Tjeckisk mat - 20 maträtter och drycker från Tjeckien

Czech food - what is it like? This summer we visited the Czech Republic again, for perhaps the 20th time. The Czech Republic is one of our favourite countries in Europe and we also like its food. Here you will find 20 dishes, sweets and drinks that you can try while travelling in the Czech Republic.

What is typical of Czech food?

The Czech Republic is perhaps best known for its beer, which is not surprising given all the large and small breweries here. But there is also a lot of good food!

Czech food can be quite robust and hearty, but is often well prepared with good ingredients and fresh vegetables. Of course, there are also many modern and creative restaurants, which combine domestic ingredients with influences from around the world in new ways.

But, we start by focusing on typical food and drinks, which are interesting to experience while travelling in the Czech Republic.

1. dumplings

When talking about Czech food, the first thing to mention is dumplings. This filling side dish can be made from potatoes or wheat, and it is extremely common on the plate, along with all kinds of dishes.

2. sausages with mustard or cream

Sausage is a common dish in the Czech Republic, especially in simple eateries, where you can often order sausage with bread (alongside the sausage) and mustard. At the Lokál restaurant in Prague we learnt that cream can be an alternative to mustard as a condiment.

3. Cold cuts and cheeses

In many different places in the Czech Republic we have had cold cuts or cheeses as a starter, or as an accompaniment to a beer. It could be ham, sausages or various cheeses, sometimes with a side dish like pickles. In a restaurant in Prague we were once also served Prague ham with horseradish cream.

4. Nakladany Ermine (marinated camembert)

Another small dish that we have had several times as a starter, or as a snack with the beer, is nakladany ermine, i.e. marinated camembert. The dish can be served with paprika and pickled onions, and possibly with a piece of rye bread and some jam.

5. Svíčková na smetaně (beef in cream sauce)

Svíčková, or svíčková na smetaně, is a Czech meat dish and one of the most popular Czech and Slovak meals. The dish consists of sirloin steak seasoned with pepper, bay leaf and thyme, cooked with cream, and is usually served with dumplings.

6. Vepřo knedlo zelo (pork with dumplings)

Vepřo knedlo zelo is the national dish of the Czech Republic and one of the most typical dishes of Czech cuisine. This dish simply consists of pork served with dumplings and sauerkraut.

Source: Zacatecnik via Wikimedia Commons

7. Vepřové Koleno (pork shoulder)

Vepřové Koleno, or pork knuckle, is a traditional dish with very tender meat that can be served with bread, pickled vegetables, radishes and potato dumplings. We had a modern version of this dish, with grits and vegetables, at Farma Steak & Fish Restaurant Vrchlabí. Very good!

8. Goulash

Are you thinking about Hungarian food when you hear goulash? Sure, this paprika-spiced meat stew is Hungary's national dish, but it's also popular in neighbouring countries. In the Czech Republic, goulash is often served as a stew, rather than a soup. Why not with dumplings as a side dish?

9. Pecena kachna (baked duck)

Oven-baked duck is one of our absolute favourite dishes in the Czech Republic. The duck, which is usually juicy and tasty, is often served with dumplings and different types of cabbage, such as red cabbage.

10. Řízek (Schnitzel)

Schnitzel may be reminiscent of Germany, but it's also a popular dish in the Czech Republic, where it's called řízek.

11. Fried cheese with tartar sauce

Are you a vegetarian? There are, of course, plenty of options for you in the Czech Republic, but if we're talking about restaurants serving classic Czech food, the choice may be limited. However, one dish you'll often find on the menu is fried cheese with tartar sauce. Good and filling Czech food!

12. Česnečka (garlic soup)

Česnečka (garlic soup) is a popular soup in the Czech Republic, which you can often find as a starter in restaurants. The soup may contain croutons, and is usually a good start to a meal.

13. Dumplings with fruit filling

Dumplings are usually a side dish served with meat and other main courses, but with a little sugar, they can also be a delicious dessert. Dessert dumplings can be filled with blueberries or other berries and fruits. Suitable as a filling dessert or a light lunch!

Tjeckisk mat - dumplings med fruktfyllning

14. Spa Wafers

Spa Wafers, or 'spa biscuits', are a type of large biscuit sold in spas. Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne. Trying these when visiting one of the spas is a bit of a must.

15. Trdelnik

Trdelník, or trdlo, is a pastry made from rolled dough that is wrapped around a stick and grilled. The pastry is common at markets, such as Christmas markets, and is also sold in stalls on tourist streets. Traditionally, they are eaten 'naturell', but in tourist neighbourhoods it is also popular to fill them with ice cream and other toppings.

16. czech beer

Of course you should drink beer when you are in the Czech Republic! There are both large famous breweries and interesting microbreweries, and the prices are very good. Here are some examples of Czech beers and breweries:

Zatec, founded in 1801. Guided tours are given in Czech.
Radegastfounded in 1970 in Ostrava. Guided tours are given in English.
Pilsner Urquell, founded in 1842, world famous from Plzen.
Staropramen, founded in 1869. The second largest brewery in the Czech Republic, exporting to 37 countries.
Starobrno founded in 1872 in Brno.
Budweiser Budvarfounded in 1895, the fourth largest brewery in the Czech Republic.

17. White wine

The Czech Republic is known for its good beer, but did you know that it also produces very good white wine? White wine is mainly produced in the wine districts in the south-east of the country, including the Velke Bilovice area. Grapes grown here include Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Müller Thurgau and Sauvignon. In the area around Znojmo you will find the local grape Palava and Grüner Veltliner.

READ MORE: Wine in Czech Republic - Velke Bilovice wine region

18. burcák (partially fermented wine)

Burcák is a young partially fermented wine from the Moravia region in the eastern Czech Republic, which is only drunk at a certain time of the year. We were shopping in "Vinotéka vinný sklep u kusaly" in Ostrava. The wine must be drunk relatively soon after purchase, and care must be taken when opening it so that it does not spray out in all directions. The flavour is fruity and tasty, reminiscent of cider.

19. becherovka (bitter)

Becherovka is a Czech bitter-type spirit produced in Karlovy Vary, where it also has its own museum. The story began when entrepreneur Josef Vitus Becher (1769-1840) started producing herb-flavoured spirits in addition to his job. The business was taken over by his son Jan Becherov, who marketed the drink as being good for stomach ailments. Today the brand is owned by Pernod Ricard, but production still takes place in Karlovy Vary.

READ MORE: Becherovka in Karlovy Vary - and a Czech meal

20. Slivovice and Višňovice (fruit spirits)

Slivovice is a popular spirit drink, which is also found in other Central European and Balkan countries under similar names. Višňovice is another spirit drink, and we have witnessed slivovice being offered to men, while women were served višňovice on the same occasion.

Visnovice — Višňovice, served at a glassworks in the north of the Czech Republic

Czech food in restaurants in the Czech Republic

If you want to try Czech food - both traditional and modern - there are of course plenty of restaurants to choose from. Here are some restaurants we visited and liked.

Restaurants in Prague

Eska is a modern restaurant, where traditional ingredients are mixed with new influences. It also has its own bakery (Pernerova 49, Karlín).
Kro Kitchen is a modern bistro and bar where you can order things like pulled chicken, salads and sandwiches (Sokolovská 79, Karlín).
Kuchyň is a cosy restaurant in Prague Castle with a great view. It serves traditional dishes with a modern touch (Salmovský palác, Hradčanské nám. 186/1).
Local is a classic and popular beer hall with traditional Czech food and great atmosphere (Dlohá 33).
Oblaca located at the top of the TV tower in Prague, with great views and a slightly more exclusive menu (Mahlerovy sady 1).

teryakimarinerade grönsaker, sötpotatismos och kokosnötsskum — Tuna with sweet potato mash and coconut foam at Oblaca restaurant.

Restaurants in Northern Czech Republic

Balada is a traditional restaurant in Liberec, where you sit cosily in a cellar (Moskevská 22, Liberec).
Dobrý Kanec - Hostinec is a simple and relaxed restaurant in Mělník, where we ate chicken and halloumi respectively (Palackého 125/27, Mělník).
Dvur Perlova Voda is a hotel and countryside spa, where you can also enjoy a fantastic dinner. (Kostelec nad Ohří 13, Budyně nad Ohří)
Farma Steak & Fish Restaurant in Vrchlabí serves traditional and international food with an exciting touch (Krkonošská 186, Vrchlabí).
Prezidentska is a cosy mountain lodge with traditional Czech cuisine. (Janov nad Nisou 524, Bedřichov)
Svijany is a hotel in a castle in the countryside, in Europe. Crystal Valley, with brewery and restaurant with good food. (Svijany 25, Svijany)

Tjeckisk mat på restaurang — Dinner at Dvur Perlova Voda

Restaurants in western Czech Republic

Chadovar is a brewery and a beer spawhere you can combine the experiences with dinner in the restaurant (Pivovarská 107, Chodová Planá).
Charles IV is a brewery and restaurant in Karlovy Vary, where you will find traditional Czech dishes (Becherplatz, Karlovy Vary).

Beer spa at the Chadovar brewery outside Marianske Lazne

Restaurants in eastern Czech Republic

Entrance is a fantastic restaurant in Olomouc, which offers special dining experiences such as exciting tasting menus. Book well in advance! (Ostravská 975, Olomouc)
Harenda Barborky located at the mining museum Landek Park in Ostrava, serving traditional Czech food. (Pod Landekem 68, Ostrava)
Ski Resort Kopřivná is nicely located by ski slopes, close to Mount Praděd and serves really good international food. (Malá Morávka 122, Malá Morávka)

Tasting menu at Entrée restaurant in Olomouc

Tasting menu at Entrée restaurant in Olomouc

Try Czech food on a food tour

Last but not least, if you are interested in Czech food, we can recommend booking a "food tour" in Prague. This is a tour with a guide, and in about four hours you can visit about the same number of restaurants, eating a little at each one. The tour can possibly end with a visit to a bar. We went on a tour with the company Taste of Praguewhich was very nice.

Have you tried Czech food?

Have you tried Czech food? Have you tried any of the dishes in this article, or can you suggest other dishes or specialities?

4 Comments

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Snows says:

Czech food is solid but good, I remember from our visit to the country. We ate schnitzel, various sausages and goulash. Strangely enough, we were never served dumplings.

04 September 2022 - 12:13

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Sure, it's often solid food! But often good! 🙂
  
  05 September 2022 - 18:16
  
BP says:

You should definitely not go to the Czech Republic if you want to lose weight - hahaha:-) As you say, many dishes are quite common in Bavaria and Austria as well. But I guess the food is significantly cheaper in the Czech Republic. How hungry I became now - dregel, dregel;-)

04 September 2022 - 19:56

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Haha, no, there has been no dieting during our travels in the Czech Republic 😉 But of course there are other types of modern restaurants with lighter food too 🙂 And yes, absolutely true, good prices in the Czech Republic!
  
  05 September 2022 - 18:18

Czech food - 20 dishes and drinks from the Czech Republic