U Fleků

U Fleků is one of the oldest brewery pubs in Europe and a Prague institution. Beer has been brewed here since 1499, and the pub celebrated its 500th anniversary in 1999. The name comes from Jakub Flekovský, who bought the brewery in 1762, and the house has kept his name ever since. Today it is a large restaurant with eight halls and a garden, and its own brewery still produces the beer served at the tables.

The beer most people come for is the 13-degree dark lager, brewed on the premises and not sold anywhere else. It is a smooth, malty beer, and waiters walk the halls with trays of full glasses, setting one down in front of you unless you say no. The halls each have their own character, from the Knights' Hall and the Academy to the Old Bohemian Hall and the Cabaret Hall, and many seat guests at shared tables. In good weather the garden is the best place to sit. The menu concentrates on old Bohemian and classic Czech dishes, such as roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut, beef goulash, roast duck and beer snacks.

U Fleků is firmly on the tourist trail and attracts large groups, so do not expect a quiet local pub. That said, the history, the beer and the setting make it worth a visit, especially for first-timers. Check the bill carefully, since drinks and extras such as the herbal liqueur sometimes offered by the waiters are charged separately, and politely decline anything you do not want. The pub runs brewery tours and has a small museum, and it also hosts a cabaret programme.

It suits groups of friends, beer lovers and anyone interested in brewing history. Booking is sensible for larger groups, and you can send a reservation request through the website or simply drop in. Allow at least an hour for a meal and a couple of beers, more if you join a tour.

U Fleků is on Křemencova Street in the New Town, a few minutes' walk from Národní třída metro station on line B and from the National Theatre. Karlovo náměstí is also close, and the Vltava embankment and the Náplavka are within ten minutes on foot.