From honeyglazed ham to crispy carp: Festive meals from Prague restaurants to your holiday table

The holiday season in the Czech Republic typically sees families gathering at home. But in recent years going out for a holiday meal has become an increasingly popular option, with Christmas snail menus and elegant New Year's Eve feasts becoming an annual part of Prague's culinary calendar.

This year Christmas and New Year will be spent under lockdown measures as restaurants and pubs close their doors from Dec. 18. Many local restaurants are adapting to the less-than-jolly outlook for 2020 by offering festive feasts and cocktails to go.

Jeff Cohen, owner of Vinohrady-based American barbecue joint Bad Jeff's said of their American-inspired holiday menu in a box, "We decided to do Christmas boxes so people can enjoy traditional American Christmas food, and as restaurants are closed, we are trying to come up with new ideas to help us get through this situation."

Here are some last-minute tips for everything you need to eat, drink, and be merry throughout the holiday season in Prague and the Czech Republic while supporting restaurants and small businesses in need of some extra holiday love.

Jeff might be bad, but the Christmas box from his barbecue look oh-so good! The Christmas Boxes include a honey glazed ham, chicken roulade with rosemary bread stuffing, a selection of vegetables, potato gratin, and if you've got room for something after, caramel bread pudding. Wash it all down with Bad Jeff’s Brew and homemade eggnog or custom cocktails to go. Deadline for orders is for Dec. 22 but if you miss it Bad Jeff's will soon be launching brunch and NYE boxes. Customers can order via WOLT, Dame Jidlo, Bolt, or directly at the restaurant for pickup.

You can also contact them via Facebook to put your order in ASAP.

Cafe Imperial is a grand Art Deco landmark that is currently helmed by celebrity chef Zdeněk Pohlreich. Its festive offering doesn't disappoint and includes fish soup with butter croutons, Christmas fried carp from with potato salad and grated horseradish, imperial veal schnitzel with potato salad, holiday wine sausage with potato salad, and apple strudel with vanilla sauce. Orders are only being taken until Dec. 22 and are delivered straight to you from the Imperial kitchen via Liftago.

Place your order from their website.

Chateau St. Havel is also serving up a gourmet take on the Czech Christmas meal. From Snail ragout with tomato sauce to castle carp fries, and fish cream soup, start the meal on a flavorful note with a segue into the turkey breast, wild boar, or traditional fried carp entrees. Christmas cookies are also still available. Orders can be placed for pick up or takeaway here.

Culinaria Catering has a wide-ranging festive menu which can be ordered anytime from now until the end of December. From hearty soups, green salads, and zesty finger foods to main courses like a whole turkey, duck, or beef or salmon Wellington, your holiday table will be spoilt for choice. Cold cut trays and platters as well as desserts make this a good selection all season long.

Order à la carte from their website.

The Mlynec Restaurant has a Christmas brunch that begins with Prague Ham and ends with gingerbread cheesecake with a mix of turkey, carp, and decadent gourmet sides in between. Prosseco and egg nog complete this generous holiday meal. You can also order a festive spread curated by chefs from Zátiší Group restaurants that includes 6 meals, 3 desserts, and wine.

Orders will be taken until Dec. 22 and delivered up until Dec. 26; you can order online.

For those who celebrate the holidays with home cooking, there's still time to stock up on supplies. Prominent is one of the largest processors of quality-bred turkey meat in the Czech Republic and currently has an e-shop offering a variety of cuts for the holidays as well as chicken, beef, and pork specialties. English-friendly grocery delivery service Rohlik also has plenty to offer procrastinating home chefs. Order their unique bundles of ingredients tied to classic Czech recipes (see here for complete recipes and to click through to order).