By Caitlin Shapiro

Between partying in Berlin last weekend and planning your trip to Krakow later this month, it’s hard to find time to scope out the best cafe (or kavárna) near campus – but fear not, the Wanderer staff has done the legwork for you. Czech out U Budovce (Tynská 7) nestled along the left side of Týn Cathedral on Old Town Square. You won’t be sorry.

Don’t be fooled by its unimpressive exterior — let the echoes of live music will draw you in. U Budovce is a must if you’ll appreciate its mixed scenery consisting of wire and wooden chairs, brick floors, and a large collection of hanging mirrors (they even have a sink hanging like a picture frame).

Upon entering this dimly lit cafe, the scent of coffee overpowers the stale cigarette smell, and as the nicely presented coffee drinks pass by, you’ll rush to check out the coffee menu. Non-alcoholic coffee drinks range from CZK 40 to CZK 60, and the alcoholic coffee drinks are all around CZK 80. For the adventurous, the cafe mixes up “Green Monsters”– coffee, absinthe and whipped cream. Slightly more palatable, the recommended Dublin coffee consists of coffee, Bailey’s and whipped cream.

Every night between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., live music fills the oddly shaped rooms of the cafe. Music selections are as eclectic as the cafe itself — between the jazz and swing standards, pop, Latin American, and reggae tunes are mixed in. Live entertainment will cost you an extra CZK 25, but the acts are well worth the coinage.

Besides the coffee, the food menu offers roughly 30 different pizzas, all ranging from CZK 100 to CZK 200 (so you can definitely find a cheaper place to eat pizza). However, if like most of us, you are pizza-ed out, there are appetizers, salads and sandwiches featured on the menu as well. For dessert, the hot apple strudel for CZK 70 is without a doubt recommended, but tastes very similar to oatmeal, with a different consistency. Pass on the honey cake — too sweet!

Although U Budovce draws in a mixed crowd of locals and tourists, your English may earn you a few funny stares. Despite that, the waiters and waitresses are very pleasant and speak English impeccably well. But keep an eye on the tab — your bill will already include a 10% service charge.

Caitlin Shapiro is a senior at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she is studying journalism.