Brazil on a Budget » Restaurants

Salvador Restaurants

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:40:28 +0000

Salvador has great food, from the Pelourinho to the beach front, and it’s one of the best places in Brazil to eat traditional food. Feijoada is a staple here, as well a many Brazilian seafood dishes. Coming along with that, food in Salvador is often served to be shared, so if you find the portions particularly large or particularly expensive, they may very well have been meant for more than just you! Eating together is a great way to make friends and explore traditional Brazilian cuisine.

A Cubana

Located directly outside the Elevador Lacerda, A Cubana has some of the best ice cream in Salvador and it’s hard NOT to walk past it. It’s not Buenos Aires or Rome, but on a hot Bahia day, this stuff is magic. It’s also close to many Salvador Activities so it’s easy to get to.
Ice cream from R$2.
Outside Elevador Lacerda.

Bahia Café

This little café on Praça da Sé serves up hearty sandwiches big enough for two, as well as good juices and other snacks at great prices for those on a budget! You won’t find much for the same price elsewhere and certainly not of similar quality. Great for a quick lunch.
Sandwiches from R$10.
Praça da Sé.

La Figa

This is some of the best Italian food we’ve ever had – including in Italy! – and the service is some of the best we had in Brazil! Although a little more n the expensive side for true budget backpackers, this place is worth the splurge! The menu is extensive, but we suggest the carbonara, the eggplant rollatini and the calamari with roasted vegetables. If it’s not busy (and assuming you’re polite and nice customers), they often bring a desert tasting plate on the house at the end of the meal! Don’t miss this as a splurge or a special meal, La Figa is WELL worth it, even if it is far from a few Salvador Hostels, and will stand in your Brazilian travel and culinary experiences.
Pastas from R$15.
Just off Rua das Laranjeiras.

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Rio de Janeiro Restaurants

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:36:16 +0000

Rio de Janeiro has some of the best food you’ll find in Brazil, from high-end restaurants to cheap street-side snack bars. And if you’ve been on the road for a while and are craving some more international cuisine, the city’s cosmopolitan flair will ensure you a wide range of quality choices, from Middle Eastern to Japanese within every traveler’s budget.

Belmonte

This classic Rio boteco retains its 1950s feel while serving up hearty Brazilian foods, from huge platters for two, to steak sandwiches, to empadas and the best pastéis we found in all of Brazil! This place has an authentically local vibe with Cariocas gathering here after work for a chopp (draft beer), a snack and some socializing. The party spills out onto the street and it can be quite a wait to get a table, so grab a chopp and some pastéis and relax! This is the perfect way to wind down after a long day at the beach and kick-off your Rio de Janeiro nightlife experience. For a more low-key and quiet experience, drop by for lunch. There are several locations around Rio de Janeiro, but the best is the original in Flamengo, easily accessible by bus from the beaches of the Zona Sul (Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon).
Chopp R$3, pastéis from R$3 and steak sandwiches from R$12.
Praia do Flamengo 300, Flamengo

Koni Store

This chain of fast-food cum bistro is the latest craze in Rio. Choose from an extensive list of sweet and savory temaki (seaweed rolled around rice and stuffed with salmon, tuna, veggies, beef etc…) – a delicious and cheap lunch or snack. There are numerous stores across town, the original in Ipanema. After months of traveling, this is the perfect place to satisfy those cravings for something other than rice and beans without breaking the bank!
Temaki from R$7.
Rua Maria Quitéria 77, Ipanema

Carretão

Dozens of different cuts and types of meats are carved directly onto your plate at this traditional churrascaria. There is also an excellent and extensive ‘salad’ bar that includes everything from fish, to chicken, pasta, salads, sushi and more! Carretão is the perfect combo of value and quality for the backpacker on a budget and is easily accessible from Ipanema beach and hostels!
All-you-can-eat rodízio from R$30.
Rua Visconde de Pirajá 112, Ipanema

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Praia da Pipa Restaurants

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:29:11 +0000

If you’ve been traveling the Northeast for a while and are craving something a little different than your traditional Brazilian fare, Praia da Pipa will not disappoint! Unfortunately for the budget traveler, these indulgences do not often come cheap in Pipa, but here are a few suggestions to get you started. And there are plenty of more upscale places to tempt your palate should you feel like splurging!

Casa da Farinha

This great little bakery offers great snacks, sandwiches, burgers, juices and smoothies for a quick lunch, light dinner, or a snack anytime, without breaking the bank! Makes for a great stop to or from the beach.
Snacks from R$3.
Rua Principal.

Tá Massa

With few budget options available, this place is a great option for travelers looking for a good, cheap, satisfying meal. This place serves up hearty portions of penne or spaghetti with your choice of a range of sauces. Simple but good and a great place to satisfy your hunger after a long day of activities!
Rua da Gameleira.

Tapas Restaurante

This cute little tapas restaurant serves up some creative takes on traditional Spanish tapas, with dishes like sesame-crusted tuna, ceviche, and curried fish with mango chutney, in addition to some of the more typical ones like aioli potatoes and tortilla española. This is a great place for travelers on a budget looking for something a little different to satisfy the taste buds!
Tapas plates from R$10.
Rua dos Bem-Te-Vis.

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Morro de Sao Paulo Restaurants

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:23:13 +0000

There are some great deals to be had for backpackers looking for a hearty meal in Morro de Sao Paulo. There is quite a range of restaurants and eateries, from traditional Bahian food to more international fare, that are quite handy to both hostels and nightlife. The pizza rodízios are a sure bet if you’re looking for both a filling and satisfying meal that won’t break the bank. The beach vendors also have some great snacks that, as in the rest of Brazil, are quite fresh and safe to eat. Here are a few suggestions to get you started!

Tia Lita

This simple little restaurant offers basic Bahian food at bargain prices! The menu includes everything from home-cooked entrees like grilled fished, moqueca, shrimp in garlic and oil, to snacks, including burgers and mixto quentes (grilled ham and cheese sandwiches). The perfect lunch or snack on the way to or from the beach!
Snacks from R$3.
Terceira Praia.

Forno a Lenha

This all-you-can-eat pizza rodízio is an unbeatable deal for backpackers on a budget in Morro! Pizza is usually a safe bet in Brazil – always fresh, thin-crust, loaded with scrumptious toppings, and available at a great price and in copious amounts – and this place is no exception!
Pizza rodízio R$18.
Vila.

Sabor da Terra

Famous for its traditional Bahian dishes, this place serves up great moquecas, bobó de camarão (prawn stew) as well as picanha na chapa (steak), among other things. Everything’s tasty and the veranda tables offer great views of the main street. Great if you’re looking for something a little more special and with a great view and people-watching!
Entrees from R$15.

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Jericoacoara Restaurants

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:16:13 +0000

Jericoacoara has some great restaurants with a really impressive selection of foreign cuisine for such a small town. It is really easy to eat a different spot every night in Jeri, but few people do. The restaurants are so good here people usually find favorites in their first few nights. Get out and experiment! Don’t forget to try the Brazilian favorites though, especially fresh juices! They taste better here than just about anywhere else. These are a few great spots to eat on a budget.

Nomade

Top quality Italian food, from pizza to pasta to salads and entrees, all at a reasonable price. The weekly Sunday pizza rodízio (all-you-can-eat) for R$20/person is a must! Very friendly staff, owner speaks English. Pizzas & pastas for R$15-30.

Cafe Brasil

Good, hearty cheap eats for those on a tight budget. Excellent, huge sandwiches (optional on homemade whole wheat), pastas for two, delicious fruit juices and smoothies, breakfasts, cakes, burgers etc… The only downfall is the odd surly staff member, but worth the cheap prices nonetheless! Sandwiches and burgers from R$3 to R$10. It’s stumbling distance from most hostels, which is an added bonus after a long night of partying.

The Juice Stall

The best deal in town on a hot sunny day! The juice stall (really, just a hole in the wall) in an alley between Rua Principal and Rua São Francisco (same alley as Café Brasil) serves up freshly blended juices at bargain prices. Hours vary, but get there before noon – it’s always sold out by early afternoon! The service is friendly and the juice is some of the best in Brazil.
Glass R$1, 500ml bottle R$2, 2L bottle R$7.

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Iguazu Restaurants

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:08:09 +0000

Iguazu is not famous for it’s food, however there are some great options here for the hungry traveler. Of special note is La Mamma (see below) for great Italian food and the various restaurants blending Argentine and Brazilian cuisine. You have to stop here on your Brazilian vacation, so you may as well enjoy the food!

La Mamma (Puerto Iguazú, Argentina)

By far the best bang for your buck in Puerto Iguazú (and probably in Foz too)! This small little pasta bar, originally a take-out only place, has set up four tables on the sidewalk outside the store and serves up hearty portions of delicious, fresh, homemade pastas and sauces at bargain prices! They also make excellent empanadas. The staff are extremely friendly and cheerful and service is great. The cannelloni are excellent!
Regular pastas R$7.50 or AR$15/kilo; stuffed pastas R$8.50 or AR$17/kilo.
Avenida Misiones & Bompland.

El Charo (Puerto Iguazú, Argentina)

If you’re craving BBQ, this is one of the best budget options for parrilla in town. The set menus are a great bargain too! You certainly won’t lack for meat at this restaurant!
Entrees from R$5 or AR$10.
Avenida Córdoba, 106.

Barbarela (Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil)

This great little place serves up delicious, filling, and healthy sandwiches (on whole wheat, if you like), yummy snacks like pão de queijo stuffed with chicken and caitupiry, and great smoothies and juices, all at very reasonable prices! Great for a quick snack or a cheap meal. A travelers haven.
Meals from under R$15 or AR$30.
Avenida Brasil, 1119.

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Ilha Grande Restaurants

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 06:57:03 +0000

Ilha Grande does not have a vast selection of restaurants, in fact they are about as sparse as anywhere you can go in Brazil. That being said you will be able to find some great authentic Brazilian cooking here and many Ilha Grande Hostels have close by restaurants or their own food. Enjoy the experience!

Sovereteria Boca Gelata

With more than thirty flavours, this is the best place in Ilha Grande for ice cream! Flavours include many traditional and non-traditional ones, and are sure to be the perfect way to cool off after a day at the beach or satisfy that sweet tooth after dinner without breaking the budget! When you don’t feel like jumping into the crystal waters, this is the next best thing to cool you off in Brazil.
Ice cream from R$3.
Vila do Abrãao Pier.

Hamelote

This casual eatery offers a fairly extensive and affordable menu for the budget traveler, including everything from salads and sandwiches to vegetarian and seafood plates. This is a great backpacker option for a cheap snack, lunch or dinner. Great for hearty meal after a long swim, Ilha Grande scuba dive, or any other Ilha Grande activities.
Snacks from R$4.
Rua Getúlio Vargas 161.

Lua e Mar

This is a cozy and romantic place, perfect for a quiet meal for two without breaking the bank. Great and affordable seafood, served on candlelit tables directly on the beach or under the shade of almond trees. Try the house specialty: peixe com banana, fish with banana. Get real local Brazilian food at this local gem!
Meals from R$20.
Praia do Canto.

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Canoa Quebrada Restaurants

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 03:32:06 +0000

Canoa Quebrada has some great eating options and that’s a must when you are worn out from days of sitting on the beach! You can find a great selection here and most restaurants are only a quick stroll from any of the hostels. We recommend the Argentine steak in particular!

Café Habana

Good hearty cheap eats are served up at this café on Rua Principal. Menu includes seafood, pastas and more. Yummy daily specials are a good deal and very satisfying for the backpacker on a budget!
Daily specials from R$6-10.
Rua Principal.

El Argentino

A little piece of Argentina in Brazil! Treat yourself to the all-you-can-eat rodízio and gorge yourself on delicious grilled meats.
All-you-can-eat rodízio R$20/person.
Rua Nascer do Sol.

Sarué

This cute little restaurant serves up delicious meals at reasonable prices in a pretty courtyard full of flowers. Creative dishes put a twist on everything from curries to steak. There’s even live music some nights!
Entrees from R$13.
Rua Principal.

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