What I loved Eating in Prague

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Disclosure: Our trip was complimentary in partnership with Jet2.com. As always all thoughts and experiences are my own.

Personally I found Prague to be something of a seasonal city. What I mean by that is that I feel it is somewhere that it enjoyed to its fullest at a certain time of the year. In this case I felt that Prague was perfect for colder months, when cosy clothes and hearty food are embraced.

The food in Prague is absolutely my kind of food: wholesome, hearty and unpretentious. The characteristic, solid and old architecture is almost mimicked in the Czech dishes. Both are rich in history and flavour.

The Beer

Beer is to the Czech Republic what tea is to England. You cannot go there and not have it. I was told just how affordable the beer (and food & drink in general) was in Prague but experiencing it first hand was another level.

Our very first tankard cost a mere £1.90 and ended up being the most expensive drink of the trip. The cheapest beer we bought was just 97p.

When soft drinks are more expensive than a pint you’ll find yourself embracing beer with every meal, as you should not only for its affordability but for its wonderful taste.

The selection is dizzying and there are truly beers to suit all tastes. Even non-beer drinkers are sure to find a light, fruity and friendly number.

Steak Tartar

Meat and bread feature heavily in Czech cuisine and you’ll see steak tartare cropping up regularly as starters and mains.

My steak tartare experience presented the meat in a much finer fashion; almost mince like compare to the larger chunks I am used to. It comes richly and fragrantly spiced; in fact there was an intriguing flavour within my dish that I just could not place.

Goulash

Goulash is everywhere in Prague and probably their most famous dish. Originating from Hungary, this rich stew, dark in colour has been adapted and is served with slices of pale bread dumplings.

It’s an extremely humble dish and resembles comforting home cooked food in every way. Perfect with a beer!

Burgers

Not exactly steeped in Czech history but as a place that takes their meat very seriously the burger situation is serious. You’ll find plenty of restaurants in Prague serving delicious gourmet burgers.

Vietnamese

Prague has a large Vietnamese community which originated from the Communist period of the Czech Republic. A such, you’ll find plenty of wonderful Vietnamese restaurants in Prague which offer a light and fragrant change from the heavy local dishes.

Pljeskavica

This is in fact a dish from Serbia but it has found its way to Prague and makes a great informal street food meal.

It’s a patty made with a mix of pork, beef and lamb (you can see why it has success in meat-loving Prague) and after cooking over hot coals is packed into a garlicky flatbread with fresh vegetables and a delicious red pepper sauce.

Sauerkraut

I love sauerkraut. In Prague I found it to be sweeter than what I am used to in Germany and Finland. Very tasty sprinkled over your goulash.

Trdelník

Travel snobs may recoil at my inclusion of this because it is completely fabricated for the tourists. Yep: this snack did not previously exist in Prague, or anywhere in the Czech republic. But it’s everywhere and it’s delicious, so you better believe I’m including it.

Trdelnik is a rolled dough cooked over hot coals on a pole, it is dusted with sugar and served with chocolate, cream or ice cream. It’s like a crispy donut; still warm and a very indulgent, messy street snack!

Rum Infused Desserts

I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that rum is pretty damn popular in Prague! Not only did mine and Q’s favourite rum El Dorado appear on numerous pub menus, but dark rum infused desserts appear on many restaurant menus as well. Rum Baba as well as a boozy sticky toffee pudding-like dessert are both a delicious way to end your meal.

Restaurants I Recommend:

• Krystal Bistro: a wonderful restaurant in the Karlin district of Prague. A very friendly, family run atmosphere and a delicious menu that draws from Czech and French cuisine.
• Muc Dong: You’ll find this Vietnamese restaurant just by Prague Old Town. The food is solid and the service snappy. The perfect pit stop among site seeing.
  Pivovarsky Klub: If you like beer, then you like here. Claiming to have the largest beer selection in the entire country, the drinks menu is more like an encyclopaedia. Knowledgeable waiting staff will help you pick something complimentary to your meal. Did I mention there’s a beautiful cellar where you can dine?
• Eska: Taking an ultra modern approach to Czech cuisine this restaurant offers a different vibe. It’s extremely trendy and booking a table is a must. The menu is extremely minimalist so you won’t really know what you’re getting when you order things like ‘Potatoes in charcoal’ and dishes are a little hit and miss, but the atmosphere and experience is spot on.
• Coffeeholic: A modern coffee shop serving lovingly-made coffees and tasty pastries.
• Muj Salek Kavy: Another found in the quieter Karlin District. A vibrant urban coffee shop with a tasty menu. (Also their brownies are great)