During my month in Brazil, an abundance of foods and drinks were recommended to me by locals.  The cuisine between Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and Recife are quite varied by region.  However, a lot of similarities can be found throughout Brazil as a whole.  Here’s a list of top Brazilian foods recommended to me by locals I met along the way!  Enjoy!

Açaí 

I know, this is found plenty of places outside of Brazil.  This superfood has definitely become popular in the United States, found in nearly every health related store and restaurant.  However, Açaí was practically born down here and tastes much different than what I am used to.  It has a more gritty texture and less sweet taste.  There is no lack of sweet toppings to use when you order it though, so don’t worry.  Street vendors usually have chocolate syrup and sprinkles.  Actual stores have granola, fruits, candies, and almost anything you can think of.

Brigadeiro

This is a true Brazilian dessert.  Made primarily from condensed milk and chocolate, these sweet balls are sold in most pastry / dessert shops.  I compare them to a type of fudgey taste and texture, but there is nothing like them.  If you’re in São Paulo and want to learn how to make Brigadeiro from an expert, check out this Airbnb Experience.  Gisela, the host, is incredibly knowledgeable, super friendly, and basically famous!  So check her out and tell her Amanda says hello (you’ll even get a sweet treat)!  If you want to learn about my experience making it, check out my Brigadeiro post that even includes a recipe!

Catupiry

My new favorite snack!  This is a Brazilian brand of processed, soft “cream” cheese that is absolutely amazing on toast.  It comes in a squeezable tube that can be found at most local grocery stores.

Cheetos assado

I’m not sure if these are other places too, but I have never seen them and they’re AMAZING.  So, if you have the plug or know where to find them in the United States, go ahead and email me.  Cheetos have never been a favorite of mine, and I would even say I’ve never liked them at all.  This means trying them was a huge step for me.  They’re basically just white cheddar Cheetos that are light, airy, and delicious. 

Crepioca

Crepe + tapioca = crepioca.  Basically, they’re just fluffy egg pancakes.  My friend made them for breakfast one day, so I’m not really sure where you can order them.  However, I did notice them on the menu at a pastry restaurant across the street from her house though.

Coxinha

Basically a chicken croquet with chicken, onions, parsley, scallions, and sometimes even catupiry (yum).  This dough is then formed into a teardrop shape, rolled in bread crumbs and deep fried.  Do yourself a favor and order two when you decide to try them!

Farofa

This is a toasted cassava flour mixture with various meats and spices.  It comes pre packaged at the store, but definitely find some local friends that will make it for you, instead!

Feijoada

An incredibly traditional Brazilian food.  A black beans and meat stew usually found with beef and pork.  This stew is served with white rice, sometimes vegetables, and orange if you’re lucky.  My first experience with feijoada was with my new best Brazilian friends at a birthday party!  It was an incredible experience accompanied with samba and fresh food out in a huge pot surrounded by sides and toppings.

Pão de queijo

Literally cheese bread.  They look like little balls of dough but when you bite into them there’s a little cheesy surprise inside.  You will find them in any bakery or pastry shop, and we even were served them at our hotel in Rio.

Pastel

These square pieces of deliciousness weren’t introduced to me until we hit Brasília, but they’re definitely found all around Brazil.  It’s basically a thin pastry (kind of like a spring roll) with whatever you want inside.  My favorites were chicken with catupiry and calabresa with mozzarella.  

Tapioca

My first experience with tapioca came whilst drunkenly looking for food on the streets of Copacabana on New Years Eve.  Let me tell you, it is the BEST when you eat it hot straight from the vendor.  Tapioca can be ordered sweet or salty.  I mostly ate the ham and cheese or calabresa with mozzarella (clearly my go-to).

Torresmo

This is a super popular bar snack.  It’s pork skin that is fried at crazy hot temperatures to melt the fat away, salted, and dried.  Not my cup of tea, but the Brazilians say it’s extremely good.

Curious on where to get these dishes?  Check out my post on How to Find and Order Food in Brazil.

Don’t Forget About Drinks!

Caipirinha 

Brazil’s national cocktail is made by smashing limes with sugar and pouring in cachaça (or rum).  Cachaça is one of Brazil’s most common distilled alcoholic beverages which is made from fresh sugarcane juice that is fermented and distilled.  Rum on the other hand is usually made from molasses.  This by-product comes from refineries that boil the cane juice to extract as much sugar crystal as possible.  You can taste the difference, trust me. 

Coconut Water

Found almost anywhere, ESPECIALLY by the beach.  Vendors grab a green coconut, whack the heck out of it, stick a straw in and hand it to you.  They’re so amazing.  A little heavy to carry around if you’ve just hiked up to Christ the Redeemer and back, but quite refreshing.  If you’ve tried coconut water before in the store and haven’t liked it, give it another chance.  Drinking it fresh out of the coconut tastes WAY better than any store-bought stuff.  Be a little careful of the prices though especially in the extra touristy places.  They range from about $4-$8 and I wouldn’t pay more than $5 which seemed to be the most common.

Guaraná

If you know me well, you know I’m not much of a soda pop drinker.  That doesn’t stop me from trying the local cans though!  This tasty drink is found in most soda pop machines as well as in can form in most stores.  

Suco de maracuja

Passion fruit juice!  I’ve never been a real fan of passion fruit, but this juice is quite popular and delicious.  

Suco de caju

I was not sold on the fact that juice from a cashew could be good, but I was impressed.  It’s kind of hard to explain, but add a cup to your list of drinks to try in Brazil.

Suco de goiaba

Guava has always been that fruit that I don’t think I like but never really tried it (like cantaloupe).  I’m sure you have some of those too.  While staying with my friends in Brasília though, they would rant and rave about guava juice!  Naturally, I had to try it, and boy is it delicious!  Suddenly it became the token breakfast drink, and now that I’m no longer in Brazil, I kind of miss it.

If you are interested in more simple words and phrases, check out my Brazilian Portuguese Starter Guide.

What are your favorite Brazilian dishes / drinks?  Drop a comment below!