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.

Why Tour The Czech Republic?

If you’ve never visited the Czech Republic, there are several reasons to consider a tour. The first is Prague, a world class city brimming with spectacular architecture and unique shopping. Next is the scenic beauty of the country, with its varied topography of mountains, dense forests, and lush valleys.

If you enjoy visiting historic cities, there are several here to explore, along with quaint smaller towns where age old traditions reign supreme. Food and drink lovers will also enjoy the area, with its delightful cuisine and more great small local breweries than you can possibly visit on one excursion.

The Ride Of Kings Tour

The Ride of Kings Tour is a nine day all encompassing visit to several areas in and around the Czech Republic. The tour begins and ends in Prague, giving you ample opportunity to explore all the outstanding shopping opportunities the city offers.

A guided tour of the city is provided, along with generous amounts of leisure time to explore your own personal interests.

Two other prominent cities are visited during this tour, Karlovy Vary and Ceske Budejovice. Karlovy Vary is well known for the Moser Glass Works, and you’ll visit the factory store for the opportunity to buy some fabulous Bohemian glassware. There is also a guided tour of the Becherovka liquor factory, which is one of the most prominent in Europe.

Ceske Budejovice is most famous for its old world brewery which produces the original Budweiser beer, Budvar. You’ll enjoy a personal tour before departing to Cesky Krumov for a visit to one of the oldest castles in Europe, situated along the banks of the river Vltava. There is also an excursion to the wine and folklore region of Straznice, where you’ll sample local wine and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

Ride Of Kings Festival

Each year, the Moravian village of Vlcnov hosts the Ride of Kings Festival, a gala gathering honoring historic Czech and Hungarian kings. It is a three day long celebration of Moravian folk traditions, with local food, music, dancing, and libations.

Costumes are a big part of the Ride of Kings Festival, as young and old dress in traditional garb as they participate in the revelry. You will also have ample opportunity to purchase handcrafted Moravian artifacts, made by local craftsmen.

Summary

The tour concludes with a final visit to Prague, with a traditional farewell dinner and more free time to explore the city. We found this tour to be especially enjoyable, in large part due to its varied emphasis. There is a great mix of culture, history, food, drink, and scenery.

The Ride of Kings Tour is one of many Czech Republic tours available. Most are nine days in duration, although some are slightly longer or shorter. Either way, it is a great way for the first time or experienced visitor to the Czech Republic to really explore the country from a behind the scenes local perspective.

To learn more about this and other Czech Republic vacation packages, visit our partner site Weber Travel . Be sure to ask for Czech tour specialist Joe Hartzel and tell him you clicked through from CzechEverything.com . You’ll get a $100 voucher off any Czech tour booked!

Prague’s Old Town area is first and foremost, where you’ll experience much of the great architecture the city is noted for. You’ll also see a local landmark, the Charles Bridge, before dining at a local restaurant and soaking up some local culture.

All in all, three days are spent in Prague, which is barely enough to scratch the surface of all the city has to offer. But it’s ideal for an overview excursion because there is so much more to explore in the country. And for those who have never visited Prague, there’s a guided city tour included with an English speaking guide. We especially like that the tour is broken up in to two parts. Part one is conducted on the afternoon of arrival date, while part two is the next morning.

More Sites To See

You’ll also enjoy the full day excursion to visit Karlovy Vary and the renowned Becherovka liquor factory. Becherovka is an original Czech liquor that is similar to absinthe. Those in the know enjoy it ice cold or with tonic water.

Two more historic cities are part of this Czech Republic vacation package. You’ll visit both Cesky Krumlov and Ceske Budejovice. Cesky Krumlov is known for its beautiful gardens and castle, while Ceske Budejovice is known for its historic brewery, home of Budvar, the original Budweiser beer.

Unlike many tours, there is plenty of time on your own if you so desire. You can explore the great shopping and markets of Prague, or sample Czech cuisine from one of the street vendors.

Breakfast is included each day at the hotel so you’re assured of starting your day off right. All told, five nights are spent at your hotel in Prague and one night in Ceske Budejovice. Travel distances from attraction to attraction aren’t far, usually no more than two hours or so.

Summary

Departing in April through October, this new tour is an ideal Czech Republic vacation package for anyone who has never visited the country. With ample time spent in Prague and excursions to Ceske Budejovice and other cities, you are given an excellent overview and a great introduction to this beautiful part of Europe.

For more information about the Czech Discover Tour or any of our other Czech Republic Vacation Packages, visit our partner site, Weber Travel and ask for Joe Hartzel, Czech Republic tour specialist. Tell Joe you visited CzechEverything.com for a special $100 voucher off your booked tour!

Learn more about Joe here.

Absinthe itself has a mysterious past.  Similar to a pernod, absinthe’s main ingredient, wormwood, is reputed to have hallucenigenic properties.  Absinthe has long been favored by artisitc types like poets, painters, and songwriters who felt the drink stiumulated their creativity.

Real Absinthe Thujone – Buy Absinthe – Czech Strong Absinth

Long absent from the U.S. market, absinthe is now back.  However, it is almost impossible to find original recipe Czech absinthe in liquor stores.

With it’s bright emerald green color, Staroplzenecky Absinthe is sure to be popular at your next gathering.  Serve it the traditional way with water poured over an absinthe spoon over a sugar cube.  You’ll be amazed what happens!

Here’s our source where you can buy REAL Absinthe online.

They are absolutely stunning and are available in all sorts of colors. Unfortunately they’re not available everywhere but we’ve found a one-stop source for exceptional Czech beads and jewelry making supplies, with free shipping in the USA with no minimum order.

These beads are perfect if you’re a crafter or just want to use your artistic skills to create that special Czech gift for a loved one. Click on the banner below to see the latest selection!

Horalky Chocolate Wafers are crispy cocoa coated wafers with a filling of hazelnut and other nut flavors. They’re great for dessert!

We have a hard time finding them here in the U.S. but they’re available from our Czech food source, along with dozens of other unique Czech food products.

Click on the banner below and explore a taste of the Czech Republic!

Welcome to our occasional series, Czechs In America.

From time to time we’ll spotlight a certain destination that’s rich in Czech culture and heritage.

One of our favorite restaurants in America is the quaint Bohemian Cafe, just south of downtown Omaha, Nebraska. Since the 1920’s the Bohemian Cafe has been dishing out hearty portions if authentic Czech and Bohemian cuisine at easy-on-the-wallet prices.

If you’re ever in Omaha, be sure to stop at the Bohemian Cafe on 13th Street.

Bohemian Cafe Omaha NE

This one is perfect for the Czech computer user in your life … a great reminder of their heritage! Have a closer look:

It’s an officially certified Jaromir Jagr signed jersey. This Czech National Team jersey is a pefect gift for the Czech hockey fan in your life (or yourself for that matter!). It’s a size 52, so big enough for anyone:

Show your Czech pride in this multicolored Team Czech hat! It’s sturdy, sweat resistant, and just like the athletes wear. Take a look: