What to eat and drink in Czech Republic

Can we take a moment to think about how good Czech beer is? It’s one of my favourite beers actually! Did you know that the Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption per capita in the World? Beating Germany, Ireland and Belgium, the country drinks on average about 191.1 liters of beer per person each year (source Czech Beer Alliance). Another surprising fact is that beer is cheaper than water in Prague!

Beers

Here are some beers I tried on my trip around Czech Republic:

1- Brněnské pivo (also known as Starobrněnské pivo) is a lager beer produced in the second biggest city of the country – Brno.

2- Krumlov dark (Beer from Cesky Krumlov. The Pivovar Eggenberg is the brewery of Český Krumlov with over 400 years old).

2- Budweiser budvar (lager beer from the city of České Budějovice). I drunk this beer at the Budweiser Budvar restaurant and bar. Unfortunately, the brewery was already closed by the time I arrived there.

Food

One of the best things about travelling is to have the chance to try different foods!

A country’s food will tell you about its people and culture!

When I visit a new country I always make a list of the typical dishes and drinks I want to try! I travel on a budget so my breakfasts include a package of orange juice from the supermarket and a salty pastry, which allows me to save money. When it comes to trying typical food I try to see the best relationship quality price places I can find and I avoid eating in the city centre since the places are pricier. Sometimes I also eat street food since it’s cheaper. Indeed one of the days I was in Prague I ate a delicious and not pricy hot dog. I use lunch breaks to rest a bit, gain energy, eat delicious food and continue to prepare my day.

Let me tell you now some typical dishes that I tried in the Czech Republic!

Svíčková na smetaně (roast sirloin in sour cream sauce)

This delicious dish is one of the best-known creations of Czech cuisine! It is made with braised beef and served with knedlík (bread dumplings), a slice of lemon, jam of red fruits and chantilly. It’s really good! I tried this dish in Český Krumlov, with a couple I met there on a free walking tour.

Svíčková is a festive dish in the Czech Republic, often served at celebrations or weddings as the main course.

I tried this dish in Český Krumlov but you can eat everywhere!

Pečené vepřové koleno (roasted pork knuckle)

This is a Czceh delicacy that you must try. It appears in the menu as “Pečené vepřové koleno”, which means Roasted Pork Knee/Knuckle. This dish takes a lot of time to prepare, the meat needs to be marinated overnight in spices (garlic, pepper, salt, thyme and rosemary) before it is roasted in the oven.

I only tried this dish at Restaurace Mincovna in Prague when I had dinner with two friendly Portuguese (Lino and Nelson), one American girl and two girls from the Czech Republic. The dish that I ate was Chicken breast with pee puree, which you can find below.

Chicken breast with pee puree

Kuřecí řízek s (schnitzel) bramborovým salátem

Who wouldn’t love a schnitzel? This is a very simple dish, yet very delicious! It consists of a thin slice of pork or chicken, dragged in flour and dipped in beaten eggs and breadcrumbs, that are fried in a pan until they get golden brown. They are served with potato salad or mashed potatoes.

I tried this dish in Brno: Restaurace Špalíček

Halushky

Halushky is typical of Central and Eastern Europe, most prominently the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland. They are a traditional variety of thick, soft noodles or dumplings.

I tried this dish in Cesky Krumlov at Cikanska Jizba, a very typical place in the city!

When I was visiting Brno, there was a street food festival going on so I didn’t miss the chance to eat something there and drink a beer!

Trdelník

It was near the Jan Hus Memorial that I sat down and ate a Trdelník (chimney cake), which you will see all around the city. This sweet (which I liked) is not originally from the Czech Republic. Only the word Trdelník is of Czech-Slovak origin. The root trdlo, is the name given to the wooden cooking roll in which the dough is wrapped around before baking.