Etapa — Restaurant in Prague

Me going into this place: "Aww, a cute little vegetarian restaurant, that's neat." Me leaving this place: "This is the answer to all the meat-free culinary questions on this very planet. I didn’t know food can taste like this. Every other so-called vegetarian/vegan chef gets put into their place by this restaurant’s chef."

So apparently my GF saw some TikToks which led us to go to this place in the "outskirts" of Prague, located in a lovely district in which we found this restaurant.

We had to wait 10 minutes for a table and I was like, "Unusual for such a place to be booked out like that," and boy, I was about to figure out why.

We ordered some matcha latte — was my first one ever, can’t compare it therefore, so I was just sitting there not knowing what was about to come. Now let me tell you: I am a vegetarian for 6 years and I have been to places that called themselves skilled when it comes to vegetarian/vegan food. My mother is a former master chef with a degree and also vegetarian. Do these things turn me into a subject matter expert? No. Do I know a thing or two? Yes.

So I ordered the scrambled eggs you can see in the picture and started eating. The moment this food went into my mouth, I saw God manifest itself in this very meal — I am an atheist, so this was quite a moment for me. I am 100% sure that even the eggs they used for this meal didn’t know themselves that they can be cooked like this. It felt like 7–8 different types of flavors were melting on my tongue, just in the right consistency at the right temperature. They reached taste buds I didn’t know existed. I never had any kind of scrambled eggs taste like that in my life. I enjoyed every bite I took from this meal and I was sure there is no way to praise this meal accordingly, 'cause it was just beyond me how you can manage to make a meal feel like this. When I was done, I nearly cried 'cause I was done eating and wanted to go back to the time when I was hungry and could order the rest of the menu.

Every meal you see on the menu I posted works on its own (at least what me and my GF had) without any wannabe trick — it’s just local products, with the right spices, cooked perfectly, and the outcome puts a lot of other restaurants to shame.

So yes, apparently they just use local products for their menu and change it according to the season. Awesome — more restaurants should do that. And also, in my experience, a lot of chefs and restaurants struggle to create nice vegetarian/vegan meals, a lot less succeed, and even fewer make it taste good without fake meat products. But not Theresa.

Theresa (my apology if I spell it wrong) is the chef of Etapa. I have been told by the waitress that she just, like, comes up with this stuff without much thinking about it?! If you ever read this, I hope to see you on some famous billboard or any kind of show with a lot of money in your pockets, 'cause you got a talent not many people on this earth can claim for themselves.

And if that’s not enough — it wasn’t even expensive?! And the waiters/waitresses were super nice!

I don’t know if I can ever go into a vegetarian/vegan restaurant without comparing them to Etapa. I don’t know if I’ll ever find something that could remotely be compared to these scrambled eggs. I want to go back.

If you are a vegetarian or vegan visiting Prague,...

A culinary gem in Karlín that perfectly captures modern Czech gastronomy! Etapa offers an innovative dining experience that's both sophisticated and welcoming.

The seasonal menu is a creative journey through contemporary Czech cuisine with international influences. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted and beautifully presented. The tasting menu is particularly impressive, offering excellent value for the quality and creativity of the dishes.

Standout dishes include their perfectly prepared duck breast and their innovative take on traditional svíčková. The wine list is well-curated, featuring both local Czech wines and international selections. The sommelier's recommendations were spot-on with our meal choices.

The interior is modern and minimalist, creating a comfortable yet elegant atmosphere. The service strikes the perfect balance between professional and friendly, with staff who are knowledgeable about both the menu and wine list.

Located in the vibrant Karlín district, it's slightly off the tourist track but absolutely worth the trip. Prices are reasonable considering the quality of food and service.

Pro tips: Reservations are essential, especially for dinner Try the tasting menu for the full experience Ask for wine pairing recommendations Save room for their creative desserts

A must-visit for food enthusiasts looking for a modern take on Czech cuisine in a...

My opinion is mixed. The place is situated in a very nice (notoriously hipsterish, so apriori you expect to overpay just for the location) quarter, minimalistically decorated with a clean environment and outside seating.

The staff was friendly and helpful. They often came to check our order, clean our table etc.

The thing that struck me as very inadequate was the food however. We ordered vegan broth, desserts, scrambled eggs and coffee. Apart from the very long wait time for the main food items, the only difference I've noticed between vegan broth version and non-vegan broth version was the exclusion of the egg from the vegan one (with no apparent price change). The broth was very dull, no spices, small portion, watery taste, the flavour mostly supplied by the legume (Yes, even vegan broths can have full body taste). Definitely not suiting the price, even despite my previous mention. Scrambled eggs also. Tiny portions, lacking decoration to at least make it aesthetically appealing. The bread was good however. Coffee was alright. Desserts also.

All in all, I'd hope that for the price they are at least choosing higher quality ingredients and environmentally-conscious sources. We didn't hate it, but I wouldn't recommend going there as you will have a very average experience for above...