Foz do Iguaçu
If you really want to immerse yourself in Foz de Iguaçu's Middle Eastern culture, this divine sweet shop across from the Omar Ibn Al-Khattab mosque in…
Must-see restaurants in Brazil
Rio Grande do Sul
Set among homey hardwoods, this excellent restaurant serves the comfort food of Brazil's Italian immigrants. A buffet of organic salads, house-made pastas…
Belém
Around since 1972, La em Casa is an excellent choice for Pará specialties centered around Amazon fish and duck dishes, as well as Brazilian barbecued…
Brasília
With a disciple of Brazilian super chef Alex Atala running the show, this classy spot has everyone's taste buds doing a happy dance. The three-course…
Manaus
In a shopping center on the way to Ponta Negra west of town, this place deserves its consistently good reviews. Professional service and artfully prepared…
Santa Catarina
The rustic seafood shack Arante has become an island institution, its walls covered with poetry and artwork that patrons have added over the years…
Curitiba
It's not located in Curitiba's touristy Italian neighborhood, yet this upscale trattoria is the real deal. The pasta – pick your type, then pick your…
São Paulo
Top chef Morena Leite turns out excellent regional Brazilian fare, with an emphasis on local and organic ingredients, served in a relaxed, beautifully…
São Paulo
This classic Centro lanchonete (snack bar) serves working folk's meals at all hours, but its signature pernil (pork loin) sandwich, smothered in the…
Brazil
Mangai's spectacular regional buffet is available in other cities, but it hails from João Pessoa. Most items are labeled in English, and there’s plenty…
Rio Grande do Sul
Pastry chef Amanda Selbach honed her skills at France's Institut Paul Bocuse. Colorful macarons (R$5; try bergamot!), decadent eclairs (R$14), mille…
Pará
This small kiosk just west of the center serves the best tacacá (local soup with shrimp) we've tasted in Brazil. A late-afternoon bowl of this local…
Belém
The 'King of Cod' is a Belém classic, with cheap and cheerful service and fresh street-food staples straight from the nearby fish market. It's no-frills,…
Lençóis
Fantastically fresh, hearty portions of handmade pastas and jazz music are on the menu at this gourmet restaurant. Opening days can vary during the off…
Santa Catarina
From a charming candlelit porch in Canto da Lagoa, a small but delectable daily-changing menu of Med-inspired contemporary dishes makes for one of Floripa…
Santa Catarina
Our favorite of the atmospheric seafood restaurants that line the western coast of Lagoa de Conceicão in the village of Costa da Lagoa. A wealth of just…
Foz do Iguaçu
This mineiro (from Minas Gerais state)-run highlight of the Foz scene ('scene' used loosely) is full of country charm and swarming with town sophisticates…
Centro & the Mainland
Korean-Japazilian chef Emerson Kim and his Latvian wife honed their skills at Nobu (yes, that Nobu). You will find a grand total of zero items with cream…
Santa Catarina
This high-quality buffet of Brazilian-interpreted German specialties is not the kind of place you want to go more than once, but once is worth the…
Rio Grande do Sul
Occupying a lovely residential home in Planato near Igreja São Bento, this is the best of the restaurants specializing in the comida típica italiana…
São Paulo
Accolades abound for upstart Brazilian chef Marcelo Bastos and his affordable entry-level into contemporary Brazilian cuisine. Pick any three courses at…
Minas Gerais
In a lovely 18th-century building with intimate candlelit interior, this local favorite specializes in pizza, pasta and salads complemented by a good wine…
Gramado
Per Voi isn't Gramado's most famous restaurant specializing in the Italian-gaúcho tradition of bottomless capeletti soup, galeto (rotisserie spring…
Bahia
This landmark bar and restaurant attracts Amado fans (two of the novelist's fictional protagonists met here) for moquecas (fish stews) and cold beer…
São Paulo
Most folks crave burgers and fries after a late night of being overserved in Vila Madelana, but if your sweet tooth is calling, the neighborhood outlet of…
Porto Seguro
One of the classiest per-kilo eateries around, Rabanete puts out a mouthwatering buffet of gourmet dishes, from pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and basil to…
Rio Grande do Sul
This decadent cafe and chocolataria makes for a mighty fine stop for a sweet treat (we're partial to the Italian merengue and doce de leite–topped Avenida…
Gramado
An accommodating family – mom, dad and daughter – of Genova-descended Brazilians run this homespun trattoria. Classic sauces (pesto, carbonara, bolognese)…
Centro & the Mainland
This outstanding, award-winning por-kilo buffet concentrates on a more subtle selection of daily dishes, all focused on high-quality, home-cooked goodness…
Foz do Iguaçu
This informal, family-run cantina churns out wood-fired pizza – even in personal sizes – and reasonably authentic pasta in heaping portions. This is the…
São Paulo
A Scotsman and two Italians were the first to do what nobody outside Buenos Aires could previously do: produce amazing Italian gelato in South America…
Salvador
This quaint hideaway cafe, located inside an antique house that's positioned dramatically on a cliff top over the ocean, is one of a kind. Come for the…
Santa Catarina
Easily one of Brazil's best bars in a gorgeous authentic English pub atmosphere. It does a good job with homesick-remedy pub grub like fish and chips,…
Bahia
This Trancoso classic, formally known as Portinha, woos diners with a sumptuous buffet (don't miss the dessert spread) and atmospheric seating at tree…
São Paulo
This cutely, Av Paulista outlet of one of the city's best gelatarias is a calm and cool pitstop for those seeking a bit of sweet energy as they explore…
Lençóis
This popular eatery specializes in cuisine from Brazil's Northwest – think grilled meats, fish and chicken, served at cute alfresco tables for two. It's…
Bahia
Festive and popular Souza Bar, inside the Tamar Project Station, has a dramatic setting along the rocky coastline. It's a sure bet for fresh clams, crispy…
Rio de Janeiro
This multipurpose space operates as a cafe, bar and minimarket. The owner’s French roots show through on the menu and store shelves, with the excellent…
Rio de Janeiro
Chef Sei Shiroma made his name with Ferro e Farinha, widely regarded as Rio’s best pizza place. South Ferro, Shiroma’s second restaurant, adds a healthy…
Rio de Janeiro
Brick walls lined with tapestries stretch high to the ceiling in this almost-cinematic 1870s mansion. Set on a brick-lined street, hidden from the masses,…
