When traveling to the Czech Republic or simply learning the Czech language, knowing basic food and dining vocabulary can enhance your cultural experience and make meal times more enjoyable. Here’s a list of essential Czech words related to food and dining, complete with definitions and example sentences to help you get a grasp of each term.

Jídlo
This means “food” in Czech. You will use this word commonly to refer to any kind of edible items.
Chci nějaké tradiční české jídlo.

Restaurace
The word for “restaurant.” When you’re looking to dine out, this is the place you’ll search for.
Večeřeli jsme v té nejlepší restauraci v Praze.

Menu
This is the same word in English, pronounced slightly differently, and means “menu.” When you sit down at a Czech restaurant, the server will bring you the menu.
Mohu vidět menu, prosím?

Objednat
Meaning “to order,” this verb is crucial when you’re ready to tell the waiter what you’d like to have.
Chtěl bych si objednat svíčkovou na smetaně.

Číšník/Číšnice
This refers to a “waiter” or “waitress.” These are the people who will take your order and serve your food.
Pane číšníku, můžeme dostat účet?

Předkrm
It translates to “appetizer” and is a term for foods served before the main course.
Jako předkrm si dáme utopence a nakládaný hermelín.

Hlavní chod
This means “main course,” the central part of the meal.
Na hlavní chod mám dneska velkou chuť na goulash.

Dezert
The word for “dessert,” used in many European languages, refers to sweet food eaten typically at the end of a meal.
Na dezert si dám trdelník.

Nápoje
This word means “beverages.” It’s what you’ll use to refer to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Mohl bych dostat nápoje pro celý stůl?

Pivo
A very important word in Czech culture, “pivo” means “beer.” The Czech Republic is famous for its beer, so don’t forget this one.
Dám si lesk pivo, prosím.

Voda
Simply translates to “water.” If you prefer non-softened water, you can ask for “neperlivá voda” (still water).
Mohu mít sklenici vody?

Víno
The word for “wine.” Czech Republic has an underrated wine scene, particularly in the region of Moravia.
Rád bych ochutnal moravské víno.

Účet
Translates to “bill” or “check” in a restaurant context. This is what you ask for when you’re ready to pay.
Promiňte, můžeme dostat účet?

Spropitné
The term for “tip,” which is the amount of money left for service staff over the payment for the bill.
Nezapomeňte nechat spropitné, obsluha byla výborná.

Learning these words can make your dining experiences in the Czech Republic more enjoyable and stress-free. Whether you’re in a cozy Prague café or a traditional Moravian wine cellar, with this vocabulary, you can confidently navigate any Czech dining situation. A little language can go a long way! Dobrou chuť! (Enjoy your meal!)