6 spots to warm up with authentic Czech soups, according to a local expert

Soup has been a cornerstone of Czech cuisine for generations. More than just a starter, these hearty bowls are essentially like small meals with big souls, carrying warmth, tradition, and childhood memories in every spoonful.

Classics like kulajda – a creamy dill packed with potatoes, mushrooms, and egg – offer a comforting taste of home, while the robust, slow-cooked tripe soup challenges even skeptics to reconsider this rich favorite.

And who can overlook the famed Czech garlic soup, prized not only for its flavor but also as a tried-and-tested hangover cure? Whether served in traditional or inventive modern forms, these soups connect diners to Czechia’s deep culinary roots. 

From rustic classics to inventive modern twists, we asked Radek Tureček, general manager of Červený Jelen, for his favorite spots to grab a classic Czech soup this fall.

Here’s where you’ll find a true soup master – Marek Fichtner. His chanterelle cream soup with a bacon doughnut is proof that soup doesn’t have to be simple. The lunch menu at Červený Jelen serves bold and inventive takes on classic flavors, but the standout is the Alpine barley soup, which you can even make at home using Fichtner’s cookbook. And then there’s the gastropub’s legendary vegetarian broth made from grilled vegetables – a recipe the head chef won’t share under any circumstances.

Soups take center stage at this iconic spot, a favorite haunt of Franz Kafka and other Czech luminaries. Enjoy the classic French onion soup – rich and sweet from caramelized onions, topped with cheese and a crispy crust – or the traditional Czech kulajda, routinely named one of the best in Prague. Café Imperial’s classic art deco interiors are as decadent as its broth, and celebrity chef Zdeněk Pohlreich’s kitchen ensures even a simple soup feels like a grand occasion.

Šnycl may bill itself as the city’s newest Viennese schnitzel restaurant, but chef Jan Punčochář has a clear trump card: beef broth with dumplings. Clear, aromatic, and with honest homemade dumplings, just the kind you'd want on your table every Sunday. The kitchen focuses on simplicity and quality. Expect seasonal variants, maybe a mushroom‑cream or a vegetable velouté tucked into the lunch menu. The restaurant is scheduled to open this month in a prime corner street-level space within the Zlatý Anděl shopping center.

When someone mentions tripe soup, many people cringe – and that’s a shame. At U Matěje, the kitchen prepares it so thoroughly that it might just change your mind forever. Hearty, rich, and beautifully spiced, this traditional Czech soup – made from slow-cooked beef stomach – is a standout on a menu full of comforting classics. In another spot owned by celebrity chef Jan Punčochář, U Matěje offers refined Czech flavors in a homey setting that’s developed a cult following.

Autumn here smells like pumpkin. Dock House’s pumpkin cream soup with pickled pumpkin and pumpkin oil is visually vibrant and packed with flavor – exactly what you want when the weather gets chilly. But Dock House doesn’t stop at squash. The kitchen, known primarily for its steaks, surprises with soups that are just as lovingly prepared. Nestled in the Michle neighborhood, the cozy, wood-accented interior makes this spot a warm, welcoming refuge when Prague’s temperature starts to cool. 

End your Czech soup tour with a classic that never disappoints – the goulash soup at Lékárna, a Plzeň institution located right on the city’s lively main square. This hearty, slow-simmered stew is served with care and pairs perfectly with a locally brewed Pilsner, creating an irresistible duo. The cozy, historic setting of Lékárna adds to the charm, making it a must-visit spot for those ready to explore the gastro scene beyond Prague and savor genuine Czech comfort food.