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The police in Prague dealt with over 1,200 violations of the smoking ban in pubs and restaurants in the first month after it was introduced at the end of May, a spokesperson said on Thursday. In over 1,000 cases the smokers agreed to stop on the spot, while fines were levied in around 200 cases. The average fine amounted to CZK 370.

With a history dating back to the 15th century, Prague’s U Medvídků was in its day frequented by the likes of Jaroslav Hašek and Karel Čapek. Today it is a classic, old school beer hall-type pub and one of the best-known purveyors of Budvar in the capital.

A hundred years ago there were dozens of small brewing houses across Bohemia and while the majority no longer exist, there's one that continues brewing its own dark lager even today. A pub, restaurant and brewery in Prague called U Fleků which is as quintessential to the tourist experience – at least as far as beer hunters are concerned – as seeing Prague Castle and Charles Bridge.

On Tuesday night, smokers in pubs and restaurants around the Czech Republic enjoyed their very last cigarette. On May 31, observed around the world as anti-tobacco day, tough anti-smoking legislation which took years to push through finally came into effect, banning smoking in bars and restaurants as well as public places such as theatres and cinemas. So what do Czech pub owners think of the new legislation?

Did you know that some of the best marmalades are produced in the Czech Republic? At least according to a prestigious British competition called World’s Original Marmalade Awards 2017, which recently took place in Britain’s Cumbria. Marmalades produced by Jozefína Růžičková from South Bohemia won nine medals in competition with over 2,000 marmalade makers from around the world. What’s more, her products are now being sold by Fortnum & Mason, one of the most luxurious department stores in London. I spoke to Jozefína Růžičková during her visit to

Prague’s embankments have become the heart of community life in recent years. Away from the beaten tourist tracks, the paved promenades along the Vltava River host various cultural events as well as weekly farmers’ markets. For the fourth year in a row, the Smíchov riverside now hosted the largest street food festival in the country.

A taste of the West was the slogan used by another very different company, though in this case it was perhaps more appropriate. And the interest was huge when the first McDonald’s hamburger restaurant opened its doors 25 years ago in what was still Czechoslovakia on March 20, 1992.

Kebabarny.cz (kebabárny) is a website which reviews kebab and gyros eateries, mainly across Prague, but also throughout the Czech Republic, and even beyond in places like Germany and London. Kebabs as fast food have certainly become something of a phenomenon in the Czech Republic in recent years, with outlets on almost every main street corner. The review site is run by three reviewers, who go under the user names of Emperor, Grylls, and Ralf.

The Prague restaurant Eska has been included in Michelin’s Main Cities of Europe Guide for 2017. The restaurant, located in the busy district of Karlín, received the Bib Gourmand award for places with “exceptional good food at moderate prices”. There are currently seven restaurants in the capital that boast a “Bib”, while three others have retained their one-star Michelin ranking. I asked food critic Petra Pospěchová what she thinks earned Eska the prestigious spot on the Bib Gourmand list:

The Czech food scene has become increasingly colourful in recent years with small ethic eateries popping up around Prague. Foodies now have their pick of Indian, Arab, Vietnamese, Turkish or Armenian restaurants and increasingly Czechs heading out for a quick lunch are opting for a taste of foreign cuisine. One such eatery in Prague’s Vinohrady district offers Georgian specialties. It is a family enterprise revolving around mum and businesswoman Manana Toidze known to everyone as Pani Mančo or Mrs. Mančo.