The most unusual but the finest eatery in Cesky Krumlov is Krcma Marketa, a Renaissance-style restaurant/pub that specialises in roast meat and Czech delicacies. Located on a wonderful spot within the Castle Gardens (Zamecka Zahrada), it is somewhat difficult to reach but it's worth taking the trouble to come here. Walk all the way through the castle courtyards and pass over Na Plasti, the bridge that joins the castle to the Chateau Theatre. Continue straight ahead along the raised walkway that leads towards the Castle Gardens. Stroll along the garden paths until you locate Krcma Marketa.
Its location seems too out of the way. Just imagine walking back to your hotel at night. However, the excellent atmosphere and the good food for which Krcma Marketa is renowned beats all even the location. On going inside, even before you have time to order, you start feeling as if you've been taken 4 centuries back. The large old wooden tables have seen hundreds of people grabbing a light dinner before a concert or taking a full meal after a day of sightseeing. And what about the smell of roast meat? Have a look at the open barbecue where an extensive variety of meats are spit-roasted. You can opt for chicken or duck, pork or lamb, rabbit or veal. Or why don't you taste the delicious roasted pork knees, considered by the owners as the top item in the meat menu? Meat is meat and should be eaten without accompanying vegetables. However, if you want a side dish for which you have to pay extra, you can opt for fresh salad, pickled vegetables, French fries or roasted potatoes. A few dishes for vegetarians are also available but don't expect such dishes to be as tasty as the roast meat. Most vegetarian dishes are either thick soups such as bramborova polevka (potato soup) or cheese platters such as smazeny syr (fried cheese).
Krcma Marketa has a vast wine cellar consisting mostly of local varieties from Bohemia or South Moravia. Cervene vino or red wine is so and so but for the cheap price, it's worth trying. Better and more Bohemian is Budweiser beer, which goes down well amidst the superb atmosphere that prevails on summer evenings. You can opt for Plzensky Prazdroj or Pilsner Urquell, both top-class lagers from Plzen in West Bohemia. Or if you want beer brewed in Cesky Krumlov, Krcma Marketa has delicious Eggenberg beer on tap. End up your meal with a slice of chocolate cake or fruit-topped ice-cream.
Krcma Marketa takes top marks for service, ambience, roast food and beer; less marks for salads, soups and wine. Soups cost less than US$1, main courses between US$3-9 and beer less than US$2 for a litre. Where in the world can you enjoy an evening of atmospheric dining at such cheap prices? No plastic accepted however; so pay cash.
Opens daily from 6pm to 11pm.