Czech food is good food and the offerings in Ceske Budejovice are no exception. Czech cuisine is not light but it is flavorful, plentiful and interesting to learn about. Ceske Budejovice is also the home to Budvar beer otherwise known as Budweiser in Europe. Although the name is the same, Czech Budweiser is vastly different from Anheuser Busch’s offering. Budvar is a dark lager with a malty taste, wonderful with many of the Czech dishes mentioned below. As they say in South Bohemia “dobrou chut” or bon appetit!

Maly Pivovar

A wonderful place to get great local food for a reasonable price is at a “pivnice” or beer pub, sometimes referred to as a “hospada”.  Pivnices have lively and authentic atmospheres and serve up simple yet delicious food. At the Maly Pivovar beer hall, national and international cuisine is served. Try Czech classics like fried cheese or goulash. Freshwater fish, duck, rabbit and chicken are on the menu as well. There is also a coffee café here with homemade baked goods.

Modry Dvere “Jazz and Blues Restaurant”

This hip pub has a lovely outdoor seating area. Local fare is served here; try the borscht with sour cream and pork or chicken schnitzel with vegetables and lemon. Familiar favorites like nachos, kebab skewers and potato pancakes are on the menu as well. Reservations are accepted and Wednesdays boast live music.

Grand Hotel Zvon

The hotel is home to Restaurant Symphony and Pilsner Urquell Original Restaurant.

Restaurant Symphony serves lunch and dinner and is upscale in price and atmosphere. They serve Austrian and South Bohemian food with gourmet flair. They are known for their organic beef and veal dishes that come from their own farm. Be sure to save room for the plum cake with ice cream.

If a causal evening is more your style, check out “Puor” (Pilsner Urquell Original Restaurant). Czechs like to have a starter before their meals so have the garlic soup or onion soup first. Regional fare that goes well with beer is a specialty here so be sure to try the house pilsner. Puor has an outdoor terrace if the weather is mild for your visit. 

Food Stands

For Czech food on the go, try a “klobasy” or grilled sausage. The sausage is served with mustard and horseradish on brown bread. Or how about fried cheese on a bun? Be sure to try the fruit dumplings if your stand makes them. All items are made to order and served to go!