Czech Pub and Tourist Restaurant in Ras al Khaimah

Ras al Khaimah never ceases to surprise!

You walk out of the Hilton Resort, and you find an authentic Czech beer garden… I was not expecting that of all things!

And authentic?

Well, Czech owner, manager, and chef – and just look at the head on that draught beer: one of the finest in the world.

weekenduae Czech Pub and Tourist Restaurant in ras al Khaimah RAK

Know that you’ve just chanced upon one of the UAE’s best independent Central European restaurants – please allow me to show you why:

First and foremost, the food!

Glancing through the menu, it is clear that the restaurant proudly wishes to share an authentic culinary journey to the Czech Republic – and that is a trip I take very willingly!

Above, a hearty Czech beef stew with soft bread dumplings – their goulash – sorry, let me say that right: hovězí guláš!

It is certain that a Czech Chef prepared this, with his own hands, as it tastes exactly like a delicious goulash I enjoyed in Prague; and some things can’t be learned from following a recipe.

This hovězí guláš had soul.

And here’s more – I guess you have to be Czech yourself to know the delicacy below: a pickled cheese starter!

But the cuisine is also delicious, besides being authentic – because patriotism is one thing, but smacking your lips in delight at the awesome flavors is another.

And the good Chef at the Czech Pub and Tourist Restaurant cooks with his heart on his sleeve – he really put in his best effort, and his creations are exceptional.

See for yourself.

Taking advantage of the Ras al Khaimah seafood, a pot of mussels was served; followed by a luscious chicken stroganoff.

A flavorsome oven-baked dish of layered eggplant was also exceptional.

And besides the excellent fresh Pilsner beer, non-alcoholic cocktails and iced teas were refreshing and delicious.

The attention to detail was evident, and this brings me to the second reason I felt that the Czech Pub and Tourist Restaurant is the UAE’s best independent Central European restaurant that I’ve tried – the place has heart.

To operate a small business is tough even at the best of times, and running an independent restaurant with 10-12 tables is a labor of love. You only do that when you are fully committed and passionate, and this was represented in the level of excellence that the Czech Pub aims for in Ras al Khaimah.

In turn, this translates into a dining experience that is above what a large, commercial eatery can offer.

I’m quite sure that the Chef looked out of his little kitchen window to see who had ordered what… and he tasted each dish multiple times as he was preparing them, to make sure they were just perfect… and then he observed in secret as we took our first bite, eagerly looking for smiles and nods of appreciation.

You see, Czech Pub was more than a generic restaurant, where you go to eat something because you are hungry – I felt that Czech Pub was alive, and just humming with culinary talent, serving joy in their dishes.

And I loved it. Fully.

I respect the effort that goes into cultivating a passion, and I benefit as a guest, as a customer, because what I received at Czech Pub was a sincere and authentic dining experience of great mastery and cultural depth – and that is truly unique in the UAE, particularly when representing the culinary culture of a small and beautiful European nation that is not particularly widely known in the UAE – and Ras al Khaimah!

And so I invite you to take the drive out, yes, all the way for a fresh beer and some Czech Goulash – why not! – and even make a weekend staycation out of it, if you can, and enjoy some of the lovely attractions that the area offers.

And come and try the strudel, if you do – fantastic!