Pivovar Marina is a giant boathouse-like microbrewery and restaurant on a quiet bend along the Vltava. And yes, it's both as lovely and as masculine as that sounds.
The moment you step inside, you are hit with the smell of hops and the striking visual of an all-wood interior, high ceilings, and some tiered seating options. Despite its grandeur, it's rather casual, at least in the brewery (pivovar) half at the front of the house. A peek into the back half, presumably the "restaurant" half, seemed like a lovely banquet-esque affair.
We stuck with the pivovar and, casual label be damned, it was still a rather impressive ordeal. I ordered the 1/2 Roast Duck, served with dumplings and braised red cabbage, which (following a theme here) was huge. More importantly, it was excellent, really tender and juicy, and just a touch on the salty side. But hey, I like salty, and I love duck, so I'm calling it - one of the best meals I had in Prague.
Their home-brewed beer Přístavní výčepní 10% was also delicious, a traditional Czech pilsner category-wise, but also a nice break from the Urquells and Gambrinuses that run the rest of the town. I'm no beer connoisseur, but it's light, golden, grassy composition was perfectly balanced against my heavy duck entree. Add to that the friendliest service this American received during his entire stay in Prague, and this nautical brewhouse is a must for any fan of gastropubs, great local beer, and/or manly eats in general. Na zdraví! read more