A Culinary Guide to Christmas Food in Prague

This post was originally published in November, 2014 and was updated in November, 2017.

When the weather turns cold and Christmas markets start to spring up on every corner of Prague, an aroma of grilled meats and sweet treats fills the crisp winter air. Thanks to the complicated history of the Czech Republic and its many its central European neighbors, some of the most popular foods have roots across the region – meaning you can taste a variety of styles without any extra train rides required. Here are a few of our favorite flavors of the season in the Czech Republic.

Must-Try Winter Foods in Prague

Our Guides’ Favorite Market Snacks

We believe that the scent of cinnamon and roasted nuts is the true signal that the festive season has arrived. These selected market stalls offer representative treats like ‘vánočka’ bread and spicy ‘svařák’ to keep you warm. We have chosen these spots for their commitment to traditional recipes amidst the holiday bustle. Book a food tour with us to learn more.

Pražská Šunka

You can usually smell “Prague Ham” in open-air Christmas markets before you come across this smoked, boneless ham roasting over an open flame. This highly prized and EU-branded local specialty is priced by weight in grams, so order accordingly and enjoy.

Klobása

No, that’s not a typo – this is the Czech spelling for the grilled sausages popular throughout central Europe. We recommend trying the Pražská klobása – deep red with little added spice – served with dense Czech brown bread and a healthy dollop of mustard.

Langoš

Taste the influence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire on Prague’s Christmas markets with this Hungarian flatbread topped with garlic (česnek), cheese (sýr) and ketchup. While that may sound like a poor man’s pizza, the results of this recipe are far greater than the sum of its parts.

Selected Festive Sweets

No Czech home is complete without a massive tray of ‘cukroví’ or tiny Christmas cookies during December. We prefer these artisanal bakeries where ‘linecké’ and ‘včelí úly’ are still made by hand with real butter. These sweet selections represent the very heart of our local holiday hospitality. Book a food tour with us to learn more.

Palačinky

These delicate snacks resemble French crêpes more closely than “pancakes”, as they are often translated. Fruit fillings like strawberry (jahoda) or apricot (meruňka), or heartier versions with spinach and garlic (špenát, česnek) or ham and cheese (šunka, sýr), add either sweet or savory infusions of flavor.

Trdelnik

Eating Prague guide Jan Macuch notes that the popularity of these Slovakian pastries (sometimes called simply trdlo) is more of a recent development than a long-standing Czech tradition. However, they’ve quickly become a favorite at Prague Christmas markets. This simple spiral of dough is wrapped around a wooden pole, warmed, and rolled in sugar, cinnamon or other flavors. They’re served fresh, so look for stands with a quick turnover (braving slightly longer lines may be worth it).

Must-Try Winter Drinks in Prague

When it comes to beverages, the warmth of winter cocktails holds a strong appeal in this country of beer aficionados once temperatures start to drop.

Svařák

The Czech’s take on hot wine shares characteristics with English mulled wine or German gluhwein, but citrus hints of orange or lemon usually outweigh sugar and sweetness. Stay tuned to this blog for one of our favorite svařák recipes.

**********************

While you’re in Prague why not check out one of our fantastic food tours? You can choose from: Prague Food walks, Craft Beer & Food Tasting Tour and the Prague Evening experiences from Prague castle.

**********************

Medovina

Hot “honey wine” is the sweetest sibling of the warm winter drink family, so start with a small serving – you can always go back for more. Then sip it slowly to savor the flavor while allowing the warmth of the cup to warm your hands.

Becherovka

The description of this quintessentially Czech liquor is that “It tastes like Christmas.” The secret blend of herbs, produced by the Jan Becher Company in Karlovy Vary, carries hints of cinnamon and pine wrapped in a golden exterior. Try it straight, mix it with tonic water to make the popular beton, or enjoy a Bohemian Coffee, a big hit at the recent Prague Coffee Festival.

Hot Chocolate

A popular children’s drink gets a grown-up kick when you add your choice of alcohol to the mix. Prague’s Choco Café (featured on our Prague Food excursions) offers extensive inspiration, ranging from amaretto or eggnog to more local liquors like Becharovka or a Czech cure-all shot of slivovice (a clear, plum-based spirit).

Grog

This Czech variation on a “hot toddy” combines Czech rum, hot water, lemon and sugar added to taste. A warm cup of grog is perfect for soothing sore throats or as a nightcap to ensure a good night’s sleep.

And, as they say in Czech before every meal, “Dobrou chuť” or “Enjoy your meal!”

Symbolic Winter Traditions in Prague

The centerpiece of our Christmas dinner, the carp, is often bought live and kept in the family bathtub for a few days. We find that this tradition, though surprising to visitors, is a vital part of the holiday ritual for many Czech families. Historically, fish was a fasting food, making it the appropriate choice for the sacred evening of the 24th. Understanding these customs helps you appreciate the deep-rooted spirituality behind our festive menu.

Prague’s Market Beverage Etiquette

When ordering ‘svařák’ (mulled wine) at the markets, we suggest looking for stalls that use high-quality Moravian wine rather than bulk mixtures. It is common to pay a small deposit for a reusable ceramic mug, which you can return or keep as a souvenir. We recommend trying ‘medovina’ (hot honey wine) as a traditional alternative that has been enjoyed in our lands for centuries. Always remember that the markets are busiest after dark when the lights are most beautiful.