Although there are millions of people of Czech descent in the United States, Czech restaurants aren’t particularly common. We are not sure why, because the cuisine is some of the most satisfying and delicious you’ll ever find at a dinner table.

Pork, beef, dumplings, and home made desserts are key elements of a Czech style dinner. The meat is prepared in a variety of ways, from hearty stews and soups to baked or pan breaded. In several heritage communities across America, you’ll find a few gems, just waiting for you to stop by.

In no particular order, here is a list of five of our favorites:

Milan’s Restaurant: Brooklyn, New York

Milan’s doesn’t look like much from the outside, but once inside you are transported to central Europe. The comfortable and traditional decor melds well with the lovingly prepared meals.

You can also buy authentic packaged goods from Slovakia and the Czech Republic here, including bottled beer, soda, and grocery items.

Our favorites here? Cabbage soup with smoked meat, roast pork with sauerkraut and dumplings, all washed down with one of the four Czech beers on the menu.

Cafe Bohemia: Omaha, Nebraska

Just a mile south of the Old Market district in downtown Omaha is Cafe Bohemia. This cozy restaurant has been serving authentic cuisine since the 1920’s, at very reasonable prices. You won’t go home hungry, that’s for sure!

Cafe Bohemia is a great place to try swieckova, a sauerbraten style dish usually served with dumplings or potato pancakes. But if you’re not sure, don’t worry. The friendly, experienced waitresses will steer you in the right direction.

Klas Restaurant: Cicero, Illinois

The largest Czech restaurant in the United State, Klas has greeted diners since 1922. It is only open Thursdays through Sundays. The large interior room is decorated with original antiques and assorted treasures directly from the Czech Republic.

We like coming here for lunch. Lunches are served Bohemian style, with soup, salad bar, entree, two sides, and dessert. Cicero is a near west suburb of Chicago, about 20 minutes from downtown.

Moldau Restaurant: Brookfield, Illinois

A staple in the thriving west suburban Chicago Czech community, this is another comfort food gem. It is located on Ogden Avenue, about 10 minutes west of Klas Restaurant.

Moldau is a small, quaint place that does brisk business on Sundays. Come here for the roast duck and home made desserts.

Czech-Tex Restaurant: Snook, Texas

Like Chicago, south central Texas also has a large Czech heritage community. The little town of Snook, about ten miles from College Station, boasts Czech-Tex, kind of combination barbecue and old world place that dished up traditional dishes to your hearts content.

Every day, you will find the chicken and dumpling special on the menu. Pot roast, grilled pork chops, and smoked prime rib are other favorites.

Summary

Are you hungry yet? If so, head to one of these authentic Czech style restaurants for traditional central European style food in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

If you’re planning on traveling to the Czech Republic (and we hope you’ll get the opportunity), there are a few do’s and don’ts, just like any country.

What is considered good etiquette in one country can be totally taboo in another. The Czech Republic is no different.

Here are a few tips and pointers to successfully navigate your stay in the Czech Republic, a Czech culture guide of sorts …

Czech People Are Very Friendly And Polite: And you should be friendly and polite in return. Czechs love visitors and are eager to showcase their beautiful country and its many time honored traditions, especially if the visitors are friendly and polite.

Gift Giving: A gift from your home country is a very good choice. Food or any type of alcoholic beverage is a nice touch. So are flowers, but don’t give chrysanthemums because they’re used to decorate gravesites. You shouldn’t spend more than $25 or so on a gift.

Accepting Gifts: When you are being offered a gift in the Czech Republic, it is considered good manners to politely refuse. Your host will insist you accept, and at that point you should. The same holds true with giving a gift to your host. They will politely refuse and you should politely insist they accept.

Tipping: Tipping isn’t required, but it is considered a nice touch to tip 10%. But be sure to tip using cash. Putting a tip on your credit card is considered rude.

Saying Hello: You should greet people in the Czech Republic by shaking hands. You will often see people greeting one another with a kiss on the cheek, but this custom is usually reserved for friends.

Being Social: Czechs, while somewhat reserved, are a very social people. They love to talk about sports, especially soccer and hockey.

Like any culture, there are certain topics to avoid. Stay away from politics and religion. The Czech Republic has a high percentage of people with no religious beliefs and they are proud of that fact.

On Business: If you’re planning to go to the Czech Republic on business, make your appointments well in advance. A minimum of two weeks is a good idea, three weeks or a month is even better.

When you arrive for your appointment, be punctual. It is considered extremely rude to be late. Conversely, expect to wait a few moments for your host to greet you. This is customary.

Eating and Drinking: Meals are a big part of the Czech culture and they are celebrated and savored. A good greeting to your fellow diners is “dobrou chut”, which loosely translated means “enjoy your meal”. If you are toasting, be sure to maintain eye contact while doing so. The common toasting phrase is “na zdravi” which essentially means “to your health”.

Be sure to praise the food and ask for a second helping, even if you’re full.

Visiting a Home in the Czech Republic: Take off your shoes when entering, but don’t worry. You will be given some type of alternative footwear. Bring a gift for your host/hostess, and don’t stay too late. 9 p.m. or 9:30 is about right.

While there are a few more fine points, following the above will help you fit in beautifully.