As we get asked to recommend restaurants focusing on Czech cuisine all the time, here are a few of our favorite places to eat Czech food in Prague. The dining scene in Prague is slowly but surely improving. Creative and highly-skilled chefs are (finally) becoming more common – on March 14 two restaurants - La Degustation and Alcron in the Radisson Blu Alcron Hotel - found out that each had earned a single Michelin star, meaning that restaurants lead by Czech chefs earned this award for the very first time. Still, it’s well worth taking the time to research where to eat to avoid wasting your time and money in a tourist trap. These are the places we think are worth checking out if you are in search for some Czech goodies. Čestr
Carnivores will love this place - it has a butcher in the house and even displays whole sides of cows in the steak room. Opened about two years ago, it quickly became one of Prague's top restaurants (and our favorite). The menu changes daily and offers a wonderful combination of well-known Czech dishes prepared in a modern way, as well as more creative dishes prepared with Czech ingredients only. Besides, they have tank (unpasteurized) beer on tap. Don’t miss the signature beef steak tartare served with few potato chips and fried capers, or any of the plentiful roasts or stews - the tender meat is cooked for so long that it literally falls apart when you cut it with a spoon. Also, this is not a place to skip dessert. Whether you choose beer ice cream, sweet buns filled with poppy seeds in vanilla and rum cream or a sundae with beer ice cream, plums and caramel whipped cream, you will sure love it.
La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise
Michelin-starred La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise is without doubt one of Prague’s most interesting restaurants. The very talented co-owner and Executive Chef Mr. Oldřich Sahajdák and his great team of sous-chefs, chefs and patissiers create two unique 'tasting menus' called 'Dégustation du Chef' and 'Dégustation Bohême Bourgeoise'. The latter is the one you should go for if you want to experience the Czech cuisine at its best. The idea here is seven courses enhanced by seven amuse-bouches; most of the dishes are deconstructed Czech classics that were well-known in the Czech culinary scene at the end of the 19th century and all of dishes are created using classical ingredients that can be traced back to the local farms. Also, don’t forget the wine pairing with Czech wines, which is outstanding in its nuance and fit. This place is by no means cheap: on the contrary, it’s pretty expensive – but whatever you need to do to rationalize the expense, do it, because La Degustation is worth every penny!
This newish restaurant is owned and run by Mr. Václav Frič, a famous chef who has written several Czech cookbooks, and is located about a 30-min ride from central Prague. Don't let the distance put you away: this place is definitely worth a separate trip. For us it is like visiting grandma's, except you won't have to help with the dishes. The menu is brief, with several daily specials on the blackboard; also, if you're really interested in trying a particular Czech dish, make a reservation several days ahead and ask for the dish. The owner, Mr. Frič, is usually all around the place, chatting with the customers about food and anything else.
One of the most popular restaurants among locals with Pilsner Urquell beer from tanks and the menu changing every day. The dishes here are traditional Czech (though not quite as heavy as "traditional" Czech food you might have heard of). This is a good place to order a schnitzel with potato salad or fried cheese (not my favorite dish, but in case you want to try it, this is the place). For dessert, try a Czech classic - "vetrnik" or "rakvicka". Don’t let the seemingly worn interior scare you away (the wood carvings on the walls are supposed to bring a nostalgic feeling - which might not work for foreigners) because if you’re after classic food, you’ll find it here. During the day the place is quiet but in the evening it turns into a busy restaurant that is known for its noisy atmosphere (and sometimes may get really smoky). Reservations for evenings are highly recommended.
This restaurant opened just few months ago and quickly became a popular spot especially among those who enjoy a glass of good beer with (or without) their food. The restaurant calls itself a "beer point" and as the name implies, beer is taken very seriously here. They always have about six different beers from microbreweries (so, don't expect good old Pilsner Urquell here) on tap and the waiters know their beer well, so just ask if you need help picking the right stuff, or simply order the tasting set. The menu offers good, slightly updated fare (the pork belly with spinach and dumplings is excellent). The restaurant offers a bargain-priced weekday lunch special (two courses for around 150 CZK), though the dishes are simpler than those found on the main menu, and not necessarily Czech. But the beer is really the true reason why you should visit.
Of course there are more good restaurants with Czech cuisine than we’ve listed here, but this should get you started! Dobrou chut!