Described by many as the "magical city in the center of Europe," Prague (Praha) is a destination that immediately captivates everyone. Besides visiting its stunning neighborhoods— the Castle, Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock, and its beautiful medieval alleys— the cuisine will also win you over.
If you enjoy winter travel and the cold isn't a big deal, visiting this city during the Christmas season is wonderful: warm lights, delicious food, and markets that seem straight out of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. If, however, you prefer to enjoy it more in the spring/summer months, when the cold eases and the days get longer, you can experience the city more calmly, strolling and discovering everything without necessarily having to run for shelter from the city's typical chill.
Eating in the Czech Republic's capital is a serious affair, and sitting down in one of the traditional taverns, decorated in medieval style, is definitely worth the price of admission. Traditional Czech cuisine is hearty, rich, but also surprisingly varied. In this short travelogue, we'll discover the city's 10 typical culinary specialties: we recommend you try even one.
1. Czech Goulash
It's widely known that goulash is a Hungarian dish, but the Czech version has been an integral part of local cuisine for years. While the Budapest version is typically a brothier, more savory soup, cooked with generous amounts of paprika and meat, Czech goulash is a stew with a thicker gravy. It's made with beef cooked for several hours until soft and tender. In Prague and the surrounding area, this dish is typically served with knedlíky, bread dumplings to accompany the meat and its sauce. Both versions use paprika and plenty of onion, which caramelizes during the long cooking process. It's a perfect dish to warm you up on cold winter days; imagine what a wonderful experience it would be to enjoy it in a typical, welcoming tavern with the snow blanketing the streets of the capital.
2. Grilované Klobása (Czech Hot Dog)
This is one of those dishes typical of both the markets that populate the city's central squares and restaurants. Grilované klobása (grilled sausage) isn't much different from the hot dog we're all familiar with, except that, unlike the American version, this one is much more similar to the one you'd find in Germany. It's usually served on bread with various sauces, including a generous dose of mustard and other condiments to choose from. A must-try specialty if you find yourself strolling the beautiful streets of Prague, as well as an excellent solution for a quick bite to satisfy your hunger pangs while you continue your sightseeing tour.
3. Vepřo-Knedlo-Zelo (Roast Pork with Dumplings and Cabbage)
Along with goulash, it is considered one of Prague's most famous dishes, as well as the national specialty of the Czech Republic. Vepřo-knedlo-zelo is essentially a dish consisting of slices of roast pork served with knedlíky —basically small dumplings, which we'll discuss shortly—and accompanied by a side of stewed white or red cabbage. The meat is tender, often slow-cooked, and enriched with a flavorful sauce that is poured over the entire dish. The beauty of this dish is the interplay of textures: the slightly acidic cabbage, the spongy knedlíky that soak up the sauce, and the juicy, tender meat. It's a very rich dish, ideal for cold weather and perfect for trying at Christmas markets.
4. Prague Ham
Prague ham (pražská šunka) is a specialty you're certainly familiar with, as it can be found in the finest delis in our country. It's essentially a beech-smoked cooked ham originating from Bohemia, and is sold both boneless and boneless. It originated around 1860 thanks to Antonín Chmel, a pork butcher from the city. It became very popular abroad in the years between the two World Wars, and it was precisely during that period that many countries began copying the recipe. Today, the designation is recognized by the EU as a TSG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed), and is therefore protected. Outside the Czech Republic, only names like "Prague-style ham" can be used. It's traditionally served hot with slices of bread, sliced with a knife, and accompanied by boiled potatoes and Czech beer.
5. Svíčková na Smetaně (Roast With Cream Sauce and Blueberries)
One of the most unique dishes in Czech cuisine, svíčková na smetaně is a roast beef found in every restaurant in Prague. It's served with a creamy sauce made from sour cream, vegetables, and spices, enriched with cranberries and a slice of lemon. The combination may seem unusual, but in the Czech Republic, they're so proud of this specialty that it's become incredibly famous. The sauce is velvety, the cranberries add a touch of freshness, and the lemon's acidity softens the dish's heaviness. Knedlíky also feature here, essential for ensuring everything is left out. It's especially worth trying in traditional home-cooked restaurants.
6. Knedlíky (Czech Dumplings)
We've mentioned them in almost every dish we've mentioned so far, so knedlíky definitely deserve their own "standalone" spot. It's important to note, however, that this is a typical dish in many Eastern European countries, better known in Germany as knödel, or Kloß. In Czech cuisine, we've seen how this dish is a fundamental (almost obligatory) accompaniment to many traditional dishes. This is because they absorb sauces, gravies, and meat sauces so perfectly, often becoming the main ingredient in the dish. There are several versions of them even in the United States. These dumplings are made from stale bread, eggs, and herbs, enriched with spices like speck or onion.
They are also very common in Baltic cuisine; in Lithuania, for example, they are called cepelinai and are large potato dumplings filled with meat or cheese. All these variations demonstrate how deeply rooted this type of preparation is in the gastronomic tradition of Central and Baltic Europe.
7. Smažený Sýr (Fried Cheese)
One of the simplest, cheapest, and most beloved dishes in the country: smažený sýr. It consists of a slice of cheese (Edam, Gouda, or the local Hermelín) breaded and fried. This dish can often be found in typical taverns or traditional markets because it is very easy to prepare and incredibly filling. It is usually served with French fries, baked, or on its own with tartar sauce or mayonnaise. It is also very common in Romanian and Bulgarian cuisines, where cașcaval is used to prepare it . It also resembles the typical mozzarella sticks. Returning to the Prague specialty, a fried and rather fatty dish, smažený sýr is considered unhealthy if consumed frequently. Ideal when you want something tasty and substantial without spending too much.
8. Koleno (Pork Knuckle)
Koleno is a Czech-style pork knuckle. Huge, juicy, and incredibly delicious: highly recommended if you're visiting the city. The classic recipe calls for the meat to be marinated first in beer and then in spices, then cooked for hours until it becomes so tender it falls off the bone. The outside is often crispy, while the inside remains tender and juicy. It's served with mustard, horseradish, and bread or potatoes. If you go to a traditional pub, you're sure to find someone eating it with a great Czech beer: a true gastronomic ritual worth experiencing.
9. Pilsner Beer
Beer is an absolute institution in the Czech Republic, and Pilsner, born right on the borders of Bohemia, is the quintessential symbol of this tradition. The most famous is Pilsner Urquell, brewed in Plzeň (about 90 km from Prague) and considered the first beer in history in this style. It has a golden color, an intense malty aroma, and the characteristic bitterness provided by the flavor of Saaz hops. In Prague, it's definitely worth trying alongside the dishes we've described so far, because it's poured according to tradition and with different techniques that completely transform the drinking experience. One of the most curious is the mlíko, a pouring technique consisting almost entirely of sweet, creamy foam, which has gone viral in the United States. It's a ritual you absolutely must try if you visit the Bohemian capital. Tasting a pilsner in the Czech Republic means enjoying it in the most authentic way possible, right where it was born.
10. Trdelnik
A small disclaimer: we had to put this dish first because it's perhaps one of the most famous in the Czech Republic. But since we're traditionalists, every meal must be accompanied by a dessert, and trdelník certainly makes a great impression. This iconic street food can be found practically every corner of Prague's historic center, and it's always fresh and delicious. It draws inspiration from kürtőskalács, Hungary's most famous dessert. It's called chimney cake because it's made by slowly cooking it on a rotisserie. This dessert can be found both plain and topped with toppings like sugar, chocolate, cinnamon, or dried fruit. We usually recommend buying a supply to bring home on your trip home and sharing it with your loved ones as an excellent and delicious gastronomic souvenir.
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