I never expected for it to be love at first sight when I arrived in Brno. But somehow, this incredible city had me fascinated from the moment we were introduced and, over time, it kept on speaking to me, seemingly calling me back over and over.
One of the reasons that I love Brno is the incredible gastronomic experiences I had in the city. The restaurants in Brno are second to none, with amazing chefs that serve the most exquisite dishes. The city is a dream for any foodie who wants to embark on a journey of flavours time and time again.
Having visited the city several times, I thought it was time to write this guide sharing my thoughts on where to eat in Brno. I’ll be highlighting my favourite restaurants and the experiences I had dining at each of them. I must admit, I have been looking forward to writing this for some time.
The Food Scene in Brno
Brno has one of the most fascinating food scenes I have ever encountered during my travels. It almost feels impossible to have a bad food experience in Brno, I certainly didn’t. Yes it’s a small city, but there are so many amazing restaurants in Brno that serve everything from local Czech cuisine to sushi and the most delicious Vietnamese dishes. Which is surprising, I know.
Vietnamese, in the Czech Republic? Well, yes!
A few years ago I went on a great food tour in Prague, where I learned that Czechia is home to the largest Vietnamese community in Europe. Vietnamese restaurants are usually family run businesses, with recipes that are carefully passed down the generations, taking special care that they remain intact and therefore authentic. I’ve had the best Vietnamese food outside of Vietnam in Brno. While sipping pho from a wooden spoon, I was transported back to Vietnam, on the busy streets of Hanoi, sitting on a tiny chair on the pavement, as my taste buds went on an incredible journey of flavours within the bowl of soup in front of me. The pho wasn’t made in a professional kitchen but right there, on the side of the road, in a giant pot, by a Vietnamese woman who kept stirring and adding ingredients to the pot, keeping it topped up as she was selling it.
Brno is home to some amazing fusion restaurants as well, where chefs are playing with ingredients, transforming them into the most incredible dishes. Brno is also home to classic Czech restaurants that serve traditional Czech dishes, as well as great beer straight from the tank. These restaurants usually have a set, affordable lunch menu, where for under 150 Czech Korunas you can enjoy a delicious two course meal.
If you are a vegetarian, you will definitely want to visit Brno, as there are plenty of restaurants that cater for non-meat eaters, as well as different intolerances. And the food is delicious! As someone who is not vegetarian, I truly enjoyed the flavours of the vegan food I tried in Brno.
But this is not all. Brno is also home to fantastic Asian restaurants, breakfast bistros, cafes, and incredible bars. It seriously is food heaven.
The Traditional Czech Cuisine
I am very fond of the traditional Czech cuisine because, in a way, it is similar to that of my home country. In both there are many comfort dishes starring pork, which is the king in both cuisines. Classic Czech dishes are hearty and decadent, with rich sauces and lots of meat.
The national dish of Czechia is the svickova which consists of perfectly roasted sirloin steak served in an indulgent creamy sauce, with bread dumplings and cranberry jam. Roast pork served with sauerkraut and dumplings is another very popular Czech dish. Roast duck leg with red cabbage and dumplings is also in high demand on the traditional Czech pub menus. Even the soups in Czechia are meat heavy, with Zelňačka being one of the most popular ones.
When it comes to desserts, you can’t miss the koláče – an open pastry filled with fruit jam. The plum dumplings are another unmissable dessert. They are indulgent and luscious.
My Picks For the Best Restaurants in Brno
Retro Consistorium
I had my first dinner ever in Brno at the elegant Retro Consistorium. I arrived in Brno after a long day, visiting Mikulov in the morning, Valtice and Lednice in the afternoon. I was on a road trip around South Moravia, and arrived in Brno very tired and hungry.
The weather was lovely so I decided to sit at one of the tables on the outdoor terrace, overlooking the street. I could hear the music from the concert happening in the nearby Cabbage Market Square, and, over a glass of Moravian wine, it was the perfect background noise.
I ordered the salmon gravadlax to start with, which was beautifully presented on the plate. The salmon was cubed and mixed with crème fraiche, placed over a thin flatbread. It was topped with fresh beetroot, a water biscuit, and a dollop of more crème fraiche. The dish was truly delightful.
However, the true highlight of the dinner was the main course—the grilled lamb ossobuco. It was served alongside a delicate sweet potato puree, roasted cauliflower and broccoli, and an oregano demi glace. Just thinking about it brings back memories of those incredible flavours. The lamb itself was cooked flawlessly, incredibly tender and juicy. The sweetness of the puree perfectly complemented the fresh herbs infused in the demi glace, resulting in a perfect fusion with the lamb. It was pure culinary perfection!
Domovina
Domovina is a tiny Vietnamese restaurant that only opens for lunch, located near to Cabbage Market. They only have a few tables inside, alongside with a counter against the wall, so if you want to dine here, be sure to arrive early. Many people also come here for takeaways too.
Domovina is a family run restaurant that has a small menu, consisting mostly of personal recipes. The dishes are very fragrant, with a perfect balance of fresh ingredients in their cooking.
I went for one of the specials of the day, the Cơm Gà Chiên bowl. The dish consisted of crispy battered chicken in an orange sauce, served on a bed of rice and topped with pickled red onion, pickled carrot sticks, spring onion, sprouts, and coriander. It was served alongside a bowl of soy sauce with sesame seeds, which I dipped the rice into. The food was delicious and plentiful for lunch. I could see into the kitchen which I really enjoyed as I could see the food being prepared.
Soul Bistro
Soul Bistro was another great find, for a light and delicious lunch in Brno. Whilst their menu does have chicken and fish dishes, they also serve a large selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes, as well as homemade lemonades.
I went for the rice bowl with marinated tofu, pickled and fresh vegetables, lime mayo and sesame seeds. The pickled onions and the lime mayo brought all the other elements of the dish together. I really enjoyed the addition of the sesame seeds, which added a delicate crunch to the rice bowl. It was very tasty and so big that I struggled to finish it.
The bistro stays open all day long. They serve breakfast in the morning, as well as lunch and dinner. They take advantage of local ingredients, with the menu changing with each season.
Lokal U Caipla
I have loved Lokal U Caipla since my first visit to Brno. This no frills brewery serves comfort food and has an affordable lunch menu where you can enjoy a soup and a main course for the equivalent of a fiver.
I tried their tripe soup as a starter, which is one of my favourites back in Romania. In Czechia though it is made differently, with a strong garlic flavour which I really liked. For the main, I went for the minced pork schnitzel, as it sounded intriguing. I have never tried schnitzel that was made from minced meat before – not even from pork, as usually the meat used for schnitzel is veal or chicken. But the gamble paid off, as the dish was delicious. The schnitzel had a lovely crust on the exterior and the softest, creamiest interior. It came with creamy mashed potatoes and slices of tangy pickles.
Atelier Bistro
Whilst I didn’t get a chance to taste the menu from Atelier, I did experience their hospitality and next time I visit Brno, because there is always going to be a next time, I will go there for dinner as well. Atelier Bistro came recommended to me by many locals, and I wish I had enough days and three of me to try all the restaurants in Brno I wanted to. Unfortunately I’m just one, and only have one stomach.
I ended up at Atelier one late evening, randomly, when I was walking down the street with my guide. The bartender from Atelier was in front of the venue, and recognised my guide. He proceeded to invite us both inside for a drink, to celebrate his new venture with a glass of an exquisite blanc de blanc.
I noticed the modern, minimalistic interior, and some of the plates of food going out, with perfectly presented dishes. The atmosphere seemed very relaxed and friendly.
U Tomana
During my last trip to Brno I stayed just above U Tomana, in one of their incredible themed apartments overlooking Freedom Square. The downstairs restaurant was always busy and as I was coming in and out the building I could see the delicious plates of food and the large glasses of beer moving from the kitchen to the tables. So I decided to eat here as well one evening.
I ordered one of their specialities, beef cheeks braised in red wine, served alongside root vegetables and buttery mashed potatoes. To go with it, I chose their in house brewed Emanuelova, a 10% pale lager. It is interesting that the names of the beers brewed at U Tomana have been inspired by the former residents of the building the restaurant and the apartments are in.
The beef cheeks were so soft and tender that there was no need for a knife to cut through them. The meat was simply melting in my mouth. The flavour was intense and indulgent, even more so with the comfort of creamy mashed potatoes.
Forkys
Forkys was the first completely vegan restaurant I ever dined at. And it didn’t disappoint. I liked it so much that I returned here during my several trips to Brno, and recommended it to my vegan friends, who also loved it. I have a very good friend who has several allergies and also doesn’t like meat. She went to Forkys as well and loved it because their menu doesn’t only offer meat substitute options, but also plenty of dishes created with vegan only ingredients, such as Thai curries or rice bowls. They also have raw desserts, which were a hit with my egg-allergic friend.
The concept of Forkys is a healthy fast food. I have tried a few of their dishes and I was impressed by the array of options available. As a meat eater, I went for meat substitutes, which I thought were so well done. The vegan chicken bites tasted like the real thing, whilst the burger was juicy and flavoursome.
They also make lovely drinks, and I highly recommend the homemade lavender lemonade. On a hot August evening, it was a perfect option to cool down, whilst dining on their outdoor terrace.
Ramen
Ramen is a small Japanese restaurant in Brno, offering four different types of ramen to choose from, as well as a small selection of snacks. Located outside of the old town, close to the Mendel Museum, Ramen has an open kitchen and prepares all dishes fresh to order.
I went for the classic pork tonkatsu, which is one of my all time ramen favourite flavours. The broth has a deep flavour, with a lovely saltiness and a creamy texture. The pork was cooked perfectly, and I really liked the tea pickled egg. I was surprised to find sweetcorn as a topping, but it worked with the flavours, bringing a bit of sweetness to the finished dish.
The only thing that I didn’t quite get about this restaurant was the order first – sit down later concept, which is a little chaotic. When I arrived it was quite full and I was unsure whether I would get a table or not. But I needn’t have worried, this is their system and they manage it somehow, the food is well worth waiting for.
Pivovar Harry
I attended an event at Pivovar Harry, where I could try some of their dishes as well as their own inhouse brewed beers. Pivovar Harry is a small privately owned business by Harry and Tamara, who, according to their websites, like to brew their own beer. The brewery has a large bar and a garden to enjoy the beer al fresco, during the summer months.
They have a large selection of lager as well as special beers on tap, but they also serve wine and their own homemade shots.
The food I tried was very good. They have a selection of snacks to go with beer, such as slices of bread topped with pork crackling, sausages, or grilled cheese. As mains, you can’t go wrong with the beef tartar, which is served alongside chili, onion, cucumbers and mustard. Their spare ribs are a must try, they were epic.
Stopkova Plzeňská Pivnice
This restaurant was recommended to me by a local Brno foodie, so I had to add it to my best places to eat in Brno. I went there quite early on a Friday evening, and noticed that most of the tables were already reserved. And this is a very big place, so that says something about the popularity of the restaurant and the quality of the food. I found a small table just by the bar, and was immediately offered the menu.
Stopkova Plzeňská Pivnice is a very old Czech pub, dating from the second half of the 19th century. The décor inside has been well preserved over the centuries, no matter the renovations the building went through.
They serve Pilsner Urquell straight from the beer tanks, and you can tell, as it tastes so refreshing. I, of course, ordered one large pint to go with my dinner. When it comes to food, I ordered the traditional Moravske vrabec, which is a speciality of the Brno area.
The Moravian sparrow, as the name of the dish translates to, is not made with sparrows but with pork, which is roasted with garlic and onions, and served with bread and bacon dumplings, red cabbage and sauerkraut. The portion was huge and the dish delicious, the meat was so tender that it just melted in my mouth.
Go Brno
If you are looking for a Vietnamese street food restaurant, then you should check out Go Brno. I stumbled upon this small but very vibrant eatery on my second visit to Brno. A full restaurant usually means that the food is great, and this was the case here. I was lucky to get a table, as when I arrived someone was just finishing their meal.
The menu at Go Brno has a lot of Vietnamese classics, such as Pho, Banh Mi sandwiches, rice bowls, and vermicelli noodles with different toppings. I was torn between ordering the Bún bò Huế, a delicious spicy soup with pork and a predominant lemongrass flavour, and the Bun Cha Hanoi, a typical dish from the north of Vietnam that incorporates a little bit of everything on the plate. I ended up ordering the latter, which did not disappoint.
The dish was presented on a platter and was a journey of tasty flavours, with rice noodles and grilled pork, spring rolls with prawns and pork, shredded greens, herbs, as well as a yummy fish sauce based dip. My companion had the pork egg fried rice, which was very tasty too.
Eggo Food Truck & Bistro
Eggo is the perfect little breakfast bar to go to after a long night out at the best bars in Brno. This tiny place started as a food truck, but now they have their own premises in the old town centre of Brno. They serve the most insane breakfast burgers filled with crispy bacon, runny fried eggs, and the most indulgent melted cheese on top.
Since I first visited them, for a plentiful breakfast, they have expanded and are now serving late brunch, as well as early dinners. Some of the dishes they feature are steak and fries, fried chicken with mashed potatoes and cheese sauce, or mac & cheese chili sandwiches. They’ve been busy and have got very creative with their menu, and after tasting their dishes, I doubt you will ever have a bad meal here.
U Mamlasu
U Mamlasu is a great place to meet with friends for a beer and their incredible beer accompaniment platters. This restaurant is located in Freedom Square and has a nice terrace outside as well. It is quite a big restaurant and they have their own beer tanks from which they serve draft Pilsner Urquell.
The stars of the menu are the platters though. They vary from grilled fillets to roast chicken, from beef tartare to pork ribs and chicken wings. The prices are very affordable as well, with a sharing board costing no more than the equivalent of £25. The largest platter has an incredible 1,7 kg of meat on it!
Jakoby
Jakoby is a great restaurant with a pretty terrace just opposite the St Jacob’s Church in the centre of Brno. In summer, in St Jacob’s square there are a lot of music events taking place, which you can enjoy from the restaurant’s terrace whilst having dinner or enjoying a glass of beer.
I stumbled upon it whilst looking for a typical Czech restaurant to eat at. Jacoby does serve Czech classics, such as Svickova and Olomoucké tvarůžky cheese from nearby Olomouc, but also more modern dishes using locally sourced seasonal ingredients.
I was awed by how the pork chop was described, and couldn’t resist ordering it. The pork was served on a bed of autumn vegetables and mashed purple potatoes, alongside a rich, deep sauce. The pork chop was grilled to perfection, juicy and lean, with a slight smoky flavour. I enjoyed every mouthful.
Fore more articles about Moravia check out my recommendations below:
- Going on a road trip around South Moravia
- How to spend one day in Brno
- The best things to do in Olomouc
- The best bars in Brno
- The best cafes in Brno
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Please note that was invited to Brno by the tourism board, and some of the experiences have been complimentary. However, I am having full control of the content of this article. All the opinions and thoughts in this article are genuine and have no external influence.
Brno sounds like a gastronomical delight. I love the Vietnamese pho on a good winter day, would be good to try in Czechia. The traditional dish svickova would also be on my list. I like the idea of the soup too at Local U Kaipla! Thanks for sharing so many options at Brno, will make it a stop in my next visit in Czech.
It’s an interesting fact about the largest Vietnamese community in Europe found in Czechia. And no wonder you found the best Vietnamese food there outside of Vietnam. I think the tripe soup at Local U Kaipla sounds intriguing. Apparently, it’s not only in Poland you can find tripe soup. I, too, never heard about chop schnitzel. But it looks delicious, as well as the mashed potatoes, and you have proved it.
Wow! Glad to know that the Brno offers a wide selection of cuisines. By the way, they all look delicious and I would love to try the Beef Cheeks Raised in Red Wine from U Tomana.
My husband loves Vietnamese food so, will also make sure to check out Go Brno too. Anyway, I bookmarked this post for future reference. Thank you for sharing this awesome list of restaurants. This definitely made me hungry.
What an array of delicous and colorful foods you have listed! I have not been to Brno or Czech republic yet, but Brno food is certainly inviting. I am pleasantly surprised that Czechia is the most favored European country the Vietnamese have moved into. My favorites among the foods you have described are Cơm Gà Chiên bowl – love the vegetables that go with the chicken, and the rice bowl with marinated tofu from Soul Bistro – so colorful. The burgers from Eggo food truck look perfect for breakfast. 🙂
I took the Train from Prague to Vienna and it stopped in Brno, had no Idea this city had so many amazing places to eat, wish I had gotten off atleast for a day or so.
Well, you managed to peak my interest to check out Brno – because I just love places to go for a foodie trip. I am a big fan of Vietnamese food and reading your description about street food. Domovina, Forkys Soul Bistro, Ramen and Go Brno are now firmly on my list! Thank you for this helpful blog post!
I must admit I was not looking forward to the food in the Czech Republic before we visited – too heavy and sauced. And I was proved wrong when we got there. Even if we did not try the Vietnamese foods! But we are meat eaters so we never went hungry on our visit. We wish we found more vegetarian restaurants to add some needed veggies to our diet. Will keep Soul Bistro in mind if we get to Brno. Hubby would have loved to try the in-house brewed beers at Pivovar Harry. Lots of variety to meet all needs is you look for it.
As a vegan I feel like I need to visit Brno after reading your post!