MARY’S CULINARY PASSPORT · POSTCARDS
Czech Republic
AT A GLANCE
FOOD FIRST
Food Culture
Czech cooking is hearty and deeply connected to brewing culture, featuring sauces, dumplings, roasts and delicate pastries.
Signature Foods
Svíčková
beef with creamy root-vegetable sauce
Vepřo knedlo zelo
pork, dumplings and cabbage
Kulajda
creamy dill and mushroom soup
Koláče
fruit or cheese-filled pastries
Ingredients & Flavors
Regional Specialties
Bohemia
dumplings, roasts and beer
Moravia
wine, fruit and farmhouse dishes
Prague
historic cafés and modern Czech cuisine
Dining Customs
Dining customs vary by family, region and setting, but these practical notes offer a thoughtful starting point.
Pub etiquette
Find a free table unless directed, expect efficient service and note that another beer may arrive unless you signal otherwise.
Toasting
Say na zdraví, make eye contact and touch glasses before setting the glass down.
Meal structure
Soup commonly precedes a hearty main course; dumplings are used to gather sauces rather than treated as a side bread.
Markets & Culinary Experiences
Visit local produce markets, bakeries and neighborhood food halls to see how pork, mushrooms, caraway shape everyday cooking. A guided market walk or small cooking class is a welcoming way to meet local cooks and learn the stories behind the table.
Havelské tržiště
Prague
Náplavka Farmers Market
Prague
Zelný trh
Brno
Market days, hours and locations can change. Confirm current details before visiting.
TRAVEL SECOND
Cities & Attractions
Prague
Český Krumlov
Brno
Things to Do
Prague Castle
Visit St. Vitus Cathedral and descend through Malá Strana.
Český Krumlov
Explore the castle, gardens and winding old-town streets.
Kutná Hora
See St. Barbara's Church and the Sedlec Ossuary.
Moravian wine country
Cycle vineyard routes around Mikulov or Znojmo.
Festivals & Traditions
Prague Spring · May and June
Classical music fills concert halls and historic venues.
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival · June or July
Screenings and public events enliven the spa town.
St. Martin's celebrations · November
Young wine and roast goose mark the saint's day and start of winter.
Festival dates and programs can shift from year to year, especially those tied to lunar or religious calendars. Confirm the current schedule before traveling.
Traditions to Notice
Easter pomlázka
Decorated willow switches, painted eggs and regional customs mark Easter Monday; practices vary by community.
Mushroom foraging
Families head into forests in season, drawing on knowledge passed across generations.
Before You Go
Capital: Prague Primary language: Czech Currency: Czech koruna
Opening times, entry rules and local conditions can change. Confirm practical details with official destination sources before traveling.