13 Best Restaurants in Day Trips from Prague, Czech Republic

A medieval tavern feel and big plates of Czech food make Dačický a warm, authentic experience. The yellow walls decorated with cartoon-style murals, the long (shared) wooden tables, and the massive chandelier also add to the ambience. Try the pork knee and the beer sampler, but don't expect to be able to move for a couple of hours: the portions are huge and the beer is plentiful.

Part of a former medieval fortress and, during the 19th century, a prison chapel, this upscale tavern is one of the town's most popular restaurants—and it's non-smoking and has a quiet patio to boot. The food is traditional Czech with a few contemporary twists, and is best paired with the well-priced local wines and beers. The restaurant sources its fruit, vegetables, and cheese from the Litoměřice region, its trout from Kostomlaty, a village near Litoměřice, and its venison from Czech forests. Perch is roasted with garlic and paired with mashed potatoes and baked tomatoes, and the goose breast with poached apple comes with vegetable rice, smoked deer tenderloin tartare, toast, and shallots.

Aside from a zucchini appetizer, a lentil salad, green salad, and cheese tartare, there are no vegetarian dishes.

This popular, modern bistro-café serves fairly standard European-American fare, but everything is freshly and expertly made. That means pizzas cooked crispy Neapolitan style, steaks that have been matured for 14 days, and fresh pasta that's firmly al dente. In particular, Factory has gained a glowing reputation for its juicy burgers, served with skin-on fries and homemade coleslaw.

A charming spot just off Komenského náměstí near the Church of St. James, Harmonia serves good food at good prices. The small back patio is relatively secluded and the perfect place for an espresso and quiet conversation. Food, like chicken cutlets and steaks, is simple and hearty.

Although billing itself primarily as a microbrewery and beer bar, this lovely cellar restaurant also serves the city's best burgers. Choose your beer (there are usually eight options on tap: a mix of home brews and beers from other Czech breweries), then dive into the extensive burger menu, including delicious vegetarian and vegan options.

At the edge of Jarni Park, near Sladkova, is this aptly-named café serving a small array of house-made baked goods like chocolate tart and carrot cake. There's also soft-serve ice cream, juice, coffee and tea, and lunch options that change every couple of days—sub sandwiches on whole grain rolls, small salads, and quiche. This is a lovely place to relax with a book or your computer (they have free Wi-Fi) while the kids play in the sandbox.

Cold beer, hot pizza, and a location right on Peace Square sounds pretty idyllic, but Pizza XXL ups the ante by serving ice cream, too. Next to the Regional Museum/Old Town Hall and with a good view of the square, it has 31 pies, with meat and vegetarian options roughly in balance. Old favorites like the margherita, the mushroom, and the four cheese make appearances, and so too does a delightful white ricotta pie and a couple with prosciutto and pancetta.

If you're too tired to leave your hotel, Pizza XXL delivers.

This traditional hunting lodge–style restaurant is the most rustic and fun of Karlštejn's eateries. To find it, follow the main road uphill out of the village about a third of a mile from town. If you've visited the castle, take the path to your left when you leave; or if walking from Beroun, you'll pass by before reaching the castle. The portions of pork, chicken, beef, and game are generous for the price. A small terrace is popular with cyclists and families in nice weather.

In the cellar of a baroque building on Peace Square, this restaurant has atmosphere in spades, with a clubby vibe thanks to the cave-like ceiling and the warm glow of the lighting. Its romantic but friendly enough for kids, who have their own menu. The traditional Czech cuisine skews carnivore and fairly heavy, with venison, steak, chicken, pork, and beef dishes—the beef cheeks get high-marks for being tender—alongside lighter fare such as grilled salmon with roasted vegetables. Vegetarian dishes might include baked beet with gratinée potatoes, broccoli and horseradish sauce, or bulgur with grilled vegetables and Parmesan, and, although most salads and pastas come topped with meat, you can get them without. A long wine list offers plenty of options.

This spot is a local favorite, and it's easy to see why. Here the setting, a Gothic cellar with arched ceilings, is as pleasant as the food. The menu is heavy on Czech specialties and game, and service is attentive. If you're an oenophile, ask to see their historic wine cellars, or just order a bottle from the extensive wine list that includes regional Czech and French varieties.

Right on Peace Square, just down the street from the Regional Museum/Old Town Hall, this small restaurant is in a family-owned inn. The present building, often called House of the Black Eagle, dates to 1560, when it was rebuilt in Renaissance style by Italian architect Ambrogio Balli (the original building went up in 1410 as a family home). The traditional cuisine matches the historic surroundings; on the menu are hearty dishes such as pork knee with pickles and sauerkraut or pork roast with rosemary and red onions. There are a few vegetarian dishes, too, like penne with roasted vegetables and basil, and slightly lighter fare along the lines of chicken noodle soup.

The best of the many touristy restaurants in the town proper, this spot is just on the upper edge of the village, not far from where the castle path starts. It also offers a nice big terrace with slight views of the castle. Decent Czech-style food, including some game and fish options, is offered on the menu. The pension can also be a comfortable place to stay if you feel like being outside of Prague for a night but close to the action at Karlštejn.

The Golden Pheasant, as its name translates, is a popular tavern on Peace Square that serves three square meals almost daily (it opens at 11am on Sunday). The lunch menu changes daily and, alongside traditional Czech fare like chicken legs served on stewed red cabbage with potato dumplings, there's always a vegetarian option, such a baked eggplant stuffed with vegetable risotto and herb couscous. Nice desserts include tiramisu, which pairs well with dark beer. The restaurant has a garden, which is a nice spot to sit and sip one (or more) of its many local wines. On Friday and Saturday evenings, especially in summer, either go early or book a table.