Czech food - 20 classic dishes you must try

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: May 2026 | Czech food – what is it like? This summer we visited the Czech Republic again, for perhaps the 20th time in a row. The Czech Republic is one of our favorite countries in Europe and we also like the country's food. Here you will find tips on 20 dishes, sweets and drinks that you can try during a trip to the Czech Republic.

What to eat in the Czech Republic? - a quick overview

We have previously written about Austrian food and if Hungarian food, and now we turn our attention to Czech cuisine. Czech food is often rustic, filling and full of classic flavours. Here are some typical examples of what to eat in the Czech Republic:

• Meat: Pork, beef and dishes like goulash and svíčková
• Accessories: Knedlíky (dumplings), sauerkraut and sauce-based dishes
• Bread: Light and dark bread, often served with soups and stews
• Simpler dishes: Smažený sýr, soups and various everyday dishes
• Drinks: Beer is a central part of food culture

We have travelled long and far in Czech Republic and we appreciate everything from robust home cooking to more modern and creative restaurants.

Typical Czech food - 20 classic dishes

Here we list Czech dishes that are interesting to try, including snacks, sweets and drinks.

1. Knedlíky (dumplings)

When talking about Czech food, the first thing to mention is dumplings. This filling side dish can be made from potatoes or wheat, and it is extremely common on the plate, along with all kinds of dishes.

2. sausages with mustard or cream

Sausage is a common dish in the Czech Republic, especially in simple eateries, where you can often order sausage with bread (alongside the sausage) and mustard. At the Lokál restaurant in Prague we learnt that cream can be an alternative to mustard as a condiment.

3. Svíčková na smetaně (steak in cream sauce)

This is a popular Czech and Slovak meat dish. The dish consists of sirloin steak seasoned with pepper, bay leaves and thyme, cooked with cream, and usually served with dumplings.

4. Vepřo knedlo zelo (pork with dumplings)

This dish is considered the national dish of the Czech Republic and is one of the most typical dishes in Czech cuisine. This dish consists simply of pork served with dumplings and sauerkraut.

5. Vepřové Koleno (pork knuckle)

This is a traditional dish with very tender meat that can be served with bread, pickled vegetables, radishes and potato dumplings. We had this dish in a modern way, with semolina and vegetables, at Farma Steak & Fish Restaurant Vrchlabí. Very tasty!

6. goulash

Are you thinking about Hungarian food when you hear goulash? Sure, this paprika-spiced meat stew is Hungary's national dish, but it's also popular in neighbouring countries. In the Czech Republic, goulash is often served as a stew, rather than a soup. Why not with dumplings as a side dish?

7. Pecena kachna (baked duck)

One of our favourite dishes in the Czech Republic! The duck, which is usually juicy and tasty, is often served with dumplings and various types of cabbage, such as red cabbage.

8. Řízek (schnitzel)

Schnitzel may be reminiscent of Germany, but it's also a popular dish in the Czech Republic, where it's called řízek.

9. Fried cheese with tartar sauce

Are you a vegetarian? There are, of course, plenty of options for you in the Czech Republic, but if we're talking about restaurants serving classic Czech food, the choice may be limited. However, one dish you'll often find on the menu is fried cheese with tartar sauce. Good and filling Czech food!

10. Cold cuts and cheeses

In many different places in the Czech Republic we have had cold cuts or cheeses as a starter, or as an accompaniment to a beer. It could be ham, sausages or various cheeses, sometimes with a side dish like pickles. In a restaurant in Prague we were once also served Prague ham with horseradish cream.

11. Nakladany Hermelin (marinated camembert)

Another small dish that we have had several times as a starter, or as a snack with the beer, is nakladany ermine, i.e. marinated camembert. The dish can be served with paprika and pickled onions, and possibly with a piece of rye bread and some jam.

12. Česnečka (garlic soup)

Česnečka (garlic soup) is a popular soup in the Czech Republic, which you can often find as a starter in restaurants. The soup may contain croutons, and is usually a good start to a meal.

13. Dumplings with fruit filling

Dumplings are usually a side dish served with meat and other main courses, but with a little sugar, they can also be a delicious dessert. Dessert dumplings can be filled with blueberries or other berries and fruits. Suitable as a filling dessert or a light lunch!

14. Spa Wafers

Spa Wafers, or 'spa biscuits', are a type of large biscuit sold in spas. Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne. Trying these when visiting one of the spas is a bit of a must.

15. Trdelnik

Trdelník, or trdlo, is a pastry made from rolled dough wrapped around a stick and grilled. The pastry is common at markets, such as Christmas markets, and is also sold in stalls on tourist streets.

Traditionally eaten ”plain”, they are also popular in tourist neighbourhoods when filled with ice cream and other toppings.

16. czech beer

Of course you should drink beer when you are in the Czech Republic! There are both large famous breweries and interesting microbreweries, and the prices are very good. Here are some examples of Czech beers and breweries:

• Zatec, founded in 1801. Guided tours are given in Czech.
• Radegastfounded in 1970 in Ostrava. Guided tours are given in English.
• Pilsner Urquell, founded in 1842, world famous from Plzen.
• Staropramen, founded in 1869. The second largest brewery in the Czech Republic, exporting to 37 countries.
• Starobrno founded in 1872 in Brno.
• Budweiser Budvarfounded in 1895, the fourth largest brewery in the Czech Republic.

17. White wine

The Czech Republic is famous for its good beer, but did you know that it also produces very good white wine? White wine is mainly produced in the wine districts of the south-eastern part of the country, including the Velke Bilovice area.

Grapes grown here include Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Müller Thurgau and Sauvignon. In the area around Znojmo you will find the local Palava grape and Grüner Veltliner.

READ MORE: Wine in Czech Republic - Velke Bilovice wine region

18. burcák (partially fermented wine)

Burcák is a young partially fermented wine from the Moravia region in the eastern Czech Republic, which is only drunk at a certain time of the year. We were shopping in "Vinotéka vinný sklep u kusaly" in Ostrava.

The wine must be drunk relatively soon after buying it, and you have to be a little careful when opening it so that it doesn't spray out in all directions. The flavour is fruity and tasty, a bit like cider.

19. becherovka (bitter)

A Czech bitter-type spirit drink produced in Karlovy Vary, where the drink also has its own museum. The story began when entrepreneur Josef Vitus Becher (1769-1840), in addition to his job, started making spirits with different herbal flavours.

The business was taken over by his son Jan Becherov, who marketed the drink as good for stomach ailments. Today, the brand is owned by Pernod Ricard, but production still takes place in Karlovy Vary.

20. Slivovice and Višňovice (fruit spirits)

Slivovice is a popular spirit drink, which is also found in other Central European and Balkan countries under similar names. Višňovice is another spirit drink, and we have witnessed slivovice being offered to men, while women were served višňovice on the same occasion.

Czech food in restaurants in the Czech Republic

If you want to try Czech food - both traditional and modern - there are of course plenty of restaurants to choose from. Here are some restaurants we visited and liked.

Restaurants in Prague

• Eska is a modern restaurant, where traditional ingredients are mixed with new influences. It also has its own bakery (Pernerova 49, Karlín).
• Kro Kitchen is a modern bistro and bar where you can order things like pulled chicken, salads and sandwiches (Sokolovská 79, Karlín).
• Kuchyň is a cosy restaurant in Prague Castle with a great view. It serves traditional dishes with a modern touch (Salmovský palác, Hradčanské nám. 186/1).
• Local is a classic and popular beer hall with traditional Czech food and great atmosphere (Dlohá 33).
• Oblaca located at the top of the TV tower in Prague, with great views and a slightly more exclusive menu (Mahlerovy sady 1).

Restaurants in Northern Czech Republic

• Balada is a traditional restaurant in Liberec, where you sit cosily in a cellar (Moskevská 22, Liberec).
• Dobrý Kanec - Hostinec is a simple and relaxed restaurant in Mělník, where we ate chicken and halloumi respectively (Palackého 125/27, Mělník).
• Dvur Perlova Voda is a hotel and countryside spa, where you can also enjoy a fantastic dinner. (Kostelec nad Ohří 13, Budyně nad Ohří)
• Farma Steak & Fish Restaurant in Vrchlabí serves traditional and international food with an exciting touch (Krkonošská 186, Vrchlabí).
• Prezidentska is a cosy mountain lodge with traditional Czech cuisine. (Janov nad Nisou 524, Bedřichov)
• Svijany is a hotel in a castle in the countryside, in Europe. Crystal Valley, with brewery and restaurant with good food. (Svijany 25, Svijany)

Restaurants in western Czech Republic

• Chadovar is a brewery and a beer spawhere you can combine the experiences with dinner in the restaurant (Pivovarská 107, Chodová Planá).
• Charles IV is a brewery and restaurant in Karlovy Vary, where you will find traditional Czech dishes (Becherplatz, Karlovy Vary).

Restaurants in eastern Czech Republic

• Entrance is a fantastic restaurant in Olomouc, which offers special dining experiences such as exciting tasting menus. Book well in advance! (Ostravská 975, Olomouc)
• Harenda Barborky located at the mining museum Landek Park in Ostrava, serving traditional Czech food. (Pod Landekem 68, Ostrava)
• Ski Resort Kopřivná is nicely located by ski slopes, close to Mount Praděd and serves really good international food. (Malá Morávka 122, Malá Morávka)

Try Czech food on a food tour

Last but not least, if you are interested in Czech food, we can recommend that you can book a ”food tour” in Prague. Then you go on a tour with a guide, and during about four hours you have time for about as many restaurants, as you eat a little at each. T

hours could possibly end with a visit to a bar. We went for a walk with the company Taste of Praguewhich was very nice.

More about food in other countries

Here you can find more stories about food in different countries:

• Polish food - 25 Polish dishes
• German food - 25 German dishes
• Slovak food – 25 Slovak dishes
• Hungarian food - 25 Hungarian specialities
• Austrian food - 15 Austrian specialities