The first time I visited České Budějovice a few years ago I can’t even remember where I ate. That’s how memorable the vegan scene was at the time. Even now, at first glance the city might not seem like it has a whole lot to offer vegans. However, if you take a little time to scratch the surface and explore the local vegan scene in České Budějovice you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
In fact, just like in Prague, a lot of incredible things are happening for vegans in České Budějovice as of late. Thanks to the openminded attitude of business owners and one local vegan woman in particular who is working diligently with restaurants, vegans living in and visiting the city have plenty of options!
Vegan České Budějovice Guide
Without further ado, here are some of the best vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants, shops, and events in České Budějovice Czech Republic!
Note: Thanks to the South Bohemia Regional Tourism Board for sponsoring my trip and for the paid partnership. As always, the opinions expressed in this article are purely my own.
Restaurant Slunce
- Restaurant Type: Totally Vegan
- Gluten-free Options: Yes
- Raw Options: Yes
- Must Try: Their burgers (including the Beyond Burger!)
- Location: Krajinská 23, 370 01 České Budějovice
Restaurant Slunce started as a raw vegan restaurant but has recently branched out into cooked vegan food.
There are two menus (both in Czech but the waiters are happy to translate into english for guests), one for cooked food and one for raw.
In my short time in České Budějovice I visited Restaurant Slunce twice. And that’s not by accident. The meals served here are superb. I’d suggest the vegan bacon cheeseburger (above) with sweet potato fries or the Thai style tofu with veggies and rice (below). Both are incredibly hearty and filling but the tofu dish will leave you feeling a bit more healthy.
Restaurant Slunce also has the Beyond Burger on the menu and it’s a great option if you haven’t tried it yet or are caving something super hearty.
If you want a decadent but raw option don’t pass up the chance to try their chocolate banana and hazelnut pancakes. You can take a look at them on my Instagram profile here…trust me, you want to take a look!
Vegetárna Impala
- Restaurant Type: Totally Vegan (with the exception of honey in one dessert)
- Must Try: Whatever looks good to you. It’s a buffet!
- Location: Nová 13, 370 01 České Budějovice
Vegetárna Impala is an almost entirely vegan cafeteria style restaurant offering an abundance of options each day. It’s a pay by weight kinda place so take as little or as much as you desire. There are a tremendous number of options so it can be tricky to decide, but don’t worry you can’t really go wrong with whatever you choose!
The restaurant is an excellent option for lunch or for those of us who have a hard time deciding what to order off of traditional menus!
In case you’re wondering, the restaurant is labeled as Vegan but for some reason also has a honey cake. The entire savory buffet is vegan and all the other sweets on offer are also vegan.
Fér Café
- Restaurant Type: Vegan-friendly
- Gluten-free Options: Yes
- Raw Options: Yes
- Must Try: Those Pancakes!! and the coffee
- Location: Česká 153/38 České Budějovice
Fér Café is a gluten-free (mostly) bio cafe serving food made with locally sourced ingredients. The menu is not strictly vegan but there are plenty of options to choose from.
At first glance it might not seem so but look a little closer or talk to your server and you’ll discover that you can feast not only on hearty, healthy oatmeal with nuts and fruits but you can also sink your teeth into sweet or savory pancakes, raw or baked vegan cakes, and maybe even a soup or two. The best time to go is on Sunday when they offer a fully vegan breakfast.
Additionally, if you’re the sort that takes milk in your coffee this is the place to be. Fér Café offers a few different milk options, including Oatly Barista oat milk. If you take it black, like me, you’ll be even more happy because it’s top notch quality.
I recommend the gingerbread pancakes topped with sweet baked apples, hazelnuts, and a drizzle of date syrup. Exceptional!
Soupculture
- Restaurant Type: Vegetarian
- Must Try: Any of the vegan options you fancy and be sure to eat the cup!
- Location: Karla IV. 92, 370 01 České Budějovice
I’ll be honest. I didn’t think I was going to like Soupculture. I’m not usually a big fan of soup, but Soupculture changed my mind about it
This little take-away shop has reinvented soup. With its edible cups it’s transformed soup into street food that can be enjoyed while exploring Ceske Budejovice. If it sounds like a hard sell, you need only take your first sip of the delicious soup being spooned up here.
I know what you might be thinking. Don’t worry, the edible cups don’t get soggy. The owner has concocted a magical mixture that manages to both taste yummy and stay intact until the moment you decide to tear it apart with your teeth!
Soupculture isn’t totally vegan but they always have three or four vegan options on the menu, and the cups are fortified with spirulina or curcumin.
What’s shown in the above pic is the red lentil, Coconut Tom Yum, and Gazpacho soups. They were all amazing!
Restaurace Solnice
- Restaurant Type: Vegan-friendly
- Gluten Free Options: Yes
- Must Try: Whatever strikes your fancy off of the new vegan menu. And the beer!
- Location: Piaristické náměstí 3, České Budějovice
Restaurace Solnice is the largest restaurant in České Budějovice and a pivovar (brewery). The building was also formerly used as a granary, and a weapons and salt storage building. It’s unique facade and prime location in Piaristické square make it difficult to miss.
The beer at Restaurace Solnice is exceptional and it’s no surprise considering the production is supervised by one of the top brewmasters in the country, Ivan Dufek a member of the Hall of Fame of Czech Brewing and Malting. If you know anything about Czechs you probably know they’re serious about their beer – drinking it and producing it, so this’s saying a lot.
But the beer isn’t the only reason to visit. Restaurace Solnice has plenty of vegan options on the menu to try. A surprising fact considering the rest of the menu is composed of “traditional” Czech cuisine, which heavily features meat.
The owners of Restaurace Solnice, however, wanted to ensure that anyone and everyone could have the option to dine at their lovely restaurant. No one is excluded here! Omnivore folks welcome. Vegan visitors welcome. Gluten-free friends welcome. Everyone can take a seat together and enjoy a fine meal, and an even finer pint of beer!
At time of publication Restaurace Solnice was working on a new menu with six vegan options, including a vegan dessert. If you give it a go, let me know!
Raw U Kočovky – Vegan Raw and Gluten Free Desserts
- Restaurant Type: Vegan-friendly
- Gluten-Free Options: Yes
- Raw Options: Yes
- Must Try: The white chocolate cake
- Location: Kněžská 419/2, České Budějovice
Vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. How is it possible to create tasty desserts without heat, milk, white sugar, and oh-so-tasty gluten?
I won’t pretend to have the answers but Raw U Kočovky absolutely pulls it off! Everything served at this cute little spot is delicious and as pleasing to the eye as it is to the tongue! The shop has several raw vegan cakes with flavors like blueberry, strawberry, white chocolate and raspberry, as well as a selection of smaller sweet treats to choose from. They even have refreshing lemonades, coffee and tea.
Raw U Kočovky also serves a few salads daily, one of which is vegan.
One thing to note, the entrance to Raw U Kočovky is a bit hard to find. Ironically, follow the signs for the Steakhouse and it’s immediately on your left after the arch.
Kavárna VLNNA
- Restaurant Type: Vegan-friendly
- Must Try: Vegan cakes of course!
- Location: Sokolský ostrov, 370 01 České Budějovice
If you want to experience one of the most unique cafes in České Budějovice then head to the river.
Kavárna VLNNA is a cute little boathouse cafe offering coffee, tea, fresh juices, smoothies, soups, and cakes which are often vegan. They also offer soy milk for the coffee.
On warm sunny days head upstairs to the deck and grab a spot under the shade of one of their umbrellas. If you’re visiting in cooler months, sit in the cosy room downstairs. Either way you can enjoy relaxing vibes, river views, and tasty cakes.
Vegan Shopping in České Budějovice
Slunečnice Health Food Shop
- Shop Type: Vegan-friendly
- Gluten-free Options: Yes
- Raw Options: Yes
- Must Try: Czech vegan brands like Kešu rýS (vegan cashew cheese) or Nemleko (vegan plant milk products)
- Location: Chelčického 78/21, 370 01 České Budějovice
If you need vegan groceries or supplies Slunečnice is the place to go in České Budějovice! This huge shop has everything that will make your vegan heart content including vegan cheeses, tofu, tempeh, ice cream, plant milk products, packaged foods, breads, and much more!
In addition to groceries the shop also has plenty of vegan vitamins, make-up, body care products, and even personal hygiene products like menstrual cups.
If you’re planning a picnic in one of the city’s many parks, stocking up your Airbnb, or just need a vegan-friendly product or snack you forgot to bring from home, then the look no further than Slunečnice.
Krámek Rozmarýnka – Zero Waste Shop
- Shop Type: Vegan-friendly
- Gluten-free Options: Yes
- Raw Options: Yes
- Must Try: Vegan gummy bears, and any vegan staples you need
- Location: Čechova 27, České Budějovice
Just about a 15 minute walk from the center of České Budějovice is Krámek Rozmarýnka, the city’s first zero waste shop!
This tiny shop is packed full of staples like spices, grains, oils, nuts, and teas. Additionally, it has some cold items like tofu, a selection of crackers, and a a few sweet treats like vegan gummy bears!
Most of the products on sale are available without packaging, and at very reasonable prices. If you’re into waste-free…this is the place to be!
Vegan Festival – Budějce LIFE fest
Budějce LIFE fest, České Budějovice’s first ever sustainable (and vegan) festival took place in June 2019. I was lucky enough to attend and can confirm it was a hit. Vegan and eco-friendly brands from the region and country came together to display and offer their goods to enthusiastic attendees.
Vegan fashion brands offered up clothing promoting animal rights, suppliers with all natural vegan cosmetic and eco-friendly household makers displayed their wares, and booths outfitted with loads of vegan food like vegan burgers, hot dogs, fish n’chips, and popsicles fed hungry festivalgoers. Additionally, there were planned lectures, workshops, and documentaries for Czech-speaking attendees to learn all about green and vegan living!
České Budějovice Farmers Market
- Address: Piaristické nám.370 01 České Budějovice
Every Thursday and Saturday Piaristické square is transformed into a lively market. Farmers from all over the region come to sell goods including seasonal fruit and vegetables. Additionally there are a few stalls selling handicrafts, flowers, and plants.
If you want to sample the most seasonal produce in the region and get a glimpse of local life in České Budějovice head to the market. Just be sure to go early as it starts to wind down at around 10:00 am.
Vegan-friendly Drinks in České Budějovice
České Budějovice has a healthy nightlife. There are loads of options, especially when it comes to getting a frosty pint of beer. However, one bar in particular really gained my respect.
Poetic Cocktail Bar Žlutá Ponorka (yellow submarine in Czech) is one of the best cocktail bars I’ve been to in the Czech Republic. They offer a long list of interesting handcrafted cocktails that are expertly made by their stylish bartenders, most of which are vegan-friendly.
The menu isn’t in english but the staff are happy to translate for you or make suggestions based on your preferences.
Trust me. If you want a delicious cocktail in České Budějovice to wrap up your evening or your trip, head there!
Where to Stay in České Budějovice
PC: Hotel Klika
If you’re looking for an excellently located, cozy little hotel with a fabulous atmosphere look no further than Hotel Klika.
The family-run hotel has been around for over 20 years and is great place to stay if you are looking for a peaceful and relaxed environment. Located on Sokol Island in the historic center of the city, all the major sites (and vegan-friendly restaurants) are just minutes away.
Rooms are simple but elegant and comfortable. It’s a great value.
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