Fine dining the Czech way: Here's where to go for a tasting menu in Prague

"Tasting menu" is a worldwide term for serving food in several smaller portions. It has predetermined rules, chronology and grading, often declared as a kind of chef's selection in which you taste the best," explains Filip Trčka, guest ombudsman at Ambiente.

A tasting menu usually starts with appetizers, continues with lighter courses containing vegetables or fish, culminates with meat and ends with desserts. It is not usually possible to change the order of the courses and the composition, but the establishments are usually prepared for food allergies and other restrictions.

Some restaurants offer a tasting menu in parallel to the à la carte menu, so you can choose. However, there are also restaurants whose concept is based solely on the tasting menu – in the Czech Republic, these include the Michelin-starred La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise and Field, the newly opened Štangl restaurant or Entrée in Olomouc.

Tasting menu, or tasting dinner?

The term "tasting menu" can be confused with "tasting" or "tasting dinner". According to Filip Trčka, such terms do not officially exist in gastronomy. "The term tasting is often used to refer to a sampling of the offered courses, food or drink. It has no rules (except perhaps a guided wine tasting), each guest can take what they wants, change the order of courses and skip or repeat them. However, it has nothing to do with a tasting menu," says Filip, adding that at Pizza Nuova and Brasileiro, tastings are also enriched with the all you can eat concept. Guests can try whatever they want from all the dishes on offer.

The tasting menu is an experience in which there is no shortage of surprises in the form of an unannounced amouse bouche or extra mini chips. It's also worth giving the wine or non-alcoholic pairings a chance to take the experience up a notch.

Here's the order of the day

Time to put your faith in the chefs. Here are a few tips for establishments where everything goes like clockwork:

La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise

It might be nicknamed "Degustace" ("The Tasting"), but it's one of those restaurants that offers a fixed menu. For lunch or dinner, they'll serve you five tasting courses, with wine or non-alcoholic pairings. Since 2012, the team led by chef Oldřich Sahajdák has held a Michelin star – but don't expect any lobsters or oysters! The chefs here impressed the Michelin commissioners with their distinctive take on Czech cuisine in a fine dining style, using only local and seasonal ingredients.

Alma

This is a very strong hit on the Prague gastro scene! Alma is a complex including a restaurant, bar and café where you can spend the whole day and fully enjoy not only the culinary art, but also the interestingly designed space inside a historic house in Prague's Old Town. The restaurant, which is run by the people behind Vinohrady-based rotisserie Kro Kitchen, tempts with an à la carte menu and a five-course tasting menu.

Field

Field is the second Michelin-starred restaurant in Prague, and there are several tasting menu options to choose from. For lunch, go for either the two- or three-course version – it's a fine choice for those who don't have time to sit for long and want to sample at least some of chef Radek Kašpárek's cuisine. Dinner is a six-course or even a ten-course menu. You can choose between two types of wine or non-alcoholic pairing for each of them.

Štangl

Chef Martin Štangl has moved to Štangl – yes, you read that right! The top floor of Karlín's Eska bistro and bakery has been transformed into a separate restaurant, named after the chef whose focus and attitude set the direction here. The restaurant serves guests a three-course or six-course tasting menu. And what to expect from Štangl? The menu continues the same concept as Eska, using only local ingredients, fermented and preservation. Go and see for yourself!

Marie B

Ambiente's new venture claims to be the "La Degustation's sister with attitude", and they're right! Only a restaurant with a good dose of attitude can afford to serve a four-course menu without a menu – you won't know exactly what you're eating until you've finished your course. There are no traditional tables here – instead, diners sit in a circle around the kitchen. Everything is shrouded in mystery, even the entrance to the restaurant is easy to miss. Here, the term "tasting menu" takes on a whole new meaning here.

Sansho

This inconspicuous place on a small patch in the Petrská quarter has had a firm place on the Prague gastronomic scene for many years. You can enjoy the local Asian fusion cuisine in the form of a tasting menu in several variations – choose from meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan versions. Would you like a little of everything? Order the "surf & turf" option! All options include five starters and a main course with several types of side dishes. If you are one of those who need something sweet to complete the experience, choose the "funky" option with three starters, a main course and dessert.

Taro

The tasting menu concept doesn't shy away from Vietnamese cuisine either. Smíchov's Taro serves it for lunch and dinner – at noon you can enjoy four courses, in the evening take your time with the eight-course menu. Both menus offers vegetarian options. And since they have an open kitchen, they'll prepare Vietnamese dishes in a fine dining style right in front of your eyes.

Everything is allowed here.

There's something for everyone. Swipe through, add what you like best, or take advice and give something completely new a chance.

Brasileiro

Brasileiro U Zelené žáby and Brasileiro Slovanský dům have become legendary for good reason. Here, you know you'll leave stuffed to the brim with the best that Brazilian cuisine has to offer. The passadores simply won't stop until you've said enough! Pick up your appetizers, sushi and sides at the salad bar, and then look out for the meat – Argentinian beef, pork, lamb, fish, shrimp and seafood. All you can eat tasting is the only thing on the menu.

Pizza Nuova

Fancy a whole Neapolitan pizza, or a slice of each type? Here, you can get both. Pizza Nuova offers an à la carte menu plus three types of tastings – a selection of starters and salads from the salad bar, or a Naples tasting in which you sample pizza and homemade pasta. The Campania tasting includes an appetizer buffet and a pizza and pasta tasting. All of this in an all you can eat format. If you choose one of the tastings, the waiters will come to you regularly with pieces of freshly baked pizza and fresh homemade pasta. Starters, side dishes and salads are available for you to pick up at the salad bar.

Beyond Prague

It pays to travel for good food – and for a well-crafted tasting menu, doubly so!

Entrée

Take the train to chef Přemek Forejt's restaurant in Olomouc – the restaurant is located just a short walk from the train station. In addition, you will be able to enjoy one of the three tasting menus with wine pairing. The menu at Entrée changes frequently, but it's always an adventure with no shortage of surprises and sudden twists – you'll be treated to a three-course lunchtime menu.

Essens

The gastronomic treasure of South Moravia is hidden in the Lednice-Valtice area. Otto Vašák, who scored in the current ranking of the 10 best chefs according to Forbes magazine, rules the kitchen here. In Prague, he went through the tough school of Michelin chef Oldřich Sahajdák at La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise – and then decided to put his experience to good use in his own business. And he's succeeding! Take a trip and see for yourself.

Papilio

It's the same fairytale as Essens here, but this time you don't have to travel so far because Papilio is just outside Prague in Vysoké Újezd. Chef Jan Knedla learned from Michelin chefs around the world, and if the commissioners could include non-Prague establishments in the guide, Papilio would definitely be a hot candidate! At least that's what the rumours say. Choose from a generous tasting menu – 3, 6, 8, and 10 courses to decide between, all with wine pairings. Tip: An attraction is the so-called chef's table – if you book it, you can watch the chef in action.