Brazil is a vast country with a rich and diverse culinary heritage. Each region offers unique dishes that reflect its history, climate, and cultural influences. In the north, the Amazon basin provides exotic fruits and fish, heavily influencing local cuisine. The northeast, with its African heritage, is known for spicy dishes and seafood stews. The southeast, including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, showcases a mix of Portuguese, Italian, and Japanese influences. The south, with its European settlers, is famous for its churrasco (barbecue) and hearty meals.
Want to learn how to make all these delicious Brazilian foods? Sign up for the boozy 9-recipe cooking class in Rio de Janeiro. Keep reading for more details, or sign up here.
Ready to see the top foods and drinks you have to try when you visit Brazil?
Skip to:
Best Foods You Have to Try in Brazil:
1. Feijoada
Originating from Portuguese and African culinary traditions, feijoada is a hearty black bean stew with pork, including sausages, ribs, and trotters. It's often considered Brazil's national dish, and is one of Brazil's most iconic foods.
Where to Eat Feijoada in Brazil: Best enjoyed in Rio de Janeiro, for its authentic preparation and rich flavors.
2. Moqueca
A fragrant seafood stew originating from Bahia and Espírito Santo, moqueca features fish, shrimp, coconut milk, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, slow-cooked in a clay pot. Experience the Bahian version at Restaurante Dona Suzana in Salvador. For a picturesque setting, try moqueca in Trancoso, where the beachside restaurants serve this dish with stunning ocean views.
Also Try Moqueca Capixaba, A lighter version of moqueca from Espírito Santo, made with fish, tomatoes, onions, and olive oil. Taste moqueca capixaba at a beachfront restaurant in Vitória.
Where to Eat Moqueca in Brazil: For an authentic Bahian moqueca, head to a restaurant in Salvador, Trancoso, or Espírito Santo.
3. Churrasco
Brazilian barbecue typically features skewered and grilled meats, especially beef, and a variety of sausages.
Where to eat Churrasco: For an authentic churrasco experience, visit Churrascaria Barranco in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, where the gaucho tradition of grilling meats over open flames is celebrated. However, for a top cultural experience, if you are invited to a churrasco at somebody's home, make sure to accept the invite.
4. Carne de Sol
Sun-dried and salted beef, grilled or fried and typically served with beans, rice, and farofa (toasted manioc flour).
Where to Eat Carne do Sol in Brazil: Enjoy carne de sol at Mangai in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, where this traditional dish is prepared with care and served with authentic Brazilian sides.
Best Brazilian Snacks & Street Foods
5. Acai
A superfood from the Amazon region, açaí is typically served as a frozen bowl topped with granola, banana, and other fruits. Açaí shops are often self-service, allowing you to chose and add your own toppings, as well as combine with other ice-cream flavors.
Where to Eat Açaí in Brazil: Beachside kiosks and juice bars everywhere in Brazil offer açaí bowls topped with fresh fruits, a perfect refreshing treat.
6. Pão de Queijo
These cheese bread balls from Minas Gerais are made with tapioca flour and Minas cheese, are a chewy and savory treat. Crispy on the outside but soft in the middle, today they are found across the country.
Where to Eat Pao de Queijo in Brazil: Pão de Queijo, originating from Minas Gerais, is best enjoyed in Belo Horizonte at A Pão de Queijaria, a popular spot for this chewy, cheesy snack.
7. Coxinha
A popular street food snack filled with shredded chicken encased in dough, deep-fried until crispy. Veloso Bar in São Paulo is renowned for its delicious coxinhas, which are perfectly golden and bursting with savory flavors.
Where to Eat Coxinha in Brazil: Find coxinhas at bakeries and street stalls throughout Brazil.
8. Tapioca
Thin, crispy crepes made from tapioca (cassava) flour filled with various savory or sweet fillings such as cheese, tomato, coconut, or condensed milk. Enjoy tapioca throughout Brazil, but especially in the northeast region. You’ll find them at street markets and fairs where vendors offer freshly made versions with a variety of fillings.
Where to Eat Taoioca in Brazil: Most commonly found in street kiosks in Bahia, as well as in cafes.
9. Pastel
Deep-fried pastries filled with various savory fillings such as cheese, chicken, ground meat, or hearts of palm. Sample pastel at Feira de São Cristóvão in Rio de Janeiro, where vendors offer a wide array of fillings and flavors in these crispy and satisfying snacks.
Where to Eat Pastel in Brazil: Anywhere in Brazil, sometimes found in bars as a late night snack or in a Pasteleria.
10. Acarajé
A beloved street food from Bahia, acarajé is a deep-fried ball of black-eyed pea dough stuffed with shrimp, vatapá (a spicy paste), and caruru (okra paste). For an authentic experience, head to Salvador.
Where to Eat Acaraje in Brazil: For a taste of the iconic Bahian street food acarajé, visit Salvador’s Rio Vermelho neighborhood, where Dinha's Acarajé is a favorite among locals. Or, head to Cira's in Itapua.
11. Empada
Small savory pies filled with shredded chicken, shrimp, hearts of palm, or cheese.
Where to Eat Empada in Brazil: Find empadas at bakeries and street stalls throughout Brazil.
Must-Try Sweets in Brazil
12. Brigadeiro
A beloved Brazilian sweet made from condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter, coated in chocolate sprinkles. For gourmet brigadeiros, visit Maria Brigadeiro in São Paulo, where you can indulge in these fudgy delights in various flavors and toppings.
Where to Eat Brigadeiro in Brazil: Can be enjoyed at many confectioneries throughout Brazil, as well as being sold by street vendors.
13. Beijinho
A popular Brazilian sweet made from condensed milk, butter, and coconut, rolled into small balls and coated in sugar or coconut flakes. Beijinho is often served at birthday parties
Where to Eat Beijinho in Brazil: Can be enjoyed at many confectioneries throughout Brazil, as well as being sold by street vendors.
Want to learn to cook like a Brazilian? Take this epic 9-recipe boozy cooking class in Rio de Janeiro! The perfect way to try a variety of dishes and learn how to make them yourself back home. Book your spot here.
Best Drinks You Have to Try in Brazil
1. Caipirinha
Brazil's national cocktail made with cachaça (sugarcane liquor), lime, sugar, and ice. It's best savored at a beach kiosk in Rio de Janeiro or a bar in São Paulo, where you can enjoy the refreshing blend of flavors amid Brazil's vibrant nightlife.
2. Cachaça
Brazil's most popular distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented sugarcane juice. Visit a distillery in Minas Gerais to taste different varieties of cachaça and learn about the traditional production methods that make this drink a national favorite.
3. Suco
Brazil is famous for its fresh, natural fruit juices, known as sucos. Popular options include mango, passion fruit, guava, and orange, often served at juice bars (lanchonetes) around the country.
Don't see your favorite on the list? What is your favorite thing to eat when you visit Brazil? Let me know in the comments below!
Comments