Czech Republic

• Prague

  Czechs nickname their capital the “mother of all cities,” the “heart of Europe,” and the “city of a hundred spires.” National pride aside, Prague—with its rich history, beauty, and, yes, countless spires—would seem to deserve its local monikers. Established in the 9th century, the city has since played a role in nearly every historic event that’s stormed over Europe. And as it graduates from its reputation as the backpacker’s Shangri-la, Prague is reinventing itself as the cultural capital of Central Europe.

  Czech food, on the other hand, doesn’t invite such across-the-board compliments. Some complain it’s meat-heavy and greasy, while others rave it’s, well, meat-heavy and greasy. Those four decades of Communist dictatorship didn’t exactly encourage the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients in traditional cuisine, which has similarities to nearby Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Austria. Gastronomically speaking, Prague has long coasted by on its reputation as a paradise for beer-lovers, not foodies. But this is finally starting to change.

  Health food stores are now aplenty, farmers markets are all around the city, fresh and organic produce is finding its way onto many locals’ tables, and new or renovated pubs are priding themselves on preparing Czech food the old way—with fresh ingredients, no corners cut. Best of all, more than a few traditional recipes have withstood all the political repression, economic hardship, and food-supply shortages of the past. Know what you’re looking for, and you can get excited about Czech food in Prague. —Introduction by Zuzana Boehmova

  For a whirlwind tour of Prague, watch our one-minute video!

   

  Czechs nickname their capital the “mother of all cities,” the “heart of Europe,” and the “city of a hundred spires.” National pride aside, Prague—with its rich history, beauty, and, yes, countless spires—would seem to deserve its local monikers. Established in the 9th century, the city has since played a role in nearly every historic event that’s stormed over…   Read more

   

  Find local foods in Prague.

  Ovocné knedlíky (fruit and cheese dumpling)

  Buchtičky se šodó

  Topinky (toast) with garlic

  Koleno

  Vepřo-knedlo-zelo

• User Content

Below is user-submitted content for this region. Have something to contribute? Upload your regional-food photo or food memory.

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  Czech Beef Goulash

  Prague
  beirut
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  Hotovi in bread

  Prague
  kis
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  Pork knuckle/Koleno

  Prague
  kis
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  Trdlo

  Prague
  piggybackrideaz

• • Smíchovský Radniční Sklípek

    joshg
    Prague, Czech Republic
    

    When I spent a semester studying film in Prague, my mates and I ate at this local hole-in-the-wall pub at least once a week. Located in the residential Andel neighborhood across the bridge fro…    Read more

• Blog Posts

• 10 Iconic Czech Dishes in Prague

  Pub snacks, main dishes, sweets: Look for these 10 classic Czech dishes to eat like a born-and-raised local in Prague. Letenské sady (Letná Park) in Prague. It’s a city that’s the “heart of Europe” and…   Read more

• Dish Spotlight: Burčák in Moravia, Czech Republic

  For this dish spotlight, we turn to Moravia and its uber-seasonal burčák wine, which contributor Christopher Burdick recently had the pleasure of tracking down for us. photo by Mararie “It tastes like delicious, carbonated,…   Read more

• Video: One Minute in…Prague

  A few days in Prague are hardly enough to soak up the medieval romance, abundant history, and vast amounts of beer for which the city is known. But try we did last October, when we hit the ground to round up all the tasty underappreciated Czech…   Read more

• Photos: The Banjo Man, Prague

  It was 1997 the last time I was on the Charles Bridge in Prague. I was a college student backpacking through Europe, and this moment of Dixieland jazz in the heart of Europe, pictured above, hit me strongly. I wasn't much of a photographer…   Read more