Written by Megan Massey, (Syracuse University – College of Visual and Performing Arts) Student Correspondent CET Film Production at FAMU, Spring 2019
Before landing in the Prague airport, I had learned from Syracuse students who studied here in the past, “If you like beer, meat, and potatoes, then the Czech Republic is right for you.” On the fourth day after my arrival, I finally tried an authentic Czech restaurant and I was not disappointed! I had beef goulash at U Pinkasu, a cute restaurant about half way between Old Town and New Town, near where I live.
We participated in a CET scavenger hunt around the city and one of our stops was U Pinkasu. The goulash, which is a classic Czech dish, was delicious! Lots of the dishes on the menu were meat and starch based – two of my favorite things! When deciding what to pick, you can’t go wrong with a classic such as goulash or you can be brave and order any dish you see (a friend of mine chose to order liver when we went out and she loved it!).
Beer is arguably the best pairing with any Czech meal. The Czechs pride themselves on their beer, especially their Pilsner Urquell, a Czech lager. You can find Pilsner practically everywhere and it is definitely a fan favorite but there are also other great beers such as the Kingswood Cider. Prague has wonderful restaurants but if you’re not in the mood for Czech food, or maybe beer, meat, and potatoes aren’t really your thing, don’t worry! Prague is a large city with almost any type of food you can think of: Italian, American, French, Thai, etc. There are a number of vegetarian spots for any non-meat eaters and there are countless bakeries and cafes around for coffee and pastries!
Other than food, what else is there to do in Prague? The answer: so much! Prague is littered with pubs that range from casual bars to more upbeat and loud. My favorite thus far has been the Lucerna Music Bar which, on Fridays, has a Pop 80s & 90s Music Video theme! The club has a giant projector that plays music videos and the floor is packed with people dancing. I had a blast going with friends and jamming out to a mix of old American and Czech songs!
If night life isn’t your thing, staying in with friends is always a good time! During the day, exploring the city has been the most fun and challenging part of my stay so far. My advice? Get lost! Explore the city and the streets and then find your way back. On one of these explorations, my friends and I found a cheap burrito place that’s open until 2am!
Prague is a unique and beautiful city. In Praha 1, you have both Old Town and New Town. Don’t be tricked by the name, though, New Town is very old (founded in 1348). Each place has its own unique beauty.
The architecture of the city is one of my favorite things. I love that each building has its own unique design and that buildings next to each other can look like they’re from two different times. The Vltava River runs through Prague and is itself beautiful. The Charles Bridge connects the two parts of the city and is a fun and beautiful place to walk down, with views of the Prague Castle in the distance. Exploring the city is the best way to embrace the beauty. Each neighborhood and street is different.
It’s been a little over a week that I’ve been living in Prague but I cannot wait to keep exploring, having fun, and eating!