Gastronomy in Luhačovice — where to eat and drink in the spa town
Luhačovice isn’t just about spas, mineral springs and an elegant colonnade. This Moravian town in the foothills of the White Carpathians is also a place where centuries-old culinary tradition meets modern gastronomy. The aroma of freshly baked frgály mingles with the scent of Moravian wine, restaurant kitchens waft with svíčková sauce, and in autumn months the entire town is perfumed with burčák and fresh plum cakes. If you’re looking for an answer to the question where to eat in Luhačovice, prepare for a pleasant surprise — Luhačovice gastronomy offers far more than you’d expect from a spa town.
Moravian cuisine is hearty, generous and full of flavours that you’ll remember long after returning home. And it’s precisely in Luhačovice where you can taste it in its most authentic form — in restaurants that cook with local ingredients, in cafés with homemade cakes, and in wine cellars where the cellar master will pour you wine from grapes harvested just a few kilometres away. Let’s embark together on a gastronomic pilgrimage through this exceptional corner of Moravia.
Moravian cuisine — what’s typical for the region
Moravian cuisine is one of the richest regional cuisines in Czechia. It’s a cuisine that insists on quality ingredients, generous portions and traditional methods passed down from generation to generation. When you visit Luhačovice restaurants, you’ll find dishes on the menus that have roots deep in Moravian history.
Main dishes you must try
The queen of Czech and Moravian cuisine — svíčková na smetaně (beef in cream sauce) — is naturally represented in almost every restaurant. In Moravia, however, they prepare it with particular care, often according to recipes that have been passed down through generations in chefs’ families. The delicate creamy sauce with a hint of root vegetables, tender beef and fluffy bread dumplings create a harmony that satisfies even the most demanding gourmets.
Moravský vrabec (Moravian sparrow) is another dish you simply must try in Moravia. Despite its name, it’s not a bird at all, but roasted pieces of pork, crispy on the outside and juicy inside, traditionally served with cabbage and dumplings. In good restaurants in Luhačovice, they prepare it slowly roasted so the meat is perfectly tender and full of flavour.
We mustn’t forget the sausages either — whether classic Moravian sausages smoked over beech wood, or fresh blood sausages and black pudding, which are prepared in Moravia especially during pig slaughters. A sausage with bread, mustard and horseradish is food that simply belongs to the Moravian lifestyle.
Side dishes — the foundation of every Moravian meal
Moravian cuisine wouldn’t be complete without its legendary side dishes. Dumplings are a given — bread, potato and yeast varieties. But true Moravian specialities are bramboráky, golden and crispy pancakes made from grated potatoes with garlic and marjoram, which smell so tempting you won’t resist them even as a main course.
Special mention goes to lokše — thin potato pancakes that are served in Slovácko as a side dish to roasted meat, but also as a sweet dish, spread with jam or butter and sugar. Lokše are an inseparable part of festive tables and at folklore festivals around Luhačovice you’ll encounter them at every step.
Soups — the introduction to every Moravian lunch
No proper Moravian lunch begins without soup. Zelňačka — sour cabbage soup with sausage, potatoes and soured cream — is probably the most typical Moravian soup of all. Its tangy taste perfectly prepares the taste buds for the main course.
Tripe soup belongs to other classics. Thick, hearty and spicy, with pieces of tripe and a distinctive taste that divides the world into two camps — those who love it and those who haven’t yet tasted it properly prepared. And then there’s kyselica — a traditional Wallachian soup made from sauerkraut, potatoes, mushrooms and cream, which warms the heart in cold months.
Desserts — sweet endings, Moravian style
If you like sweets, Moravia is your paradise. The absolute star is frgál — large round cakes filled with cottage cheese, jam, pears or poppy seeds. Frgál is a symbol of Wallachia and Slovácko, and in good bakeries and restaurants in Luhačovice you’ll find it freshly baked.
Moravian cakes — smaller but no less delicious — are filled with cottage cheese, poppy seeds and jam, often all three fillings at once. And who could resist the aroma of freshly baked buchty, fluffy and golden, filled with jam or cottage cheese? Sweet Moravian cuisine is simply irresistible.
Restaurants in Luhačovice — where to sit down to good food
The question where to eat in Luhačovice fortunately has many pleasant answers. The town offers a diverse range of restaurants, from traditional Moravian taverns to modern gastronomic establishments. Here are places worth visiting.
Restaurant Racek
Restaurant Racek belongs to the best-known gastronomic addresses in town. It’s located directly above the spa colonnade, opposite the famous Jurkovič House, and offers a magnificent view of the entire spa complex. In summer months, the greatest attraction is the spacious terrace where you can enjoy your meal with a view of the colonnade and surrounding greenery.
Racek is open daily from 11 to 24 hours and on weekdays offers lunch menu with four dishes to choose from, with soup always included in the price. Specialities include fresh fish and Moravian cuisine dishes. The restaurant is also known for its dance evenings with live music and selection of wines from Moravian vintners. It’s priced in the mid-range category, making it an excellent choice for family lunch or romantic dinner.
Restaurant Elektra
Restaurant Elektra is housed in the Cultural and Congress Centre at Masarykova 950 and combines gastronomic experience with cultural entertainment. You’ll find Czech cuisine with modern elements, as well as specialities like famous beef ribs or popular carp curry. The restaurant offers both lunch menu and à la carte selection.
However, Elektra is more than just a restaurant. On selected days, live music plays from 7 PM and on Fridays and Saturdays the entertainment continues with disco. There’s also a wine cellar and outdoor grilling in season. The venue is ideal for corporate events, family celebrations and weddings. It’s priced in the mid to upper category.
Theatre Café and Restaurant
The Theatre Café and Restaurant stands on the site where there once was a wooden dairy designed by famous architect Dušan Jurkovič. In 1926, it was replaced by a functionalist building that gradually transformed into a legendary café where actors, painters, musicians and other personalities spending the season at the spa theatre would meet.
Today, after reconstruction in 2018, the Theatre Café offers both restaurant menu from home cuisine and rich selection of cakes, sundaes and desserts. Among specialities is hot slivovitz with honey, dried plum and lemon — a drink that perfectly captures the spirit of Moravia. The restaurant has barrier-free access and changing facilities for parents with small children.
Pizzeria Rimini
Those wanting something different from Czech cuisine will appreciate Pizzeria Rimini near the railway station. Pizzas are baked here in a classic wood-fired oven with more than twenty varieties to choose from. Reviews praise the helpful service, pleasant atmosphere and wide selection of wines and beer. With a rating of 4.1 out of 5 based on over a thousand reviews, it’s a proven choice.
Other dining tips
Luhačovice offers many other options. Hotels in the spa complex have their own restaurants with buffet dining that’s also open to the public. For quick refreshment, you’ll find stalls with sausages, bramboráky and lokše, especially in the spa park and on the colonnade. In the town centre there are also smaller bistro establishments offering lunch menus at reasonable prices.
Cafés and patisseries — where to go for coffee and cake
A spa town without quality cafés wouldn’t be complete. Fortunately, Luhačovice certainly doesn’t disappoint in this regard.
Spa Patisserie
The Spa Patisserie is part of the so-called Small Colonnade, connected to the Great Colonnade by the impressive hall of the Vincentka spring. This patisserie has been sweetening visitors’ lives in Luhačovice for many years and is renowned for its homemade cakes, pastries and traditional spa wafers. Sitting on the colonnade with coffee and a piece of cake, overlooking the spa park and strolling guests — this is an experience that belongs inseparably to Luhačovice.
Colonnade cafés
Right next to the Vincentka fountain hides a cosy café where locals and guests come primarily for homemade cakes, excellent coffee and quality tea. The atmosphere is calm and pleasant, exactly what you’d expect in a spa town. Around the colonnade you’ll find other cafés and patisseries where you can treat yourself to a warm spa wafer — a traditional delicacy that belongs to every spa visit.
The pancake house on the colonnade deserves special mention, where you can choose from a wide range of sweet and savoury pancakes. For chocolate lovers, there are chocolate pralines and hot chocolates in various flavours.
Moravian wine — treasure from neighbouring Slovácko
Luhačovice lies on the very edge of one of Central Europe’s most significant wine regions. Slovácko — a region that literally begins just beyond the fields — is a land where wine has been cultivated for centuries and where you’ll find a vineyard and wine cellar in almost every village. For wine lovers, Luhačovice is an ideal base for exploring this wine paradise.
Grape varieties typical for the region
Slovácko falls under the Slovácko Wine Sub-region, known primarily for white wines with distinctive character. Among the most typical varieties are:
- Riesling — elegant wine with mineral tones that achieves exceptional quality on Slovácko slopes. Dry Rieslings from this region rank among the best in all of Czechia.
- Pálava — aromatic variety bred right in Moravia, with aromas of muscat, apricots and spices. Semi-sweet Pálava is an ideal companion to Moravian desserts.
- Pinot Blanc and Gris — full, fruity wines with gentle acidity that go excellently with local cuisine, especially fish and poultry.
- Traminer — spicy variety with intense aroma of roses and tropical fruit, which thrives extraordinarily well in Slovácko.
Red wines aren’t as dominant here, but quality Frankovka, Saint Laurent or Zweigelt from local wineries are definitely worth tasting.
Where to go for tastings
In the immediate vicinity of Luhačovice you’ll find numerous wine cellars where you can participate in guided tastings. Vintners in surrounding villages like Bílovice or Kunovice open their cellars and are happy to introduce you to their wines. Many of these cellars are family businesses where you’ll meet the vintner directly and hear the stories of each wine.
Even directly in Luhačovice, some restaurants and wine bars offer selection of Moravian wines. Restaurant Racek, for example, is known for its selection of wines from Moravian vintners, so you can taste quality wine even without a trip to wine villages.
Burčák — liquid treasure of autumn
If you visit Luhačovice in September or October, a special experience awaits you — burčák season. This partially fermented grape must is literally a cultural event in Moravia. Sweet, sparkling and treacherously delicious, burčák flows in these months in all restaurants, wine shops and stalls. But beware — burčák is treacherous, hiding surprising strength under its sweetness.
Slivovitz and spirits — liquid gold of Moravia
No guide to Luhačovice gastronomy would be complete without mentioning slivovitz — a drink that is to Moravia what whisky is to Scotland. And it’s precisely in the immediate vicinity of Luhačovice where the most significant centre of fruit distillate production in all of Czechia is located.
Rudolf Jelínek Vizovice — slivovitz mecca
Just twenty minutes’ drive from Luhačovice lies Vizovice, home to the legendary distillery Rudolf Jelínek. This company with tradition dating back to the 19th century is the largest producer of fruit distillates in Czechia and its slivovitz is known worldwide.
The visitor centre in Vizovice offers tours of the production plant where you’ll see the entire production process — from fruit distillery through huge wooden barrels where distillates age, to the bottling plant. The tour includes an interactive exhibition on the history of fruit distillate production, a stylish tasting bar and company shop where you can buy a bottle directly from production.
Tours last approximately 80 minutes (standard) or 100 minutes (extended version) and run year-round. For groups over 15 people, reservation is required at least 14 days in advance.
Slivovitz as cultural heritage
Slivovitz isn’t merely an alcoholic drink in Moravia — it’s cultural heritage, a symbol of hospitality and an inseparable part of every celebration, christening, wedding and funeral. Quality slivovitz is distilled from fully ripened plums, aged in oak barrels and has a delicate, fruity taste that has nothing in common with industrial distillates.
Besides slivovitz, other fruit distillates are also made in Moravia — apricot brandy, pear brandy, cherry brandy or rare rowan brandy. At Jelínek’s visitor centre you can taste all these distillates and compare their tastes and aromas.
Brewing — beer lives in Moravia
Although Moravia is traditionally more of a wine region, brewing tradition has its firm place here. In the Zlín Region, which Luhačovice belongs to, several interesting breweries operate that are worth attention.
Regional and craft breweries
In the wider vicinity of Luhačovice you’ll find numerous microbreweries and craft breweries that brew beer using traditional methods without chemical extracts and accelerated processes. They use quality Žatec hops, Moravian malts and brewing yeasts. Among interesting breweries in the region are:
- Minibrewery Orlovna in Uherské Hradiště — offers regional beers with local character
- Zašová Brewery — smaller brewery with traditional production
- Rožnov Brewery in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm — combination of brewing tradition with Wallachian folklore
- Black Eagle Brewery in Kroměříž — historic brewery with modern approach to brewing
In Luhačovice itself you’ll find Moravian and Czech beer in the selection of most restaurants. Many establishments also offer tank beer and draught beers from regional breweries, so you can enjoy a freshly poured half-litre with your Moravian sparrow or svíčková.
Craft beer scene
The craft beer scene in Moravia is on the rise. Small breweries experiment with unusual flavours, brewing IPAs, stouts and sour beers. If you’re a craft beer fan, ask at local restaurants about current special selections.
Food and mineral waters — unique Luhačovice combination
Luhačovice is unique for its mineral springs, and this naturally reflects in local gastronomy. The combination of mineral water and food is as old as the spa itself and offers experiences you won’t find elsewhere.
Drinking cure and gastronomy
The drinking cure is a fundamental spa procedure in Luhačovice. Springs used for drinking are primarily Vincentka, Aloiska, Ottovka and Dr. Šťastný, which help with digestive problems, respiratory diseases and metabolic disorders. The cure is usually performed twice daily on an empty stomach — before breakfast and before dinner — in amounts of 250 to 350 ml for 20 to 30 days.
So how do you combine the drinking cure with gastronomic pleasures? Ideally by drinking mineral water in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening before meals, while lunch and afternoon snacks are moments when you can indulge in local culinary specialities without guilt. Mineral water also supports digestion, so after Moravian sparrow with dumplings you’ll feel lighter than usual.
Vincentka as aperitif
Interestingly, Vincentka — the most famous Luhačovice spring — can be excellently used as a natural aperitif. Its distinctive mineral taste with slightly salty undertones perfectly prepares taste buds for the upcoming meal. Locals know this and it’s not unusual to see guests enjoying a glass of fresh Vincentka directly at the spring on the colonnade before lunch.
Cooking with mineral water
The tradition of cooking with mineral water has a long history in Luhačovice. Local cooks and restaurant chefs use mineral water when preparing doughs, sauces and soups. Minerals contained in the water give dishes specific taste and delicacy. Some bakers add mineral water to bread dough, giving it characteristic texture and extended durability.
Street food and markets — gastronomy under the open sky
Not only restaurants, but also street food and markets are an integral part of gastronomic life in Luhačovice.
Farmers’ markets
In season, farmers’ markets take place in Luhačovice where local producers offer fresh fruit and vegetables, homemade cheeses, honey, jams, pastries and other products directly from the producer. Markets are an excellent opportunity to taste authentic Moravian products and buy souvenirs that will please taste buds at home too.
Traditional refreshments
On the colonnade and in the spa park you’ll find stalls with traditional refreshments. Warm spa wafers, bramboráky with soured cream, sausages with mustard and horseradish, lokše with jam — all this belongs to typical street food you can treat yourself to while walking in Luhačovice. In summer, ice cream and refreshing drink stalls are added, in winter you can smell mulled wine and hot mead.
Slovácko hut — traditional refreshment in regional dish style — is a concept you might encounter especially during celebrations and festivals. It offers dishes like lokše, sausages, slaughter specialities and other treats that are eaten standing and by hand, but taste like grandma’s cooking.
Gastronomic events in the area — calendar for gourmets
The area around Luhačovice is full of gastronomic and cultural events throughout the year where food and drink play the main role. If you time your visit correctly, you can experience something truly unforgettable.
Vizovice Trnkobraní
Vizovice Trnkobraní is one of the biggest summer festivals in Czechia and takes place annually in August at the Rudolf Jelínek distillery complex in Vizovice, just twenty minutes from Luhačovice. In 2025, the 56th edition will take place in three-day festival format (22-24 August), returning to original tradition after eleven years of two-day format.
The festival offers not only rich musical programme with Czech bands, but also accompanying programme focused on local traditions and gastronomy. The legendary dumpling eating contest attracts media attention from around the world. Friday and Saturday belong to famous names in Czech music, Sunday programme focuses on regional bands and Sunday entry is free.
Slovácko Wine and Open Monuments Festival
Slovácko Wine Festival in Uherské Hradiště belongs to autumn season highlights in Moravia. It traditionally takes place in mid-September and the historic centre of Uherské Hradiště transforms for the entire weekend into a large stage where dozens of folklore ensembles, dulcimer bands and brass bands perform.
Wine tastings, burčák and regional culinary specialities create unforgettable experience for tens of thousands of visitors. The ceremonial parade of thousands of costumed participants from dozens of towns and villages is a spectacle unmatched in Czechia. Uherské Hradiště is approximately thirty minutes’ drive from Luhačovice.
Burčák festivals
Throughout September and October, numerous burčák festivals take place in Slovácko where you can taste freshly fermented grape must directly from vintners. These events are often connected with live music, folklore and sale of local products. The atmosphere is always hearty and friendly — in Moravia they simply celebrate gladly and generously.
Tips for foodies — what to take away and where to look for special offers
Where to buy homemade products
Luhačovice and surroundings are full of small producers offering excellent homemade products. Here’s an overview of the most interesting things you can take as edible souvenirs:
- Homemade honey — beekeepers from the White Carpathians produce exceptional quality honey, from flower through lime to forest varieties
- Homemade marmalades and jams — made from local fruit, without artificial additives and preservatives
- Moravian cheeses — Olomouc tvarůžky, but also farmstead cheeses from smaller dairies in the region
- Dried fruit and nuts — traditional Moravian delicacy, excellent as healthy snack
- Moravian wine — bottle of quality wine from nearby wineries is a gift that pleases everyone
- Slivovitz and fruit distillates — whether from Jelínek or local distillers, a bottle of slivovitz is the most Moravian souvenir
- Frgály and cakes — freshly baked traditional pastries for the journey home
Vegetarian and vegan options
Moravian cuisine is traditionally meat-oriented, but vegetarians and vegans will also find their place in Luhačovice. More and more restaurants are expanding their offerings with meatless alternatives. On menus you’ll find fried cheese (classic of Czech meatless cuisine), bramboráky, fruit dumplings, salads and seasonal vegetable dishes.
Spa hotels often offer dietary and special dining adapted to various dietary needs. If you have specific dietary requirements, it’s worth contacting the restaurant in advance to discuss options. Most establishments in Luhačovice are willing to adapt dishes to individual guest preferences.
Hotel Vincent — breakfast according to your rhythm
When you spend the day exploring Luhačovice gastronomy, you need a place where you can comfortably rest after all those taste experiences — and where breakfast awaits you in the morning exactly according to your preferences. Hotel Vincent in Luhačovice is precisely such a place.
The hotel offers its guests flexible breakfast in buffet form where everyone finds their preference — from fresh pastries, ham, cheeses and spreads to fresh fruit and vegetables. Breakfast is served from 8:00 to 9:30, so you have plenty of time for morning drinking cure at Vincentka spring and then leisurely enjoy a rich start to the day.
For guests who like to prepare their own food, a shared kitchenette is available. This is appreciated especially if you return from farmers’ markets with fresh local ingredients or want to prepare a light dinner after hearty lunch at one of Luhačovice restaurants. At the self-service bar you can choose something good to drink or small snack anytime, with convenient payment via QR code.
Hotel Vincent offers 13 comfortable rooms including large family apartment for up to 6 people, spacious outdoor terrace under mature tree crowns and quiet location near the castle and sports complex. Walk to the spa centre takes approximately twenty minutes through pleasant city park environment.
Book your stay and discover Luhačovice gastronomy with the best accommodation:
- Email: ahoj@vincentluhacovice.cz
- Phone: +420 720 072 780
- Online booking: vincentluhacovice.cz/rezervace-ubytovani/
Conclusion — Luhačovice, where eating and drinking brings joy
Luhačovice is a town where gastronomy becomes part of treatment, where food and drink aren’t just necessity but joy and experience. From traditional Moravian dishes through excellent wines from neighbouring Slovácko, legendary slivovitz from Vizovice to peaceful coffee with frgál on the colonnade — this spa town offers gastronomic experience that satisfies everyone.
Whether you come for a weekend or longer spa stay, Luhačovice restaurants and surrounding gastronomic treasures will let you know Moravia from its most delicious side. Plan your visit, let yourself be guided by tastes and aromas and discover why Moravian cuisine in Luhačovice is an experience not to be forgotten.
And when you’re looking for a place to rest after a full day of gourmet wandering, Hotel Vincent will welcome you with open arms — and in the morning with rich breakfast that gives you energy for another day full of taste adventures in the most beautiful Moravian spa town.