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If you like to avoid eating fast food and will be heading out to restaurants or pubs then you can experience some great Czech traditional cuisine, with even better Czech beer at really low prices. Vegetarians will not be very pleased as Czech cuisine uses a lot of fried or roasted meat, usually pork of beef, on special occasions game and fish is served with dumplings, potatoes or rice, in a sauce. But you are not limited to just Czech food though as there is all sorts of international cuisine to choose from. Czech’s enjoy Czech food and mostly eat in pubs, or recently fast foods & pizzas but are not really keen to experience other international cuisines. Among grab-and-go foods, bramborak (a garlic-seasoned fried potato pancake) is a quick, if greasy, local favourite. Ditto for smazeny syr (fried cheese). The parek v rohliku (hotdog in a roll) is sold from kiosk windows around the city and is a reliable bridge between an early lunch and late dinner. Lunch is mostly served between 11:30am to 3:00pm. Cheapest food can be found in pubs during lunch time where you can have lunch with drink for less then 100 CZK. Some fast foods like pizzerias can be also quite cheap, serving decent food. You can try Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Cantonese, Italian, Balkan or what ever you want. One traditional Czech dish is dumplings, pork, gravy and pickled cabbage, another popular one to try is roast duck. Czech cuisine has also adapted schnitzels (breaded and fried chicken or pork patties) from Vienna, goulash from Hungary and other thing like sour cream, vinegar, sour vegetables and pickles - probably from the East. Most of Czech dishes are quite filling and quite mild, fresh salads are still rare except in some cafes which serve light meals. Dinner is served from 6pm to around 9:30pm, but some city restaurants server food until late night. Cheap restaurants including ones in centre will satisfied your belly with a drink for around 200 CZK. Self catering is available from many supermarkets or grocery shops called potraviny. If you want cheaper grocery shopping go out of the city centre to any supermarket, or even better to a hypermarkets. Mid range restaurants will charge from 250 CZK to 500 CZK for meal, not including drinks. Top restaurants for dinner can hit the bill for 2000 CZK with wine. Booking is mostly essential only at well know restaurants in summer and upmarket restaurants. Don’t be surprised if you find some funny names on the menu, even we Czechs don’t know where some of them come from and an explanation is usually required. If you’re early bird, like many Czechs, you can go to a bakery, cafe shops or buffets and have breakfast from early morning for around 60 CZK.  

Mostly everything is prepared simply without hot spices. One of the most common dishes are pork served with dumplings and sauerkraut and pot-roaster beef in rich creamy vegetable sauce and cranberries. Sweet dishes, such as fruit dumplings, strudel and pancakes are also very popular. No one should miss a chance to taste Czech beer. Well known brands are Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus and Prague Staropramen.Moravia wine and Czech spirits Becherovka, borovicka and Slivovice are also old favourites (dosn´t mean that foringers will find them very attractive). Hearty, robust fare is perhaps an understatement for Czech food. Head towards a traditional style restaurant and you´ll enter a world of waist-enhancing bread dumplings, rich butter sauces, cream, eggs and animal fats. Sounds bad? Well no, Czech food is actually pretty tasty - just make sure you go easy on the apricot dumplings and beer!Fortunately, most major cuisines are represented in the city, with good quality French, Italian, Japanese, Indian and Mexican restaurants. Indeed, a good number of Prague´s more upmarket eateries compare favourably with those in London, Paris and Berlin, especially on price.

One of the guides you can follow when deciding where to go for lunch or dinner in Prague is Maurer’s Grand restaurant (in Czech) with addresses and evaluations of many restaurants in the Czech Republic. The volume for 2007 is issued today.  

Needless to say, vegetarians fare pretty badly in such places. After all, any nation that offers dumplings for pudding as well as main course is likely to be meat-oriented, with the Czech Republic (and Prague) being no exception. And, much like Hungary, vegetarianism is seen almost as an ailment rather than a way of life, so quite often it´s best to plump for a modern restaurant serving international fare.Menus are printed in German and English, often with photos to show how the dish will look, while credit cards are now widely accepted. If prices aren´t clearly listed, or appear higher than those on a Czech language menu then go elsewhere. Moreover, wherever you dine, check the bill carefully as overcharging is commonplace.

Also you can read tips from Eva Christiansen  

1. A common impression : among visitors to the Czech Republic is that table service seems less friendly, or attentive than what they´re used to. Please don´t take it to heart, Czechs are friendly people, but it is considered professional and respectful to be slightly impersonal, especially for a waiter.

2. You can expect : the following at a Czech restaurant: after being seated, a waiter takes your order for drink, then food. Silverware and napkins are brought, standing in a cup or plate. There´s a basket of bread, for which you might be charged, unless you don´t touch it. Even then, it may appear on the bill, but the charge is usually not more than 20 CZK. You may need to ask for what seem like basic items, such as ice in your drink, butter for bread, or ketchup and mustard for fries. Some restaurants charge for such items - even for salad dressing.  

3. Just a warning: fellow diners may be smoking throughout your entire meal. It´s not considered particularly rude, so if you are against cigarettes, it would be a good idea to mention it when you are seated. Not many restaurants have designated smoking areas, as smoking is very common and tolerated. If the restaurant has no outdoor tables or well-ventilated areas, perhaps it is not the ideal place to enjoy a meal.

4. Lastly, don´t feel overlooked if after your meal you are not given the bill right away. It´s acceptable to spend hours talking and drinking at the table, after the dishes are cleared. So if you want to leave, you should ask for the check. "Zaplatime" means "We will pay now" and "Ucet prosim" (oo-chet pro-seem) means "Check, please." The bill is typically given to the man at the table, because it is customary that the man always pays.  

5. Tipping: the basic 10-15% is appreciated, but not mandatory. Leave cash on the table if you think the service was good, or say "Dobry" when paying your waiter, it means "Good," as in, keep the change. Or, when handing over the money, just say how much cash you would like back. Some restaurants add a "service fee" to the final amount, so the tip is included. If you are unsure, just ask. Also, if you are unsure about any items on the check, it is wise to ask. It can be hard to figure out exactly what you´re being charged for, and "mistakes" are not uncommon.

While Prague´s café culture lags behind that of Vienna and Budapest, the city still boasts some excellent turn-of-the-20th-century coffee houses, along with café-cum-brasserie style premises that offer light lunches as well as traditional pastries, cakes and puddings.

Beer is very much the lifeblood of Czech society, with a rate of consumption that easily tops the world league table. Visit a typical Prague pub (pivnice or hosposa) and you´ll find simple wooden benches, beer sold by the half-litre, and an atmosphere that (thankfully) makes few concessions to foreign visitors. For wine drinkers, wine cellars (vinárna) are the place to head, with good quality South Moravian reds sold alongside cheaper - more potent offerings - that will almost certainly give you a hangover the next day!

Venture into a Czech bar and, along with beer and wine, you´ll find a range of traditional spirits which include becherovka (an acquired taste), slivovice plum brandy (warming to say the least) and the French invented, but now adopted absinthe (a hallucinogen in large doses).

Restaurant is situated close to St. Nicholas church, on Malostranské square n.14 (entrance from Zámecká street).The restaurant was built in the house where was the famous Fragner´s family pharmacy before.In addition to the traditional Czech cusine we can be boast about our Italian specialities. The chef, native in Tuscany, observing the traditional methods, guarantees original and high quality taste.

 

This is a large brew pub and restaurant, completely renovated in 2001 and beautifully located across from the Strahov Monastery. The brew pub and St. Norbert Restaurant are divided into separate buildings with a pleasant outdoor area in between. The historic brewery dating back to the 17th century brews the very tasty St. Norbert beer (amber and dark), and you can also order Budvar if you don´t feel like trying the home brew. Good food, good service, reservations are accepted and recommended. The beer is a little pricey, but the experience is worth it.

Address: Strahovské nádvoří 301, Prague 1
Getting there: Tram 22 or 23 to Pohořelec
Website: www.klasterni-pivovar.cz

A Pilsner Urquell original restaurant housed in former postal-stamp producing premises in Prague´s Jewish Quarter. Two levels - street level and downstairs. Serves soups, pub grub, pasta, traditional Czech dishes, and great beer. Try the dark Velkopopovický Kozel!

Address: V Kolkovně 8, Prague 1
Getting there: Metro A to Staroměstská
Hours: 11.00 - 24.00
Website: www.kolkovna.cz

A cross between a traditional, smoky, table-sharing Czech pub and a fun restaurant serving food that´s far from typical Czech pub grub. As a matter of fact, the excellent cooking will make you forget all about the cigarette smoke that fills the air, and is well worth the trip to Prague 7. As you flip through the large menu at a table lit by the headlight of a motorcycle hanging over your head, you´ll have a hard time choosing from meals of all kinds that are distinguished from one another by names such as "Xena - Is She a Woman?" or "Alcoholic´s Treat". The special "Mexican block" offers enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas... Although not quite the real thing, the chicken fajitas will make you want to come back for more (the flour tortillas ARE the real thing). The place can get crowded but takes reservations. Quick, down-to-earth service, Gambrinus and Pilsner Urquell served.

Address: Kamenická 17, Prague 7
Getting there: Tram 1, 8, 15, 25 or 26 to Kamenická
Hours: Mon-Sat 11.30 - 1.00, Sun 11.30 - 23.30
Website: kovarna.trisestry.cz

Novoměstský pivovar (The New Town Brewery)

A unique brew pub near the Wenceslas Square, specializing in traditional Czech cuisine but also offering poultry, fish, steak, salads, beer snacks, etc. The extensive complex is divided into interconnected cellars and halls such as the Brewhouse, the Cave, the Barn, or the Gothic Halls. Great food and light & dark beer, good service. Breakfast served from 8 a.m., live accordion music every night. The place can be busy and getting there at an off hour will enable you to find a few seats in any of the interesting rooms. Note: The menu on the upstairs Terrace (Terasa) is limited.

Address: Vodičkova 20, Prague 1
Getting there: Metro A or B to Můstek (exit towards Václavské nám./Vodičkova)
Hours: Mon-Fri 8.00 (Sat. 11.30) - 23.30, Sun 12.00 - 22.00
Website: www.npivovar.cz

 

A popular Czech brew pub opened in 1998, frequented by locals on their lunch break and tourists on their quest for good Czech cooking. If you feel adventurous, you can order beer of unique flavors from coffee to sour cherry. Also serving specialty champagne beer and good unfiltered wheat beer in addition to the staple light and dark Czech lager. Good service, nice decor. The non-smoking section is in the front. 

Address: Ječná/Lípová 15, Prague 2
Getting there: Tram 4, 6, 10, 16, 22, or 23 to Štěpánská or Metro C to I. P. Pavlova or B to Karlovo náměstí
Hours: 11.00 - 23.30
Website: www.gastroinfo.cz/pivodum

 

This is one of the Ambiente group of restaurants, actually the very first one, opened in 1995. It serves a mixture of Mexican and American food, barbecue, ribs, and great baked potatoes. Two bonuses: 1) the restaurant is located on the beautiful Mánesova street in Vinohrady and 2) there is a large, completely separated non-smoking area.

Address: Mánesova 59, Prague 3 - Vinohrady
Getting there: Metro A or tram 11 to Jiřího z Poděbrad
Hours: Mon-Fri 11.00 - 24.00, Sat-Sun 12.00 - 24.00
Website: www.ambi.cz

This restaurant on a quiet street at the border of Vršovice and Vinohrady, a mere 11-minute tram ride from Národní třída, is one of those places that make you think twice before you recommend them to others because you´d rather keep your discovery to yourself. At the same time, we like this place so much that it wouldn´t be right to leave it off the list. The menu is varied and interesting, the food is wonderful and the prices are attractive. We love the gyros, the pork medallions, the rabbit...all made to savory perfection. Sadly, the crème brûlée and tiramisù are not worth ordering - try the chocolate mousse instead. Attention to detail and to the customer are a given. The restaurant prides itself in its wine selection that includes high-quality Moravian wines. During the day, you can stroll through the park to the nearby Villa Gröbe perched on the top of a vineyard.

Address: Kozácká 6, Prague 10-Vršovice
Getting there: Tram 4, 22 or 23 to Krymská
Hours: Tue-Fri 11.30 - 23.00
Website: www.ugrebovky.cz

 

The Ristorante Pizzeria Romeo is located on the King´s Road, between the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square. You can choose from a wide variety of Tuscan meals, genuine Italian pizzas and fresh fish, all prepared with original top-quality Italian ingredients and under the supervision of our Tuscan chef. We shall not forget our wide offer of Italian wines where everyone can find his favourite. Special premises with a large screen TV for watching sport broadcasts are prepared for sport fans.

Address: Husova 23, Prague 1 (corner of Husova and Karlova streets)
Getting there: Metro A to Staroměstská or Můstek
Hours: Mon-Sun 12.00 - 24.00
Website: www.romeoristorante.cz

 

Pizzeria Rugantino seems to have been around for ages (since 1994, to be exact) and has done great. The pizza´s always tasty, the service always pleasant. Thanks to its central location near Old Town Square, the restaurant is popular with locals, tourists, and business people who drop by at lunch time. There´s a nice size non-smoking area in the front, almost fully divided from the larger smoking area in the back. If you don´t feel like pizza, you can choose from many large salads and some fresh pasta dishes.

Address: Dušní 4, Prague 1
Getting there: Metro A to Staroměstská
Hours: Mon-Sat 11.00 - 23.00, Sun 12.00 - 23.00
Website: www.rugantino.cz

Looking inconspicuous on the busy Žitná Street, the Italian-run Trattoria Cicala offers great food, good wine, pleasant service and atmosphere. There´s a chance that you´ll be greeted by the personable owner himself, so brush up your Italian! You may also run into a Hollywood celebrity here as a bonus.

Address: Žitná 43, Prague 1
Getting there: Metro C to I. P. Pavlova or walk from the top of Wenceslas Square
Hours: 8.00 - 23.30
Website: trattoria.cicala.cz

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