If a tasty and hearty meal is important to you when travelling, Prague is an excellent choice. Czech national cuisine offers home-style dishes where meat, beer, and generous portions take center stage. Such a gastronomic journey becomes even more enjoyable with our audio guide – it will help you focus on the essentials and tell you where to find truly good food.
Download audio guide to Prague's Old TownSo what should you try to get a taste of authentic Czech cuisine?
Vepřové koleno
The true hallmark of Czech cuisine is roasted pork knee or knuckle. It may seem like a simple dish, but its popularity lies in the care of its preparation. High-quality meat, expert handling, and a perfect blend of spices and seasonings combine to create a memorable experience. Beneath the thick skin and layer of fat, the meat is tender and flavorful. Portions are massive – one typically weighs about 1.5 kg – so it’s best to share with company.
Beer soup in bread (Pivní polévka v chlebu)
Even the soup here is made with beer, so why not give it a try? The presentation is just as intriguing as the ingredients.
Soup in a rye loaf: instead of a plate, you get an edible pot.
Essentially, this is a mushroom cream soup with beer added to the broth. It brings a subtle bitterness, balanced by the cream’s smoothness.
By the way, you can order other soups or even goulash in the bread bowl.
The Czech Republic is renowned not just for its cuisine, but also for its breweries – and this is no exaggeration. If you want to enjoy beer in the most atmospheric settings, check out our selection of Czech beer halls and breweries.
Czech Baked Duck (Česká pečená kachna)
During holidays in the Czech Republic, roast duck is often served with sweet-and-sour braised cabbage, dumplings, and lingonberry sauce. You can order a whole bird or a single portion.
Slow roasting at low temperatures makes the duck tender inside and crisp on the outside. Its deep, rich flavor is a chance to treat yourself to a European classic while travelling.
Boiled bread – knedlíky
This beloved Czech bread is served as a side dish with many meals.
These flour or potato dumplings resemble large, boiled or steamed halusky and pair perfectly with rich meats. They can also be stuffed with ham, rampson, or fruit, and served as a main course with sauces.
Grilled cheese (Smažák)
The ultimate beer snack found on every Czech menu. A soft, white-mould cheese is breaded and fried, then served with fries, fresh vegetables, herbs, and tartar sauce. When you cut into this crispy cheese patty, the melted center oozes out – impossible to resist.
Utopenci – marinated skewers
This bright, savory snack pairs well not only with beer but also with stronger spirits. It’s a pub and bar favorite.
These are the toughest guys among Czech appetizers. Sausages are slit, filled with peppers, pickles, and plenty of garlic, then submerged in a spicy brine. After a few days of marinating – like a good vacation – they emerge bold, zesty, and full of character.
Sweet trdelník
These sweet, crispy tubes are sold at nearly every street stall, making it feel like all of Prague smells like trdelník.
Dough strips are wrapped around wooden cylinders and roasted over hot coals like a spit. The result is a hollow pastry that can be filled with chocolate, berries, ice cream – or all of them at once. Sweet tooths, rejoice.
Strudel (Jablečný závin)
In Prague, you’ll find entire shops dedicated to strudel – one of the Czech Republic’s most cherished desserts.
Note: these shops often sell the strudel by the whole roll, not by portion, so it’s worth checking before ordering.
The classic is apple strudel, but in Prague, the variety is wide: poppy seed, cottage cheese, nuts, cherries, pears, chocolate. You’ll definitely find a flavor you love.
If you’re interested in more than just food and want to soak up the spirit of Czech towns, take a look at our itinerary for Český Krumlov or our guide to sightseeing in Brno – these cities also know a lot about good food.
Czech wines
Everyone knows about Czech beer, but few are aware of the country’s own winemaking traditions and excellent wines. In international competitions, Czech white dry wines have even outperformed their French counterparts.
Czech wines aren’t well-known internationally because production is small and focused on the domestic market. That’s why you absolutely must try local wine while in the Czech Republic – you won’t find it abroad.
Mineral water
After indulging in rich dishes and alcohol, your body will thank you for some natural mineral water.
To drink straight from the source, head to western Czechia – to Karlovy Vary. In Prague, you can easily find bottled mineral water in any shop. Bilinska Kyselka and Zaječická Hořká are especially good for digestion.
Czech national cuisine is waiting for you at every turn – whether it’s a cozy café, a noisy pub, or a street stall selling fragrant sausages. In the city center, prices are higher – you’re paying for a view of Prague Castle. But the food is delicious in every district, so don’t hesitate to step off the tourist trail.
And if you want to enrich your trip even further, check out our selection of Czech castles, Vltava river cruises, and the best viewpoints in Prague. Food is just the beginning.
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