Where to Try Authentic Czech Food in Prague

There’s a truth universally acknowledged: finding authentic Czech food in Prague can be a real challenge…Especially in the tourist-heavy parts of the Czech capital. And let’s be honest, most people don’t travel to Prague and crave Neapolitan pizza or burgers. But it’s not always clear where to eat the best traditional Czech food in Prague, and whether it will be worth your money. 

That’s why I’m here. As a local Czech, I’m passionate about sharing the best Czech food in Prague – so you can come visit Prague and try the best of the best! My list of the best places to eat Czech food in Prague have some of the city’s most authentic Czech food. Let’s dive in! 

Looking for more guidance? Check out my ULTIMATE Prague Foodie guide, featuring 70+ local recommendations for all types of food!

Understanding Traditional Czech Food 

If you’re looking to learn more about traditional Czech food, head over to my guide on the most traditional Czech dishes to try when visiting Prague. In that blog post, I go through each and every MUST TRY dish in the Czech Republic, from roast duck to vepro knedlo. 

An important note before we start. If you want to try traditional Czech food, you need to eat at lunch. Lunchtime is by far the most important meal for Czechs. Czechs will often have something simple for breakfast, like bread and butter, and a lighter dinner. But in contrast to many English-speaking countries, the Czech Republic centers around lunch. 

Where to Eat Traditional Czech Food in Prague 

There’s SO much to do in Prague, and trying traditional Czech food is hands down one of the best ways to spend your time in the Czech capital. 

Let me be honest: Typical Czech food in Prague can be hard to find…Especially because there are SO many terrible spots in Prague, too. 

These are my tried-and-true best restaurants in Prague for Czech food. The exact list I send to my friends when they visit. Don’t forget to grab my Prague foodie guide for your trip! 

Výčep

Výčep is one of Prague’s most special restaurants. This Vinohrady pub-style spot offers unique dishes from produce and protein they hunt, catch, grow or make in house; if they can’t do that, the food comes from their small selection of local farmers (noted on the menu). If you’re looking for one of the best restaurants in Prague, this is it!

What to order: The menu at Výčep changes seasonally (and weekly), so you’re always in for a new and inventive treat. You can’t go wrong here, but their trout and their game meat is a real delight. 

U Kalendů

There are few Czech restaurants as delicious as U Kalendů. Their restaurant and bakery, located right on the Vltava river, stands on the ancient (and now defunct) Podskalí swimming community since the beginning of the last century. Their food pays homage to this history, where life was always linked to the river location. Their rustic Czech food is absolutely the best traditional Czech food in Prague. 

What to order: Though their menu remains seasonal, don’t miss the carp or pork tongue. Their bakery is divine – order anything, and you’ll love it. 

Vinohradský Parlament

Unlike other traditional Czech food spots on this list, Vinohradsky Parlament has a singular focus: dumplings, and dishes served with dumplings. This restaurant, served in a hunting-style hall, lets you watch the whole dumpling making process as you eat. I’m a big fan of this Czech food spot, and I always recommend it to my friends– you can’t leave Prague without trying the dumplings. 

What to order: You can’t go wrong with their dumplings. Try them with the cream sauce and roasted vegetables, or Svíčková – one of the most traditional Czech foods (and most delicious!). 

The Eatery

The Eatery is a modern, refreshing take on Czech classics. Unlike other spots on this list, The Eatery has more of an upscale, modern interior. It’s the perfect spot to try innovative Czech food, making it one of the best restaurants in Prague. The centerpiece of this restaurant remains its open kitchen, so grab a spot by the counter to soak up the show. 

What to order: Like many of the places to get the best traditional food in Prague, The Eatery’s menu changes seasonally. You can’t go wrong with just about any dish here, but their chicken and carp is excellent, as well as their soups. If you happen to see on the menu, the dill sauce here is divine. 

Kuchyň

There’s no good food by the Prague Castle, right? …Wrong! For anyone heading to Prague Castle, there’s no better lunch spot on a sunny day than Kuchyň. You’ll find some of the best Czech food in Prague here, hands down, paired with one of the best views in Prague. Head Chef Marek Janouch is serving up modern Czech classics; pair it with their carefully treated tank beer for the traditional Czech food platter. 

What to order: When it’s on the menu, the Svíčková and the dill sauce are both beyond wonderful – the best in Prague. The Prague ham appetizer is another classic worth trying. 

U Bansethu

For a classic Czech restaurant, look no further than U Bansethu. This spot, located in Prague’s Nusle neighborhood, offers a more affordable take on traditional Czech food, for those willing to head off the beaten path. Like many traditional Czech restaurants, U Bansethu has a small, set menu of homemade food each day – so except something different each time. 

What to order: The roast duck here is divine – the duck is stuffed with dumplings and cabbage, and it’s delicious. Pair it with a draft Pilsner. 

U Mateje

Most tourists will tend to walk right by U Mateje and head over to U Fleku. This is my petition to ask you to stop at U Mateje. This old Bohemian restaurant serves up a small, excellent selection of typical Czech food in Prague.

U Mateje is one of my surprising picks for the best restaurants in Prague for czech food – and as a bonus, you’ll love their old Czech decorations. It reminded me of my grandmother’s house! 

What to order: Their mushroom sauce with beef tongue is outstanding, but don’t skip their beef tartare, surprisingly one of the best beef tartare dishes in Prague. 

Cafe Savoy

No list of the best Czech food in Prague is complete without the iconic Cafe Savoy. Many locals tout this as a tourist trap, but I have to disagree. Not only is Cafe Savoy one of the most beautiful cafes in central Europe – it also has some wonderful, delicious food.

Don’t let anyone talk you out of this one. Make a reservation in advance and you can’t go wrong. Plus, the outdoor seating in the summertime is lovely. Authentic Czech food in Prague? Check! 

P.S. Cafe Savoy is a lovely spot for a date night in Prague, too. 

What to order: Cafe Savoy is home to some of Prague’s best beef tartare. I’m also a big fan of their fruit-filled dumplings, a real classic Czech treat. Their set menu can be lovely as well. 

Myšák

When people think about traditional Czech food, they tend to focus on the salty foods. But Czech pastries are just as much a part of the equation. Myšák, a beautiful pastry shop in the center of Prague, does it best. They have a lovely, simple Viennese style brunch here, but I’d recommend their pastries the best. 

What to order: Try the věneček, větrník or Likérová špička (which is TRULY the best in Prague). These three traditional Czech pastries are the most emblematic of the country’s pastry shop culture. 

Lokál

Czech Republic is known for their pub – or hospoda – culture, and one of the best places to soak it all up is Lokál, a series of pubs across the Czech capital. This place is marked down for me as the best Czech food in Old Town Prague, and one of the only places I’d recommend in the area. 

As I said, it’s hard to find the best places to eat Czech food in Prague, but at Lokál, you have your pick of many classic Czech dishes. If you’re looking for the best location, look no further than Lokál Dlouhááá. It’s the first Lokal, and the longest (length wise).

What to order: Lokal is known for their excellent fried cheese: aged for six weeks, then pan fried in butter. The fried cheese, or Smažený sýr, is a real Czech pub classic, and Lokal does it best.

Samantha Tatro

Samantha Tatro is a Czech-American third culture kid who grew up living and traveling abroad. Many years later, after living in California and working as a journalist, she decided to take the leap and move abroad again…this time to Prague, Czech Republic. Samantha started Undiscovered Path Home to help couples and solo female travelers find the courage to visit countries – and locations – off the beaten path. Her work has appeared in Bon Appetit, NBC News, The Adecco Group, and more.