Here's why Brno, Czechia, needs to be your next foodie city break! Brno’s food scene is an unsung hero, whether you’re visiting for a weekend or settling in for a longer stay. This city is packed with culinary gems that will quickly become the highlight of your trip. I recently visited for a festive city break to explore the Christmas markets, but quickly learned that there is so much more to this city that has left me longing to return.
Brno is one of Central Europe’s most underrated food cities. While Prague often steals the spotlight, Brno quietly delivers a vibrant gastronomy scene that celebrates creativity, tradition, and an impressive commitment to local ingredients. Here, chefs take pride in using seasonal Moravian produce and wines from the world-class vineyards just beyond the city.
I loved how creative and experimental the food scene was in the city, it’s affordable and full of spots that feel like hidden gems – the kind you rave about long after your trip ends. Many of these spots appear in the Gourmet Brno guide, from traditional Czech dishes to inventive, immersive cocktail experiences and cosy cafés, here are my favourite finds from my recent visit.
If you’re visiting Brno and want to eat (and drink!) exceptionally well, here’s everything you need to know, along with the best restaurants, bars, and cafés worth adding to your itinerary. If you love discovering creative local cuisine when you travel, Brno will surprise you in all the best ways.
This blog post is from a previous press trip partnership with Brno City Municipality and TIC BRNO in partnership with Brněnské Vánoce and Gourmet Brno, but I only ever share my honest reviews & travel experiences.
Discover the best places to eat and drink in Brno:
- Visiting Brno? Don’t miss these foodie gems
- What to eat in Brno: Must-try Czech and regional dishes
- Best Restaurants in Brno
- Lokál U Caipla
- Element Restaurant
- MANYA Sushi and Sake Izakaya
- Soul Bistro
- Bango Brno
- Best Bars in Brno
- Super Panda Circus
- The Bar That Doesn’t Exist
- Best Coffee Shops in Brno
- Typika (Moravská Galerie)
- Monogram Espresso Bar
- Kimono Coffee
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Visiting Brno? Don’t miss these foodie gems
If there's one thing I love to do when I travel, it's explore the food scene in a new destination. If discovering creative, delicious food is one of your favourite parts of travel, you’ll fall in love with Brno’s gastronomy scene. If you're visiting for a Christmas city break, you'll also be spoiled by the twinkling markets that are jam-packed with festive eats and cosy, warming drinks including my new favourite, Turbomošt.
You guys know my love of slow travel, well, I've always felt that foodie destinations have a habit of making you travel at a slower pace. Stopping for cosy coffee breaks in artisan favourites, taking long lunches in wholesome food spots and candlelit dinners that stretch long into the night.
If you're vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free, you'll also be in for a treat! I was so impressed by the variety of restaurants and cafes available for different dietary requirements so you're sure to find something you love.
Whether you’re here for 24 hours or a full week, make time for these standout restaurants, bars and cafés. Your taste buds will thank you, and you might just discover a new favourite European food city in the process. Bon appétit, or as they say in Czech: Dobrou chuť!
What to eat in Brno: Must-try Czech & regional dishes
Before diving into the restaurant list, here are some foods (and drinks) worth trying while you're in the city:
- Svíčková na smetaně – Beef sirloin with creamy vegetable sauce, dumplings, cranberry compote & whipped cream.
- Vepřo knedlo zelo – Roast pork, sauerkraut, and Czech dumplings. Simple, but absolutely delicious with a beer.
- Mlíko (beer foam) – A fun Czech speciality with a glass filled with only the creamy foam from draught beer.
- Moravian Wines – Grüner Veltliner, Riesling and local orange wines. South Moravia is one of Europe’s rising wine stars.
- Koláče – Traditional Czech pastries filled with poppy seed, plum jam, or sweet cheese – they're great with coffee.
Best Restaurants in Brno
Here are the best foodie spots in Brno – trust me you won't want to miss these places to eat in the Czech city:
Lokál U Caipla – Traditional Czech Comfort Food
If you want to dive into authentic Czech cuisine, this modern tavern-style restaurant is the perfect place to start, with over 100 years of history of serving great beer and home-style food. Think hearty, nostalgic dishes done incredibly well. Expect classics like beef goulash, svíčková, and perfectly poured Pilsner. Lokál U Caipla is the kind of spot that feels warm and full of locals, which is always a good sign.
It's the perfect place to pop in for a beer and stand with the regulars, or step into the relaxed restaurant setting for a cosy meal with friends. We visited for lunch and it was the perfect place to relax after a walking tour of the city and warm up with a hearty, wholesome dish. The walls adorned with Brno's story and an open plan kitchen to welcome you into the heart of the restaurant.
Don't miss the must-try dishes:
- Svíčková (the best place to try it!)
- Pork schnitzel with potato salad
- Beef goulash
- Freshly tapped Pilsner Urquell
Steal my order: Pork and cabbage goulash with bread dumplings and a local white wine
Element Restaurant – Cosy, date-night vibes
Looking for a date night spot? Element Restaurant is the one. This romantic restaurant creates beautiful, thoughtful plates with unique flavour combinations that feel refined but not stuffy. It’s ideal for a cosy dinner with friends or anyone who appreciates a creative, well-executed menu. I went for a solo date night and felt really comfortable and welcome to dine alone and enjoy the gently buzzing atmosphere.
It hits the perfect balance between fine dining and comfort, elegant but not pretentious, with excellent wine pairings and attentive service. Element feels like the refined but approachable restaurant you want on a date night, one that gives an elevated experience. It specialises in thoughtfully curated dishes that showcase local ingredients with global influences.
Element Restaurant is perfect for foodie travellers and you won't want to miss their seasonal flavours, including:
- Seasonal tasting plates
- Duck breast with berry reductions
- House-made pasta with unique flavour combinations
Steal my order: Venison carpaccio, Grilled duck breast, Chocolate foam with sour cherry sorbet (ask for a local wine recommendation!)
MANYA Sushi & Sake Izakaya – A Japanese Surprise
If you love Japanese cuisine, you’ll be very happy in Brno. This is a spot you won't want to miss when visiting the Czech city. This place is best for sushi lovers, small-plate dinners and something a little different. I never expected to find sushi this good in Brno, but MANYA delivers authentic flavours with a warm welcome as you walk in the door from the cold night.
The restaurant was a surprise highlight and one of my favourite eats of the trip, with fantastic sushi, traditional izakaya dishes, and a curated sake menu. A great pick when you want something different from Czech cuisine without sacrificing quality.
This spot is the city’s Japanese surprise. MANYA takes sushi seriously and you can watch as they prepare it freshly in front of you. Picture beautifully prepared nigiri, expertly seasoned rice, and high-quality fish. The izakaya menu offers small plates that are perfect for sharing. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Here's some foodie recommendations, but you could also do what I did and ask the team for their hot tips on the best items on the menu!
- Tuna tartare
- Crispy karaage chicken
- Salmon nigiri
- Sake tasting flight
Steal my order: Venison steak, Duck hoisin gyoza and the NEW Hamachi ponzu roll (and a sake!)
Soul Bistro – Wholesome, vibrant & casual
Bright, cheerful, and buzzing with friendly energy, Soul Bistro serves wholesome dishes with global influences. It’s a favourite for brunch, lunch or an easy dinner. Expect lots of veggie and vegan options, colourful plates and a relaxed vibe that makes you want to linger.
Soul Bistro is exactly what its name suggests, soulful, wholesome food in a vibrant, friendly space. The menu nods to Mediterranean, Asian, and contemporary European flavours in a way that still feels casual and comforting.
Don't miss their must-try dishes:
- Their Buddha bowls (colourful and delicious)
- Seasonal soups and salads
- Pulled pork bao buns
- Homemade lemonades
Steal my order: Vegan soul bowl and the healthy prawns with glass of wine
Bango Brno – the best brunch spot in Brno
Before you go home, you'll want to visit Bango Brno for the best brunch in town. Actually, I'm lying – you can visit any time of day to enjoy their fabulously blended Czech-Japanese cuisine through seasonal ingredients and live-fire cooking. I visited for a quick brunch and relished the mouth-watering and rich flavour combinations. This is a menu that combines crispy chicken, hearty pancakes, authentic Japanese sandwiches, delicate mochi, traditional dumplings.
Steal my order: Salty bitch pancakes and the dumplings
Best Bars in Brno
If you fancy a cocktail during your time in Brno, these are the bars you need to visit:
Super Panda Circus – Immersive and theatrical cocktail experience
Calling this place a “bar” feels almost inaccurate, it’s more like stepping into a cocktail theatre. Super Panda Circus is famous for its playful storytelling menu, interactive experiences and beautifully crafted drinks. Expect whimsy, creativity and the unexpected. Enter through a discreet door, ring a bell and enjoy a green tea while you wait.
It’s quirky, creative, and unlike any bar you’ve visited before. Where every cocktail is part of a carefully curated menu which brings immersive elements, playful bartenders and surprises at every turn. It's easy to understand why this multi-sensory bar is legendary in the city. Don’t leave Brno without trying it.
Steal my order: Thunderbird and Juicy Kickflip
The Bar That Doesn't Exist – Creative Cocktails & Great Service
Yes, the name is confusing. No, it isn’t a secret. The Bar That Doesn't Exist (Bar Ktery Neexistuje) is a well-loved bar that offers fantastic cocktails, casual food and consistently excellent service. It’s lively without feeling chaotic and perfect for pre-dinner drinks or a late-night stop.
This bar is more straightforward than Super Panda Circus, but equally excellent. Sleek interiors, professional bartenders, and a cocktail list that balances creativity and drinkability. The service is top-tier and its perfect for solo travellers, couples or groups. They also serve food which looked great and smelled delicious.
Hot tip: ask the bartender for a recommendation and they'll tailor it to your palette!
Best Coffee Shops in Brno
Brno's coffee culture is thriving with artisan style coffee shops popping up across the city, offering an elevated experience with the much-loved cosy vibes.
Typika (Moravská Galerie) – Where coffee meets art
Set inside the Moravian Gallery, Typika is a dreamy spot for coffee, cake and a slow catch-up. The space is light, calming and great for a quiet moment between sightseeing stops. It's also a great place to pause between visiting the Christmas markets, or unwind after exploring the gallery's artworks.
Steal my order: Chai latte and a brownie – trust me the brownies are insanely good!
Monogram Espresso Bar – For espresso purists
If you’re serious about coffee, Monogram is non-negotiable. This small, cosy café is a haven for coffee lovers. Monogram takes its craft seriously with expert brews, a minimalist vibe and the perfect corner to read or journal away an afternoon. There was a girl just relaxing and knitting in there when I visited, it was perfect cafe vibes.
Steal my order: Espressooooo!
Kimono Coffee – Sweet treats & slow Sundays
If your perfect morning involves pastries and a gentle atmosphere, Kimono Coffee is your spot. It’s the kind of place where time slows down and people watching is the order of the day. It's a lovely stop for a sweet treat, a matcha latte or a relaxed coffee before exploring more of the city. It’s cosy, calming, and ideal for a relaxed breakfast or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Steal my order: Campfire latte and a choux bun
