One dish you can’t miss is svíčková, a beloved Czech classic. This slow-braised beef tenderloin is served with a silky root vegetable sauce, garnished with cranberries and a swirl of whipped cream. It’s paired with soft knedlíky—fluffy bread dumplings perfect for soaking up every drop. Jewish communities in Bohemia and Moravia adapted svíčková to follow kosher laws, serving the sauce separately or using dairy-free alternatives. Today, you’ll still find kosher-friendly versions in Prague’s Jewish Quarter.

Knedlíky are the ultimate comfort side dish, served with many Czech favorites like rich beef goulash, sweet-and-savory rajská omáčka (tomato sauce), or creamy koprová omáčka (dill sauce). These dumplings come in many forms—from the classic bread variety to potato-based versions. During Passover, Jewish families in Czechia create unleavened dumplings similar to matzah balls, blending Czech tradition with religious customs.

 

 

Soups are a staple at every Czech table. Classics like česnečka, a hearty garlic soup with crispy bread cubes, are known for their comforting warmth. For something heartier, try bramboračka, a thick potato soup with root vegetables and mushrooms, or kulajda, a creamy, tangy mushroom soup topped with a dill and egg. For the adventurous, dršťková polévka, a paprika-spiced tripe soup, offers a bold taste of Czech pub culture.

 Sweet dishes are equally irresistible. Knedlíky s ovocem are soft fruit dumplings filled with plums or strawberries, served with butter, sugar, and poppy seeds. Buchty, fluffy yeast buns stuffed with sweet fillings are a homemade favourite, while koláče, round pastries with poppy seeds, quark or plum jam, are a must at any Czech celebration. Another beloved dessert is buchtičky se šodó—small, pillowy, sweet buns served with a warm, velvety vanilla sauce, offering the ultimate taste of childhood nostalgia.