Brazil is a land of vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and irresistibly diverse cuisine. Whether you’re strolling the streets of Rio de Janeiro or relaxing on a beach in Bahia, Brazilian food is an unforgettable part of the journey. We’ve curated a list of 12 must-try Brazilian dishes that will take your taste buds on a delicious adventure and ensure your vacation is complete.
1. Feijoada – The Soul of Brazilian Cuisine
No culinary journey through Brazil is complete without savoring Feijoada, the country’s national dish. This rich black bean stew is traditionally made with various cuts of pork, including sausages, ribs, and trotters. It’s simmered slowly to allow the smoky, savory flavors to blend beautifully. Typically served with white rice, collard greens, orange slices, and farofa (toasted cassava flour), feijoada is often enjoyed on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Brazilian homes and restaurants.
2. Moqueca – A Flavorful Seafood Stew
Originating from Bahia and Espírito Santo, Moqueca is a fragrant, slow-cooked seafood stew that blends Afro-Brazilian and Portuguese influences. Prepared with fresh fish or shrimp, coconut milk, onions, tomatoes, garlic, coriander, and palm oil (dende), it offers a deep, rich flavor that’s both comforting and exotic. Served with rice and pirao (a fish gravy made with cassava flour), moqueca is a true culinary treasure of Brazil’s coastal regions.
3. Pao de Queijo – Cheese Bread Heaven
Pao de Queijo, or Brazilian cheese bread, is a beloved snack found across the country. Made from tapioca flour and cheese, usually Minas cheese, these small, round rolls are crispy on the outside and chewy inside. Gluten-free by nature, they’re perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat with coffee. Whether fresh from the oven or sold at street stalls, they’re impossible to resist.
4. Coxinha – Savory Chicken Croquettes
Shaped like a teardrop, Coxinha is a deep-fried snack filled with shredded chicken and sometimes cream cheese. The dough is made from flour and chicken broth, wrapped around the filling, breaded, and fried to golden perfection. It’s a staple in Brazilian bakeries and a favorite street food snack, perfect for satisfying midday hunger or pairing with a cold beer.
5. Acaraje – A Taste of Afro-Brazilian Heritage
Deeply rooted in the cuisine of Bahia, Acaraje is a dish brought by West African slaves and has strong connections to Candomble religious traditions. It consists of black-eyed pea fritters, deep-fried in dende oil, then split and stuffed with vatapa (a spicy paste of shrimp, peanuts, and coconut milk) and whole fried shrimp. The flavors are bold, the textures rich, and the experience unforgettable.
6. Churrasco – Brazilian Barbecue at Its Best
Brazil is famous for its churrascarias, where endless skewers of grilled meats are carved tableside. Churrasco is the Brazilian take on barbecue, featuring cuts like picanha (top sirloin cap), linguiça (sausage), and fraldinha (flank steak) seasoned simply with coarse salt and grilled over charcoal. Served with farofa, vinaigrette salsa, and chimichurri, this carnivorous feast is an essential part of the Brazilian food experience.
7. Brigadeiro – Sweet Chocolate Bliss
No Brazilian birthday party is complete without Brigadeiros. These beloved chocolate truffles are made by cooking condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter, then rolled into bite-sized balls and covered in chocolate sprinkles. While simple in ingredients, the result is a dense, fudgy treat that melts in your mouth. They’re the perfect souvenir and irresistible dessert.
8. Vatapa – Spiced Creamy Delight
Vatapa is a creamy, spicy, and savory dish from Bahia, combining shrimp, bread, peanuts, coconut milk, and dende oil into a thick paste. Usually served with acaraje or white rice, its complexity of flavors and textures makes it one of the most unique dishes in Brazilian cuisine. It’s a staple during religious festivals and a symbol of Bahia’s Afro-Brazilian identity.
9. Pastel – Crispy Street Food Favorite
A common sight at street markets, Pasteis are thin-crust pastries filled with a variety of ingredients like cheese, ground meat, heart of palm, or shrimp, then deep-fried until golden. The crispy exterior and flavorful fillings make pasteis a must-try on-the-go snack. They’re often enjoyed with sugarcane juice (caldo de cana), especially in the bustling city of São Paulo.
10. Farofa – The Perfect Sidekick
While not a main dish, Farofa deserves a place on this list due to its importance in Brazilian meals. Made by toasting manioc (cassava) flour with butter, onions, bacon, and sometimes eggs or bananas, farofa adds a crunchy, savory texture to dishes like feijoada and churrasco. Every Brazilian household has its own twist on this classic side dish.
11. Tacaca – An Amazonian Culinary Adventure
Hailing from northern Brazil, especially the Amazon region, Tacaca is a hot, soupy dish made with jambu (an Amazonian herb that tingles the mouth), dried shrimp, tucupi (a yellow sauce made from wild manioc), and tapioca pearls. Traditionally served in a gourd bowl, tacaca is both invigorating and exotic, offering a flavor and sensory experience unlike any other.
12. Bolo de Rolo – A Rolled Cake Masterpiece
A specialty from Pernambuco, Bolo de Rolo is a rolled sponge cake filled with guava paste, known for its thin, multiple layers. The cake is moist, subtly sweet, and visually stunning when sliced. Often enjoyed with coffee or gifted during holidays, this dessert combines Portuguese baking techniques with local Brazilian flavors to create a refined treat.
Explore Brazil Through Its Cuisine
Brazil’s culinary scene is a reflection of its rich cultural diversity, with influences from Indigenous peoples, African heritage, Portuguese colonizers, and immigrant communities. Each dish tells a story, represents a region, and offers a bite into the soul of the country. Whether you’re traveling through the Amazon, lounging on Ipanema beach, or dancing in Salvador, these 12 must-try Brazilian dishes will enrich your journey and ignite your palate.
