Favorite Places and Spaces

Our routines, favorite places, and friends are what makes a foreign city our home.

Here are some of the places I’ve grown to love around Brno :)…

Tea House

Happy Tea

Happy Tea is a relaxing tea house with more than 40 varieties of tea. They also have ‘hookah’ (shisha, waterpipe) with many different flavors (mango was a surprisingly delicious option) and some good food – like a mozzarella, tomato, and pesto sandwich.

You take your shoes off to relax on cushions and pillows, on the floor around a tree log-style table. The tea is brought in a variety of different teapots, like traditional chinese teapots, coconut shaped ones, and more.  You can easily spend hours here relaxing and catching up with friends while drinking tea and smoking hookah (if that’s the kind of that thing you’re into.)

I have searched long and hard for this place on the web, but haven’t had any luck. It is on the corner of “Vesela” street, so look for a “Happy Tea” sign and you’ve reached the destination. 🙂

Another tea house in Brno: Chajovna 

Pubs

The Pub – Brno

I love The Pub for many reasons, starting with their  friendly service. The Pub’s employee’s speak good English, and they have always been very kind and accommodating. I love the atmosphere here – It is a Czech Republic franchise where you serve yourself beer and compare yourself against other Pub franchises around the Czech Republic.

Their variety of beer is great, including: Merlin (black) ,Lobkowicz, Velen (wheat).

They also have a good menu, with English descriptions, and a nice variety like: pizza, schnitzel, soups, steaks, and I love their salads. Best of all,  it’s reasonably priced. 🙂

You can make a reservation online, I recommend you do, because it is ususally pretty crowded.

Location: Běhounská 9

Arena Sport-Bar

Because we all need a good sports bar to watch our favorite teams. (In my experience, if there is hockey on – that’s what will be on the televisions in Brno.)

Arena Sport-Bar has everything you’re looking for in a sports bar: big TV’s, beer, and a good menu.

Of course I recommend reserving a table, especially for a big game.

Location: Hybešova 21

Cafe/Restaurants

Wayland

Foreigners.cz went to Wayland for some team-building, and because we just really enjoy each others company. 😉 This place is interesting – don’t be thrown off by its relatively isolated location and the entrance. Once you walk in, you walk through a stone tunnel until you reach the restaurant. The restaurant has several tables, and the bar has swings – as bar seats.

We had the Croatian Meal – Pljeskavic and grilled peppers, which was arranged by Liduska. She got us vouchers by browsing the discount websites slevomat.cz and vykupto.cz (similar to http://www.groupon.co.uk/) and we ended up getting 50% off the food. Thanks Liduska! 🙂

Location: Hlinky 36/94

Savoy Coffee and Restaurant

Savoy was a pleasant surprise for me. It is a huge café wih two floors, and sometimes performers (like a Piano player on the top balcony.) Their staff is friendly, and accommodating if you don’t speak Czech.

They have a daily menu for a good price (109 czk for Salmon, Potatoes, & Soup) and of course, their speciality coffees are delicious.

Free WiFi is always a bonus 🙂

Location: Jakubské náměstí 1/109  (Next to The Pub)

Adria Snack-Bar 

It is named after the Adriatic Sea and their motto is “We bring a little of the Sea to the heart of Europe.” 🙂  You can tell their ingredients are fresh, and they even have homemade icecream.

It’s my favorite place to have a coffee and breakfast. (Particularly their eggs and bacon which comes with a delicious loaf of bread) They also have good sandwiches and salads, and I haven’t had their pizza but it looks to perfection. They have a large menu with English descriptions so you are sure to find something you like, and I think they will exceed your expectations. 🙂

Most of their waiters speak good English, and are always very nice. They really have one of the best services in Brno, in my opinion.

Location: Masarykova 427/31

Restaurace Špalíček

We found this place after walking through the Cathedral. It is located at the bottom of the hill by the cabbage market.

They have a daily menu for 79czk and it is really delicious with a wide selection. You can find it on their facebook page.

We ordered the Goulash which came with dumplings and soup – for 79czk! I can’t wait to go back for another daily lunch special 🙂

Location: Zelný trh 12

The Cabbage Market

If you’ve been in Brno for a little bit of time, I’m sure you’re all too familiar with the Cabbage Market.

The market located by the The Baroque Parnas fountain, in the center of brno, has been operating since the 13th century. Today you can find fruit, vegetables and flowers.

The market is open daily from 9am to 6pm and on Saturday mornings 9am to 12 noon. Closed Sundays
Location:  Zelny trh

Places I want to try:

• Pegas
• Kings Head
• Mandarin Club
• 7th Heaven

What are your favorite places in Brno? Any recommendations for me and other expats? 🙂