The best restaurants Czech Republic

Timetable

In the Czech Republic, you will almost always find a place to eat. In the hospoda or pivnice, you will mostly drink a beer, but the small side dishes that can be ordered at the same time are always caloric (marinated cheese, sausage, filled toast...) and will be enough to satisfy the small appetite at any time of the day. The restaurant is more suitable for those who wish to have a real meal. The service is sometimes continuous in the afternoon, but this is not always the case. In general, Czechs dine early, between 7 and 8 pm (so as to be free to go to the show afterwards), and dress up for the occasion.

Budget & Tips

Food in the Czech Republic is not a problem from a financial point of view. From the point of view of cholesterol, it is another matter, but in any case the prices of taverns and restaurants are very attractive and will allow you to have a very good meal without breaking the bank. Generally speaking, in classic establishments, a full meal will cost between 12 and 15 € at the most, and half that if you settle for a salad or the menu of the day. You can also be satisfied with a sausage and mustard in a street stand.

If you choose French or Italian restaurants, which are becoming more and more numerous, the bill can rise quite quickly, especially if your order includes wine. But the quality will usually be there.

What costs extra

It is customary to leave a tip of 5% or 10% of the bill, to be given to the waiter who comes to collect the bill, announcing the total figure thus obtained. If the bill does not include service and you leave without leaving a tip, the waiter will remind you. Be aware that in some tourist restaurants in the city center, the "tips" are sometimes excessive. It is customary to also tip the cab driver (if the price is right).

The local way

It is very local to have dinner in the Czech style, i.e. early, so that you have time to go to a show or a concert instead of staying in a restaurant. You avoid restaurants and go to a pivnice or a literární kavarná to order a beer (which you don't need, it's usually served to you), utopenec (a sausage marinated in brine with pickles, onions and peppers) and chlebíčky (small slices of bread filled with ham, cream, radish, egg, etc., which you nibble on like a tapas). This is the most local thing there is!

To be avoided

If you are a guest in a Czech home, it is customary to remove your shoes before entering someone's home.

In restaurants, don't be offended if they bring you a beer without your order. This is almost unavoidable in Czech restaurants. It is also customary to use the checkroom instead of placing your jacket on the back of your chair. Do not be offended if the waiters insist on taking your coat off. Finally, in the hospoda, the Czech taverns, you sit down as you arrive and it is not uncommon to share your table with strangers. This is an opportunity to get to know each other.

Smokers

Smoking is forbidden in closed public places in the Czech Republic, and, just like in France, people go out for a few minutes if they have the urge to smoke a cigarette.

Tourist traps

Dining out in Prague's tourist areas is becoming a real problem, as traditional hospodas and restaurants are being replaced by tourist boxes serving burgers, pizzas and traditional dishes. Avoid them for places where Czechs really eat.

There is less chance of being cheated in the provinces, where tourism is much less developed and has a different profile, where travelers are looking for more authenticity and contact.