Prices in Karlovy Vary for Food in Restaurants, Cafes and Supermarkets

Karlovy Vary is a famous Czech spa resort that has been popular for centuries. Healing springs are the city's trademark and its main attraction. Sigmund Freud, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Bach, Karl Marx, and other historical personalities came here for treatment.

Karlovy Vary beckons with a unique romantic atmosphere that will easily take you back in time. At the resort, everything is measured and orderly, thoughts are cleared, and set on a philosophical mood. However, you shouldn't think it will be as boring as in an old sanatorium: the town often hosts concerts, music festivals, and the famous Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

Tourists from all over the world come to experience the healing power of the mineral springs, attend cultural events, see the local sights, and, of course, appreciate the authentic Czech cuisine. If you are planning a family vacation in Karlovy Vary, it will be helpful to learn the gastronomic nuances of this beautiful resort. We will briefly tell you what dishes Czech traditional cuisine is famous for, as well as what the prices are in catering establishments and supermarkets.

Photo: pixabay.com

The Czech national cuisine is characterized by simplicity and caloric content. It is based on dishes made of flour, butter, and meat. Most of them are prepared using the same recipes as several centuries ago. Czechs love to eat good food and are characterized by generosity. Therefore, even if you feel hungry, do not hurry to order several dishes at once in restaurants, as portions are usually served in impressive sizes. Here are some of the top things to try in Karlovy Vary.

Svíčková na smetaně – is a traditional Czech dish and one of the most popular Czech meals. It is a hearty dish typically eaten during the cold winter months in the Czech Republic. The dish consists of beef tenderloin or sirloin in one piece, which is slow-cooked with a variety of root vegetables, traditionally onions, carrots, celeriac, leeks, and turnips to create a substantial dish. The beef is spiced with allspice berries, bay leaves, and mustard seeds to create an aromatic sauce. In many Czech restaurants, Svíčková na smetaně is often served with a cream (smetana) topping, cranberry sauce, and a slice of lemon.

Česnečka is a simple and hearty garlic soup which is typically made with sliced potatoes, garlic, caraway seeds, marjoram, and cumin, and it is often served with fried bread cubes and grated cheese.

Goulash is another traditional Czech dish that is worth trying. It is a hearty stew made with beef, onions, and paprika.

Grilovaný Hermelín is typically served as an appetizer or a snack. Grilovaný Hermelín is seasoned with a spice mix that includes garlic, paprika, salt, onion, cumin, oregano, and parsley. The cheese is cut in half and rubbed with the spice mix before being grilled until it is golden brown on both sides. The cheese is typically served hot with bread or crackers. The dish is easy to prepare and is a popular appetizer or snack in Karlovy Vary.

Nakládaný hermelín is a marinated cheese that is similar to camembert and brie. The cheese is usually cut into wedges and rubbed with a spice mix that includes garlic, paprika, salt, onion, cumin, oregano, and parsley. The cheese wedges are then placed in a jar and covered with oil, where they marinate for at least three days before serving. The dish is often served with bread or crackers. It is a simple and easy-to-prepare dish that is popular in Czech pubs and is a great appetizer or snack.

Vepřo knedlo zelo is a hearty dish that consists of roasted pork loin or shoulder, bread dumplings, and sauerkraut. The pork is rubbed with salt, pepper, and caraway seeds and roasted in the oven until it is cooked through. The sauerkraut is cooked with onion and caraway seeds to give it a unique flavor. The bread dumplings are made by mixing flour, milk, bread crumbs, eggs, and butter, and then boiling them in salted water. The dish is typically served with the sliced pork, sauerkraut, and bread dumplings on the same plate.

Pečené vepřové koleno is a traditional Czech dish that consists of roasted pork knee or knuckle, which is a rustic cut of meat that is always bone-in and often served on a little spit or with a big serrated knife. The meat is marinated in dark beer and herbs, roasted, and then served with a number of accompaniments, the most essential being horseradish, pickles, and bread (and Czech beer, of course).

Trdelník is pastry which is made of yeast dough that is rolled into strips and wrapped around a cylinder called trdlo. The dough is then baked over hot coals and coated in sugar mixed with cinnamon or nuts.

Fruit Dumplings are a must-try Czech food and can be found in many restaurants in Karlovy Vary.

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Long gone are those beautiful times when democratic prices characterized the Czech Republic. Today, Karlovy Vary is a fashionable European resort, and the costs for food and accommodation fully correspond to its high popularity.

However, every tourist will find cafes and restaurants to their liking at the resort. When choosing a place for dining, pay attention to the signboards. As a rule, establishments characterized by excellent service and high prices are called restaurants.

If you see the word Restaurace or Ristorante (such a sign in the Czech Republic is found on Italian restaurants and pizzerias), you are looking at a restaurant. Hospoda, hospůdka, and hostinec are traditional names for a restaurant in the Czech Republic. The most budget-friendly are beer halls and pubs (pivnice, pivní bar), but these places are crowded and noisy.

Prices in cafes and restaurants in Karlovy Vary 2023

Let's consider in detail the prices in local catering establishments of all described categories.

The very atmosphere of Karlovy Vary is conducive to a luxurious holiday when you want to put on an evening gown and visit some expensive restaurant. There are many similar places at the resort. As a rule, the most costly are located at five-star hotels of the same name. A meal in an expensive restaurant costs min. 80 euros per person.

Dinner at a mid-price restaurant will cost 350–500 CZK ($10-20). For example, we have chosen the cost of dishes from the menu to give you an idea of ​​how much lunch or dinner costs. Please note that the prices may vary depending on the restaurant and the seasonality.

• Beef goulash with bread dumplings — $10
• Pork schnitzel with mashed potatoes — $12
• Chicken paprikash with spaetzle — $11
• Roast pork with sauerkraut and dumplings — $13
• Fried cheese with tartar sauce and fries — $8
• Grilled chicken breast with vegetables and rice — $14
• Beef sirloin with cream sauce and dumplings — $16
• Fried calamari with garlic sauce and salad — $12
• Grilled salmon with mashed potatoes and spinach — $18
• Beef stroganoff with rice — $15
• Fried chicken wings with BBQ sauce and fries — $9
• Vegetable risotto with parmesan cheese — $10
• Fried shrimp with sweet chili sauce and rice — $14
• Caesar salad with grilled chicken — $9
• Spaghetti carbonara with bacon and parmesan cheese — $11
• Grilled pork tenderloin with mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes — $15
• Fried pork ribs with honey mustard sauce and fries — $13
• Beef burger with cheddar cheese and fries — $10
• Margherita pizza with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese —$8
• Hawaiian pizza with ham, pineapple, and mozzarella cheese — $10

From 12:00 to 15:00, pay attention to the signs at the entrance to cafes and restaurants. Some offer set lunch menus for 250-350 CZK ($10-$15) at this time.

Budget cafes are not distinguished by the beauty of their interiors, speed of service, and style of food plating. But the prices attract not only tourists but also the locals. A set lunch in an inexpensive beer house will cost about 200 CZK. The price usually includes soup, main course, and salad. The average bill in an inexpensive pub is 250-300 CZK ($10-$13) per person. So, some prices in cafes in Karlovy Vary:

• Bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon — $8
• Croissant with ham and cheese — $5
• Greek yogurt with honey and nuts — $4
• Avocado toast with poached egg — $7
• Pancakes with maple syrup and bacon — $6
• French toast with berries and whipped cream — $5
• Caesar salad with grilled chicken — $9
• Caprese salad with mozzarella and tomatoes — $7
• Quiche Lorraine with salad — $6
• Beef burger with cheddar cheese and fries — $10
• Margherita pizza with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese — $8
• Hawaiian pizza with ham, pineapple, and mozzarella cheese — $10
• Grilled chicken sandwich with fries — $7
• Club sandwich with bacon and turkey — $8
• Vegetable soup with bread — $4
• Tomato soup with croutons — $5
• Cappuccino — $3
• Latte — $4
• Hot chocolate — $4
• Iced tea — $3

Photo: pixabay.com

Street food is popular in Karlovy Vary, and it's a great way to satisfy your hunger quickly and inexpensively. In the center of town, near drinking springs and other attractions, you'll find stalls selling Czech street food. Be sure to try pečené vepřové koleno, sweets, pastries, Czech sausages, grilled cheese, and, of course, beer.

Here is a brief overview of the cost of street food:

•     trdelnik — min. 80 CZK;
•     big burgers — 150 CZK;
•     Hot dog — 120-150 CZK;
•     Czech sausages with sauces and bread — 150 CZK;
•     salads — min. 100 CZK
•     focaccia — 130 CZK;
•    Karlovarské oplatky, 1 pc. — 20 CZK;
•     ice cream— 45-50 CZK.

You can also grab a bite to eat at one of the many fast-food restaurants in the resort. A cheeseburger at McDonald's costs 42 CZK, and a Big Mac menu costs 105 CZK.

Here are the top 5 fast food restaurants in Karlovy Vary:

• New York Burger & Chicken — This restaurant offers a variety of burgers, chicken sandwiches, and fries. It is rated as the best fast food restaurant in Karlovy Vary on multiple platforms.
• McDonald's — This global fast food chain is also present in Karlovy Vary and offers burgers, fries, and other fast food items.
• Cartago Kebab — This restaurant offers kebabs, falafel, and other Middle Eastern fast food items.
• Rad's Baguettes — This cafe offers baguettes, sandwiches, and other quick bites.
• KFC — This restaurant offers burgers, fresh fried chicken, fries, and other fast food items.

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The Czech Republic is one of the countries with democratic prices. In chain supermarkets, the cost of products is lower than the European average. However, going to Karlovy Vary, you should consider that the resort is very popular. Therefore, there are stores near tourist attractions where prices are highly inflated.

The most budget-friendly type of food is self-cooking. In this case, it is advisable to rent apartments with a kitchennete and buy products at the supermarkets.

Food prices in Karlovy Vary 2023

In this section, we look at how much groceries cost in Karlovy Vary. For example, we have found some prices from the websites of local supermarkets.

Name	Q-ty	Price, CZK
Lemons	1 kg	50
Grapes	1 kg	60-70
Apples	1 kg	35
Bananas	1 kg	25
Tangerines	1 kg	35
Tomatoes	1 kg	40
Cabbage	1 kg	13
Cucumbers	1 pc.	20
Onions	1 kg	32
Potatoes	1 kg	17-25
Ham (portion pack)	100 g	25
Battered Sausage	1 pc.	15
Hunter's sausage	1 kg	200
Ham	1 kg	220
Chicken sausage	1 kg	190
Sausages	1 kg	99
Smoked sausage	1 kg	230
Pork	1 kg	150
Chicken	1 kg	120
Chicken thighs	1 kg	100
Chicken fillet	1 kg	220
Chicken liver	1 kg	100
Milk	1 l	15
Cottage cheese	250 g	27
Yoghurt	250 g	14
Eden cheese	1 kg	200
Mozzarella cheese	125 g	25
Butter	1 kg	160
Ice cream	1 kg	89-200
Eggs	10 pcs.	30
Pasta	500 g	25
Spaghetti	500 g	35
Mayonnaise	250 g	58
Ketchup	500 g	60
Baguette	110 g	13
Bun	65 g	4.9
Cookies	50 g	8
Peanuts in chocolate	90 g	23
Sour cream	220 g	16
Sunflower oil	1 l	37-50
Flour	1 kg	17
Cream	200 g	25
Cod liver	115 g	66

Photo: pixabay.com

The famous Czech resort has many shopping centers, stores, and shops. Their windows beckon and mesmerize with their bright glitter. The eyes are dazzled by a vast choice of souvenirs, interior products, and tableware. Karlovy Vary is world-famous for Bohemian crystal, glass, and porcelain. In the local shopping centers, you can buy everything your heart desires: appliances, clothes, household goods, food. Let us briefly list the largest supermarkets.

Here is the list of supermarkets that can be found in Karlovy Vary:

• Hypermarket Globus: This is a very large supermarket located on the outskirts of town. It carries a wide variety of everything, including food, clothing, and household items.
• Albert Supermarket: There are several Albert Supermarkets in Karlovy Vary, and they are known for their fresh produce and bakery items.
• Tesco Hypermarket: This is a large supermarket located at Chebská 370/81A in Karlovy Vary. It offers a wide range of products, including food, clothing, and household items.
• Kaufland Karlovy Vary (Sokolovská 1019/148, 360 05 Karlovy Vary 5-Rybáře). It is a German hypermarket chain, part of the Schwarz Gruppe which also owns Lidl.
• Billa: This is a well-known supermarket chain in the Czech Republic that offers a wide range of products, including food, household items, and personal care products. It is located in the shopping center Obchodní centrum Perla at T. G. Masaryka 2023/10, 360 01 Karlovy Vary.

There are also several markets in the resort. The Central City Market is the largest of them; it is a large covered pavilion with market rows. The markets sell fresh vegetables, fruit, herbs, and farm products. By the way, in Czech, fruit is "ovoce" and vegetables are called "zelenina".

Photo: pixabay.com

Karlovy Vary is a famous European spa resort with a rich history. All conditions for a full-fledged rest and treatment have been created here. When planning your trip, you can easily find any accommodation and type of food.

In the city with therapeutic springs, some sanatoriums promise not only a pleasant vacation but also treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Such sanatoriums should provide dietary food. However, its quality and variety can vary greatly depending on the institution.

Currently, only some hotels provide their guests with a classic therapeutic and preventive diet plan, and the rest offer three or four dietary dishes in the general menu. In addition, no one ensures the nutritionist's instructions are strictly followed.

The food in the hotels in Karlovy Vary is designed for Europeans and is not distinguished by culinary delights. Most often, the meals are organized according to one of three meal plans:

• à la carte;
• Buffet breakfasts and a la carte lunch and dinner;
• "all-inclusive" concept.

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One of the critical questions that concern parents of young travelers is how to organize meals on vacation. The younger the traveler, the more problematic the trip seems. We assure you that there is no cause for great excitement.

Undoubtedly, the local cuisine cannot be attributed to light and dietary. Most dishes are unsuitable for children: they are too fatty and caloric. However, cafes and restaurants in Karlovy Vary often offer diet menus from which you can always choose something for your child.

Among the national dishes, try to offer your children svíčková on sour cream, bramboračka (hearty and incredibly flavorful Czech potato soup made with root vegetables, onions, and potatoes), baked sausages, and trdelnik for dessert.

In every store and supermarket, you will find a familiar assortment of baby food and milk formulae. Prices for food in Karlovy Vary depend on the store's location: the highest prices are in small stores and stores near crowds of tourists. Therefore, it is better to go to a large chain supermarket for baby food.

To make your vacation as comfortable as possible, Kidpassage has prepared some helpful tips:

• Shops are open from 9:00 to 18:00 on weekdays, on Saturdays — from 9:00 to 14:00, and some are closed on Sundays. Supermarkets are open until 21:00-22:00.
• Dairy products in Karlovy Vary are excellent for baby food, as they meet the high standards of the European Union.
• Czech koruna, euros, and bank cards are accepted for payment.
• If you decide to undergo a water treatment course, you should follow a special diet.
• Be careful when reading the menu. Often, cafes and restaurants in Karlovy Vary make a profit on the inexperience and inattention of visitors. For example, there may often be bread, sauces, or appetizers on the tables for which an additional charge is made.

Photo: pixabay.com

After walks and exciting excursions, you will surely want to visit a restaurant to get a closer look at Czech culinary traditions. We want to share with you a small list of the best restaurants in Karlovy Vary.

Bagel Lounge Karlovy Vary. This cafe and street food restaurant is a great option for families looking for a quick and tasty bite to eat. They offer a variety of bagels, sandwiches, and salads, as well as coffee and other beverages.

Tusculum. This international and European restaurant is a great option for families looking for a more upscale dining experience. They offer a variety of dishes, including seafood, steak, and pasta, as well as a kids' menu.

Pizzeria Palermo. This Italian restaurant is a local favorite and is known for its authentic Neapolitan-style pizza. They also offer a variety of other Italian dishes, including pasta and seafood.

Le Marche. This restaurant offers a mix of Czech and international cuisine, including seafood, steak, and pasta. They also have a kids' menu and offer outdoor seating.

Becherplatz Pivovar Karel IV is a restaurant located in the heart of the town. It is decorated with echoes of the ancient history of the city. The restaurant has its own brewery.

Smíchovský pavilion is a famous restaurant that is loved not only by the guests of Karlovy Vary but also by the citizens of Karlovy Vary. Each of its three rooms is decorated in its style. Here, you will taste the best traditional dishes prepared according to old recipes.

After analyzing the prices of food in Karlovy Vary, it is clear that the city offers a range of options for travelers with different budgets. While restaurants and cafes in the city center tend to be more expensive, there are many affordable options available in the outskirts of the city. Supermarkets are also a great option for travelers looking to save money on food. Overall, Karlovy Vary is a great destination for foodies, with a variety of traditional Czech dishes and international cuisine available. Travelers should plan their budget accordingly and consider exploring the city's many food options to make the most of their trip.

We hope that we have helped you to calculate your food expenses and to understand how to organize meals in Karlovy Vary. For a closer acquaintance with the spa, we offer you Kidpassage collection of family entertainments, "What to do with children in Karlovy Vary." Happy Journey to you!