Refueling before or recharging after exploring historic castles requires satisfying meals, and Qerko, an app enabling travelers to pay directly at restaurants without waiters, has revealed its top-rated eateries near famous Czech landmarks.
As visitors come to Prague to sample Czech traditional meals and pair them with pilsner beer, many find U Svejka an ideal place for this experience. Experience homey atmosphere as you feast on traditional Czech fare.
1. Restaurace La Hospoda
Lokal was one of the early pioneers in elevating the traditional Czech beer hall experience with its intricate-yet-abstract backlit wood carvings and vibrant atmosphere, and offers something truly memorable: pickled camembert and goulash alongside crisp pilsner beers. At its heart lies volume: its floor features steel barrels of beers waiting to be tapped; therefore during peak hours visitors might find themselves standing along walls or beneath window sills during peak hours; regardless, its worth it!
Go next to Nase Maso in Old Town for an innovative take on traditional deli dining, where paddleboat rentals are available along the Vltava River and you can stroll along Naplavka riverbank walkway to view renovated kobky (waterside dungeons that now house bars and cafes). After renting paddleboats, taste delicious food such as fried carp, homemade pate, flavorful beef tartare with soft homemade bread while sipping local beers!
Ambiente Restaurant Group’s The Eatery restaurant stands in line with this trend by serving creative Czech fare in a swanky former 16th-century meat market setting. Their menu boasts such items as wild boar with rosehip sauce paired with local small production wines.
U Jiskru is an elegant coaching inn in Old Town that was awarded Nositel Tradic Csk Kuchyne (Bearer of Traditions of Czech Cuisine). Their elevated take on traditional favorites like lokse (dry-baked potato pancakes with cabbage and brynza) or strapacky (potato dumplings filled with meat or smoked cheese) make this place stand out. Their goulash dish is particularly impressive and should be enjoyed with their house Pilsner.
2. U Svejka
Generations of Czechs viewed their food as hearty meals to keep people feeling full and content, composed of ingredients easily available (or harvested) when times got tough. Now, however, a new generation of chefs combines classic recipes with French and Italian techniques to reinvent Czech cuisine at Vallmo and Vycep restaurants; thick sauces add flair to fish, venison, buckwheat dishes while foraged mushrooms and roast duck feature prominently in imaginative soups and stews.
As a result, Czech cuisine has experienced an ongoing transformation that’s being seen across more dining rooms. Bockem, for instance, boasts co-owner Ondrej Kyncl who serves set menu brunch and tasting menus that have helped revolutionize local perceptions of Czech fare – even among locals themselves! His genius lies in using locally grown seasonal produce – especially indigenous carp which now accounts for 9 out of every 10 fish caught nationwide and features on Christmas Eve classic: carp schnitzel with potato salad salad!
Prague boasts plenty of traditional hospodas that serve beer in tall glasses. Visit EMA Espresso Bar in Old Town’s hip, minimalist neighborhood for great coffee and delectable sweet pastry made by your grandma or Letna Beer Garden for stunning city views while sipping on some pilsner with beer cheese dip for a memorable dining experience.
3. Chata Jiriho na Seraku
Staff was described as being friendly, breakfast was enjoyed by most guests with many appreciating its variety and some found their room cold; however, shower facilities weren’t particularly impressive.
Hotel Bela pod Pradedem provides 20 luxurious guestrooms to choose from. For an additional fee, guests can dine on-site at their restaurant; room service can also be used if preferred.
At this hotel, guests can appreciate breathtaking scenery while being near many popular sights and activities – particularly hiking and horseback riding – making this region perfect for outdoor lovers.
Chata Jiriho na Seraku offers convenient on-site parking for those travelling by car and can arrange airport shuttle service as well. Pets are welcome for an additional fee; for more details contact the property directly. Guests can enjoy an inclusive breakfast rate; please see hotel description above for further details.
4. Restaurace U Kostela
Prague’s historic city centre draws visitors from far and wide, thanks to its beautiful gothic, Renaissance and baroque architecture. But beyond its famed sites lie other attractions, including an incredible food scene offering delicious classic Czech cuisine like fried carp, homemade pate and beef tartare served on soft homemade bread with local beers as accompaniments.
At Taste of Prague Restaurant, its ethos is made clear from its outset: with wooden counters in front of pastry cases and an airy space that feels homey rather than stuffy, its owners’ renowned food tour company Taste of Prague founded it and quickly made an impactful mark with diners and locals alike for its generous servings and approachable menu.
Czech cuisine may not offer many appetisers, but Krcma does feature “beer snacks”. Customers can enjoy their main course alongside an award-winning Budweiser Budvar beer from state-of-the-art tanks directly from the brewery.
Ambiente Hospitality Group’s (Cafe Savoy and Eska) early adoption of elevating the traditional beer hall concept with Lokal was groundbreaking; their various locations quickly become known for their bustling vibes and ornate-yet-abstract backlit wood carvings. While Lokal remains popular with locals for post-work drinks, visitors may visit as an ideal first stop to sample iconic dishes such as pickled Camembert or goulash before sipping on an aromatic pilsner beer.
