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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 at all times discovered Czech meals tradition to be massively underrated, however that’s made my Prague meals excursions extra pleasurable. On this information, I’ll element the must-try Czech Republic meals.
The Historical past of Czech Delicacies
Czech Republic meals has undergone many adjustments 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.
In style 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 might 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 chunk, from the wealthy beef and herbaceous sauce to the aspect of gentle, doughy bread dumplings.
Smíchovské Vidličky a nože (€€) – 50 00 Praha 5.
Guláš
Guláš, or goulash, is a satisfying stew made out of chunks of beef, onions, tomato paste, and paprika. Though it’s some of the widespread 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 filled 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 product of 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 crimson 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 made out of yeast dough. Like many Czech pastries and desserts, the fillings range and embrace 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 one of the best strawberry and cream cheese koláčes. I liked 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 individuals apart from guild bakers may 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 likely to be 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 rooster broth, potatoes, garlic, and a medley of spices like cumin and caraway. It was as soon as thought of a peasant meals however is now seen as a go-to dish to remedy numerous sicknesses.
The place to Eat It?
U Kroka combines the outdated and new effortlessly with a fashionable eating space and a conventional 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 right winter hotter, with a delicate 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 distinguished within the early 1900s when a neighborhood deli started making ready them with numerous 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 selection.
Chlebíčky Letná (€) – 170 00 Praha 7.
Smažený Sýr
It’s typically the best Czech snacks and appetizers which might be the preferred, and that is undoubtedly true for smažený sýr. These deep-fried cheese snacks turned a success when meat was scarce after World Warfare II.
The place to Eat It?
U Houmra is a modest eatery with probably the most indulgent smažený sýr. It doesn’t get significantly 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, they usually possible 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 possible beer. Monasteries started crafting brews over a thousand years in the past.
The place to Strive It?
I realized all about Czech craft beers within the cozy Zlý Časy. The number of brews is improbable, however the bitter Poutnik lager was particularly memorable.
Zlý Časy (€€) – 140 00 Praha 4.
Slivovitz
Slivovitz is a plum brandy that possible happened within the Center Ages as a technique to make use of extra damson plums.
The place to Strive It?
Bar R. Jelínek is a hidden gem nestled within the Slivovitz Museum. I selected to affix 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 Strive It?
I first tried this non-alcoholic beverage in a chilled-out joint referred to as Lokál U Jiráta. Although it was fairly much 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/
Smišovské Vidličky. (n.d.). House. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.smichovskevidlicky.cz/?lang=en
U Glaubicu. (n.d.). House. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://uglaubicu.com/en/
Kachna. (n.d.). House. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.kachna.cz/en/
Kolacherie. (n.d.). House. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.kolacherie.com/
Café Jen. (n.d.). House. 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.). House. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.kozlovnaupaukerta.cz/
U Kroka. (n.d.). House. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.ukroka.cz/en
Restaurace Mincovna. (n.d.). House. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from http://www.restauracemincovna.cz/
Chlebíčky Letná. (n.d.). House. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.chlebickyletna.cz/
U Houmra. (n.d.). House. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.uhoumra.cz/en-index.php
Brambory na Pankráci. (n.d.). House. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.bramborynapankraci.cz/eng/
Zlý Časy. (n.d.). House. 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.). House. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.ujirata.lokal.cz/en/
