Restaurant Review: Pivovarsky Dum in Prague, Czech Republic - A Micro-Brew Pub that Serves Up Great Beer and Great Czech Cuisine

If you're in Prague and you want to go just a little bit off the beaten path and experience a little bit of the local culture without getting completely lost in it, I would suggest visiting a place called Pivovarsky Dum. (It doesn't translate well, it's something like The Brewery House.) The beer is unique, but the food is purely Czech. It's conveniently located in the Nove Mesto section of Prague, one block from Karlovo Namesti (Charles Square). (See below for more specific directions.)

There isn't much ambiance, the multi-storied restaurant is located in a glass and steel office building. But Pivovarsky Dum isn't about the ambiance, it's about the beer. And its Czech cuisine.

As starters, the Old Bohemian Garlic Soup 25,-kc and the Goulash Soup 25,-kc are nicely priced and will set a nice stage for an evening of Czech dining and beer drinking.

Pivovarsky Dum offers so many quality entrees, that it is hard to know where to start. For the beginner, there is the Brewer's Goulash with Bohemian Dumplings, 185,-kc. One of the clientele's favorites is the Roast Pork with Bohemian Dumplings and Sauerkraut, 185,-kc. Then there is the Wiener Schnitzel with Potatoes, 185,-kc, which is a classic that anybody can enjoy. I like the Bohemian Platter which includes roasted and smoked pork, sauerkraut, and cabbage, 185,-kc.

Of course, the reason people go to Pivovarsky Dum is the beer. Though the restaurant is owned by Pilsner Urquell, it does not serve Pilsner Urquell beer. Instead it serves special micro-brews that are brewed on the premises. The three basic styles of beer they produce are the "Czech classic lager," the "Light," and the "Dark." A half pint is a reasonable 35,-kc. But if you happen to be out with friends, please do not hesitate to get the "Zirafa" (pronounced ZHEE-ra-fah) - and, yes, it means giraffe in English. The Zirafa is a tall clear cylinder filled with four liters of your choice of beer. There is an easy to use tap at the bottom, and you pour your own pints of beer. It may not be the best way to drink beer, but it's good fun, and something that I can highly recommend.

For those interested in tasting "alternative" beers, Pivovarsky Dum offers five interesting flavors of beer. The Wheat Beer is a variation on popular Bavarian beers, the Sour Cherry Beer has been attempted by others, but Pivovarsky Dum actually offers a Banana Beer. As well as a Vanilla Beer and Coffee Beer. I have never tried any of these novelty beers, but they certainly sound intriguing. They are only offered in half pint size, 35,-kc.

Pivovarsky Dum is located one major block from Karlovo namesti (Charles Square). Simply walk down Jecna (street) one full block (there is an alley that goes off to your right about half way down). At the corner of Jecna and Lipova, you will find Pivovarsky Dum.