In case you didn’t know, Brazil stands alone as a paradise for wanderlust foodies.
For all that Brazil has to offer, few countries can match the rich culinary history and diverse selection of exotic fruits and foods that makes this country unlike any other. Whether you’re in the mood for delicious Amazonian dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, slow cooked wood-fired pizzas as savory as its Italian counterparts, exquisite French fine dining with a unique Brazilian twist, or a traditional home cooked meal at a local food stall that will leave you wanting more – Brazil stands alone as a paradise for wanderlust foodies.
So, here are my top five best places to eat at in Brazil!
1. Espírito Santa
Rua Almirante Alexandrino, 264 Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, 20241-260, Brazil (map, website)
Located in Santa Teresa neighborhood of Rio, Espírito Santa serves mouth-watering Amazonian dishes that are sure to please your palate as much as the panoramic views from the terrace setting will delight your eyes. The lovely décor exudes a hip, yet romantic atmosphere, which guarantees an unforgettable night out.
2. Bráz Pizzaria
Rua Vupabussu, 271 Pinheiros, São Paulo, 05429-040, Brazil (website)
Move over Italy, Brazil just may be the new capital of pizza! With over 6,000 pizzerias and well over one million pizzas consumed each day in the city alone, São Paulo is the unquestionable center for pizza fanatics in Brazil, let alone South America. Despite the numerous pizzerias in the area, Bráz Pizzaria has quickly earned a reputation as one of the country’s best spots for a slice of pizza.
No meal at Bráz can be complete with a delicious Brahma chope (local draft beer), a tasty appetizer of pão do calabresa (sausage bread) dipped in olive oil, and, of course, a taste of the famous fosca pizza (smoked ham, catipury cheese, mozzarella and tomato sauce). With multiple locations in São Paulo, Campinas and Rio de Janeiro, Bráz is simply a can’t-miss for any foodie.
3. Olympe
Rua Custódio Serrão, 62 Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, 22470-230, Brazil (map, website)
For exquisite fine dining and delectable French cuisine, look no further than Olympe to satisfy your craving taste buds. Located in the Jardim Botanico neighborhood of the city, French Chef Claude Troigros opened the restaurant in 2003 as a way to express his unwavering appreciation for Brazil’s diverse and rich culinary history. Combining hallmarks of classic French cuisine, such as foie gras and langoustine, with local South American ingredients, including yucca, tucupi juice and acai to name a few – Olympe successfully serves up a truly unique dining experience that you will not soon forget.
4. Tacacá da Gisela
Praça São Sebastião, Manaus, 69010 Brazil (map, website)
Ask anyone who has ever visited Brazil and they’ll tell you that some of the best eats in Brazil can be had a local food stall or kiosk. One of Brazil’s most renowned and popular food stalls is Tacacá da Gisela, located in the Amazonian city of Manaus. Situated just meters away from the famous Teatro Amazonas, this food stall serves delicious bowls of tacacá, a traditional soup made of jambu, tucupi, dried shrimp and yellow peppers.
5. Vó Bertila
Rua Bartolomeu de Gusmão, 1116 Centro, Foz do Iguaçu 85851-160, Brazil (map, website)
Staying true to its Italian counterparts, this family-run restaurant is known for baking supremely delectable, wood-fired pizzas and for serving generous helpings of home cooked pastas. Located in Foz do Iguaçu and a mere stone’s throw away from the famous Iguaçu Falls, Vó Bertila is a very popular eatery.
