Shopping

Many European chains have invaded Prague since 1989 and they have helped to liven up the previously drab Czech supermarkets. These shops are more and more open at the weekends, in the evenings and all night. Old-style shops outside the centre may be open only until lunchtime on Saturday and not at all on Sunday. The selection of goods is nowadays like in EU countries. The Delvita supermarket on the university campus is open seven days a week and offers a wide range of goods at normal prices. There are a number of specialty food shops in the city centre that sell exotic delicacies. It is no longer difficult to be a vegetarian in the Czech Republic.

Czech eating habits

Lunch, which is usually eaten between 11 am and 1 pm, is the main meal for Czechs. Traditional foods include roast pork with dumplings or broiled meat with sauce. There are generally three kinds of restaurants. A pivnice, or beer hall, usually offers quick but very simple food like goulash or pork with dumplings at low prices. For a nicer environment with higher prices you can go to a

vinárna, or wine cellar, or a restaurace which serves a broader range of dishes. In addition, you can find more and more international restaurants and fast food outlets (pizzerias, McDonald’s, etc.)

Restaurants

There are now close to 2,000 places in Prague where you can stop for lunch or dinner. Just about every type of food imaginable can be found in here. Since menus are usually posted outside restaurants, you can decide if it’s right for you before you go in.

• Pizzeria Grosetto, Jugoslavských partyzánů 8, near the Dejvicka campus is recommended to those not yet accustomed to a Czech diet  

• Famous restaurants in Prague and environs – mainly for tourists
  

  U Fleků, Křemencová 9 - 11, Praha 1
  U stoleté báby, Kampa - U Sovových mlýnů, Praha 1
  U Kalicha, original Švejk, Na Bojišti 12 - 14, Praha 2
  U sv. Tomáše, Letenská 12, Praha 1

Prices
A meal at the cheapest pub will cost around CZK 60 or 70, not including drinks. Of course, it is possible to find all levels of restaurant prices in Prague, but a meal in a modest restaurant in the suburbs will be about CZK 100.  The price does not include a side-dish. One large beer should cost between CZK 20 and 25 crowns, but prices are much higher in tourist traps.

Tipping and other etiquette
In cheaper restaurants, the waiter will leave a little slip of paper on your table to keep a running tab. When you are ready to pay, get your waiter’s attention and pay at your table. The usual way to tip is to round the bill up to the next CZK 5 or 10 and have the server keep the change. So if the dinner tab is CZK 77, you would pay CZK 80. If the tab comes to more than CZK 200 you might consider leaving a more substantial tip. Normal charges include a few crowns for each piece of bread and a small cover charge, which should be listed somewhere on the menu. Also, if the restaurant where you are eating is getting full, don’t be surprised if you are asked to share your table with another group of diners. You aren’t expected to make small talk, but it is nice to say “Na shledanou” (goodbye) when you leave.

Supermarkets in the main campus area

• Delvita located at Jugoslávských partyzánů 1580, Praha 6. The best time to go seems to be after 8:30 in the evening. Opening hours are until three in the morning, most days.

Other useful addresses

• Optika (optician) Čs. armády 31, Praha 6,  Mon - Fri 9:00 - 18:00
• Radio, elektro (electronic appliances) Vítězné nám. 2, Praha 6, Mon - Fri 8:30 - 18:00, Sat 9:00 - 12:00
• Železářství, kuchyňské potřeby (hardware and household goods)
  Jugoslávských partyzánů 18, Praha 6, Mon - Fri 8:30 – 18:00
• Čistírna (laundry and dry cleaning)
  Národní obrany 31, Praha 6, Mon - Fri 10:00 - 18:00
  Jugosl. partyzánů 8, Praha 6,  Mon - Fri   8:00 - 18:00
• Laundry King (launderette) Dejvicka 16, Praha 6
  Mon - Fri 6:00 - 22:00, weekends 8:00 - 20:00