6 cafes and restaurants in Brno – the gastro city of the Czech Republic

The visit to Brno was part of a press trip with Visit the Czech Republic, but all thoughts and opinions are (as always) my own.

Brno may be the second largest city in the Czech Republic, but when it comes to innovative gastronomic experiences and restaurants in Brno, the city is anything but second. Here in Brno you will find a nice and relaxed atmosphere, far from tourist menus and waiting lists. Brno is the city where the Czechs themselves go on a pleasure-filled weekend trip filled with culture and inspiring restaurant visits. Perhaps it is thanks to the fact that Brno is a thriving student city that makes you dare to take the turns a little more here. You dare to bet after your heart and dare to try something new, strange and maybe even a little crazy. A restaurant town with a lot of attitude. A city completely to my taste.

I had the pleasure of exploring Brno’s culinary scene with Czech actor and food writer Lukáš Hejlík. Our food journey took me on a vibrant ride through the city's gastronomic highlights, spanning flavors from Japan to a whimsically inventive (and delightfully quirky) circus bar.

Sorry – Pečeme jinak

"Sorry - but we bake differently” could be the translation of the bakery Sorry – pečeme jinak , and indeed, this is far from an ordinary patisserie. Šárka Divácká is a self-taught pastry chef who has been baking since childhood and even contributed to creating a cake challenge on Czech MasterChef. At her bakery, you won't find any typical princess cakes, but rather vibrant creations featuring crunchy crickets(!), dark beer, potatoes, or even tonka beans. A slice of cake or a praline at Šárka is an extraordinary taste experience. And as strange as it may sound, every bite feels like a small miracle.

Everything at the bakery is made from scratch, including the mascarpone and crème fraiche. Perhaps that’s why every filling in the cakes has a deeper, richer flavor. Combine that with a space as stunning as an ancient palace, and you have an experience for all the senses—a memory that will linger long after.

An impressive chandelier, adorned with thousands of colorful paper cranes, hangs from the ceiling at the entrance. Take a pause from your coffee and fold your own crane to add to the display. In Japan, the crane symbolizes luck and prosperity. By hanging it up, “the luck will stay.” It’s a beautiful thought that I’m more than happy to embrace.

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Eggo truck

Three old schoolmates left their careers behind to start a food truck together, and thus the story of Eggo truck began. Today, they've parked the wheels and opened a cozy café instead, but their bestseller, the "BLT & Egg," is still very much on the menu. The offerings have expanded to include more brunch options, alongside a variety of open sandwiches piled high with thinly sliced smoked ham or smoked trout. Everything is sourced locally, produced by friends' parents and nearby farms.

The three small tables in the café fill up quickly, and a line spills out onto the street as Brno locals queue for a hearty breakfast and good coffee on their way to work. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, filled with laughter and cheer. I order their classic BLT & Egg, receiving a deliciously tall "hamburger" stacked with crispy bacon and a perfectly fried egg on warm, slightly toasted bread. How lucky I am to have skipped the hotel breakfast! This is a place perfect for both an energizing breakfast and a leisurely late brunch after a night out.

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The frame Brno

When Jan Minha and Jiří Pratcho Vyzourek worked together at a restaurant in New Zealand, they discovered a shared passion for Japanese ramen. One of the reasons was that the flavors in ramen reminded them of their home country, with spices and carefully crafted broths. Jiří took a trip to Toronto before Jan reached out to let him know he was moving back to the Czech Republic. It was then that the idea to open Ramen Brno was born.

We visit Ramen Brno at lunchtime and quickly see why it's so popular. The moment my dish arrives, the reasons become clear. I’ve ordered a ramen with tender beef, noodles, tea-pickled eggs, mustard, cilantro, peanuts, and sesame seeds. It's a fantastic Japanese ramen with a hint of Czech flair. The eggs have a subtle cinnamon flavor, while the steak is seasoned with mustard, a distinctly Czech touch that would likely feel right at home in Japan.

Eating ramen is not just about the flavors—it’s also an art in choosing the right bowl. In the window, you can see numerous handcrafted ramen bowls with rounded bottoms, but the one I’m served is flat-bottomed. Why, I wonder? The reason lies in the difference between Japan and the Czech Republic. In Japan, you hold the round bowl with your left hand while eating with the other. Here in the Czech Republic, ramen is traditionally eaten with the bowl resting on the table. The flat-bottomed design makes the bowl more stable, offering both practicality and visual appeal. It’s the perfect combination for a quick, spill-free lunch!

Ramen Brno not only crafts their own noodles, but they also prepare their own pickled vegetables and kimchi. I tried their hot kimchi and was thoroughly impressed. Tangy, bold, and full of flavor, it had the depth and complexity that only something allowed to ferment for a month can achieve.

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Monogram Espresso Bar

Adam Neubauer has not only been named Barista of the Year twice in the Czech Republic, but he also placed tenth in the World Barista Championship. As you can imagine, we're talking about a passionate barista who truly lives for his coffee. When Czech and international food experts and writers voted for their favorite cafes in the annual Gourmet Brno XNUMX, Monogram Espresso Bar was crowned the winner in the café category.

Monogram is a cozy, Scandinavian-inspired space with clean lines and beautiful wood accents. It’s a place you come for excellent coffee and a sweet treat—no heavy sandwiches or stodgy pastries here, just coffee and cake. You can sit at the bar counter or snuggle up in one of the window niches. Whether it’s your first coffee of the morning or your third, you’ll find it here, perfectly brewed. And if you're after something a bit simpler, they've got that covered too, serving up expertly crafted brewed coffee as well.

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Manya

Czech food is hearty, rich in sauces, and often heavy on potatoes—definitely something to indulge in while you're in the Czech Republic. But after a few days, a change of pace can feel refreshing. Enter Manya, a Japanese izakaya in Brno—basically a Japanese bar. An izakaya is the perfect spot to stop by after work for a satisfying meal at an affordable price. My best memory from an izakaya in Japan is trying, and failing, to decipher the Japanese menu. I naively thought I had ordered three chicken skewers, which I had—only to discover that one was made entirely of slimy chicken skin and another was just chicken liver. Clearly, I need to brush up on my Japanese. Thankfully, the menu at Manya is far easier to navigate, and the restaurant’s charm lies in its simple, delicious Japanese small plates.

Manya is run by the couple Martin Rousand Margita Havlikova, who learned the art of Japanese cooking from a Japanese master in Singapore, brings an authentic touch to the dishes. The space captures a charming blend of Japanese culture, with walls adorned in anime-inspired wallpaper, while the rest of the decor is traditional and minimalist. Order a karaage, gyoza, and donburi, and you’re in for a satisfying evening.

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Super Panda Circus

Expect the unexpected. Already when we slide in through the anonymous door of Super Panda Circusand press the door bell to be admitted, we understand that this is no ordinary bar. With the fabric covered ceiling, the bizarre figures, the crackling colors, the strange drinks and the pulsating music. Without revealing too much, you are invited to a role-playing game where, based on your character and the choices you make, you are served a drink. As they say themselves – “ You have to get lost to find what you need".

Jan Vlachynskyand Andrej Valisstarted the popular bar during their studies Bar, který neexistuje ("The bar that doesn't exist") in Brno, a bar with New York vibes and jazz music. Now their pub empire has grown to five bars and a hotel - all within a few kilometers of Brno city centre. Super Panda Circus is their most famous bar, which is a must visit if you are in Brno.

If you're wondering what kind of drink I got? It became one Milky Waywith Cuvée Leonard, Chartreuse Jeaune and decanted Sahlep. Something I have definitely never tasted before and probably will never drink again. But that's probably the thing about Super Panda Circus. Expect the unexpected.

Have you been to Brno? What were your favorite restaurants?