Best Schnitzel in Prague

Out of all the Czech foods you can try on my Prague food tours, schnitzel is up there with some of the most delicious. Picture a golden, crispy, deep-fried piece of meat the size of your plate, enjoyed with creamy potato salad and an ice-cold beer.

While this classic comfort food is widely sold across Prague, some establishments do it better than others, and, as with any food, quality matters. Rather than indulging in the mediocre frozen stuff, this guide will show you where to eat schnitzel like a local.

What Is Czech-Style Schnitzel?

Schnitzel is a traditional Czech pub food that everyone can appreciate. Going by the name ‘řízek (ree-zek)’ in Czech, it’s a pounded thin, breaded piece of pork (vepřový řízek) or, in some cases, chicken or liver. Before it can be served, it’s pan-fried until the outer layer turns crisp for maximum crunch. Oftentimes, it’s ordered alongside a potato salad, boiled potatoes, or fries.

Those eager to try schnitzel will find it sold in many pubs and restaurants that have a lunch menu. However, it’s also a staple in many homes, so if you happen to make friends with a local, you might be able to try it this way.

While the Czechs have taken the schnitzel and embraced it in their local food culture, the specialty doesn’t originate from here. It has Austrian/Habsburg roots, but many countries, including the Czech Republic, have made it their own.

Where to Find the Best Schnitzel in Prague

U Glaubiců

U Glaubiců near St Nicholas Church on Malostranské náměstí is a name everyone knows and loves for its charming location in a historical building and sizable pork schnitzels in Prague. I had to go and try it for myself, and was left amazed by the tenderness of the pork and the sweet smokiness from the bacon-soaked potatoes.

U Glaubiců – (€€) – 118 00 Malá Strana – Open every day from 10:30 am to 11:00 pm.

Pork’s Mostecká

Photo credit: Pork’s Mostecká

Beside Charles Bridge, in the heart of Prague city center, you’ll find the warm brick-laden Pork’s Mostecká resembling an old brewery. I asked the staff at the hotel I was staying in, ‘Where to eat schnitzel in Prague?’ and they sent me here. The way each bite had a crispy coating and blended with the creaminess of the bramborový salát was simply delightful!

Pork’s Mostecká – (€€) – 110 00 Malá Strana – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 11:30 pm.

Pivovarský klub Benedict

Photo credit: Pivovarský klub Benedict

I’m usually apprehensive about modern restaurants with minimalist interiors serving traditional specialties like Czech schnitzel, but Pivovarský klub Benedict in Karlin is the exception. It was my first time trying pork cutlet schnitzel cut into pieces, and the zestiness that dripped into the crunchy crust is a taste that I won’t be forgetting any time soon.

Pivovarský klub Benedict – (€€) – 186 00 Karlín – Open every Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:30 pm and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

U Tří Prasátek (Three Piglets)

Photo credit: U Tří Prasátek (Three Piglets)

After looking for an authentic place to try pork schnitzel away from the main center, I stumbled across U Tří Prasátek (Three Piglets) in eastern Prague on Vinohradská. As I tucked into my golden-coated schnitzel in this cozy, understated bar, I couldn’t help but be in awe at the size of it, but it was the delicate crunch that won it for me.

U Tří Prasátek (Three Piglets) – (€€) – 130 00 Praha 3-Vinohrady – Open every Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Restaurant Matylda

Restaurant Matylda, down the street from Bazilika sv. Ludmily is a snug spot that offers a full Czech menu. Although the sound of traditional bites like the goulash did sound appetizing, it was the veal schnitzel that caught my attention. From the subtle sweetness of the veal to the butteriness of the outer layer, every mouthful was a fusion of flavors.

Restaurant Matylda – (€€) – 120 00 Praha 2-Vinohrady – Open every Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm and every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

What to Order With It

Even though schnitzel might come in a sizable portion when you order it in any beer hall, modern bistro, or old-school tavern, it still needs some extras to bring it all together.

A creamy, slightly sweet Czech potato salad (bramborový salát) made with mayonnaise, boiled potatoes, and chopped vegetables is the most popular side dish you can order with a schnitzel.

The light, crisp flavor profile of a Czech pilsner cuts through the richness of the schnitzel, adding a refreshing feeling to your mouth after each sip.

Pickled vegetables, sometimes called Zelenina, provide a level of tanginess balancing the richness of the meat.

Mustard sauce brings a spicy kick to the exterior, bringing stronger flavors to its already savory profile.

Fried cheese (smažený sýr) is a vegetarian alternative to the meaty version of schnitzel. It’s a thick, deep-fried piece of often Gouda, Edam, or Swiss cheese resembling a meat-based schnitzel where the cheese melts and oozes into the warm crust, providing a gooey but tasty combination.

When & Where Locals Eat Schnitzel

Schnitzel with potato salad is a very popular lunch special in pubs across Prague, particularly during weekdays. While it’s commonly sold in these types of establishments around the city, it’s also eaten regularly over the holiday period or at major family gatherings.

In many instances, a schnitzel portion can be pretty big, so consider sharing with somebody else or bringing your leftovers home. Make sure to order it when it’s fresh and hot for the best tasting experience. Try to avoid pre-fried or buffet-style versions as they lack depth of flavor.

Final Thoughts: Why Schnitzel is a No-Fail Favorite in Prague

Ordering a schnitzel may not be everyone’s first port of call, but one thing you’re always guaranteed is a satisfying deep-fried slice of meat that hits the spot. No matter if this is your first meal when you get to Prague or if you need to fill up after a big day of sightseeing, it’s clear why the schnitzel is a local staple.

Sources:

Eating Europe. (2025, August 12). Czech cuisine: A guide to traditional dishes and drinks. Eating Europe Blog. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/blog/czech-foods/ Eating Europe

Eating Europe. (2025, August 12). Prague food tours. Eating Europe. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/prague/ Eating Europe

Uglá Bučicu. (n.d.). Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://uglaubicu.com/

Porks. (n.d.). Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.porks.cz/

Pivo Klub. (n.d.). Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://pivo-klub.cz/ Pivovarský klub | Benedict Wanderlog

Triprašťata. (n.d.). Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.triprasatka.cz/en/

Restaurant Matylda. (n.d.). Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.restaurant-matylda.cz/