaurants in Praha 7 because of the large Vietnamese population. One of my favorite restaurants near the dorm is an Asian fusion restaurant that combines Vietnamese dishes with inspiration from other cultures. There is a huge menu so you are bound to find something you like. Also, if you miss the spice levels of New York, you can supplement with an endless supply of Sriracha at every table.
Phoenix also has boba and bowling, so you can grab a drink and bowl after your meal.
My recommendations: Poke bowl, pork with noodles, and pho
Hotpot: BASU Hot Pot 巴蜀火锅
My friends and I found ourselves missing hotpot in New York when we discovered Basu. Basu Hot Pot is a Sichuan restaurant located in a shopping mall in Old Town (about a 10 minute walk from campus), and is largely recognized as some of the best Chinese food in Prague. A friend and I shared a hot pot set, which came with soup, sauces, and meat. It also came with a massive array of tofu, vegetables, and noodles. It’s on the pricier side, but when I went, we stuffed ourselves for approximately 500 Kč each ($25 total).
Be sure to make a reservation as well! They are one of the only three hot pot locations in all of Prague, so it tends to crowd during dinner time.
My recommendations: The spicy chili broth and the passion fruit lemonade!
Mediterranean: Paprika
Sometimes you just aren’t in the mood to feel weighed down by hearty beef goulash or a plate of potato dumplings, and Paprika gets that, bringing the light, refreshing flavors of the coast to the land-locked Czech Republic. This Israeli joint touts itself as “the home of hummus,” but their menu also includes falafel, shawarma, and shakshuka among other classic dishes. With locations near both Machová and Osadní and nearly everything being under 200 Kč, Paprika is the perfect place to stop for a quick, casual meal.
My recommendations: Hummus & Shakshuka
American/Bistro: Phil’s Corner
Osadní residents, this is your new staple post-collegium dinner restaurant. It’s about a five minute walk from the dorm, and honestly, is my favorite restaurant I have tried in all of Praha 7. If you’re craving sandwiches, salads, tacos, nachos, lasagna, or even fish and chips, Phil’s has got you covered. Also, their vetrník is, dare I say, better than Osada’s.
My recommendations: The chicken tacos, mac n’ cheese, and the biscoff cheesecake (yes, you heard that right)