The capital of the Czech Republic is of interest to guests not only for the sights and interesting places with which the city is crowded. Prague is known for its stunning architectural monuments that attract millions of tourists. The fabulous city is no less attractive for its unique cuisine. In our article we want to talk about what you need to try in Prague. Czech gastronomic delights are no less attractive than architecture.
Features of the capital
Prague has always been a city that is incredibly interesting to visit. The magnificent architecture and ancient streets attract tourists with their unique atmosphere. But no less interesting local cafes and restaurants. There are an incredible number of them in the city. Around the bend you can find a patisserie, a pub, a themed restaurant or a tasting room. In such establishments you can be very interesting, and most importantly have a good time. What to try in Prague? The Czech capital presents cuisine from all regions, so the choice of dishes from tourists is very large. To taste the food characteristic of a certain region, you do not need to go somewhere. In Prague you can find any gastronomic delights.
If you do not know what to try in Prague, we will help you figure this out. At first glance it seems that Czech cuisine is very diverse. But it is worth noting that fatty meat dishes prevail in it. Of course, this makes the kitchen incredibly appetizing. But the choice of dishes is not so great. Typically, the menu of establishments contains different variations of soups, snacks, sausages. All this, of course, is very tasty, fatty and heavy.
Czech soups
What to try in Prague? Pay attention to local soups. They are commonly called voles. In the Czech Republic, a separate place is usually allocated for soups in restaurants and cafes. As a rule, they are at the very beginning of the list of offered dishes. Many soups are thick, so they are more like sauces. A thick consistency is obtained due to the addition of mashed pureed vegetables or semolina, as well as egg yolks and oil. Many Czech soups are mashed.
Onion soup
The most popular dishes are: onion soup, garlic, with smoked meats and mushrooms, sauerkraut soup, various mashed vegetable soups, as well as voles with cheese and goulash soups. In different regions, a dish can be prepared in different ways, so do not be surprised if the food is different in different establishments. The soup is served as you wish, either on a plate or in bread. They cook the dish the same way, just before serving, they pour it into different containers. The taste of the soup does not change. It's just more interesting to eat from a bread plate. This is the whole difference.
What to try in Prague with first courses? Pay attention to onion soup. Here it is called garlic and has a characteristic garlic flavor. Previously, it was always served in bread, but now this tradition has been preserved only in restaurants in Prague. In different regions, garlic is cooked differently. Sometimes they put onions and cheese in it, and sometimes smoked meats and potatoes. Czechs like to eat such soups with the advent of cold weather, since the dish clearly has an antimicrobial effect.
Since garlic is served in a loaf of rye bread, its consistency cannot be liquid, otherwise the liquid will leave the container. Therefore, most often, the soup resembles a sauce. Of course, in everyday life people have not used bread containers for a long time, but for tourists this form of serving soup is very relevant.
Goulash soup
What to try in Prague? Czech cuisine is very attractive for our tourists, because the dishes are different from ours, and at the same time they have an amazing taste. It doesn’t matter if you like soups, but you must try goulash soup. It should not be confused with meat goulash. These are completely different things. Preparing the dish is quite simple. Onions are fried on lard or butter. Then they add meat to it, usually beef. Stew for five minutes, then add cumin, salt, paprika and pepper. All this is filled with broth. After boiling the mass adds potatoes. Flour fried in oil or lard must be put in the soup. The soup is boiled for thirty minutes. The dish is served on the table with parsley and dill. Tourists note that the soup is very tasty and satisfying.
Dumplings
What is worth a try in Prague? Even if you don’t eat bread, pay attention to local dumplings. They in the Czech Republic replace our usual bread. Cook them for a couple of their potato or regular flour.
After they are cut and served as a side dish. They complement well sauces, soups, fatty meat dishes. Dumplings are usually dipped in sauces. There are a lot of recipes for their preparation. Very often they are prepared with meat, cabbage, onion, liver or other filling. Sweet dumplings with fruits, cheese and sugar are also prepared.
Boar knee
What to try in Prague? The food in the Czech Republic is not only tasty, but also hearty. They are very fond of meat, so they cook it in a variety of variations. One of the most popular national dishes is the boar of the knee. What it is? This is a pork shank that is pre-marinated in beer. The German version of the dish is very different in taste from the Czech one.
There are several options for preparing such a dish. The knob can be boiled first, and then baked. And they can only bake. Many people like the second option. But this is a matter of taste. Sometimes the shank is served directly on a spit, but this is not done in all establishments. Please note that the dish has a decent weight. The mass of one serving reaches 1-1.5 kg. For one person, the dishes are too big, in our opinion. Usually dumplings, sauces and stewed cabbage are also served. Unfortunately, such a dish is not available in all institutions, so you can first study the menu that is on the street so as not to enter the restaurant.
Duck leg
What to try in Prague from food? Be sure to pay attention to the duck leg with honey sauce. This dish is also considered national. Before cooking, the leg is soaked for several hours in beer. After it is pickled, it is greased with honey and baked. The dish is served with bread and potato dumplings and stewed cabbage.
The meat is so tender that it just melts in your mouth. An interesting fact is that honey gives piquancy to taste, but does not give sweetness. Thanks to him, a delicious crust is obtained on the leg. The weight of such a dish is also impressive. An untrained tourist is not always able to master it.
Baked Cheese
What to try in Prague? Czech cuisine has its own characteristics. Here, not only meat is actively used, but also cheese. Local cafes often serve breaded cheese. Most often, the Hermelin variety is used for the dish. It is not difficult to prepare. Pieces of cheese with a thickness of not more than a centimeter are dipped in batter, and then bread in breadcrumbs. The entire procedure is repeated several times. It is very important to properly process the cheese during cooking. He must not leak. Prepared slices are fried in a pan or deep-fried. Serve the dish hot. When cutting, the cheese flows appetizingly. It is usually served pickles, mayonnaise or tartar.
Calf ribs
What to try in Prague? You should definitely try the veal ribs in honey sauce. I must say that the Czechs use beer and honey literally for the preparation of each dish. Before cooking, the ribs are soaked in beer, and then copiously greased with honey and baked. The dish is served on the table with sauces.
Baked carp
In the Czech Republic there are a lot of ponds, so river fish is a regular guest on the tables. In national cuisine, baked carp is considered a festive dish. It is usually cooked for Christmas. The carp is gutted and cleaned, and then rubbed with salt and spices, after which it is poured with beer. Twenty minutes later, the fish, along with the marinade, is transferred to a deep form and baked. A special sauce is prepared for carp. To do this, fry onions in oil in one pan, and carrots in another. Then the vegetables are mixed and seasoned with tomato paste, adding sugar. The resulting mass is stewed for five minutes. Then add beer and cook for another five minutes.
Sausages
Sausages and sausages are very popular in the Czech Republic. They are often served as snacks or for beer. Here they are boiled, marinated and fried. Most often served with mustard and horseradish. Usually, pork and poultry are used to make sausages, and mutton, beef and rabbit meat are taken as a supplement.
Sauces and side dishes
The main dishes in the Czech Republic are usually served potatoes, dumplings, stewed cabbage. By the way, potatoes are very fond of here, so the restaurants serve in all possible forms.
A variety of gravy and sauces is one of the main components of national cuisine. Here you can taste mushroom, cream, fruit and other sauces.
Dessert
There are a lot of desserts in Czech cuisine. Many say that the most famous sweet is the famous teetotal. It is served not only in a cafe, but sold directly on the street. Outwardly, dessert resembles a thick straw. For its preparation, puff pastry is used, which is wound on rolls and baked. Top the baked goods with sugar. If desired, your tube will be filled with berries, fruits or ice cream.
Apple strudel is no less popular in the Czech Republic. Dessert is sold in any cafe and even on street stalls. It differs from Ukrainian and Polish pies in appearance and taste. Czech strudel is a roll of puff pastry. For its preparation use nuts, apples, powdered sugar, cinnamon. Very often in a cafe, dessert is served with whipped cream and ice cream.
In Prague, you should try the famous waffles - paychecks. The recipe for their preparation is a national pride. Payments are two round wafers connected by a filling. On sale you will find many of their species, which differ in size and taste.
Beer
Beer is the country's national pride. In the Czech Republic, it is very tasty. The selection of varieties is incredibly large. What kind of beer to try in Prague? Experts recommend paying attention to Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen and Velkopopovicky Kozel, Krusovice. It is worth saying that the selection of drinks in Prague is great. Here you can find beer for every taste.
Where to taste beer in Prague? It is sold in every pub and other establishments. Be sure to visit the Prague Beer Museum. In his brewery you will find more than thirty varieties. The menu of the establishment is updated every week.
It is also worth a visit to the Brewery Club. This is a favorite place for all tourists. On the ground floor there is a store where you will find more than 200 items, and in the basement there is a pub.
There are a lot of establishments in Prague where you can have a good time and drink beer.
Where to taste national cuisine?
There are an incredible amount of restaurants and cafes on the streets of Prague. If you want to eat tasty food, but don’t spend a lot of money, it’s worth moving a little away from the usual tourist quarters, in establishments of which the prices are too high. It is best to visit cafes where locals relax. The menu of the establishment is usually presented on the street at the entrance. It is very convenient and allows you to get acquainted with the prices and assortment of dishes.
Experienced travelers recommend visiting the U Fleku beer hall - it is a very old and at the same time expensive restaurant. The first mention of it dates back to 1499.
Bohemia Bagel is also available. A very popular restaurant is Svata Klara. In the historical area of the city you can visit U Basnika panve. The restaurant is not only deliciously prepared, but its interiors in the style of past centuries are also impressive.