We were looking for the most beautiful cafe in Prague. This is hard work, since so many of Prague’s cafes might, in one respect or another, lay claim to this title. Besides, there’s no way we could check them all out in only three days in the city, not to mention the harmful effects of the caffeine overdose.

Fortunately, we had a tip from one of our guidebooks–Obecni Dum is an Art Nouveau gem. Located on the ground floor of the Prague Municipal House on Republic Square, the cafe looks out over the vibrant street scene. And it is elegant in its grace and proportions, and in its understated Art Nouveau ornamentation.

We also came upon the nearby Cafe Imperial, a much more wildly decorated Art Nouveau gem. Alas, we were by then all “coffee”d out. The scowling waiters did not seem to take kindly to tourists coming in to photograph their establishment without partaking of its fare–but I was able to get in a few apologetic shots.