Quick answer
Traditional Czech food is meat-heavy, built on pork, dumplings and gravy, but Prague itself is easy for vegetarians. Fried cheese, potato pancakes and fruit dumplings are classic meatless dishes, the city has long-running vegetarian and vegan restaurants, and there are plenty of Indian restaurants. Watch for bacon in soups and potato dishes, and lard used for frying.
How easy is it to eat well?
Vegetarian & Jain friendliness
5 = easy everywhere, 1 = plan every meal
Indian food availability
5 = Indian restaurants everywhere, 1 = rare
What to order (and what to ask about)
Smažený sýr (fried cheese)
Breaded, fried Edam or Hermelín with fries and tartar sauce, the classic vegetarian pub dish. Tartar sauce contains egg.
Bramboráky
Potato pancakes with garlic and marjoram; some places fry them in lard, so ask.
Ovocné knedlíky
Fruit dumplings filled with strawberries or apricots, topped with butter, sugar and quark. Some doughs contain egg.
Nakládaný hermelín
Camembert-style cheese pickled in oil with chilli and onion; a beer-hall snack.
Houskové knedlíky
Sliced bread dumplings served with almost everything; vegetarian on their own, but usually paired with meat gravy.
Trdelník
Rolled dough grilled on a spit and coated in sugar. Sold all over the Old Town, though it is more tourist snack than Czech tradition.
Kulajda
Creamy dill and mushroom soup with a poached egg; usually meat-free, but contains egg.
Svíčková
Beef sirloin in a creamy vegetable sauce with bread dumplings and cranberries.
Vepřo knedlo zelo
Roast pork, dumplings and sauerkraut, the national plate.
Guláš
Beef goulash with bread dumplings; vegetarian restaurants make mushroom versions.
Chlebíčky
Open sandwiches with ham, salami, egg and potato salad; cheese versions exist.
Phrases that help
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Jsem vegetarián / vegetariánka. | I am vegetarian (male / female). |
| Bez masa, prosím. | Without meat, please. |
| Bez vajec. | Without eggs. |
| Je v tom maso nebo slanina? | Is there meat or bacon in it? |
| Bez cibule a česneku. | Without onion and garlic. |
| Děkuji. | Thank you. |
Is Prague easy for vegetarians?
Yes, as long as you look beyond the traditional pub menu. Czech home cooking revolves around pork, beef, dumplings and gravy, but every pub has fried cheese, and Prague has a strong vegetarian and vegan scene. Long-running vegetarian restaurants such as Lehká Hlava and Maitrea sit close to the Old Town, and Vinohrady is full of vegan cafés.
Where can you find Indian food?
Prague has plenty of Indian restaurants, mostly North Indian, in the Old Town, New Town, Vinohrady and Karlín. Expect CZK 250–400 for a main. Czech palates are mild, so ask for your food Indian-spicy. Some restaurants offer a lunchtime thali or set menu at lower prices.
How do you eat cheaply?
Look for the denní menu, a weekday lunch set of soup and a main at local restaurants, usually listed on a board outside. There is often a vegetarian option, typically fried cheese, a pasta or a vegetable risotto. Supermarkets like Albert, Billa and Lidl stock bread, cheese, fruit and ready-made salads.
What hidden ingredients should you watch for?
- Bacon (slanina) in potato dishes, sauerkraut and soups.
- Lard (sádlo) for frying and as a bread spread in pubs.
- Meat stock (vývar) in most soups, including vegetable-looking ones.
- Gelatine in some cakes and desserts.
- Eggs in dumpling doughs, pancakes and sauces.
What can vegetarians eat at the Christmas markets?
Trdelník, roasted chestnuts, potato spirals, langoš (fried dough with garlic and cheese), gingerbread and hot chocolate. Sausages and ham dominate the savoury stalls, so check before you order.
Tips for Jain travellers
Jain food is hard outside Indian restaurants, where you can request no onion, garlic or root vegetables. Carry khakhra and thepla for day trips to Kutná Hora or Český Krumlov.
Plan more with things to do in Prague, where to stay, the Prague trip cost page, our 4-day itinerary and the Czech Republic visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Prague good for vegetarians?
Are there Indian restaurants in Prague?
What vegetarian Czech dishes should I try?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
