Quick question to start.
If I told you that you were flying to Italy next week, would you be able to name a dish you'd want to try? I’ll take that as a yes. France? I doubt you'd struggle there either. Switzerland? Half the world already has an opinion on its cheese, chocolate or fondue.
The Czech Republic? Hmm… Despite finally receiving the attention it has deserved for years, it hasn't quite made it onto people's food maps yet. I mean, the only answer I knew back then was "I'm sure they have good beer."
So while putting this together, I spent a fair bit of time going through local recommendations, traditional favourites, regional specialities and experiences shared by our travellers who had recently returned from the Czech Republic. After falling into that particular rabbit hole, I ended up with a list of dishes, desserts and drinks that kept appearing over and over again. So if you're wondering about the best food to try in the Czech Republic, here are a few things that deserve a place on your table.
Smažený Sýr (Fried Cheese)
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the national obsession that many don't see coming. Smažený Sýr is exactly what it sounds like: a thick slice of cheese coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried until golden on the outside and gloriously gooey on the inside.
It's usually served with fries, potatoes and tartar sauce, making it one of the most comforting meals you'll encounter during your trip. What began as a simple pub favourite has become one of the country's most beloved dishes.
Guláš (Czech Beef Goulash)
Hungary may have made Goulash famous, but the Czech Republic has very much made the dish its own. Unlike the soup-like versions found elsewhere, Czech Guláš is usually thicker, richer and more stew-like. Tender beef is slow-cooked until it practically falls apart before being served with bread dumplings that soak up every bit of the sauce. If you're looking for must try food in the Czech Republic, Guláš deserves a place very close to the top of the list.
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Pečená Kachna (Roasted Duck)
I have met people who claim they don't particularly enjoy duck. But the ones (ducks) in the Czech Republic might change their minds. Traditional roasted duck is one of the country's most celebrated dishes, usually served with dumplings and braised cabbage. Let your love for duck begin here… It's also one of those dishes that locals continue ordering, I hope that means something to you.
Moravský Vrabec (Moravian Sparrow Roast Pork)
Before we continue, no, this is not a SPARROW. Nobody is roasting tiny birds for dinner in Moravia.
Moravian Sparrow is actually a traditional pork dish made from roasted pork pieces served alongside dumplings and cabbage. Depending on where you order it, you may receive both red and white cabbage, adding different textures and flavours to the meal.
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Knedlíky (Czech Dumplings)
Now, the dumplings. These traditional dumplings accompany countless Czech dishes and appear in several forms, most commonly as bread dumplings or potato dumplings.
You'll find them served alongside Guláš, duck, Moravian Sparrow and numerous other traditional meals. Their job is simple: absorb every last bit of sauce and flavour left on the plate. And as much as I’ve heard, they do that job remarkably well.
Nakládaný Hermelín (Pickled Camembert-Style Cheese)
Nakládaný Hermelín is a soft cheese that spends weeks marinating in oil alongside onions, chillies and various spices. The result is a flavourful cheese that's become a staple in Czech pubs and beer halls.
What's particularly fun is that every restaurant seems to have its own recipe. Different spice blends, different pickling methods and slightly different flavours, woo fun!
Trdelník (Chimney Cake)
If you've spent more than 30 minutes in Prague, you've probably smelled one before you've seen one.
Trdelník, often called a chimney cake, is made by wrapping dough around a cylinder before roasting it over heat and coating it with sugar. The traditional version is fairly simple, but modern versions have become far more elaborate. Many stalls now line the inside with chocolate before filling them with soft-serve ice cream, fruit or other toppings.
Go for the ice cream one. Trust me on this one. For travellers searching for must try food in Prague, Trdelník has become almost impossible to ignore.
Palačinky (Czech Pancakes)
The Czech Republic's answer to pancakes is Palačinky. These thin pancakes sit somewhere between a classic pancake and a French crêpe. They're typically filled with fruit, jam, chocolate, sweet cheese or cream before being folded and served as a dessert.
Dukátové Buchtičky (Sweet Bread Buns with Vanilla Custard Sauce)
This may be the most overlooked dessert on this list. Dukátové Buchtičky consists of small, fluffy sweet buns served beneath a generous helping of warm vanilla sauce. Keep this in mind; many locals abandon the fork entirely and use a spoon to make sure none of the sauce goes to waste.
Czech Beer, Wine and Burčák
Leaving Czech beer out of a list like this would probably get me into TROUBLE.
The Czech Republic is famous for having one of the strongest beer cultures in the world. Brands such as Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser Budvar are known internationally, but some of the most memorable beers are often found in smaller local breweries and traditional pubs.
Wine here is fabulous too, particularly in Moravia, which produces some of the world's excellent whites and increasingly impressive reds.
And then there's Burčák. If you're visiting between August and November, keep an eye out for it. Burčák is a young, partially fermented wine that's lightly fizzy, slightly sweet and really refreshing. It's only available for a short period each year and tends to sell out quickly whenever it appears. Look out!
Seasonal dishes, wine festivals and Burčák are best enjoyed at certain times of year, so it's worth checking best time to visit the Czech Republic before you plan your trip.
Will Vegetarian Food Be Available in the Czech Republic?
While traditional Czech cuisine is undeniably meat-heavy, vegetarian travellers generally won't struggle, especially in Prague, Brno and other major tourist destinations.
Dishes such as Smažený Sýr have become favourites among vegetarian visitors, while restaurants increasingly offer meat-free versions of traditional meals alongside international cuisine.
So yes, to answer it, you may have to walk past a few meat dumplings along the way, but finding vegetarian food in the Czech Republic is considerably easier than many travellers expect.
Where Should You Try These Dishes?
Many visitors head to Lokál for classic Czech comfort food and perfectly poured beer, while U Medvídků, one of Prague's oldest restaurants and beer halls dating back to the 15th century, remains a favourite for traditional Czech cuisine. If your idea of a meal involves staying over coffee and dessert, Café Savoy is one of the city's most famous cafés, known for its pastries, traditional dishes and grand historic interiors.
But then again, isn't half the fun of Czech food discovering it where the locals actually eat? A traditional pub in Prague might serve some of the best Guláš you'll ever taste. A family-run restaurant in South Bohemia could introduce you to a memorable plate of roasted duck. A market stall might sell the Trdelník you spend the rest of your holiday thinking about.
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