39 Best Restaurants in Czech Republic

Since opening in 2017, Benjamin has consistently been one of Prague's most sought-after fine-dining experiences. Well, with just 10 seats set around a horseshoe-shaped table, it's a very exclusive ticket—so make sure you book far in advance. Each boldly flavored dish on the eight-course tasting menu exhibits oodles of imagination, innovation, and inspiration—and when combined with the unique communal setup, makes for a one-of-a-kind meal. Look out for seasonal dishes inspired by hidden corners of Czech culinary history, from once-common but long-forgotten ingredients like sturgeon to classic curd desserts that hark back to communist-era kindergartens. There are also cooking classes available for couples (9,000 Kč) and larger groups. 

One of the best of Prague's traditional turn-of-the-century-style grand cafés, the Savoy is popular day and night for its brunches, coffees, Czech classics, and pastries. In particular, try the větrník, a Czech classic made of choux pastry with cream and caramel. It's far more authentic than the touristy trdelník (a type of rolled, spit cake) available everywhere, although if you need that sugar hit to get up the hill to the castle, no judgment. It's also an opulent but still traditional spot for a beer in the evening—or heck, go all out and get some sekt (Czech sparkling wine). 

A medieval tavern feel and big plates of Czech food make Dačický a warm, authentic experience. The yellow walls decorated with cartoon-style murals, the long (shared) wooden tables, and the massive chandelier also add to the ambience. Try the pork knee and the beer sampler, but don't expect to be able to move for a couple of hours: the portions are huge and the beer is plentiful.

It may no longer be the novel, menu-less restaurant of old—the COVID pandemic put an end to the concept of people choosing their meals from communal pots—but this castle-side restaurant still serves up great, traditional Czech cuisine. Take a seat and order from a small menu of dishes ranging from fresh cow's cheese with pickled vegetables to duck leg with rustic bread dumplings and red cabbage. Although most of the mains are meaty, there's always at least one vegetarian option. While the interior is perfectly lovely—all copper pots, aquamarine tiles, and pine-wood tables—the terrace, with its stunning city views, is the best place to dine.

Sleek and relatively sophisticated, Lokál Dlouhááá takes the Czech pub concept to a new level with fresh local ingredients, perfectly poured beers, and friendly, efficient service. It makes for an idealized version of a corner restaurant out of another era, right down to the stark white walls, waiters in vests, and bathrooms wallpapered with old pinups and airplane posters. Many of the dishes have a modern twist: schnitzel is made from pork neck and served atop buttery whipped potatoes, while the Czech classic of svíčková (beef tenderloin in cream sauce) is tangy and fresh (not often the case at most pubs). Lokál also has pub-restaurants in Malá Strana, Karlín, and Vinohrady.

Although a little out of the way, this lovely restaurant overlooking Smíchov (the name means "On the Hill") serves exceptional, high-end Czech and international cuisine within a comfortable and casual setting. The menu is completely overhauled every three months, making the best use of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients—from rabbit and wild boar to porcini mushrooms—to create surprising and satisfying dishes. Yet for all the fine-dining credentials, there's not an ounce of pretentiousness, thanks to the unstuffy decor (including walls plastered in family photos), the friendly and informal service, and the reasonable prices.

The restaurant is about the same walking distance (15 minutes) from Radlická and Smíchovské nádraží Metro stops (both Line B), but you can save a walk uphill by arriving at Radlická and leaving from Smíchovské nádraží.

Czech comfort food is served up every day and every night at Na louži. Lovingly preserved wood furniture and paneling lend a traditional touch to this warm, inviting, family-run pub. The food is unfussy yet satisfying; take your pick from the Czech specialties on the menu. If you're feeling too full to move after dinner, the 10 country-style rooms upstairs are basic and cheap and include breakfast; perfect for a one-night stay.

This old-fashioned tavern puts on airs, but if you're looking for the perfect Czech venue for a special occasion, it's hard to beat the "Blue Duckling." Dusty portraits hanging on the walls and lavish curtains and table settings impart a certain slightly frilly 19th-century look. The menu, filled with succulent duck and game choices, brings things down to earth a notch. There's dining on two levels, but the upper floor's intimacy—with secluded tables in each nook and cranny and soft piano music wafting through the air—is preferable. There's now a second, smaller restaurant (unimaginatively named U Modré kachničky II) near Old Town Square.

It may not look too salubrious from outside, but this tucked-away fine-dining restaurant has a wonderfully warm and welcoming interior, all roughly plastered walls, sturdy wooden furniture, soft golden lighting, and autumnal wall hangings. What's more, the food is great: the seasonal, five-course degustation menu (1,590 Kč) has a mix of influences but really comes to life with main courses built around classic Czech ingredients like rabbit, pork, dumplings, and cabbage. Note that the portions are small, courses are quite spread out, and there are few extras (including no bread), so you may leave feeling not entirely full. Opt for a wine pairing (955 Kč) with dinner or add something a little different to your dining experience with a non-alcoholic pairing (480 Kč) of kombucha-like fermented lemonades. They vary in level of acidity; some are pleasantly subtle, others are more of an acquired taste. As well as dinner, the restaurant serves three-course prix fixe breakfasts (480 Kč).

Owned by Czech brewer Budvar, Budvarka is a pumped-up pub. From the selection of beers to the rough-hewn wood tables, everything here is larger than life. The samples of rare Budvar brews (including a dark and a yeast beer) are worth the trip to this neighborhood alone. The food is upscale Czech grub, including an entire section of the menu meant to pair with beer, which covers potatoes cooked in lard and pickled hermelín cheese. The Flinstonian ribs are so huge that they require special presentation on a raised metal tray. Bring an appetite or a hungry friend.

The simple rustic-type setting with a fireplace and lots of wooden details complements the classic Czech menu of duck, goose, fish, and guláš. Service is informal and friendly.

Part of a former medieval fortress and, during the 19th century, a prison chapel, this upscale tavern is one of the town's most popular restaurants—and it's non-smoking and has a quiet patio to boot. The food is traditional Czech with a few contemporary twists, and is best paired with the well-priced local wines and beers. The restaurant sources its fruit, vegetables, and cheese from the Litoměřice region, its trout from Kostomlaty, a village near Litoměřice, and its venison from Czech forests. Perch is roasted with garlic and paired with mashed potatoes and baked tomatoes, and the goose breast with poached apple comes with vegetable rice, smoked deer tenderloin tartare, toast, and shallots.

Aside from a zucchini appetizer, a lentil salad, green salad, and cheese tartare, there are no vegetarian dishes.

An upmarket restaurant with a casual carefree vibe, Eska has been a big hit since opening its doors in 2016. The restaurant is located within a converted fabric factory, and it maintains the original industrial aesthetic through bare brick walls and exposed pipework, while also adding modern touches like Scandi-style furniture and a gleaming open kitchen. The food is also a blend of the old and new, utilizing age-old Czech techniques of fermenting, pickling, and marinating to create modern, minimalist dishes. Many of the dishes are sumptuous—in particular, seek out the to-die-for beef tartare—and even those that don't quite hit the same heights are still fun and innovative. What's more, every dining experience begins with crusty sourdough bread, baked in the downstairs bakery and served with salty, lovage-infused butter. Breakfast and lunch are available à la carte, while dinner is a choice between the five-course "chef's choice" tasting menu (985 Kč) and your own choice of two courses (685 Kč): either way, it's far better value than an equivalent restaurant in the Old Town. 

 Don't have time for a full meal? Pop into the downstairs bakery for a loaf of the delicious sourdough to go.

A low-key, relatively cheap dining option, this popular local pub serves staples like pork, chicken, and duck but nicely turned out. The restaurant is located on the side of a palace but has an uncluttered, modern look inside. In good weather, there is street seating. According to an inscription on the outside of the house, Mozart stayed here as a young boy on a trip with his parents for two days in 1767.

A charming spot just off Komenského náměstí near the Church of St. James, Harmonia serves good food at good prices. The small back patio is relatively secluded and the perfect place for an espresso and quiet conversation. Food, like chicken cutlets and steaks, is simple and hearty.

This old-school canteen dishes up classic Czech grub very cheaply, and aims to do so within five minutes of getting the order, so unsurprisingly it can get very busy at lunchtime. The soups in particular are a bargain and very traditional.

The sameness of the restaurants lining the square can be a bit numbing, but this one offers a reasonably priced selection of standard pork and chicken dishes, with the added charm of being in the ancient Špalíček complex.

There are lots of pub-restaurants in Staré Mĕsto like Krčma—all beer, hearty Czech classics. and brick-lined cellar—but this is the best of the bunch. Staff are friendly, prices are reasonable, it's not usually mobbed, and it retains a whiff of authenticity.

On Vítězné náměstí, the big roundabout above the Dejvická metro station, this cavernous restaurant and pub is owned by the Pilsner Urquell brewery, ensuring fresh, well-tapped beer. The menu is strong on traditional Czech dishes, like Moravský vrabec, roast pork seasoned with onion and garlic, and pečené vepřové koleno, roast pig knuckle, served here with sides of grated horseradish and mustard. The rich food and good beer attract a loud, youngish crowd, so be ready for a little boisterousness.

Operated by the Budvar brewery, the restaurant—a former butcher's market—aims for an upscale yet casual atmosphere with reasonably priced food and is now one of the best restaurants in town. It specializes in great Czech food and serves unpasteurized Budvar beer; fish and game are also on the menu.

Traditional Moravian dishes like roast duck with cabbage, chicken breast stuffed with almond butter, roast piglet, or fried Olomouc cheese are served in a rustic interior. The wine cellar, open weekdays, is a bit homier than the street-level restaurant. The staff sometimes wear folk costumes, and live musicians occasionally perform folk music of the region. International wines, including rare vintages, are available alongside a large selection of Moravian wine.

After a visit to the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, you can carry on drinking and find some cheap traditional grub at the large Na Spilce beer hall just inside the brewery gates. The pub is open daily from 11 am to 11 pm.

Butcher shops are serious business in the Czech Republic and many have barely changed for generations, at least in terms of offerings. This newly updated version, with friendlier service and a handy lunch counter, stocks dozens of sausage varieties, classic smoked meats, and delicate fillets of pork and beef. All are available to take away or to be cooked for you on the spot. Situated on a colorful street full of bars and boutiques, the shop makes for a handy refueling stop that offers an authentic taste of Bohemian tradition. It now offers a quirky dinner with the butchers Monday–Wednesday, too. On a table that's lowered down from the ceiling—it's stored there in the day to save space in this tiny shop—are served a host of meaty Czech specialties with a side of storytelling thrown in. The only negative? It gets absolutely packed.

A contemporary re-creation of a landmark 1920s coffeehouse (the original was razed by the communists to make way for a theater), this spot is high on flapper flair. Everything from the light fixtures to the furniture was faithfully copied from the original interior. In summer, the windows mechanically retract into the floor. Lofty ceilings provide pleasant, lilting acoustics, and the food lives up to the modern atmosphere. The restaurant now has trendy multicourse tasting menus in the evening and offers gourmet Czech lunches during the day. Reservations can be made online.

This traditional hunting lodge–style restaurant is the most rustic and fun of Karlštejn's eateries. To find it, follow the main road uphill out of the village about a third of a mile from town. If you've visited the castle, take the path to your left when you leave; or if walking from Beroun, you'll pass by before reaching the castle. The portions of pork, chicken, beef, and game are generous for the price. A small terrace is popular with cyclists and families in nice weather.

Although it's pricey, Promenáda is unquestionably the best place to eat in Karlovy Vary. The starchy vibe is "'70s French fussy," and meals are on the heavy side. However, the menu is constantly changing as the chef uses fresh, seasonal ingredients. There's also an impressive selection of Moravian wines and a staff who are efficient without hovering.

This spot is a local favorite, and it's easy to see why. Here the setting, a Gothic cellar with arched ceilings, is as pleasant as the food. The menu is heavy on Czech specialties and game, and service is attentive. If you're an oenophile, ask to see their historic wine cellars, or just order a bottle from the extensive wine list that includes regional Czech and French varieties.

In the cellar of a baroque building on Peace Square, this restaurant has atmosphere in spades, with a clubby vibe thanks to the cave-like ceiling and the warm glow of the lighting. Its romantic but friendly enough for kids, who have their own menu. The traditional Czech cuisine skews carnivore and fairly heavy, with venison, steak, chicken, pork, and beef dishes—the beef cheeks get high-marks for being tender—alongside lighter fare such as grilled salmon with roasted vegetables. Vegetarian dishes might include baked beet with gratinée potatoes, broccoli and horseradish sauce, or bulgur with grilled vegetables and Parmesan, and, although most salads and pastas come topped with meat, you can get them without. A long wine list offers plenty of options.

Just off the main street, this former postal building offers Czech and international cuisine in an uncluttered setting filled with dark wood. In good weather, there is seating on the outdoor terrace. It is part of a small and somewhat informal wellness hotel.

This homey pub has a terrific central location right on the edge of the Cabbage Market. The menu features the standard "roast pork and dumplings" kind of thing but in a comfortable and merry setting. On a warm evening in summer sit outside and take in the view on the square. Credit cards are not accepted.