Click for Shopping Vocabulary. Click for Types of Shop.
Creation Stummer Jungmanova 18, Prague 1--Austrian firm which specializes in baby and toddler clothing. Prices vary.
Kama Křížka 10, Prague 7--Czech firm specializing in winter sports clothing. Very good quality at affordable prices.
černa Ruže Na Příkopě 12, Prague 1 (www.cernaruze.cz)
Myslbek Na Příkopě 19, Prague 1 (www.myslbek.com)
Novy Smichov Plzenska 8, Praha 5 (Metro A to Anděl)
Palac Flora Vinohradska 144, Prague 3 (Metro A to Flora)
Slovanský Dům Na Příkopě 22, Prague 1 (www.slovanskydum.cz)
Kotva Náměstí Republiky 8, Prague 1
Tesco Národní 26, Prague 1, Národní třída—also at Zlicin (24 hours) and Letnany.
Carrefour Novy Smichov, Prague 5
Furniture
Stores:Local grocery stores (potraviny) usually carry all the staples, such as flour, sugar, chocolates, some dairy items, bread, beverages, canned goods, and mixes for soups and desserts. Some also have a small freezer for frozen meats, vegetables and ice cream as well as a small delicatessen. Very few, however, sell fresh fruits, vegetables or meats. Supermarkets, on the other hand, carry a broad selection of goods and are frequently open longer hours than are the potraviny.
Tips for shopping: You must use a shopping basket or cart in many grocery stores, supermarkets and most potraviny, even if you only intend to purchase one or two items. Carts and baskets are used for crowd control and as a theft prevention method. Some supermarkets use a mechanical deposit system for carts. Deposit either 5 or 10 Kč in the coin slot (read the slot for the coin required). When you return the cart, the coin springs back and is returned to you. Bags are provided free of charge only in large supermarkets. In smaller stores, you can purchase a bag (taška) for a few crowns if you forgot to bring your own tote bag.
Fruits and vegetables are usually sold by weight, but sometimes are sold by the piece (kus). Some specialty items, such as strawberries and blueberries, are sold by the basket. If it is not pre-packaged, you need to weigh your own. If the produce section has a scale with numbered pictures of fruits and vegetables above it, place your produce on the scale, punch the button that corresponds to your selection, and the machine will produce a sticker for your bag of produce. If you cannot find a picture of your item, check to see if there is a corresponding number on the bin. In some supermarkets (Julius Meinl and many small potraviny) a clerk weighs the produce for you).
Sliced cheeses, meats, and prepared salads sold at deli counters are usually ordered by the decagram (1 decagram = 10 grams). Instead of asking for 200 grams of cheese, it is customary to request 20 deka (dvacet deka). You may also ask for ˝ kilo (půl kila) instead of 50 deka or one kilo (jeden kilo) instead of 100 deka.
Ethnic foods can be found in several different locations. Mexican foods and ingredients can be found at some large supermarkets (Tesco, Carrefour) and Video To Go. Japanese foods and special ingredients can be purchased at Tamura Restaurant at Havelska 6 (tofu is found in many supermarket dairy cases) Chinese ingredients and sauces are stocked at most supermarkets. Lebanese food and ingredients can be found at Ucedru Mini Market near Dejvická circle. American-British types of food can be found at different times and places all over Prague. But the one place that stocks the most variety and on a continuous basis is Tesco. You will also find a small assortment at both Carrefour and Kotva grocery stores.
The largest foreign-owned grocery chains are Carrefour, Tesco, Delvita, Albert, Julius Meinl, and Billa. Hours vary for Delvita and Julius Meinl. Billa is open until 8 PM on Saturdays and 2 PM on Sundays. Check the Yellow Pages for store locations nearest you.
Bio Potraviny Online club that allows you to purchase fresh and organic foods and herbs online. Good selection of fruits, vegetables, herbs, diary products, tofu, seaweed, and more. You order online, then pick up your order either at their shop or at one of their distribution sites. (www.obchudek.biopotraviny.cz)
Bon Marché Tržiště 3, Prague 1--Offers a fine assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables imported from all over the world.
Carrefour is located at the Novy Smichov shopping center in Prague 5. On public, you can take the yellow line to the Anděl metro station. This large supermarket is well stocked and is open 7 days. You can choose your food and have them deliver it to your home.
Delvita Evropská 695, Prague 6; Jugoslávských Partzyánů (by Dejvická circle), Prague 6.
Fruits de France (224 220 304) Jindřišká 9, Prague 1; Bělehradská 94, Prague 2--Offers imported fruit and vegetables – in or out of season – cheeses, wines and other French imports.
“Potraviny na vodu” Sedlec, Prague 6--From Dejvicka circle take Jugoslávských Partzyánů (turns into Podbabska) towards Suchdol and follow along the Vlatva river until the turnoff to the right to Roztoky (like you are going to Riverside School) go about a half mile past and you will see a pink potraviny on the left side. Parking available across the street. All fresh produce and are supplier for many of the major restaurants and hotels as well as Fruit de France. He will also take you in the back and you can pick out what you want or you can also ask about special order items.
Tesco
is located in Nove Město
(Narodni 26) and is spread over 5 floors. All
the food is located on the lowest floor. Home delivery is free, but you need to
have made your purchases before 11.00am. You can also order on-line and have
groceries delivered between 15:00 and 20:00 Monday through Saturday. Opening
hours are as follows:
8am-8pm Mon-Fri; 9am-6pm Sat; 10am-6pm Sun; Food section:
8am-10pm Mon-Fri; 9am-8pm Sat, 10am-8pm Sun. There is
also a 24-hour Tesco located right next to IKEA at Zlicin, Prague 5. If on
public transportation, you can take the special IKEA bus from the Zličín metro stop, at the end of the yellow line. There is
another Tesco at Letnany.
Baumax Turkova 1, Prague 4 Budenské nábr. 306; Prague 7; Jeremiášová, Prague 5. Open 7 days a week A do-it-yourself home and garden chain with 3 Prague locations.
Globus Prague 5 – Zličin. Opposite side of the highway from IKEA and TESCO.
Obi Modřanská lhotecká 446, Prague 4; Ruzyně výtvarna 3, Prague 6; Štěrboholsky Ústřední 326, Prague 10. Open 7 days a week. Another chain of large do-it-yourself centers with 3 Prague locations.
Zahradnické Centrum Střešovická 47, Prague 6. Carries an excellent selection of indoor and outdoor plants and gardening supplies, also a good place to buy Christmas trees. Delivery service available for large orders. Hours: M-F until 18:00; Sat. until noon.
Altamira (224 220 923) Skořepka 1, Prague 1--Tel Artist supply store. Complete craft supply store including wiggly eyes, felt, picture frame supplies, materials for glass, ceramics, silk, and other general craft supplies.
ENDavid Na Hutich (just off Dejvicka circle)--Prague 6. Wonderful boutique with lots of candles, teas and a wonderful little café upstairs.
Lipence Craft Store Wholesale and distribution center just south of Prague which contains dry, silk, and plastic flowers, plus candles, baskets, ribbons, wreaths, ceramics, etc. Entrance and parking fee 10 Kc at the entrance to the complex.
Internet Café and more Soukenická 6, Náměstí republiky, Prague 1. Has over 1000 English-language and original language films. No membership fee.
Videos to Go (224 318 981) Vitězné 10, Prague 6 and (224 235 098) čelakovského Sady 12, Prague 2--Membership required for video rentals (PAL and NTSC). VCR rentals, new and used books, peanut butter, tortilla chips, salsa, and banana bread!