You might expect that when you order fries with your ‘řízek’ (schnitzel), the waiter will bring a bottle of ketchup to the table. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen. If you want ketchup, you need to ask for it and pay for it. It’s not that the restaurant is trying to squeeze every dime out of you; it’s just that ketchup is considered an extra.
Here are a few other things that you might think are free but are not:
- Water. If you want water, you need to pay for it. They are not going to bring an ice-filled jug of water with glasses. When you ask for water, they are going to ask ‘Neparliva nebo parlivá?’ (‘Without bubbles or with bubbles?’—non-carbonated or carbonated.) If you want normal water, say ‘neparlivá’. The waiter will bring you a little bottle of water and a glass. He will open the bottle in front of you and pour the glass half-full. Refills are not free, and it is also more expensive than a half liter of beer.
- Ketchup. There are no ketchup bottles on the tables. Remember, if you want ketchup, you need to ask for it—even when you order fries. The ketchup is served in a little dish. Do not be gluttonous with the ketchup. If you run out and you still have a few fries left, you will have to order another little dish of ketchup.
- Coffee Refills. I have never been to a restaurant in Prague that served brewed coffee. It is always an espresso in the little dollhouse cup that you hold with your index finger and thumb. It’s not coffee; it’s more like a strong shot of caffeine. Refills are not free, and it is also more expensive than a half liter of beer.
- Buns. When you order soup, it will arrive with a basket full of fresh buns. Go ahead—eat all the buns you want. But when it’s time for the bill, be prepared to answer the waiter’s question: ‘Kolik hosky?’ (‘How many buns?’) You can try lying and say that you had two buns when you really had three, but because they cost only a few korunas each, it is probably not worth the sleepless nights of guilt.
- Tartar Sauce. It is a mandatory condiment for a few popular Czech dishes—fried cheese (‘smažený sýr’) and fried cauliflower (‘smažený kvetak’), for example. Were you to be offered these dishes at a Czech’s house, it would come with tartar sauce automatically. But at a restaurant you need to ask and pay for it.
- Salt and Pepper. Just in case you were wondering—they are free.
FAQs
Water treatment system is paid special attention, because the health of the nation depends on it. In a restaurant you can be served tap water in a carafe, but note that in some places it could cost you a fee comparable to the cost of a mug of beer.
Is tip included in Prague restaurants? ›
The tip may already be included in your bill
Service charges may be added to the bill automatically when you're in a restaurant, hotel or bar in Prague. Double check your bill before deciding whether or not to tip. In some countries adding a service charge is a common practice, in others less so.
How much is a water bottle in Prague? ›
Prices in Czechia
| bottle of mineral water 1.5 l | 15 CZK |
|---|
| bread | 20 – 40 CZK |
| telephone preselection | +420 |
| time zone | Central European time (+ 1:00 hour) |
| currency | CZK “Kč – Koruna česká” (27 CZK = 1 EUR) |
12 more rowsAccording to Sodexo, the average price for lunch in a restaurant in Czech Republic was 157 crowns in January 2022, two crowns more than December and 13 crowns higher than January 2021. In Prague, the average lunch price was 176 crowns, up 15 crowns year-on-year and the most expensive midday meal in the country.
Do you have to pay for toilets in Prague? ›
– Toilets are located in every Prague metro station and are staffed by cleaning personnel who usually charge users 10 Kc. – Restaurants and pubs around all the major sights are usually kind to nonpatrons who wish to use their facilities for a fee of 10 Kc to 20 Kc.
Do you pay for tap water in Prague? ›
Unlike in other European cities, in general, a carafe of water isn't automatically served with a meal in Prague restaurants. You can order a glass, but don't expect it to come cheap – a drink of water will cost more than a half litre of beer.
Is it rude to not tip for dine in? ›
“It's up to the discretion of the customer," and it's not strictly necessary to tip in a fast food or quick service restaurant. That's very different from service at a sit-down restaurant, she notes, where the expectation is still that patrons should leave a tip of between 15% and 20% of their bill.
Do most restaurants in Prague take credit cards? ›
All restaurants in the centre of Prague accept cash payment and most also accept payment by credit or debit card. If you are outside the tourist centre, you may only be able to pay in cash. Depending on your bank, you pay costs every time you use your debit or credit card.
Do you need cash in Prague? ›
If you come to Prague, it is always good to have some cash with you. Not much, Prague is a very card friendly city. However, just for your personal comfort and back up you should exchange at least a small portion of your budget to Czech Koruna / Czech Crown / CZK.
How much is a cup of coffee in Prague? ›
Depends on what kind of coffee and where you buy it. You should be able to get a good black coffee for about 50Kc. Lattes, mochas, and other "coffee plus other stuff" can be up to 100Kc and maybe more.
Is it cheap to eat out in Prague? Yes, compared to other European cities, eating out in Prague is relatively inexpensive. You can find a variety of budget-friendly options, from street food vendors to traditional pubs and restaurants. It's a great city for foodies on a budget!
Can Americans drink tap water in Prague? ›
Tap water is safe to drink all across the country, feel free to bring your reusable water bottle and fill it wherever. In special cases some water might not be drinkable, but there will always be a sign above the tap. In the Czech Republic, you pay with the Czech crown.
How much cash do I need for 3 days in Prague? ›
Not much, around 1000 CZK (ca 40 euro) but usually even less as we prefer card payments. If you plan paying cash in Prague, one person should have around 2000 – 2500 CZK / day. To cover all standard meals, drinks, tickets. But of course you can perfectly survive here with less than that.
Are there Ubers in Prague? ›
Choose the best ways to get around Prague
Consider Uber as an alternative to taxis when getting around Prague. With Uber, you can trade flagging down cabs for requesting rides on demand, no matter the time of day. Request a ride from an airport to a hotel, head to a restaurant, or visit another place.
How much is a Big Mac meal in Prague? ›
| THE PRICE OF: | PRICE CZK | £GBP |
|---|
| Big Mac, Medium Fries and co*ke | 180 | 6.0 |
| Pack of Marlboro | 120 | 4.0 |
| Grande Latte at Starbucks | 95 | 3.3 |
| Levis Red Tab men's jeans | 2500 | 86.2 |
1 more rowMost European restaurants have paid for water from a bottle or sparkling water, so the costs of buying bottled water are passed on to the customers. Plus, in general, waiters may find it rude to ask for a free drink when dining at their enterprise. After all, they are a business, and they are trying to make a profit.
How much does water cost in Prague? ›
The company estimates that in 2021, the average Prague resident will spend about 113 liters of water daily. This means that today, each citizen of Prague is paying about 12.22 crowns a day or 4,460 crowns a year for water and sewerage. From the new year, the cost will rise to 14.48 crowns a day or 5,285 crowns a year.
Do other countries charge for water at restaurants? ›
But if your travels bring you to Europe, the water situation may throw you for a loop. At most restaurants, you have to pay for it. While Americans are used to automatically being brought a complimentary glass of water before ordering their meal, in Europe, you have to ask for it.
How to ask for water in Czech? ›
If you want normal water, say 'neparlivá'. The waiter will bring you a little bottle of water and a glass.
