Czech Republic Food: A Guide to Traditional Dishes and Drinks

The Czech Republic’s food scene is incredible, with wholesome meat-based dishes, nourishing soups, and super sweet pastries providing insight into the country’s lengthy history.

I’ve always found Czech food culture to be massively underrated, but that’s made my Prague food tours more enjoyable. In this guide, I’ll detail the must-try Czech Republic foods.

The History of Czech Cuisine

Czech Republic food has undergone many changes as neighboring nations’ cuisines have merged with traditional fare. Germany, Austria, and Hungary are just some of the places that have influenced Czech food, as dishes like dumplings and goulash grew in popularity.

Its geographical location has meant that food here centers around meats and starches, which are used to create hearty, filling meals. Beef, pork, root vegetables, and legumes are staples for many Czechs. 

Popular Meat Dishes in Czech Cuisine

Svíčková na Smetaně

Among the most famous traditional Czech dishes is svíčková na smetaně, consisting of marinated beef tenderloin, carrots, celeriac, and onions with creamy sauce. The recipe was first mentioned in 19th-century cookbooks but may have been around since the Middle Ages.

Where to Eat It?

Smíchovské Vidličky a Nože is a homely, brick-clad eatery serving mouthwatering svíčková na smetaně. I savored every last bite, from the rich beef and herbaceous sauce to the side of soft, doughy bread dumplings.

Smíchovské Vidličky a nože (€€) – 50 00 Praha 5.

Guláš

Guláš, or goulash, is a satisfying stew made from chunks of beef, onions, tomato paste, and paprika. Although it’s one of the most popular meat dishes here, it arrived in the Czech Republic during the 9th century from Hungary.

Where to Eat It?

U Glaubiců oozes old-school opulence, yet their guláš is full of rustic, comforting flavors. Amidst the savory beef were fluffy dumplings and a thick, fragrant, and zesty sauce.

U Glaubiců (€€) – 118 00 Malá Strana

Pečená Kachna

 

Pečená kachna is a celebratory Czech Republic food for special occasions. Simple yet flavorful, it’s made of roasted duck with caraway seeds and garlic. The backstory is unclear, though it seemed to begin as a dish solely for the wealthy.

Where to Eat It?

Hostinec na Výtoni is a stylish restaurant with exceptional pečená kachna. The gamey duck meat, crispy skin, and punchy anise notes were exquisite and were teamed with refreshing red cabbage with sweet and sour flavors.

Hostinec na Výtoni (€€) – 128 00 Nové Město.

Sweet Treats: Czech Pastries and Desserts

Koláče

Koláče is a baked treat made from yeast dough. Like many Czech pastries and desserts, the fillings vary and include fruits, nuts, seeds, jams, and cream cheese. These treats first appeared during the Middle Ages.

Where to Eat It?

Kolacherie Celetná is a modern bakery with the best strawberry and cream cheese koláčes. I loved how the tart berries, milky cheese, and buttery dough contrasted with each other.

Kolacherie Celetná (€€) – 110 00 Staré Město.

Vánočka

Vánočka is a Christmas classic. This dense, braided bread is a fusion of eggs, flour, yeast, butter, and sugar, though raisins and almonds are often added. It originated in the 1500s, but it wasn’t until the 1700s that people other than guild bakers could prepare this festive treat.

Where to Eat It?

I spotted vánočka in the trendy Café Jen and knew I had to sample a slice. The bread was moist with subtle saccharine notes, and the chewy raisins and almonds enhanced the texture.

Café Jen (€€) – 101 00 Praha 10.

Buchty

Buchty are sweet buns made by stuffing yeast dough with tasty fillings like poppy seeds, jam, or cream cheese. They were first created in the 17th century when fermenting yeast was a common cooking technique.

Where to Eat It?

Kus Koláče was where I enjoyed my first taste of buchty. Each bun in this contemporary bakery was so lightweight, and the plum jam and earthy poppy seeds countered each other perfectly.

Kus Koláče (€) – 101 00 Vinohrady.

The Role of Soups in Czech Cuisine

Kulajda

Soups carry a lot of importance in the Czech Republic foodie sphere, and kulajda is the most famous variety. Its signature sweet and sour flavor comes from blending mushrooms, potatoes, cream, dill, and vinegar. Many trace kulajda’s roots to rural Czech villages.

Where to Eat It?

Kozlovna U Paukerta might be slick and sophisticated, but the team has mastered old-time recipes. Their velvety kulajda balances the mellow mushrooms and potatoes with dill and acidic vinegar. 

Kozlovna U Paukerta (€€) – 110 00 Staré Město.

Česnečka

Česnečka is a Czech soup with chicken broth, potatoes, garlic, and a medley of spices like cumin and caraway. It was once considered a peasant food but is now seen as a go-to dish to cure various illnesses.

Where to Eat It?

U Kroka combines the old and new effortlessly with a modern dining area and a traditional menu. They’ve put a twist on garlic soup, using smokey pork broth to elevate the light flavors.

U Kroka (€€) – 128 00 Praha 2.

Bramboračka

Bramboračka is another glorious, centuries-old comfort food. Potatoes act as the base before chunky carrots, onions, and mushrooms are thrown in.

Where to Eat It?

The tastiest bramboračka I tried was in the esteemed Restaurace Mincovna. It was the perfect winter warmer, with a gentle blend of sweetness, spicy, and woodsy flavors.

Restaurace Mincovna (€€) – 110 00 Josefov.

Czech Snacks and Appetizers

Chlebíčky

A pint-sized Czech Republic food, chlebíčky are open-faced sandwiches. They became prominent in the early 1900s when a local deli began preparing them with various toppings.

Where to Eat It?

Chlebíčky Letná is a no-frills bakery with delightful chlebíčky. They used the freshest bread here, and the salty ham and tangy pickles were my toppings of choice.

Chlebíčky Letná (€) – 170 00 Praha 7.

Smažený Sýr

It’s often the simplest Czech snacks and appetizers that are the most popular, and this is undoubtedly true for smažený sýr. These deep-fried cheese snacks became a hit when meat was scarce after World War II.

Where to Eat It?

U Houmra is a modest eatery with the most indulgent smažený sýr. It doesn’t get much better than their gooey cheese and crisp breadcrumbs.

U Houmra (€€) – 120 00 Praha 2.

Bramboráky

Bramboráky is a favorite Czech Republic food of mine. In essence, these are fried potato pancakes, and they likely developed in the 19th century.

Where to Eat It?

Brambory is a glamorous spot where I found some quirky bramboráky recipes. I chose the version infused with juicy beef and gravy, which made these crunchy pancakes even more satisfying.

Brambory (€€€) – 140 00 Praha 4.

Beverages in Czech Cuisine

Beer

If there’s one Czech Republic food or drink you’ve heard of, it’s likely beer. Monasteries began crafting brews over a thousand years ago.

Where to Try It?

I learned all about Czech craft beers in the cozy Zlý Časy. The selection of brews is fantastic, but the bitter Poutnik lager was especially memorable.

Zlý Časy (€€) – 140 00 Praha 4.

Slivovitz

Slivovitz is a plum brandy that likely came about in the Middle Ages as a way to make use of excess damson plums.

Where to Try It?

Bar R. Jelínek is a hidden gem nestled in the Slivovitz Museum. I chose to join one of the tasting sessions and was taken aback at how delicious the oaky, jam-like flavors were.

Bar R. Jelínek (€€) – 118 00 Malá Strana.

Kofola

Kofola is the Czech answer to Coca-Cola. During Communist rule in the 1950s, it was created to utilize leftover caffeine from coffee roasting.

Where to Try It?

I first tried this non-alcoholic beverage in a chilled-out joint called Lokál U Jiráta. Though it was quite similar to Coca-Cola, it was a little less sweet and noticeably smoother.

Lokál U Jiráta (€€) – 110 00 Nové Město.

Sources:

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Prague food tours & experiences. Eating Europe. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/prague/

Smišovské Vidličky. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.smichovskevidlicky.cz/?lang=en

U Glaubicu. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://uglaubicu.com/en/

Kachna. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.kachna.cz/en/

Kolacherie. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.kolacherie.com/

Café Jen. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.cafejen.cz/

Kus Kolace. (n.d.). Instagram profile. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.instagram.com/kuskolace?utm_medium=copy_link

Kozlovna U Paukerta. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.kozlovnaupaukerta.cz/

U Kroka. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.ukroka.cz/en

Restaurace Mincovna. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from http://www.restauracemincovna.cz/

Chlebíčky Letná. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.chlebickyletna.cz/

U Houmra. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.uhoumra.cz/en-index.php

Brambory na Pankráci. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.bramborynapankraci.cz/eng/

Zlý Časy. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://zlycasy.eu/

Muzeum Slivovice. (n.d.). Bar R. Jelínek. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.muzeumslivovice.cz/bar-r-jelinek/

U Jirata. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.ujirata.lokal.cz/en/