Restaurants
In the Czech Republic you can find restaurants offering all types of cuisine – traditional Czech restaurants, Chinese, Italian, American, Mexican and much more. Their quality differs a lot. Most visitors prefer top-quality pricey restaurants offering trendy food or inconspicuous pubs where locals go for the great beer and food. Our guides know where to go to eat good & tasty.
Seat yourself
When you enter a common restaurant and you don’t see a hostess or waiter welcoming you, don’t be surprised. Just go ahead and seat yourself. In the Czech Republic it is normal practice to find free table on your own and take a seat. The waiter will welcome you afterwards. If you have a reservation, find some waiter and give him details. The menu is usually in Czech only; if you need it in other language, ask for it. Be prepared that some waiters may seem less friendly and helpful then you are used to.
Tips
There is no fixed percentage for tips but the average is about 10–15%. You add the tips on top of the amount charged. The tip is not usually displayed on the bill – it shows value added tax rate (the tax must be included in the final price) and you should add your tip on top of that if the waiter is giving a bill to you. If you do not like provided services you don't have to tip the waiter at all.
Credit / Debit cards
Restaurants located in major tourist areas usually accept international credit/debit cards but you may encounter places where payment in cash is required. Check the entrance doors for credit card company labels or ask the waiter about this option before ordering.
Smoking
In the Czech Republic there is the law which impose smoking in the restaurants. However you can find completely smoking restaurants and those which have separate sections for smokers and non-smokers. In vast majority of smokers´restaurants smoking is prohibited during lunchtime (usually from 11 AM to 2 PM) and dinner time (usually from 5 PM to 7 PM).
Czech food
Czech traditional cuisine is not very healthy but it is highly recommended to taste it, you will not regret. The biggest Czech specialties are dumplings and different types of gravies, pork meet at many ways or sweet pancakes. Soups are also very popular and some sweet pastry after lunch is also a must.
Beverages
Czech national beverage is beer (“pivo”), it is a common practice to drink a beer during lunch (you can also ask for non-alcoholic beer). Very popular non-alcoholic drinks are mineral water (“minerální voda”), fruit juices (orange juice – “pomerančový džus”, apple juice – “jablečný džus”…) or sweet sodas. You can try traditional Czech soda – “Kofola”. It tastes like Coke with more lemon taste.
Beer
Modern beer (“Pivo” in Czech) was invented right here - in Pilsen (Plzeň) and it was also named after the city. Pilsner (Pils) beer is characteristically golden with high foaminess and strong flavor. It should be served with a “thick head” on top. It´s delicios if it´s proper cold (7°C), so don´t drink it to slow. The Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption per capita in the world – about 130 Liters per year. Having dinner & a few beers in typical Czech restaurant is a must! You can choose from our many gastronomy experiences.
Wine
The Czech Republic can also offer great wines, especially white wines. The grapes are grown mainly in Moravia. Try Czech wine in the restaurant or buy a bottle of wine as a souvenir. If you like very sweet wine, try ice wine (the grapes are harvested after they have frozen) or straw wine (the grapes are left on straw to ripen).
Spirits
If you go to Czech bar or pub, you can try some of our Czech spirits. The bittersweet Becherovka liqueur is made in the spa town of Carlsbad where we´ll make Becherovka liqueur ExperienCZE. Its specific taste and curative effects are caused by secret recipe based on a wide variety of herbs and spices. You can also try very strong absinthe which is made of wormwood plant and prohibited in many other countries. Plum vodka (in Czech Slivovice) or bitter fernet (made in Pilsen) are also very popular shots. If you want to try Czech rum, don’t be surprised – it is made of potatoes and it tastes much different from the regular rum.