Inside Prague's Food Coma

Ingredients for the Czech cooking class.

Let’s talk food. Then let’s talk about how I have probably already re-gained the freshman 15 because I eat so much FOOD. While Prague isn’t typically the first city to come to mind when you think about finding amazing food, and it doesn’t have Michelin restaurants or anything, but let me tell you there are very, very good restaurants here in Praha town. They make American food be your number one craving at all times of the day and understand the craft behind making a remarkable doner kebab. Pizza and pasta taste like they are from Italy and Thai food is one of my favorite cuisines now. Then there is brunch, the most important meal of the day, and they treat it like they were making you a steak from a five-star restaurant. So bottom line: In Prague, we eat.

Now let’s talk Czech cuisine. From fried cheese to dumplings, I have to admit they have a rather bizarre combination of foods. But it all boils now to three main ingredients: meat, cheese and bread. So the only healthy part about it is the fact that the ingredients are fresh and GMO-free and there is definitely a dish for everyone. Svíčková na smetaně, marinated sirloin with dumplings and cream is the traditional Czech meat dish. Another variation of traditional Czech cuisine is roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut. They are also big fans of goulash, potato soups and Smažený Sýr (fried cheese). Then there is the best part of the meal, dessert of course. Trdelník stands are all over the place and they are made from rolled dough, then grilled on a stick and rolled in cinnamon and sugar. Jablečný závin is Prague’s famous apple strudel and they are sold at nearly every pastry shop in town. Are you stomachs grumbling yet?

The Twix and chocolate milkshake at the Globe

Dish burger, best burger of my life.

The traditional Czech pastry Trdelník with chocolate on the inside.

After a month of living, studying and eating my way through Prague, I have compiled a list of my favorite restaurants so far:

• Lemon Leaf: Thai food, no amazing Thai food that I have dreams about every night. The noodles are remarkable, dumplings to die for and soups the perfect amount of sweet with hot. I more than recommend this restaurant even if you don’t like or don’t think you like Thai food.
• The Globe: This is actually the biggest American bookstore in Prague and has a restaurant attached. It is owned by an American couple and they have created the ultimate American menu. Breakfast is exceptional; I did not know pancakes could be that fluffy and dinner is just as good. I highly recommend the Twix milkshake.
• Pivovarsky Dum: So far my favorite place to go for the traditional Czech cuisine. It’s a microbrewery and is quite popular. It has every traditional Czech meal imaginable and is by far the best place to go if you’re looking for something authentic.
• Lokal: Another really good Czech restaurant. Has fewer options than Pivarsky Dum, but each option is just as good and a little bit cheaper!
• Bohemia Bagel: The only place to get bagels and breakfast sandwiches and burritos that will put you in the dreamiest food coma.
• Dish: Hands down, the best burger I have ever had in my entire life or at least top three. It is so popular that walking in to eat is not an option, a reservation is always required. Dish is Prague’s best fine burger bistro and they know what they are doing. House-made ketchup and 11 delicious burgers that would make your mouth drool for a year.
• Cafe Savoy: THE brunch place in Prague. Everyone raves about it and they make an eggs benedict that would make you cry. Definitely a must go to when visiting.
• Doner Kebab: All good, all different but equally as delicious. Kebab places are scattered everywhere throughout the city and it is essential that you try two different ones a week.

Brittan Bates is the Fall 2015 CEA MOJO Blogger in Prague, Czech Republic. She is currently a junior at the University of Arizona.