6 Must-Try Czech Dishes

Most people come to Prague with some sort of idea of what they want to see, but whatever it is, there's only one thing that can make your Prague experience a million times better or a million times worse - food! If you have delicious Czech food in your tummy, any disappointing attraction will seem interesting, but if the food tasted like toilet paper, you are gonna be too hungry to enjoy this city. That is why we will share 6 traditional Czech dishes that you have to try on your Prague vacation. We will also give you some suggestions on where to try them, even though any self-respecting Czech restaurant will have them on the menu. Our recommendations will be in a mid-range price, so it will give you an idea about the average costs of these traditional dishes!

6 Must Try Traditional Czech Dishes

Goulash

You might be thinking that goulash is Hungarian, but in the Czech Republic, it's not soup! Czech goulash is chunks of meat in thick onion-based gravy served with knedlíky, a typical Czech side dish. Knedlíky is sliced flffy bread that you have to soak in the goulash sauce. This meal is supposed to keep you full for a long time, and the flavour is very rich and meaty. Normally goulash is made of beef but in some places, you can also try deer goulash!

Potato pancake aka Bramborák

This is one of the few vegetarian suggestions on our list, as the Czech diet is based on meat and beer and rarely includes vegetables. Potatoes are an exception though! Bramborák is made from grated potatoes and topped with vegetables and cheese. It can be served as a side dish as well as a full meal!

Roasted Duck

The closest gastronomical heaven I experience is when I eat crispy on the outside and tender on the inside roasted duck. Even writing these words made my mouth water! Roasted duck is usually served with a side of sauerkraut and knedlíky. You can get 1/2 or 1/4 of a duck, so make sure to mention which one you want to the waiter.

Fried Cheese

Our next vegetarian option is not the healthiest one, but it is delicious! Fried cheese will remind you of mozzarella sticks but 3 times bigger. It is served with French fries and mayo which just adds extra vitamins and essential minerals to this nutritional dish. Joking! Fried cheese is the ultimate Czech cheat meal!

Svíčková

The meal of all Czech meals - Svíčková aka sirloin steak in a creamy root-vegetable sauce served with, you guessed it, knedlíky. Svíčková is very filling and tender. You will enjoy it if you are a fan of non-spicy and rich flavour food. Sometimes svíčková is topped with cranberry jam, a slice of lemon, and whipped cream that you have to mix into the sauce!

Stffed dumplings aka plněné knedlíky

There can never be enough of knedlíky! These ones can come in sweet and salty forms. The sweet ones are stuffed with fruits and topped with poppy seeds and powdered sugar and are often served as an actual meal rather than a dessert. Another version of stuffed dumplings is made with pulled duck or ham chops and served with sauerkraut!

Restaurant suggestions

Before you read those, please bear in mind, that even some popular Prague businesses have room for improvement. It is also worth mentioning that the Czech service isn’t known to be the most attentive, friendly, and respectful. In other words, we are scared to recommend places, but the following ones are the best in our opinion!

U Glaubiců - one of the most popular historical restaurants in the city, which explains why it’s next to impossible to sit down without a reservation there. !

U Rudolfina - a cheaper option for those who don’t mind the cold Czech approach to serving customers. If you learn how to say “prosím” (please) and “děkuji” (thank you) the staff will be a bit friendlier ;)!

U Pinkasů - our favorite place on the list! This was the first one to serve famous Pilsner beer on tap in Prague!

Havelská Koruna - a self-checkout canteen-type restaurant with the cheapest traditional meals close to the Old Town Square!

U Dvou Slunců - great price/quality ratio for its location - a few steps from Prague Castle!

How Much Should You Tip in Prague?!

If you enjoyed your meal and the service, you should leave 10-15%. Satisfactory experience will require 5 % tips, and if your restaurant visit was a disaster, you do not have to leave anything. Leaving nothing or very little is a clear message to the stff that they did not do a great job!