Ostrava, the third largest city in the Czech Republic, is situated in the northeast of the country and forms the heart of the Moravian-Silesian region. It is located close to the Slovak and Polish borders on the banks of Ostravice River and offers beautiful views of the Beskydy Mountains.
The first written documentation about the founding of a village under the ownership of the Bishop Bruno originates from 1267. The city was established along the so-called Amber Trail, used by traders as the main route connecting the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean Sea since time immemorial. In the 2nd half of the 14th century, city walls were built, and the city castle probably formed part of the fortification as well. Today, all that remains of the rampart is the name of the street, Na hradbách, and fragment near the Church of St. Wenceslas.
The discovery of coal in the 2nd half of the 18th century was to be a turning point in the history of the area, which would become an important European centre for the production of steel. Ostrava lost its heavy industrial appearance long ago. Coal mining in the city came to an end in 1994.
Museums have been established where mines once stood. This industrial heritage presents the city with outstanding architectural jewels. In addition to technological sites of interest, the city also offers visitors a number of other cultural and historically attractive places, which allow people to enjoy pleasant days full of unforgettable experiences.
The city is an important thoroughfare and is very easily accessible by car, rail and air. Accommodation and dining are tailored to meet the expectations of even the most demanding guests. You can expect a level of comfort and care to remember long after your return home. The traditional Czech hospitality is well known, as is the excellent local cuisine. You will be attracted by the taste and aroma of meals known to you, as well as those unknown – specialities typical just for this region.
Tips for Trips around Ostrava
Visit the largest Czech open-air museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm to learn how people used to live in the past. Olomouc attracts with its Baroque and modern fountains and the Holy Trinity Column, which is on the UNESCO list, and it is the largest group of Baroque sculptures in one set within Central Europe. In Kopřivnice, there is a museum of the Tatra automobiles that used to be popular all over the world. The monumental castle and world-renowned composer Leoš Janáček are the reasons to visit Hukvaldy. In Starý Jičín, you can see the ruins of Jičín Castle and monuments all over the town, including a pillory.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
MHDPublic transportation in the City of Ostrava is organised by the Integrated Transport System (ODIS). Within the city, there are seven hundred vehicles used in a dense tram, bus, and trolleybus network that transports 114 million passengers per year. Timetables of all the routes are listed at the stations, and are also available in printed versions and on the Internet www.dpo.cz.
Quite a lot happening beer wise here with 9 breweries as of July 2022, half a dozen bars and a couple of bottle shops, as always I will start with a rough guide to the brewpubs;
Zámek Zábřeh, U Zamku 42/1, Ostrava-jih-Zábřeh, Ostrava, 70030
Open: Mon-Sat 17-22, Sun closed
A stunning brewpub located in the attic of an old chateau. Brilliant design, all in wood beams and furniture complemented by white walls. Superb beer-wise, they offer four of their own beers including a nice tmave-11 and a rotating seasonal. A plus is you can order 0.1L tasting samples. The food is really the star here, incredible quality ingredients and dishes that pair well with the beer.
On the premises you can also find a chic hotel, a fine dining restaurant, a wine cellar and a wellness center offering beer baths.
Rock & Roll Garage Ostrava, Martinovská 3262/50, Martinov, 723 00
Open: Mon-Thu 11-23, Fri 11-02, Sat 12-02, Sun 12-21
Located adjacent to an industrial area, so you may get some not really pleasant smells if the wind blows towards their patio. The patio itself makes it a good place to go with kids, as they have a large and very well equipped playground. The insides look like an American style brewpub, the focus seems to be more on the live shows, sports transmissions and food, only then comes the beer. The staff are rather friendly and efficient, given Czech waiting standards. The food is very good, the beers are hit and miss, their light ale and "12" pils being the better ones.
Hobit Club , Přívozská 367, Moravská Ostrava a Přívoz, Ostrava, 70200
Open: Mon-Fri 14-02, Sat 16-02, Sun closed
A tiny brewpub in center of Ostrava. The beers are very good, especially the polotmave which is toasty and creamy. The interior is nice, standard wooden furniture with odd paintings (Lord of the Rings) on the walls, rock memorabilia, smokey like in the Mordor... But this does not reflects in the quality and freshness of the beer. Regulars are a mix of youngsters and old folks and "biker's" but they are really friendly.. The food selection is limited to snacks.Note they serve a "pivni grog" which is a mix of unfermented beer wort, rum and hot water?
U Skákavého Poníka, Přívozská 34, Moravská Ostrava a Přívoz
Open: Mon-Friri 11-23, Sat 16-23, Sun closed.
A small brewpub next to the Hobit Club. It has a spacious outdoor area that you can reach by going through the restaurant. Friendly service, good place to sample microbrews from the region, especially their own house beers (Qasek), they even have an IPA, alongside the more classic stuff (svetlý ležák). A great place to kick back and share a glass of pivo with friends or an exploration of Czech beer traditions.
Žíznivý dromedár - minipivovar a restaurace, Alberta Kučery 1274/14, Ostrava-jih
The "thirsty camel" is anew brewpub. :ots of Camels in this place and the Pivo is excellent. Classic Czech menu and Pizza. A cool stainless steel mini brew kit with lots of fermenting vessels. They brew using traditional malts (no mass produced) and their beers are all unfiltered.
Heřmanický pivovar (Restaurace Beseda), Vrbická 614/131, Slezská Ostrava-Heřmanice, Ostrava, 713 00
Open: Brewery: Mon-Fri 9-18. Restaurant: Mon-Thu 11-22, Fri-Sat 11-24, Sun 11-22
The restaurant is a popular meeting place in Ostrava offering you to a pleasant stay with good drinks and meals. Plus in good weather there is also a sun terrace to relax on. They regularly organize events such as: Barbecue, live music, Pork feast and much more. They offer up to eight of their own beers, that are brewed on site. The staff are nice and friendly.
Pivovar Ostravar (Staropramen Brewery), Hornopolní 57, Moravská Ostrava a Přívoz
Tours: Wed (Sept-Mar), Thu (Apr-Aug): 15.30, or by appt
A typical tour through a large brewery, with tasters at the end, it is what it is.
Starobělský Pivovar, Proskovická 1169, Stará Bělá, Ostrava, 724 00
Open: Mon-Tue & Thu-Fri 7:30-8:30, 14-15
The brewery's premises are located on Proskovická street, in the premises of the former Citroen car showroom. The first batch of Starobělské lager was brewed on April 21, 2014. There is very little information about brewery and their beers if you visit please email me an update Na zdraví.
RESTAURACE AERO, Edisonova 795/88, Ostrava-jih-Hrabůvka
A beautiful restaurant/brewery in the Ostrava. The service, is so nice. The do tasteings of their local beer with food. The brew-kit is in the basement of the Hotel. A three-minute walk from the hotel is a tram stop that will take you to the city center, all Ostrava railway stations and interesting places in the vicinity in a few minutes. Nearby is the Municipal Stadium Ostrava – Vítkovice and the Ostravar Arena hall. The staff are funny. Excellent beers and great beer appetizers.
Kurnik Šopa Hospoda, Pavlouskova 24, Poruba
Open: Mon-Sun: 16.00-01.00
A nice beer bar with eight taps with Czech (and sometimes German) beers. Also a range of Belgian/World bottled beers available in fridge. Plus Free WiFi.
Kurnik Šopa Hospoda 2, Myslbekova 528/13, Moravská Ostrava a Přívoz
Open: 14 - 23, every day.
Located near to the main railway station in Ostrava (1 km). This is by far the best bar in town. Sister pub to the above. They have 7 beers on taps, mostly from small Czech breweries, with an occasional Belgium beer. They opened in 2012 and are trying to increase beer knowledge with a wide range of different beer styles. They also put emphasis on education, so every beer on tap has its own beer sheet with all available information. You can expect a stylish pub, with a pleasant home atmosphere and nice people. Recommended
Babylon Café, Střelniční 10/1, Moravská Ostrava a Přívoz
Open:Mon-Friri 14-24, Sat 18-24, Sun closed
Now this is different, a bar, cafe and school that teaches English and cooking! What a great place to site back and sample a range of craft beers or have tea, coffee or wine and chat to the locals, in a place where you will feel at home. You can even play boules outside what a cool place. Cheers to beers.
Psí kusy - HoppyDog Pub, Poštovní 155/14, Ostrava, 70200
Open: Mon - Sat 16:00 to late Closed Sunday
The small brewery tap for Hoppydog brewery, located in the center of Ostrava. Serving some unique beer, from Hoppydog and occasional guest beers that are sometimes a tad pricey but you get to experience beer from the highest standards in Czech Republic, because of it's location (apartment building) there's no music, which makes it not a good place to hangout and just chat. The interior is modern and sparse they serve beer snack's and the staff are nice another must do pub in this town.
Pivní bar U Segala, Gen. Hrušky 1233/26, Mariánské Hory a Hulváky,
Open: Mon-Sun 12:00-23:00
Quite austere beer pub under a block of flats, with chunky pine furniture and an array of bottles around the walls that are painted a garish red? The main advantage of this pub is the ten taps with beers from small Czech minibreweries and the odd Belgian beer, plus a world wide bottle selection. There is no kitchen so have a meal before you enter as you wil be in here quite a while! They do serve beer snacks such as a very good hermelin (pickled Camembert) Nice staff well worth seeking this gem out. Note smoking is allowed in this bar.
I hope you found my guide to the brewpubs and bars in Ostrava useful?
Now you just need to get yourself out there and start the beer adventure for yourself!
Go grab a locally brewed pint (or 2) and support your local brewers!
“You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline - it helps if you have some kind of football team, or some nuclear weapons, but in the very least you need a beer.”
― Frank Zappa