When travelers list the top culinary destinations in the world, countries like France, Japan, and Italy often dominate the conversation. But there’s a new contender rising steadily on the global food map—Brazil, a country whose gastronomic identity is as bold and diverse as its landscapes. With ingredients you won’t find anywhere else, centuries-old culinary traditions, and a growing number of internationally acclaimed restaurants, Brazil is quickly becoming a must-visit for foodies.
According to a 2024 report from the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism, culinary tourism in the country has grown by more than 40% over the past five years, driven by travelers seeking authentic, immersive food experiences. A 2023 study by Embratur, the Brazilian Tourist Board, found that 70% of foreign tourists participated in at least one food-focused activity during their stay—a number that continues to rise each year.
Beyond the Classics: What Sets Brazil Apart
Brazilian cuisine is not just diverse—it’s rooted in biomes and cultural layers that don’t exist anywhere else. You’ll find:
- Açai, cupuaçu, tucupi and pirarucu from the Amazon
- Acarajé and moqueca in Bahia, echoing West African culinary traditions
- Pinhão in the South’s pine forests
- Cheeses aged in the caves of Serra da Canastra in Minas Gerais
- Street food that rivals any in Asia, like pastel, tapioca, and queijo coalho (grilled cheese) on a stick
These ingredients and preparations are increasingly catching the eye of the international food world. In 2022, Brazilian chef Alberto Landgraf, known for his restaurant Oteque in Rio (which holds two Michelin stars), was named among Latin America’s 50 Best Chefs. Another standout is Alex Atala, the mastermind behind the globally acclaimed D.O.M., who has elevated native ingredients like jambu, manioc, and even Amazonian ants to the realm of fine dining.
Also earning global recognition is Janaína Torres Rueda, head chef and co-owner of A Casa do Porco in São Paulo. In 2024, she was named World’s Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, a tribute to her role in democratizing haute cuisine. Her restaurant, known for creative pork-centered dishes like slow-roasted pork and house-made charcuterie, offers award-winning tasting menus at accessible prices. Beyond the kitchen, Rueda has also led public school food programs in São Paulo, training cafeteria cooks to provide healthier meals to millions of children.
Where to Taste Brazil’s Culinary Riches
Southeast (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais)
São Paulo is often referred to as the culinary capital of South America. Home to over 20,000 restaurants representing dozens of cultures, it’s where you can hop from sushi in Liberdade to northeastern Brazilian baião de dois in the same evening. Michelin-starred restaurants like D.O.M., Maní, Tuju, and Evvai are matched by bustling street markets like the Mercadão and countless botecos serving cold beer and hearty snacks.
In Minas Gerais, comfort food reigns supreme. Try feijão tropeiro, tutu de feijão, doce de leite, and the beloved pão de queijo, made with local cheese and cassava flour. Don’t leave without tasting the region’s artisanal cheeses, recognized by Slow Food as heritage products.
The cuisine of Rio de Janeiro blends coastal freshness with iconic flavors. The city is home to beachfront kiosks selling grilled queijo coalho, open-air bars serving hearty portions of feijoada, and neighborhood bakeries offering empadas and carioca-style pastries. High-end restaurants reinterpret classics like moqueca carioca and bobó de camarão with sophisticated flair, while local markets like Cadeg offer a rich blend of ingredients from across Brazil.
Northeast (Bahia, Pernambuco, Ceará)
This is the land of spice, color, and soul food. In Bahia, the cuisine is deeply influenced by Afro-Brazilian traditions. Salvador offers one of the most vibrant street food scenes in the world, where you can try acarajé prepared by Baianas in traditional dress, along with moqueca baiana and vatapá, dishes rich in dendê oil, coconut milk, and fresh seafood.
In Pernambuco, the food is bold and festive, with highlights like bolo de rolo, carne de sol com macaxeira, and sarapatel. The capital, Recife, is also known for its open-air markets and sweets made with sugarcane, a nod to its colonial-era engenhos.
Ceará brings its own coastal flair with dishes like peixada cearense, tapioca, and caranguejada. In Fortaleza, beachside restaurants serve fresh crab, shrimp skewers, and tropical juices under the sun. The state is also famous for its use of cassava in everything from side dishes to desserts.
According to Embratur, tourism in the Northeast grew 19.8% between 2021 and 2023, driven largely by the region’s strong cultural and gastronomic identity.
South (Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná)
Wine and meat lovers, take note. In Rio Grande do Sul, the birthplace of churrasco, gaucho-style barbecue is a cultural institution. Traditional churrascarias serve endless cuts of meat grilled over open flames, often accompanied by farofa, vinaigrette, and local wines from the Serra Gaúcha, a region now producing internationally awarded sparkling wines.
Santa Catarina adds a strong European flavor to the table, influenced by German and Azorean heritage. Blumenau is known for its sausages and Oktoberfest-inspired fare, while coastal cities like Florianópolis specialize in seafood dishes like sequência de camarão (shrimp tasting menus), oysters, and tainha (mullet) prepared with regional herbs.
In Paraná, the cuisine reflects both Italian and Indigenous Guarani roots. Barreado, a slow-cooked beef stew traditionally prepared in clay pots, is a highlight along the coast. The capital, Curitiba, offers a mix of modern Brazilian cuisine and hearty dishes rooted in immigrant traditions.
North and Central-West (Amazon, Pantanal, Brasília)
The most exotic and underexplored region for culinary tourists, Brazil’s North and Central-West offer a one-of-a-kind immersion in native flavors. In Amazonas, the cuisine is defined by its biodiversity—dishes often feature ingredients like tucupi, jambu, pirarucu, and açaí in their purest, non-commercial forms. In Belém, a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, visitors can explore the Ver-o-Peso Market, tasting wild fruits like bacaba and cupuaçu, smoked fish, and medicinal herbs.
In Mato Grosso do Sul, which encompasses the Pantanal, food reflects the ranching lifestyle. Expect hearty dishes like carne de sol, pacu na brasa (grilled river fish), and arroz com pequi, often cooked over wood stoves in fazendas and eco-lodges.
In Brasília, the country’s capital, modernity meets tradition. As a melting pot of all Brazilian regions, the city offers an eclectic food scene—from Amazonian fusion cuisine to high-end interpretations of dishes from the Northeast and Southeast. The city is also known for its vibrant feira culture, where regional ingredients and homemade snacks take center stage.
Michelin Stars and Culinary Recognition
In 2024, Michelin Guide Brazil recognized a record number of restaurants, reaffirming Brazil’s place on the global gourmet map:
- D.O.M. (São Paulo) – ⭐⭐ | Chef Alex Atala
- Oteque (Rio de Janeiro) – ⭐⭐ | Chef Alberto Landgraf
- Oro (Rio de Janeiro) – ⭐⭐ | Chef Felipe Bronze
- Evvai (São Paulo) – ⭐⭐ | Chef Luiz Filipe Souza
- Tuju (São Paulo) – ⭐⭐ | Chef Ivan Ralston
Newly awarded one-star restaurants include Fame Osteria, Kazuo, Kuro, Murakami, and Oizumi Sushi in São Paulo, and San Omakase Room in Rio de Janeiro (Michelin Guide 2024).
A Culinary Trend That Keeps Growing
Travelers around the world continue to crave hands-on culinary experiences—cooking classes, street food tours, visits to traditional farms, and walks through local markets remain high on their wish lists. From beloved staples like feijoada to internationally influenced fine dining, Brazil’s culinary landscape is a magnet for curious palates. The rise of food festivals, the push for sustainable gastronomy, and the popularity of farm-to-table dining are all fueling the country’s growing appeal as a culinary tourism hotspot.
Recent research indicates that more than 60% of international food tourists plan their trip to Brazil around major culinary events. This surge in demand has driven the growth of multi-city food festival itineraries and expanded offerings for those seeking immersive and interactive food experiences.
Digital platforms are helping too—mobile ticketing, AI-driven recommendations, and real-time event calendars are streamlining planning for festivalgoers. And on the luxury side, VIP food experiences like private tastings, chef’s table dinners, and behind-the-scenes tours are bringing high-end appeal to Brazil’s food festival circuit.
Sustainable and Experiential Travel on the Rise
Brazil is also aligning with global travel trends by offering eco-conscious and community-driven culinary experiences. Initiatives like Gastromotiva in Rio and Raízes do Brasil in rural communities promote sustainability and social impact through food. Travelers can:
- Visit organic farms and cacao plantations in Bahia
- Join Indigenous cooking classes in the Amazon
- Take part in farm-to-table dinners in the South
- Support local fishing cooperatives in the Pantanal
According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), online bookings for food experiences grew by 34% in 2023, boosted by apps and AI-powered tools that help travelers plan immersive food itineraries.
Planning Your Culinary Trip to Brazil
Ready to taste your way through Brazil? Here are some unforgettable experiences to add to your itinerary:
- Cachaça tastings and artisanal chocolate workshops
- Secret Food Tours in Rio de Janeiro
- Food festivals like Comida di Buteco, Rio Gastronomia, and Festival do Pinhão
- Market tours in Belém or Belo Horizonte
- Sustainable farm visits in the South and Northeast
