Traditional Czech Food in Prague: 8 Dishes to Try - Grumpy Camel (2024)

• Daniela Frendo
• Czech Republic
• Prague
• Last updated 4 months ago

If you’re looking for traditional Czech food in Prague, you’re in for a treat.

While Czech cuisine seems to be a bit underrated, this country serves up a lot of delicious dishes, from meat-based meals to hearty soups.

So, let’s look at the best food to try in Prague.

1. Goulash

Czech beef goulash is possibly the most popular dish in Prague. You’ll find it on most restaurant menus, and it goes very well with beer!

Goulash consists of tender bits of beef in a rich sauce, served with bread dumplings. It’s a very filling meal and a true winter warmer!

2. Pork knuckle

If you love pork, you definitely won’t go hungry in Prague. Czechs eat almost every part of the pig, including the knuckle.

Pork knuckles are typically served with a side of horseradish and pickled cabbage. This is a very social meal, and you might be unable to finish the knuckle on your own!

Recommendation: Pork’s in Mala Strana is one of the best places for pork knuckles in Prague. As the name suggests, the restaurants specializes in pork-based dishes. Make sure you try the pork cheeks and cracklings, too!

3. Cabbage pancakes

If you’re a vegetarian, you might struggle to find plant-based meals in Prague. The Czech diet is mainly meat-based, and many restaurants specialize in popular dishes like goulash and pork knuckles.

However, there are some vegetarian meals you could try. Brambraki is one of them.

These cabbage pancakes make a great light snack. They’re typically served with garlic sauce or yoghurt.

4. Potato soup served in bread

Czechs love soups. If you’re visiting Prague in winter, you must try bramboračka. It’s a potato soup with carrots and mushrooms, served in a bread bowl.

Another traditional Czech soup to try is kulajda. This is made with mushrooms, potatoes, sour cream, and dill.

5. Duck with cabbage and dumplings

Another must-try Czech food in Prague is duck. This local dish is normally served with red cabbage and potato dumplings.

Traditionally, the duck is slow-roasted so that the skin is nice and crispy. You’ll find this Czech meal at most traditional restaurants in Prague.

6. Fried cheese

If you love cheese, you must try smažený sýr. Fried cheese is a popular snack in the Czech Republic, and it’s typically served with chips and salad.

The cheese is covered with flour, egg, and bread crumbs, and then fried in a pan or deep-fat fryer. It’s like breaded mozzarella, and it’s super delicious!

7. Beef in cream sauce

As you can probably tell, the Czech Republic is a haven for meat lover. Another popular Czech dish is Svíčková, which consists of tender beef sirloin drowned in vegetable cream sauce.

It also comes with those much-loved dumplings, so you can scoop up the thick sauce!

Recommendation: Krčma in Prague’s Jewish Quarter serves a variety of traditional Czech dishes, including duck and beef in cream sauce. It’s a cosy basem*nt tavern, with vaulted ceiling and brick walls – the perfect place for a romantic dinner.

8. Pork schnitzel

And finally, we have the pork schnitzel. While it’s mostly associated with German and Austrian cuisine, schnitzel is also a traditional Czech meal.

Locally known as řízek, this dish typically consists of breaded fried pork served with potatoes and vegetables. However, in some restaurants, you may need to order the sides separately.

Recommended Prague food tours

Want to indulge in Czech cuisine on a local food tour? Here are my top recommendations.

Do you have any questions about traditional Czech food in Prague? Ask away!

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