Český Krumlov's Food & Beer: Svíčková, Budvar from the Source & Castle Brewery
Eat and drink in Bohemia's most atmospheric setting—svíčková (beef in cream sauce) with bread dumplings in a medieval cellar, Budweiser Budvar 20 minutes from its source brewery in České Budějovice, and the Eggenberg Brewery operating in Český Krumlov Castle's royal stables since 1560.
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Bohemian Cuisine in Český Krumlov
South Bohemian cuisine centres on freshwater fish (carp, trout, pike from the nearby ponds and Vltava river), game (venison, wild boar from Šumava), and the rich pork-based dishes of Czech countryside cooking. Restaurants in the old town serve svíčková (beef sirloin in cream sauce with bread dumplings—one of the defining Czech national dishes) and roast duck with red cabbage and knedlíky. The Nonna Gina restaurant (Italian, in a Baroque cellar) is the most consistent quality option.
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South Bohemian Beer – Budvar & Samson
Czech Budvar (Budweiser Budvar) is brewed in České Budějovice, 20 km north of Český Krumlov—the original 'Budweiser' (the American brand licensed the name in 1876, to Budvar's lasting legal resentment). The Budvar brewery offers guided tours. Samson—Budějovice's second brewery (founded 1795)—was the brand that influenced the American Budweiser. Drinking cold Budvar in Český Krumlov, 20 minutes from its source, is one of Czech Republic's most satisfying beer experiences.
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Castle Restaurant & Dining with Views
The castle restaurant and the Krčma v Šatlavské ulici (tavern in Šatlavská Street) offer the most atmospheric dining in Český Krumlov—the former for the castle courtyard setting, the latter for medieval banquet-style food in a candlelit vault. The Hospoda Na Louži (a traditional pub dating to 1840) on Kájovská Street is the most genuinely local restaurant—serving traditional South Bohemian food at pub prices to both locals and visitors, with Eggenberg beer from the brewery in the castle.
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Eggenberg Brewery – Castle Beer Since 1560
The Eggenberg Brewery—housed in the former royal stables of Český Krumlov Castle since 1560, making it one of the oldest continuously operating breweries in Bohemia—produces the local beer that gives Czech Krumlov its own distinctive brew. The Eggenberg dark lager (tmavé) and wheat beer (pšeničné) are particularly good. The brewery offers tours and tastings; the brewery tap (the Pivovarská hospoda) serves unfiltered fresh beer directly from the tank.
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The Old Town Restaurants & Tourist Pricing
Český Krumlov's restaurant scene divides clearly between tourist-priced establishments in the old town centre (€15–25 for mains) and better-value options slightly off the main routes. The Laibon vegetarian restaurant offers an alternative to the meat-heavy Czech mainstream; the Pod Radnicí café serves excellent coffee. Outside peak summer, prices drop and service improves. Booking is essential for dinner in the top restaurants in July–August.
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South Bohemian Wine – The Emerging Region
South Bohemia's wine production is small and largely unknown outside the Czech Republic—the region's climate (continental, with cold winters) is marginal for viticulture, but warming temperatures have expanded possibilities. The Mikulovská vinařská podoblast (Mikulov wine subregion, 200 km east in Moravia) is South Bohemia's closest established wine region; Moravian wine—Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner, St Laurent—is available in Český Krumlov restaurants and is very good value at €4–8 per glass.