Bakchus- Brick-laid vináreň featuring roomy tables and extensive, Slovak-oriented menu. Side order of fries is listed but must be ordered with an entree. Finding a table at peak hours requires patience. On a cold or rainy day, their hot spiced wine will warm you up. Sample dishes: Turkey Cordon Bleu, fried cheese, bryndzové halušky. $$. CC: no. Eng. menu: yes. Res: yes. Hlboká ul. 5. % 494-178. < 10:00-20:00 M-Su.
Bystrica- Climb aboard the Starship Enterprise as you beam yourself up a slanted elevator to the top of SNP Bridge (7 Sk). The restaurant once revolved but now sits like a Jetsons memorial. At the top the view of Bratislava is unique and memorable - great picture of the castle. Taste is traditional Slovak for the Vienna price. A nice place for cake and coffee while you ponder Slovakia's transformation. $$$. CC: yes. Eng. menu: yes. Res: no. Most SNP. < 10:00-20:00 M-Su.
Červený Rak- The ultra-modern decor of color and light is in sharp contrast to 14th century Michael's Gate, the foundation of which serves as one of this subterranean restaurant's walls. Venison filet, stagsteak in red wine and mountain goat sauté are followed on the menu by sharksteak and, of course, červený rak or red lobster, one of the city's priciest plates at 895 Sk. The trout is fresh, but other seafood is frozen. Heightened expectations, however, may lead to disappointment caused by grisly meats, paper napkins, and thumping rock music. $$$. CC: yes. Eng. menu: yes. Res: yes. Michalská 26. % 331-375. < 10:00-2:00 M-Su.
Curisu Gril- . Cheap eats, no frills and loads of chicken. That's the speciality, that's the menu. Open weekdays for lunch and also Saturday until 13:00. Don't be discouraged by the line; it moves quickly, and there's always space to eat, though standing up may be the only option. Sample dishes: Baked chicken, chicken paprika, halušky. $. CC: no. Eng. menu: no. Res: no. Ventúrska ul. 16. % 330-461, 330-808. < 10:00-14:00, M-Sa.
Mária Terézia- Want to splurge? Some of the finest dining in Bratislava for those who can afford it, it's worth it. Order a whole goat for 4,000 Sk at one of the city's most expensive restaurants. Burgandy carpets, wood paneling and soft lighting greet you as you descend the stairway to the sounds of harp music. The nouvelle cuisine includes tender grilled salmon and brisket of lamb. A businessman's lunch is available weekdays for 1,200 Sk (without drinks). $$$. CC: yes. Eng. menu: no. Res: no. Palisády 50. % 325-590. < 11:30-15:00 M-F, 18:00-23:00 M-Sa.
Modrá Hviezda- A delightful haven just below the castle for creatively cooked Slovak cuisine, served up in hearty portions. Try "Mummie's Specialty" of beef with cream and cranberry sauce and potato croquettes, or the sauerkraut goulash, or the veal in plum sauce. The waitress is one of the nicest people in town. Head for the brick-walled wine cellar with heavy wooden tables; the other room, while attractive enough, lacks the cellar's character. The small sunken room on the way in is available for large parties. $$. CC: no. Eng. menu: yes. Res: yes. Beblavého 14. % 332-747 < 11:00-23:00 M-Sa.
