Those who travel to the Czech Republic may not be familiar with the intricacies and depth of the country’s cuisine (there’s so much more than beer!).
From home-cooked staples and tempting street food to traditional baked sweets and beverages with a story, there are deep-rooted culinary traditions awaiting discovery around every nook and cranny of the beautiful Czech capital of Prague. To get you started, we’re passing along our list of the top ten foods and beverages to indulge in when visiting the Golden City.
Dobrou chut'!
1.Svíčková na smetaně
If we were tasked with naming the national dish of the Czech Republic, this might very well be it! Beef sirloin served with gravy, bread dumplings and cranberry sauce or jam. Czechs adore it and something tells us you will too.
Best places to find the hearty tradition are at Café Louvre, Lokal or Monastery Tavern. You can find a vegetarian version at Lehka hlava and Maitrea.
2. Chlebíčky
Open-faced sandwiches topped with innumerous combinations of spreads, garnishes, cold cuts and cheeses. Typically served as a snack, at parties and gatherings and for lunch and breakfast. “Chlebíčky” may translate to “little breads” but they’ve got a big place in traditional Czech cuisine.
Get chlebiček at Jan Paukert, a deli where the original chlebiček is said to have been born. The trendy Sisters Bistro makes sandwiches in a more classic tradition but with a gourmet twist.
3. Koláče
The Czech kolač is a pastry filled with poppy seeds, fruit jams, nuts or sweet cheese. Most Czech families have their own secret koláč recipes which have been passed down through the generations. If you don’t have Czech heritage, not to worry: we’re sharing our family recipe and our best tip for finding the traditional treat in Prague!
While koláče can be found in bakeries and markets throughout the city, our favorite bakery is Pekárna Kabát which has several locations (including the metro station, Mustek) in Prague.
4. Párek v rohlíku
Someone sure was thinking when they decided to stuff a boiled sausage, ketchup and mustard inside a roll (the Czech rohlík). It’s the perfect on-the-go, protein-packed street snack in Prague! Just make sure to go to one of the best hot dog vendors!
Euro Hot Dog has four locations in Prague including Malostranská (metro stop), Anděl (in front of Daichman), Florenc (near the tram stop) and Národní třída (next to MY TESCO). The hot dog stand at Naměstí Míru is another popular location!
5. Pivo (beer)
It’s no secret Czechs know beer and do it well. You’ll find opportunities for drinking the world-renowned golden pilsners around every corner of Prague. In our opinion, the best and freshest pivo is found at pivovars (breweries) where the beer is brewed right on the premises. See our list below. Na zdraví!
6. Kulajda soup
Soup (polevka) is very popular in Czech cuisine. Kulajda, or “dill” soup is one of our favorites. With potatoes, forest mushrooms, cream, dill and garnished with poached eggs, it’s a hearty and “dill-icious” combination!
Kulajda soup is always on the menu at Café Imperial and V Zátiší Restaurant, but you’ll also find it often asthe soup of the day at Polévkárna or the Home Kitchen.
7. Kofola
The “#1 Czechoslovak Traditional Love Cola”, there’s a lot of history bottled up in this herbal cola. For instance, in the 1970s, Kofola was produced as an alternative to the western brands (Coke and Pepsi) which were unavailable to Czechs at that time. Using the same secret recipe today, Kofola remains a nostalgic favorite in Czech.
Find Kofola at many restaurants and pubs around the city and at most outdoor gardens. It’s wonderful on tap and glorious out of the glass bottle.
8. Smažený sýr
Fried, filled with ooey gooey cheese and excellent with beer: the smažený sýr. Typically served with tartar sauce and fries or potatoes, you can also find it burger-style from street vendors (late night snack anyone?). Try it at Lokal or Restaurace U Pinkasů.
9. Guláš
A dish originating from the Czech Republic’s Hungarian neighbors, this hearty and meaty stew has become a staple for Czech palates. And as no surprise, the Czech version is usually served with houskové knedlíky (dumplings).
Order Guláš at either the Strahov Monastic Brewery or Mlejnice restaurant. The vegetarian restaurant Lo Veg even serves a vegan version!
10. Medovník
You can’t really choose the wrong cake in the Czech Republic but this one and its layers upon layers of honey and nut goodness consistently steals our heart. Try it at one of the two locations of Dobra trafika or at the Grand Cafe Orient.
SEE ALSO: 5 Foods Everyone Should Eat In Rome
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