Czech Cooking Class

Czech food has a reputation for being heavy, and it is, in the best way: slow-cooked beef in a creamy root-vegetable sauce, roast duck with cabbage and dumplings, goulash thick with paprika. Making these dishes yourself is the best way to understand them, and this class gives you the chance. Cook Authentic Czech with Grandma's Recipes takes place at Good Mood Food, Křižíkova 67, in the Karlín district just east of the centre, and it runs for about four and a half hours, starting in the afternoon. Groups are capped at ten, so you cook rather than watch. You choose from a menu: a starter such as a traditional soup or potato-sauerkraut pancakes, a main such as svíčková, beef goulash, roast duck, rabbit with vegetables, beef with mushrooms or a vegan option, and a dessert such as a traditional cake, fruit dumplings or kremrole. Bread dumplings are made as the side. The price includes alcoholic drinks, snacks and coffee or tea, and the class ends with you sitting down to eat what you have made. Reviewers consistently praise the host, the quality of the food and the relaxed atmosphere, and the class holds a perfect score from nearly a hundred reviews on the booking page.

Karlín is a good neighbourhood to see in its own right. It was flooded in 2002 and rebuilt, and it is now one of Prague's most lively districts, with design studios, coffee roasters and restaurants. The venue is close to the Křižíkova metro station on line B. The entrance is behind a large wooden gate between a pub and a bar, and you ring the bell labelled Good Food Atelier on the right-hand side. One reviewer found it hard to locate, so allow a few extra minutes or message the host if you are lost.

The format suits both beginners and keen cooks. You work at your own pace under the guidance of the instructor, who explains the techniques and the thinking behind each dish, such as how to build the sauce for svíčková or how to get a dumpling to hold its shape. Dietary needs are well handled according to reviewers, including vegetarian, gluten-free and allergy requirements, and the menu includes a vegan option.

Tell the operator when you book. Because the class includes drinks, it feels more like a long, sociable dinner party than a lesson, and it is a good option for couples and small groups of friends.

If you want a lighter introduction to Czech food, a food tour or a beer tasting is a better fit, but for a deep dive into the cuisine and a meal you made yourself, this class is hard to beat. You also take home something practical: the techniques and proportions behind dishes you will see on every menu in the city, which makes the rest of your meals in Prague easier to order and more fun to compare.