A Vegetarian in Europe – What I Ate in Paris, Prague and Cesky Krumlov

Ever since I was 11 years old, I’ve wanted to go to Paris. I learnt French after school for a year at this age (the only thing that stuck was the names of fruits) and when my teacher came back from a trip to Paris, I decided then and there that I was going one day.

It may have taken me over ten years but I finally made it!

When a friend was going to Paris as part of her two months of travel and had no one to join her for those few days, I jumped at the chance. We spent two nights in Paris then also headed to Prague for three nights. I then spent one night in Cesky Krumlov, a little Bohemian town a few hours south of Prague.

Now perhaps we just didn’t know where to look but food wise but Paris was just as I expected; bread, cheese, pastries and more bread. Our hostel offered free breakfast, which included cereal, bread and croissants. I am not a massive croissant fan but when in France, right? I had a little bowl of cereal with my croissant but passed on the bread.

For lunch, we wandered far and wide looking for an alternative to the ubiquitous French baguette but alas, none was to be found. So that’s what I had on the first day: a brie and veggie baguette. I’m not going to lie – the French do a damn good baguette. I just didn’t want one for three meals a day every day!

My travel buddy (a non-veggie) was lucky enough to find quiches but they usually all had ham or salmon in them. The one time I actually found a courgette quiche, I was so excited and so hungry that I practically inhaled it and forgot to take photos. But here is the cute little bakery that saved me:

Bakery Paris

We went to an Italian restaurant the first night for dinner (you know, as you do in France…) and I had one of the two vegetarian options on the menu: gnocchi with tomato and basil sauce. It was tasty enough but nothing terribly exciting. The second night, we went out partying and didn’t really have dinner, just got baguettes in a dingy bar. Classy.

Although Paris isn’t exactly full of places to eat as a vegetarian, I did stumble upon a couple of gems.

Vegan Cafe

Vegan Cafe right next to a French bookstore = heaven. I was not hungry at the time but I do now regret not buying a cute little cupcake just because!

Vegetarian Restaurant

This restaurant was shut when we were there in mid-morning but peeping through the glass, it looked like a higgledy piggledy, artsy, slightly hippy restaurant. Awesome. It was in the Montmarte area of Paris, so it fit right in! Love, love, love.

So as I didn’t really take photos of my baguettes, this photo of my airport meal will have to do in summing up my French eating experience.

Airport

Moving on to the Czech Republic… I fared much better here. Our first night we had Thai for dinner and it was amazing. It was so amazing it requires its very own post but for now, here is a teaser:

Summer Rolls

And below is a photo summary of my Czech culinary experience.

Prague:

Quiche 2
Quiche and coffee for brunch. My quiche was courgette, my friend’s was mixed vegetable.

Quiche

Gelato
Banana and mandarin gelato. Mmm…
Chocolate
So much chocolate! Okay, so we didn’t eat any but the shop smelt delicious!
Peach
Odd, flat peaches were everywhere. They were deliciously juicy.
Wine
Wine from classy ‘glasses’.
Wine 2
If you ever see this wine in a shop… don’t buy it. It’s gross.
Spring Rolls
Vegetarian Spring Rolls for Dinner #2
Stir-fry
Spicy Cashew Stir-Fry… where they forgot the cashews and the spice.
Coffee Cafe
More coffee…
Crepe
Mixed Vegetable Crepe. Sounded good and looked good on the plate…
Crepe 2
… but wasn’t good. Was revolting. Yes, I hate peas.
Fresh Fruit
Fresh berries and cherries at the French Markets
Fruitier
Mr Fruitier
Pie
Raspberry tart. And coffee.

Cesky Krumlov:

Panini
Back on the bread: tomato and pesto panini for brunch, whilst writing postcards. My coffee is just out of the shot.
Crisps
Bohemian potato chips on a park bench for an afternoon snack. Tasted way artier than regular chips.
Coffee
Morning coffee by the river.
Crepe
Giant spinach and blue cheese crepe for brunch. I managed about half! With coffee, of course.

You may have noticed that I ate brunch a lot. I used to think going out for brunch was for fancy yuppies or trendy young mums on Sunday mornings but on this trip, I realised it’s really just a great way to save money… Two meals a day is far cheaper than three meals a day!

Now, I’m off to raid the kitchen as for some odd reason, I’m craving a coffee…

0 thoughts on “A Vegetarian in Europe – What I Ate in Paris, Prague and Cesky Krumlov

  1. we found a couple of yummy veggie restaurants in Paris, saw the one in Montmartre but it wasn’t meal time! There is a fab one near the Pompidou Centre and a lovely cafe style one “cafe ginger” near Place de la Bastille. Lots of Falafel about too. For next time!

    1. Yeah, I don’t think we were there long enough to really search properly for veggie restaurants/cafes but just going to any old cafe/bakery was hard.

      But I am definitely noting down your suggestion for next time (there WILL be a next time!). Thanks so much! =)

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