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The Czech Republic’s meals scene is unimaginable, with healthful meat-based dishes, nourishing soups, and tremendous candy pastries offering perception into the nation’s prolonged historical past.

I’ve all the time discovered Czech meals tradition to be massively underrated, however that’s made my Prague meals excursions extra gratifying. On this information, I’ll element the must-try Czech Republic meals.

The Historical past of Czech Delicacies

Czech Republic meals has undergone many modifications as neighboring nations’ cuisines have merged with conventional fare. Germany, Austria, and Hungary are simply a few of the locations which have influenced Czech meals, as dishes like dumplings and goulash grew in recognition.

Its geographical location has meant that meals right here facilities round meats and starches, that are used to create hearty, filling meals. Beef, pork, root greens, and legumes are staples for a lot of Czechs. 

Widespread Meat Dishes in Czech Delicacies

Svíčková na Smetaně

Among the many most well-known conventional Czech dishes is svíčková na smetaně, consisting of marinated beef tenderloin, carrots, celeriac, and onions with creamy sauce. The recipe was first talked about in Nineteenth-century cookbooks however could have been round because the Center Ages.

The place to Eat It?

Smíchovské Vidličky a Nože is a homely, brick-clad eatery serving mouthwatering svíčková na smetaně. I savored each final chew, from the wealthy beef and herbaceous sauce to the facet of delicate, doughy bread dumplings.

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

Guláš

Guláš, or goulash, is a satisfying stew constructed from chunks of beef, onions, tomato paste, and paprika. Though it’s one of the vital standard meat dishes right here, it arrived within the Czech Republic in the course of the ninth century from Hungary.

The place to Eat It?

U Glaubiců oozes old-school opulence, but their guláš is stuffed with rustic, comforting flavors. Amidst the savory beef had been fluffy dumplings and a thick, aromatic, and zesty sauce.

U Glaubiců (€€) – 118 00 Malá Strana

Pečená Kachna

Pečená kachna is a celebratory Czech Republic meals for particular events. Easy but flavorful, it’s fabricated from roasted duck with caraway seeds and garlic. The backstory is unclear, although it appeared to start as a dish solely for the rich.

The place to Eat It?

Hostinec na Výtoni is a trendy restaurant with distinctive pečená kachna. The gamey duck meat, crispy pores and skin, and punchy anise notes had been beautiful and had been teamed with refreshing pink cabbage with candy and bitter flavors.

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

Candy Treats: Czech Pastries and Desserts

Koláče

Koláče is a baked deal with constructed from yeast dough. Like many Czech pastries and desserts, the fillings range and embody fruits, nuts, seeds, jams, and cream cheese. These treats first appeared throughout the Center Ages.

The place to Eat It?

Kolacherie Celetná is a fashionable bakery with the very best strawberry and cream cheese koláčes. I beloved how the tart berries, milky cheese, and buttery dough contrasted with one another.

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

Vánočka

Vánočka is a Christmas traditional. This dense, braided bread is a fusion of eggs, flour, yeast, butter, and sugar, although raisins and almonds are sometimes added. It originated within the 1500s, however it wasn’t till the 1700s that folks aside from guild bakers might put together this festive deal with.

The place to Eat It?

I noticed vánočka within the stylish Café Jen and knew I needed to pattern a slice. The bread was moist with refined saccharine notes, and the chewy raisins and almonds enhanced the feel.

Café Jen (€€) – 101 00 Praha 10.

Buchty

Buchty are candy buns made by stuffing yeast dough with tasty fillings like poppy seeds, jam, or cream cheese. They had been first created in the seventeenth century when fermenting yeast was a typical cooking approach.

The place to Eat It?

Kus Koláče was the place I loved my first style of buchty. Every bun on this up to date bakery was so light-weight, and the plum jam and earthy poppy seeds countered one another completely.

Kus Koláče (€) – 101 00 Vinohrady.

The Position of Soups in Czech Delicacies

Kulajda

Soups carry a whole lot of significance within the Czech Republic foodie sphere, and kulajda is probably the most well-known selection. Its signature candy and bitter taste comes from mixing mushrooms, potatoes, cream, dill, and vinegar. Many hint kulajda’s roots to rural Czech villages.

The place to Eat It?

Kozlovna U Paukerta is perhaps slick and complicated, however the group 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 hen broth, potatoes, garlic, and a medley of spices like cumin and caraway. It was as soon as thought-about a peasant meals however is now seen as a go-to dish to treatment varied sicknesses.

The place to Eat It?

U Kroka combines the previous and new effortlessly with a fashionable eating space and a standard menu. They’ve put a twist on garlic soup, utilizing smokey pork broth to raise the sunshine flavors.

U Kroka (€€) – 128 00 Praha 2.

Bramboračka

Bramboračka is one other superb, centuries-old consolation meals. Potatoes act as the bottom earlier than chunky carrots, onions, and mushrooms are thrown in.

The place to Eat It?

The tastiest bramboračka I attempted was within the esteemed Restaurace Mincovna. It was the proper winter hotter, with a mild mix of sweetness, spicy, and woodsy flavors.

Restaurace Mincovna (€€) – 110 00 Josefov.

Czech Snacks and Appetizers

Chlebíčky

A pint-sized Czech Republic meals, chlebíčky are open-faced sandwiches. They turned outstanding within the early 1900s when a neighborhood deli started getting ready them with varied toppings.

The place to Eat It?

Chlebíčky Letná is a no-frills bakery with pleasant chlebíčky. They used the freshest bread right here, and the salty ham and tangy pickles had been my toppings of alternative.

Chlebíčky Letná (€) – 170 00 Praha 7.

Smažený Sýr

It’s usually the only Czech snacks and appetizers which are the preferred, and that is undoubtedly true for smažený sýr. These deep-fried cheese snacks turned successful when meat was scarce after World Battle II.

The place to Eat It?

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

U Houmra (€€) – 120 00 Praha 2.

Bramboráky

Bramboráky is a favourite Czech Republic meals of mine. In essence, these are fried potato pancakes, and so they seemingly developed within the Nineteenth century.

The place to Eat It?

Brambory is a glamorous spot the place I discovered some quirky bramboráky recipes. I selected the model infused with juicy beef and gravy, which made these crunchy pancakes much more satisfying.

Brambory (€€€) – 140 00 Praha 4.

Drinks in Czech Delicacies

Beer

If there’s one Czech Republic meals or drink you’ve heard of, it’s seemingly beer. Monasteries started crafting brews over a thousand years in the past.

The place to Attempt It?

I realized all about Czech craft beers within the cozy Zlý Časy. The number of brews is unbelievable, however the bitter Poutnik lager was particularly memorable.

Zlý Časy (€€) – 140 00 Praha 4.

Slivovitz

Slivovitz is a plum brandy that seemingly took place within the Center Ages as a strategy to make use of extra damson plums.

The place to Attempt It?

Bar R. Jelínek is a hidden gem nestled within the Slivovitz Museum. I selected to hitch one of many tasting classes and was bowled over at how scrumptious the oaky, jam-like flavors had been.

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

Kofola

Kofola is the Czech reply to Coca-Cola. Throughout Communist rule within the Nineteen Fifties, it was created to make the most of leftover caffeine from espresso roasting.

The place to Attempt It?

I first tried this non-alcoholic beverage in a chilled-out joint known as Lokál U Jiráta. Although it was fairly just like Coca-Cola, it was a little bit much less candy and noticeably smoother.

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

Sources:

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Prague meals excursions & experiences. Consuming Europe. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/prague/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zlý Časy. (n.d.). Residence. 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.). Residence. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.ujirata.lokal.cz/en/