It’s harvest time for vegetarians in Czechia

We have good news for all you vegetarians, vegans, fructarians and other fans of a plant-based diet. Even in this land of meat lovers, you can find plenty of healthy delicacies and specialties to enjoy. For a long time now, the "veggie" options in Czechia have offered more than just fried cheese. Come and tuck in with us, as there’s something to delight even the pickiest of palates. Not to mention that World Vegetarian Day is celebrated all over the globe on 1 October every year.

Healthy veggie options in Prague

Purely plant-based bistros and restaurants are spring up all over Czechia. And don’t forget that you can also have a great meal where they cook all sorts of dishes. Many mainstream restaurants are expanding their vegetarian menus and can easily adapt the meal to suit your preferences. Just ask the waiter!

The original concept of vegetarian and sustainable cuisine, where everything is fresh, healthy, local, seasonal and delicious, can be found at the Green Table green bistro. It also includes a hydroponic farm that’s bursting with sprouts and herbs. Green Table is in the centre of Prague, not far from Masaryk Railway Station.

You can enjoy a vegetarian breakfast at Café Savoy. Tuck into some delicious Mediterranean cuisine and hummus at Paprika, a place that prides itself on the quality of its ingredients. Vegetarian diners are also sure to love Taro, a top-class East Asian restaurant in Smíchov, Prague.

Two long-standing fixtures of the vegetarian scene can be found right in the historical centre of Prague: Maitrea in a charming little spot in Týnská near Old Town Square, and Lehká hlava (Light Head). That’s a lovely haven of peace and quiet, with a menu inspired by cuisines from around the world and a starry sky on the ceiling. It’s worth going there just for the artistic interior.

A piece of the world on a plate

You certainly can't go wrong at the Dhaba Beas vegetarian bistro chain, which you can find all over Czechia. It has several branches in Prague. Just as well-known is Forky's, an international chain of vegan bistros and restaurants that specialises in sustainable food and lifestyle. Their purely plant-based bistros can be found in Prague, Brno, Liberec and Ostrava.

In Liberec, on the way to or from the famous Regional Gallery, check out the family-run Mikyna bistro and café, which offers original vegetarian dishes made from local ingredients every day. In the centre of Ostrava, try the Kocouří způsoby vegan bistro, while Brno has an eatery called Pilgrim; there's also the ever-popular Green Bar in the centre of Olomouc. If you fancy a salad, check out Café Fara in the picturesque setting of South Moravia’s vineyards, not far from Mikulov. In Český Krumlov, you can visit the stylish Lebanese vegetarian restaurant, set against the beautiful backdrop of this beautiful South Bohemian town, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To the markets and orchards

In addition to restaurants and bistros, you can go straight to the farmers's markets for the best ingredients. The autumn feasts and markets with freshly-harvested of apples, plums and pumpkins are a real treat.
Traditional events include the Apple and Cider Harvest Festival in the grounds of Ctěnice Chateau, the Autumn Plum Market in České Budějovice (10-12 October), and the popular annual Pumpkin Autumn event in Prague's Botanical Garden at Troja (11 to 31 October).

All lovers of vegetarian and vegan cuisine are sure to appreciate the many specialised farm shops open across Czechia, as well as the growing range of "green" foods available in regular supermarkets. Czechia’s first vegetarian butcher shop has also opened in Prague. It's called Meatless.

Vegan ice cream

And the nation’s ice cream makers are also thinking about vegans. The Puro Gelato or Angelato ice cream chains in Prague, for example, have something really special for them.