Where to eat and drink in Brno on a budget

Remember the excitement of those never ending summer evenings, glass of wine in hand in a shiny new city? It had been awhile since I felt that rush of adrenaline walking into new city but the moment we arrived in Brno late last summer, I knew we would love it. One of the key highlights of the trip was the city’s incredible bar scene … during the summer, everyone was outdoors, enjoying a cold beer or glass of wine like us. You would think it’s odd to be drinking wine but Brno is at heart of the country’s main wine growing region, Moravia. The wine is fabulous and very affordable. Food scene is incredible here too: we enjoyed everything from fabulous Pho (big Vietnamese community here) to delicious Greek food that made us nostalgic about our last trip to Athens. If you need a local to guide you around the best that Brno has to offer in terms of food and drink, I would also highly recommend booking Ivo’s fabulous Brno Bar Tour via the Holiday Moments site. Ivo knows all the bartenders and owners on a first name basis-so you get a really intimate and personal access to locals of Brno. In this section I’ve listed some of my best cheap eats in Brno and also place to drink in Brno.

If you are planning a trip to Brno, checkout my earlier guide of the best things to do in Brno. If you are also visiting Prague, do not forget to checkout our guide of the 24 best things to do in Prague. Plus also, my earlier guide of what to do in Olomouc- the perfect city for art and architecture lovers.

Plus if you love Czech Republic, checkout my recent essay and love letter to this amazing country.

1. Monogram Espresso Bar

If you love a good cup of coffee, simple and uncomplicated, this is the place. You can buy your classic espresso, cappuccino to filtered coffees. There’s plenty of sweet cakes and pastries to compliment and there’s also courses for enthusiasts and budding baristas on offer- perfect given that owner Adam Neubauer has been a multiple winner of Czech barista of the year, one to definitely look into.

12, Kapucínské nám. 310.

2. SKØG Urban Hub

With its bright minimalist Scandi inspired interiors and attentive service, Skøg Urban Hub is the perfect place to linger with one of their gourmet coffees (beans come from the local Rusty Nail Coffee Roasters) or one of their excellent crafted cocktails. There is a limited daily menu with plenty of vegan, vegetarian options plus nice cakes if you need to satisfy your sweet tooth.

5, Dominikánské nám. 187, 602 00 Brno-střed, Czechia

3. Ca Phe Co 

Invited as guest workers by the Czechoslovak government, following the fall of communism, many Vietnamese people decided to stay back and make Czech Republic their home. The third biggest minority in the country (after Slovaks and Ukrainians), in Prague and also in Brno so you can expect really high quality, authentic Viet cuisine here.

Brno has a ton of really good Vietnamese restaurant – my go to place is Cà phê , café and bistro, a very stylish place where you can find authentic Vietnamese classics like Pho Bo ( 169 CZK) , Bun Bo Nam Bo ( 155 CZK) …really tasty Banh Mi’s ( 99 CZK ) plus they serve Vietnamese drip coffee with sweetened condensed milk or coconut milk.

Jezuitská 6/1, 602 00 Brno-střed.

4. Soul Bistro

If you are looking for tasty and soulful food with a nice variety of international dishes to choose that include plenty of vegan, veggie options, then you will love Soul Bistro. Choose from fish and chips ( 189 CZK) to their delicious veggie hummus bowls (179 CZK) or their excellent bagels (starts from 149 CZK) – you won’t be disappointed.

Jezuitská 10, 602 00 Brno-střed-Brno-město, Czechia

5. Cafe Pilat

Enjoy Mediterranean inspired cuisine, local Moravian wine on their beautiful terrace with a birds eye view of the soaring spires of the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul. This is another Brno restaurant with lots of fantastic veggie options plus other highlights include their all you can eat lunch buffet, delicious moroccan lamb soups, and shakshuka for breakfast.

Kapucínské nám. 301, 602 00 Brno-střed, Czechia

6. Cosmopolis Grill

Best greek restaurant in town, friendly service and good prices.

Kozí 5, 602 00 Brno-střed, Czechia

7. Lokal U Caipla

Brno outpost of the famous Lokal chain, join the locals here for amazing draft Pilsner Urquell straight from the tank and also their selection of affordable, homemade Czech dishes using fresh ingredients and spices from local suppliers.

Kozí 115/3, 602 00 Brno-střed, Czechia

DRINK

8. 4Pokoje

Start your day or evening at the fabulous 4 Pokoje bar and restaurant. Enjoy their fabulous brunch ( Recommend their fluffy pancakes and excellent Eggs Benedict ) at 3am in the morning or 3pm. They have a fantastic really affordable lunch menu with dishes starting around 150 CZK. In the evening, the bistro becomes a raucous, lively bar where you can enjoy well crafted cocktails and there’s always a DJ spinning tunes in the background.

Vachova 6, 602 00 Brno-střed, Czechia

9. Super Panda Circus

Quite possibly the best concept bar in Czech Republic

In an unknown address in Brno (can you send a rough clue of the location, rest upto you) guests pull back a curtain to be ushered into a world of cool characters, circus, games, weird but cool cocktails that are built according to your taste profile and personality.

PS: The guys behind Super Panda have launched their own summer pop- up bar called Zardan on the grounds of Spillberk Castle – carries on the colourful circus vibe with some amazing cocktails on offer.

10. Na Stojáka

In terms of atmosphere, especially if the weather is nice, nothing beats the fabulous Výčep Na stojáka which translates roughly to “taphouse for standing”. The idea of the standing up bars goes back to the ‘20s and ’30s, when people would stop for one or two beers and a chat with friends or strangers during the day.

The bar specialises in showcasing beers from smaller local breweries like the Stojácké Poupě, a bottom-fermented 12-degree beer made with three types of hops by the small brewer Beskydský pivovárek in Ostravice in north Moravia.

There also serve excellent ‘Chlebicky’- Czech style open faced sandwiches with delicious toppings at a very affordable price.

Běhounská 16, 602 00 Brno-střed, Czechia

11. The bar that doesn’t exist

The sister bar to Super Panda Circus is not as quirky but is a popular magnet for locals thanks to its hipster but attentive barmen, delicious experimental cocktails and svelte, retro interiors -picture grand crystal chandeliers, chesterfield sofas and a backlit towering drinks cabinet filled with rare spirits and liqueurs. Grab a seat at the downstairs bar and watch mixology magic unfurl before your eyes.

12. Cafe Podnebi

In a magical garden setting, tucked away in an obscure corner of the city’s Špilberk city park is a lovely cafe/ bar called Cafe Podnebi. Whether you want to work, journal, need a peaceful place to read a book or just enjoy a glass of wine with friends – this is that place, secluded and away from the hustle and bustle of Brno .

For very reasonable prices, you can choose between different variations of Illy coffee, quality Ronnefeldt teas or real Belgian chocolate. Draft local beers and the Czech cola- Kofola, are also available.

5, Údolní 222, 602 00 Brno-střed, Czechia

13. Element Bar & Restaurant

Element is the brainchild of Jan Liška and Tomáš Reger who met when they were working in Dubai-the bar reflects their education and experiences abroad but has a strong emphasis on local ingredients which fuse to create a wonderful experience. Food is fabulous as is their service- try their delicious Arancini or go for their Donburi Japanese rice bowls or Vegetarian gyoza. In keeping with the city’s creative bar scene, the cocktails here are wonderful and very unique. Must visit when in Brno.

Běhounská 108/7, 602 00 Brno-střed-Brno-město, Czechia