Celiac? Traveling to the Czech Republic?

Czech Republic is a place where people LOVE to eat dumplings, flour-infused meat sauces, and of course, beer! Czech Republic is a place where BEER is actually cheaper than water!!! How can a celiac possibly enjoy a safe gluten-free trip to Prague? Well, Celiac can enjoy a Trip to the Czech Republic without any worry!!! It is not going to be without effort, I am wont lie to you, but it is not impossible as well! Gluten-free Prague is possible, and I’m going to tell you how to find it!

Traditional Czech Cuisine

Traditional Czech dishes revolve around beer, dumplings, and meat that’s either fried or smothered in a roux – flour-thickened sauce. My husband always says, “It is hard to find a colorful salad.” Most of the dishes are cream and brown to him.

So if you’re gluten-free and going to Prague, you need to prepare a bit. It is not impossible to find a Gluten-Free version of places. They are popping out more and more every year. We try to go to the Czech Republic every year, and when we go, I always find new places I have not visited before. Gluten-Free is no hidden secret anymore like it used to be during the Communism era and many years later.

What meals will you see everywhere?

Below are the most common dishes Czech people consider traditional. There are many, many more, but that would be another whole article. These meals are not Gluten-Free unless you do go to restaurants, which focus on Gluten-Free meals. If you would like to cook them at home, some are easy, some not so much, but doable.

• Czech Schnitzel – Řízek
• Beef Meatloaf – Hovězí sekaná
• Chicken in Paprika Sauce – Kuře v paprikové omáčce
• Beef in Cream Sauce – Svičková na smetaně
• Bacon Dumplings – Spekové knedlíky

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How do you translate Gluten-Free to Czech language?

Since I grew up in the Czech Republic, it is natural for me to speak the language, of course. What about the person who doesn’t speak Czech? Do not be scared. Prague is a tourist city, and 90% of people will speak English or another language. Some people will not have perfect English, but you will be able to communicate.

Gluten-Free = Bezlepkový [á, é]

Gluten-free is ‘Bezlepkovy,’ and it is pronounced just like it is written in English. Many products also come from Germany. You will come across their marking gluten-frei on the packaging.

When you are shopping in-store, look for a green symbol that will say BEZ LEPKU. (without Gluten)

When you cannot communicate in English

You might travel to some small city in the Czech Republic. Be ready to meet people with not much English present. You should learn some simple sentences or have written down some easy words to help you.

I did come across some people who had no idea what Gluten-Free was and were trying to tell me that certain dishes contain “dairy” and I should not eat it. Yeah, I had to explain that dairy is not the problem.

You shouldn’t expect staff at most restaurants to have an in-depth understanding of gluten, much less not in their native language! Be patient with some people and be ready to pull google translate out and show what you really mean.

Helpful words

Below are the most used wheat ingredients in Czech. There are many more, but I think these will be very helpful for you as a resource to start with.

• Gluten – Lepek
• Wheat – Pšenice
• Semolina – Krupice
• Oats – Oves
• Spelt – Špalda
• Graham
• Rye – Žito
• Barley – Ječmen
• Malt in various forms including malted barley flour, malted milk or milkshakes, malt extract, malt syrup, malt flavoring, malt vinegar – Slad
• Brewer’s Yeast – Pivovarské kvasnice

• Contains Gluten – Obsahuje Lepek
• Does not contain Gluten – Neobsahuje Lepek
• Fried – Smažený [á, é]
• Flour – Mouka
• Bread – Chleb
• Wafer – Oplatka
• Bio – Organic

Is Beer is cheaper than water!

I personally do not drink beer, so my only option is water. In Czech is not typical to bring tap water to the table after you sit down. You have to ask for it, and you also might get “the eye” of surprise that you want to drink tap water. Czech people drink bottled water most of the time.

It will come in a glass bottle, and you will get two sips out of it in the summer heat!!! But when you order a beer, You get a bigger glass for the same or slightly lower price.

The bottle is usually 0.25L for about $3 +- / Note: You will pay for tap water in many places

For glass of draft beer which is usually 0.5L will go for about $2 +-

Gluten-Free Beer in Czech Republic

• Celia beer will please all celiacs who have to follow a gluten-free diet but do not want to give up this popular drink. The same raw materials are used for its production as ordinary Czech lagers – only the gluten content is below 0.5 mg / 100 ml. It is characterized by hop, earthy aroma, and initial sweetness, which perfectly complements the long-lasting balanced bitterness.
• Gluten-free Bernard – The beer has a reduced gluten content (max 20 mg/kg). The bitterness is medium, and the taste is slightly herbal with a spicy touch and a long aftertaste—a gluten-free version of typical Czech lagers.
• Ferdinand Brewery also thinks of all celiacs. They’ve been brewing a great gluten-free beer for some time. This classic bottom-fermented lager is characterized by a pleasant aroma with hints of malt, hops, and honey. Balanced medium bitterness and subtle tones of herbs permeate the entire body of the beer. Good thing!

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Desert, Dessert, Dessert…

Chimney Cake – Trdelník

I am a dessert person! The Czech Republic has many different kinds of delicious desserts. Sadly many of them are made with gluten. When you are in Prague, you will see Chimney Cakes ( Trdelnik ) sold everywhere! It is the best of the best. You can make it as big a Caloric bomb as you wish! Fill with Icecream or just plain empty with cinnamon sugar.

Are you asking if there is a place offering a Gluten-Free version? YES!!! There is! Right by Charles Bridge, Nearby Klementinum. I have written Post about a beautiful Day trip in Prague, where you will walk just past this amazing Bakery – GOOD FOOD, COFFE, AND BAKERY.

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My favorite Bakery

Also, It is not a far walk from Old town square to one of my favorite Gluten-Free bakeries. They have many traditional Czech desserts made Gluten-Free. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of this bakery since I have not been home for two years and recently started writing my blog. I would stop by at the bakery after all day cruising in Palladium – which is a multilevel shopping mall, and you might enjoy it as well.

The bakery is called Babiččina špíž, and they offer sandwiches, muffins, cakes, and even apple štrůdl! It is definitely worth stopping by!

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Supermarkets with Gluten-Free Items

You do not have to worry about shopping for snacks or small items at supermarkets at all! You will find almost all the big-name European supermarkets all through Prague or any city you will visit in the Czech Republic. Albert, Billa, Lidl, DM, or Tesco have a huge dedicated gluten-free section.

You can find practically anything you wish: bread, all kinds of pasta, chocolate, cereals, cookies, biscuits, and many more. The brands are usually the popular European brands Schar and Free From. All allergens are marked in bold in the Czech Republic.

My daughter always requests special treats to be sent by her Grandma from Czech in the package. She loves many treats there. These are her favorites.

Gluten-Free shops around Prague

• Sklizeno – Bakery goods
• Set bez lepku – Bakary goods
• Country Life – Grocery store

More blog posts about eating Gluten-Free in Prague

• Celiac? – 5 amazing restaurants in Prague Looking for restaurants in the Czech Republic Capitol? I put together a couple of my favorite restaurants in this blog.
• Celiac? – Coffee shops and Bakeries in Prague Looking for light snacks or lunch in the Czech Republic Capitol? I put together a couple of my favorite restaurants in this blog.

Easy day trips in Czech Republic

Are you planing trip to Czech Republic? Are you a bit overwhelm what place to go visit and see? I know there is so much to see and not just in Prague! The whole country is full of beautiful Gems. Here are couple of my blog posts to help you plan some day trips.

• The perfect day trip – Prague – In this blog post, you can plan an entire day trip for visiting Prague Castle and Lesser Town. I put places together which will help you to stay in one area and not to lose time by traveling from place to place.
• Romantic day trip to Prague – On this Day Trip, I follow the previous post but move to the Old town square and areas around.
• Lovely day trip – Kutna Hora – Kutna Hora is a favorite place for tourists to visit. You should definitely put it on your bucket list.

There you have it! Prague is an incredible place to visit. It is my birth home, and I love to come back year after year. My daughter is now celiac, which is making it a bit more interesting to search for favorite treats and meals, as I don’t eat regular stuff when we are together. As you can see, it is not that difficult to find places to eat at all!

You will experience a different side of Prague as you will be looking for specialty stores and restaurants. Also, you will go to places where you probably would not go searching for the perfect bakery where you can get the most delicious dessert and still eat gluten-free treats safely. Then you will look around and see another beautiful street ready to explore…

Enjoy the city and whole country!!!!

Until next time…!

DOBROU CHUT!

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