BEST BEER - PILSNER URQUELL

After 162 years, the original bittersweet pilsner is still the country's favorite. Despite a couple of changes in ownership since the Velvet Revolution, Pilsner Urquell's internationally acclaimed bittersweet taste remains one of the country's most celebrated ambassadors.

BEST PUB - PIVOVARSKY DUM

Lipova 15, Prague 2-New Town

Tel. 296 216 666

This bustling New Town pub serves up traditional and newfangled brews including versions made with coffee, sour cherries, eucalyptus and stinging nettles, not to mention good Czech meals. But the real reason to visit is the excellent house lager, an example of Czech beer at its freshest.

BEST WINEMAKER - CHATEAU VALTICE

Chin-chin: Vinne Sklepy Valtice, the maker of Chateau Valtice wines, was founded in 1992 after taking over the property from the Valtice State Farm, the largest producer of grapes at the time. Today their wines repeatedly receive the highest Czech wine accolades, including gold and silver medals in top competitions. Enjoy.

BEST CAFE - CAFE LOUVRE

Narodni 20, Prague 1-New Town

Tel. 224 930 949

Prague Post staff members often schedule morning interviews and meetings here --and apparently, so do many of our readers. The cafe's excellent atmosphere is fuelled by a history that includes Einstein, Kafka and the Capek brothers, among others. Epic.

WINNERS Congratulations to the prizewinners in our Best of Prague 2005 survey! PRAGUE POST 2005 CALENDAR Paul Backus Alfred Hiermann Frank Stokesuk Janice Woodard DINNER AT HAVELI Laura O'Kelley DINNER AT THE FRENCH RESTAURANT IN OBECNI DUM Louise With TICKETS TO THE NATIONAL THEATER Paul Margulies Robert S. Tomanek TICKETS TO THE STATE OPERA Jerry Salem Janna Grosso

BEST FINE DINING RESTAURANT - ALLEGRO

Veleslavinova 2a, Prague 1-Old Town (at the Four Seasons Hotel)

Tel. 221 427 000

The overwhelming choice, Allegro's regional Italian
cuisine and masterfully reworked continental classics made it a decisive winner year-after-year as Prague's favorite destination for top-shelf cuisine, excellent service and riverside views of Mala Strana and Prague Castle.

BEST COCKTAIL BAR - RADOST FX

Belehradska 120, Prague 2-Vinohrady

Tel. 224 254 776

Believe it, highball sniffers. Surprising but true, our readers picked the stylish, refurbished lounge at Radost FX as the best cocktail bar in town. We hear the music is good, too.

BEST CZECH RESTAURANT - KOLKOVNA

V kolkovne 8, Prague 1-Old Town

Tel. 224 819 701

Unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell from the tank combines with excellent Czech cuisine from the kitchen. The result is the city's favorite spot for hearty Czech soups, grilled meats, fish and -- of course -- jeste jedno.

BEST PIZZA - RUGANTINO

Dusni 4, Prague 1-Old Town

Tel. 222 318 172

Long a favorite of Prague Post readers, Rugantino offers fresh Bernard beer and excellent wood-fired pies in a warm, child-friendly atmosphere. A nonsmoking room is also available.

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT - CANTINA

Ujezd 38, Prague 1-Mala Strana

Tel. 257 317 173

If it's good enough to cater the Mexican Embassy's 16 de Septiembre party, it's probably good enough for you. Constantly booked, Mala Strana's cool little Cantina features good Mexican food, tequilas and a never-ending line of patrons waiting for a table. Make reservations, amigo.

BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT - ORANGE MOON

Ramova 5, Prague 1-Old Town

Tel. 222 325 119

Nini Lwin is a certified star -- because of his recent appearance in Jan Hrebejk's film Up and Down. If his acting is as good as his pad thai and oun no khau swe, the next stop is Tinseltown.

BEST FITNESS CENTER - WORLD CLASS HEALTH ACADEMY

V Celnici 10, Prague 1-New Town (inside Prague Marriott) and elsewhere

Tel: 221 033 033

This up-market fitness chain from Sweden boasts high-end equipment, personal trainers, pool, spa and extreme sauna bliss. They've improved on initially uneven service and added two shiny new locations. Music tends to be loud and generic, but tape an iPod to your belly and nothing will subtract from pure calorie-burning pleasure.

BEST MOVIE THEATER - CINEMA CITY ANDEL

Radlicka 1E, Prague 5-Smichov

Tel. 251 115 111

Andel's small but pricey Gold Class rooms let viewers relax in deluxe lounge chairs, but the 12 other viewing halls have stadium seats that are still pretty comfortable. One screen, Cinema Europa, is dedicated to artier selections. Mondays offer a substantial discount on tickets, and credit cards are accepted.

BEST MOVIE RENTAL STORE - VIDEO GOURMET

Jakubska 12, Prague 1-Old Town (inside Red Hot & Blues)

Tel. 222 323 364

You can't beat the prices at Video Gourmet: Most rentals are free for one day with deposit, and all are in English (or with English subtitles). Another claim to fame: the Western food items, including Oreos, ready meals and that rarity of rarities: pancake mix.

BEST CLOTHING STORE - ZARA

Na Prikope 15, Prague 1-Old Town

Tel. 224 239 860

Look good, party people. Newly reopened, this multilevel Spanish clothing emporium offers a touch of continental style at modest prices.

BEST SHOPPING MALL - NOVY SMICHOV

Plzenska 5, Prague 5-Smichov

The winner by a mile is this mega-mall near Andel metro, whose shops offer everything from commando knives to intimate apparel. Once the credit card conks out, recuperate at the food court on the upper level.

BEST GROCERY STORE - DELVITA

Karlovo nam. 10, Prague 2-New Town (and elsewhere)

Tel. 224 910 367

Okay, we know why you love Delvita. It's the Haagen-Dazs. And the entirely drinkable house-brand California cab at 79 Kc ($3.40) a bottle. And the well-stocked shelves and clean design of the tiny "city" branches. Yeah -- us too.

BEST BOOKSTORE - GLOBE BOOKSTORE

Pstrossova 6, Prague 1-New Town

Tel. 224 934 203

Come here to buy In Style, but make it look like you're reading Finnegan's Wake: Michael Homann's renewed Globe has an improved menu and the same high-quality books and magazines that made the original famous.

BEST BEAUTY SALON - MARK PHILLIP

Manesova 47, Prague 2-Vinohrady

Tel. 222 254 096

Become as beautiful on the outside as as you are on the inside: Mark Phillip is the people's choice for great hair care and more.

BEST HEALTH CLINIC - CANADIAN MEDICAL CENTER

Veleslavinova 1, Prague 1-Old Town

Tel. 235 360 133

Founded eight years ago by a team of Canadian doctors, CMC continues to set local standards for high-quality health care, with comprehensive medical services ranging from acupuncture to ophthalmology and pediatrics.

BEST BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES - CESKA SPORITELNA

Various locations

With its Expat Banking Center, English-language telephone line and ever-improving customer service, Ceska sporitelna won your hearts as the best place to stash hard-earned cash.

BEST ART GALLERY - NATIONAL GALLERY

Dukelskych hrdinu 47 Prague 7-Holesovice (and elsewhere)

www.ngprague.cz

From the European classics at Sternbersky palac to the bold 19th- and 20th-century works at Veletrzni palac, the National Gallery collections and exhibits never fail to edify and delight. By any standard, it is the crown jewel in a city brimming with great art.

BEST PERFORMING ARTS THEATER - NARODNI DIVADLO

Narodni 2, Prague 1-New Town

Tel. 224 901 448

There are more charming and intimate halls, but for sheer grandeur and tradition, nothing surpasses the cultural cornerstone of the nation.

BEST MUSIC CLUB - AKROPOLIS

Kubelikova 27, Prague 3-Zizkov

Tel. 296 330 911

With several bars, a cafe, a restaurant and innumerable subterranean chambers, Prague 3's cultural capital is a good place to hear live music, have a good time and howl at the moon.

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD - VINOHRADY

Get over it, Dejvice: Great architecture, verdant parks and plenty of restaurants make Vinohrady the city's favorite neighborhood to call home.

BEST DESIGN STUDIO - TICIAN INTERIOR DESIGN

Vinohradska 37, Prague 2-Vinohrady

Tel. 222 252 577

Thomas Auer's excellent design studio has set the image for some of the city's best hotels and restaurants, as well as a number of luxury apartments and private homes. Beautiful, graceful, elegant.

BEST LUXURY HOTEL - FOUR SEASONS

Veleslavinova 2a, Prague 1-Old Town

Tel. 221 427 000

The choice of everyone from visiting dignitaries to rock stars, the city's premier five-star hotel also boasts Prague's best restaurant. Throw in the riverside location and view of the castle, and you've got an unbeatable combination of convenience and luxury accommodations.

BEST BUDGET HOTEL - IBIS

Katerinska 36, Prague 2-New Town (also at Saldova 54, Prague 8-Karlin)

Tel. 222 865 777

The comfortable, no-frills approach of the Ibis chain has attracted a steady following throughout Europe. In Prague, two great locations make the Ibis hotels perennial low-cost favorites.

BEST PRESCHOOL - BUMBLE BEE

Braskovska 12, Prague 6-Bubenec (also at Bubenecska 22)

Tel. 233 321 386

This English-language pre-school offers great facilities, an international mix of students -- 30 percent foreign, 70 percent Czech -- and a full slate of supplementary programs, including an afternoon English club and summer schedule.

BEST HIGH SCHOOL - INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PRAGUE

Nebusicka 700, Prague 6-Nebusice

Tel. 220 384 130

A model of a modern progressive school, the International School continues to blaze new trails in teaching methods and curriculum development. ISP also runs outstanding community service and outreach programs.