| It is the French that are primarily known for eating snails, but there is also a long tradition of eating snails in the Mediterranean and in Central Europe. The roots of eating snails stretch back to the Middle Ages. Snails were once predominantly collected in the wild, but are now more commonly farmed artificially. The Czech Republic has in recent years become a significant exporter of this delicacy.
Snails in Prague are usually served by the dozen or half dozen on special plates either with or without their shells. If they are still in their shells, they are usually eaten with special tongs to hold the shell and a thin fork to prise out the meat.
The most common preparation is Escargot Bourguignon (Snails a la Burgundy), in which whole snails are braised in wine for several hours and served in melted butter with garlic or herbs and most often with tarragon. They are served either in the shell or without.
Snails at Christmas-time
Snails are considered a Lenten food and for this reason appear on the menu at Christmas and Easter. Indeed there are a number of restaurants in Prague at which you can sample this delicacy at Christmas.
Snail meat is healthy. It contains no fat or cholesterol and has a specific taste that is loved by almost everyone once they have tried it. We recommend heading out for lunch on Christmas Eve with family or friends, ordering a dozen snails and a glass of wine and enjoying some pleasant company to get yourself in the mood for the festivities ahead.
Recommended restaurants:
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Restaurant Les Moules
Prague 1, Paříská 19/203, Phone: 222 315 022
Les Moules restaurant serves delicious snails throughout the year (not just before Christmas). Here they are grilled in garlic and almond butter. Come on Christmas Eve and dont forget to sample some traditional Belgian Christmas beer.
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Restaurant Café Savoy
Prague 1, Vítězná 5, Tel: 257 311 562
Café Savoy coffee bar and restaurant, part of the Ambiente group, also serves Escargot Bourguignon all year round.
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Restaurant Café Palanda
Prague 1, Zlatnická 1122/11, Phone: 777 700 422
In restaurant Café Palanda serves Escargot Bourguignon with french salade all year round.
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Restaurant La Gare
Prague 1, V Celnici 3, Phone: 222 313 712
French restaurant La Gare serves Escargot Bourguignon all year round.
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Restaurace Monarch
Prague 1, V Kolkovně 6, Phone: 222 315 545
Restaurant Monarch serves baked snails in shells from farms in South Bohemia, garlic butter and toast.
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Restaurace Chez Marcel
Praha 2, Rubeova 10, Tel: 224 239 570
French restaurant Chez Marcel serves Escargot Bourguignon all year round.
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