The Ultimate Guide to Brazilian Food: 27 Iconic Must-Try Foods
If you’re learning Portuguese, planning a trip to Brazil, or simply curious about Brazilian food, this guide was made for you.
Here you’ll find 27 iconic Brazilian dishes and drinks that will help you understand the country beyond textbooks and stereotypes.
These are the foods you’ll see in bakeries, street markets, family lunches, beach kiosks, and weekend gatherings — the flavors that Brazilians grow up with.
Think of this guide as your food compass in Brazil. Use it to explore, to order with confidence, and to enjoy every bite — because learning about Brazil should always be this tasty.
1 - Açaí
Açaí is a dark purple fruit that grows on the açaí palm tree, native to the Amazon region. The pulp has a creamy texture and an earthy flavor, naturally slightly bitter and not very sweet.
In the state of Pará, where it is part of the daily diet, the pulp is eaten unsweetened, usually served with fish and cassava flour.
In Brazil’s Southeast, it is commonly eaten as a frozen dessert, blended with other ingredients such as banana, granola, and honey.
In Northern Brazil, açaí is not a “fitness trend” — it is tradition and sustenance. It has been part of the Amazon region’s food identity for centuries. In the rest of the country, however, it became popular as an energy-boosting snack associated with gyms, the beach, and a healthy lifestyle.
In this video, you see how Indigenous peoples produce and drink açaí.
Where to find it: Some snack bars, supermarkets, and mall kiosks. No Pará, açaí is sold on almost every corner!
2 - Acarajé
Acarajé is one of the signature dishes of the state of Bahia, an icon of Afro-Brazilian culture. Acarajé is food, history, and identity all in one dish.
Acarajé is a small fritter made from black-eyed pea dough. It is fried in palm oil (dendê) until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Then it is stuffed with vatapá, caruru, and dried shrimp. This combination creates a unique, aromatic, and distinctive flavor.
Acarajé has its origins in African cuisine and is deeply connected to the traditions of Candomblé, an African-based religion in Brazil. It is traditionally sold by women known as baianas do acarajé, dressed in typical white clothing, especially on the streets of Salvador.
Where to find it: Easily found in Bahia (mainly in Salvador) and in Bahian restaurants in several Brazilian capitals.
3 - Beijinho
Beijinho (literally, “little kiss”) is a sweet made with condensed milk and shredded coconut, sprinkled with granulated sugar and decorated with a clove.
However, the most delicious version is the one sprinkled with shredded coconut.
This treat is simple, inexpensive, and a must-have at children’s parties, along with brigadeiro.
It is very creamy, soft, and quite sweet, with a distinctive coconut flavor. The clove is not always eaten, but it adds a characteristic aromatic touch.
Where to find it: Bakeries, grocery stores, some snack bars, cafés, supermarkets (usually sold in cans), and pastry shops.
4 - Biscoito de Polvilho
Biscoito de polvilho is a typical Brazilian snack made from polvilho (a byproduct of cassava), eggs, oil, and salt. It can be baked or fried and has a light, crunchy texture that melts in your mouth. It is famous for its elongated shape and characteristic crunchy sound. The snack can be shaped as a stick or a ring.
Besides the original flavor (salted), there are also cheese, sweet, onion and sour cream, bacon, and barbecue flavors.
Fun fact: in some Brazilian states, biscoito de polvilho is also known as a “peta”.
Where to find it: supermarkets and bakeries. In Rio de Janeiro, it is common to find this snack sold on the beaches. The most famous brand is Globo.
5 - Brigadeiro
Brigadeiro is a sweet made with chocolate, condensed milk, butter, and coated with chocolate sprinkles. It is the most beloved sweet in Brazil.
It is very sweet, creamy, and intensely chocolate-flavored. The texture is soft and almost melts in your mouth.
Brigadeiro is a must-have at birthday parties, especially children’s parties. In Brazil, it is practically impossible to imagine a celebration without brigadeiros on the table. They also appear at weddings, graduation parties, and even as an everyday dessert.
More than just a sweet, brigadeiro is a shared nostalgic memory. Many Brazilians associate its flavor with childhood, family, and celebrations.
Where to find it: bakeries, supermarkets (usually sold in cans), cafés, some snackbars, and pastry shops.
6 - Caipirinha
Brigadeiro is a sweet made with chocolate, condensed milk, butter, and coated with chocolate sprinkles. It is the most beloved sweet in Brazil.
It is very sweet, creamy, and intensely chocolate-flavored. The texture is soft and almost melts in your mouth.
Brigadeiro is a must-have at birthday parties, especially children’s parties. In Brazil, it is practically impossible to imagine a celebration without brigadeiros on the table. They also appear at weddings, graduation parties, and even as an everyday dessert.
More than just a sweet, brigadeiro is a shared nostalgic memory. Many Brazilians associate its flavor with childhood, family, and celebrations.
Where to find it: bakeries, supermarkets (usually sold in cans), cafés, some snackbars, and pastry shops.
7 - Caldo de Cana
Caldo de cana is a natural juice made by crushing sugarcane in a special machine. The cane is passed between metal rollers that squeeze the stalk and extract the liquid — a sweet, fresh, and slightly frothy juice.
This drink is very traditional in Brazil and is usually served chilled, often with a piece of lime or ginger. Caldo de cana is the classic companion to pastel (see below).
Where to find it: Feiras livres (street markets).
8 - Churrasco
Churrasco is a traditional Brazilian meal made with meats roasted on a barbecue grill, usually using charcoal.
The meats (picanha, sausage, chicken, ribs, etc.) are placed on skewers or grilled directly on the griddle or grill, acquiring that characteristic smoky flavor. Churrasco is almost always served with farofa and vinagrete (see below).
It is very common at family gatherings, weekend parties, birthdays, and celebrations in general. For Brazilians, churrasco is more than just food — it is a social event, a time to gather friends, chat, drink, and spend hours eating slowly.
Churrasco is especially prominent in the culture of Rio Grande do Sul, featuring unique traditions like slowly roasting large cuts of meat on long skewers driven into the ground.
Where to find it: churrascarias (steak houses) and some restaurants.
9 - Cocada
Cocada is a sweet made with shredded coconut and sugar. The texture can vary: some cocadas are soft and moist, while others are firmer, almost like a crunchy candy.
There are several versions: white cocada (most common), black cocada (made with burnt sugar or rapadura), baked cocada (creamier), and condensed milk cocada (very sweet and soft).
It is a sweet that represents Brazilian cuisine well, as it uses coconut, an ingredient very common in the North and Northeast regions.
Where to find it: Sweet shops, some grocery stores, bakeries, and supermarkets.
10 - Coxinha
Coxinha is a savory snack made with dough prepared from wheat flour mixed with chicken broth, shaped to resemble a small chicken drumstick (which is where the name comes from). Inside, it is filled with well-seasoned shredded chicken. After being shaped, it is breaded and deep-fried, becoming golden and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Did you know? The word Coxinha literally means “little thigh.” It’s shaped like a chicken drumstick, with a creamy chicken filling wrapped in a golden, crispy dough. It’s the ultimate Brazilian comfort food!
It is the most popular and beloved savory snack among Brazilians from all regions. Culturally, it represents the kind of practical, tasty, and affordable food that is part of everyday life. It is a true classic of the Brazilian “quick snack.”
Where to find it: bakeries, snack bars, supermarkets (frozen), and cafés.
11 - Cuscuz Nordestino
Cuscuz nordestino (Northeastern Brazilian couscous) is a dish made from corn flakes that are moistened and steamed in a special pot called a cuscuzeira. The result is a fluffy, light, and very versatile dish that can be served with butter, queijo coalho, carne de sol, and sausages. It can also appear in sweet versions, with condensed milk and shredded coconut.
Because it is easy to prepare, nutritious, and pairs well with many side dishes, cuscuz is commonly eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is part of everyday life for families in Brazil’s Northeast. This versatility has made the dish a true “wild card” of the regional table — and the most traditional breakfast food in the Northeast.
Where to find it: Cuscuz can be found in Northeastern restaurants all over Brazil, as well as in markets and street fairs, where it may be sold ready to eat.
The flaked cornmeal used to prepare cuscuz at home is available in supermarkets across the country, and its growing popularity has led many cafés and snack bars in large cities to include it on their menus.
12 - Empada
Empada is a small savory pastry made with a soft, slightly crumbly dough that melts in your mouth. The filling is added before baking, creating a delicious contrast between the delicate outer crust and the creamy, flavorful filling inside.
Golden on the outside and rich on the inside, empadas are known for being satisfying without being heavy, making them a popular choice for a quick snack or light meal. They are typically baked in small round molds, which gives them their characteristic individual pie shape.
The most traditional fillings include shredded chicken with requeijão (Brazilian cream cheese), hearts of palm, shrimp, cheese, and codfish. Regional variations are common, and bakeries often offer their own specialty flavors.
Empadas are part of Brazil’s strong bakery and snack culture and are often enjoyed with coffee or juice during the afternoon.
Where to find it: Bakeries, snack bars and cafés.
13 - Estrogonofe
Brazilian strogonoff is believed to be a tropical adaptation of the original Russian dish.
In Brazil, it is made with chicken or beef pieces sautéed with onion, garlic, ketchup, brandy, and mushrooms, then finished with cream, which gives the sauce a creamy, mild, and slightly sweet flavor.
Unlike other versions around the world, Brazilian strogonoff is always served with white rice and batata palha (thin crispy potato sticks) — a combination that has become the dish’s trademark in the country. The crunchy texture of the potatoes mixed with the creamy sauce is one of the main reasons for its popularity.
It is an easy and quick dish to prepare, perfect for everyday meals. The batata palha adds a crunchy touch that has become a true “signature” of the dish in Brazil.
Where to find it: restaurants, self-service buffets, and supermarkets (frozen versions).
14 - Farofa
Farofa is one of the most beloved and versatile side dishes in Brazilian cuisine. It is mainly made with toasted cassava flour. Once you have cassava flour, adding almost any ingredient can turn it into farofa — the combinations are practically endless. Some of the most popular additions include:
- Salt
- Bacon
- Olive oil
- Sautéed onions and garlic
- Calabresa sausage
Each combination creates a different experience: some farofas are more moist and buttery, while others are drier and crunchier.
Don’t be surprised! Many Brazilians sprinkle farofa over their food, mixing it with beans or meat sauces to add texture and enhance the flavor of every bite.
Simple, affordable, and extremely adaptable, farofa is a symbol of the creativity of Brazilian home cooking. It shows how a basic ingredient can be transformed into something full of personality, aroma, and flavor.
Where to find it: supermarkets, butcher shops, restaurants, and self-service buffets, steakhouses.
15 - Feijoada
Feijoada is one of Brazil’s most traditional and iconic dishes. Inspired by a Portuguese stew, it is made with black beans and a variety of pork cuts — such as ribs, feet, ears, paio sausage, linguiça, and dried beef — all slowly cooked until everything becomes tender, flavorful, and well blended.
It is usually served with white rice, farofa, sautéed collard greens, sliced oranges, and crispy pork cracklings, creating a balanced mix of flavors and textures.
Feijoada is a dish that takes time to prepare: everything is cooked slowly, so it is not typically part of everyday meals. Instead, it is a celebratory food, strongly associated with social gatherings and shared meals.
Not surprisingly, it often appears on Saturday lunches in bars and restaurants across Brazil. Over time, it has gained a festive atmosphere: when people talk about a “feijoada day,” they imagine a generous table, friends and family gathered, music playing, and that relaxed weekend vibe.
Where to find it: restaurants, self-service buffets, and steakhouses.
16 - Guaraná
Guaraná is the fruit of a plant native to the Amazon region. Small and reddish when ripe, the fruit opens to reveal a dark seed partly covered by a white layer, resembling an “eye.” Naturally, it is rich in caffeine and other stimulants.
The most popular way to consume it in Brazil is as guaraná soda — carbonated, sweet, and extremely refreshing. The flavor is fruity, slightly herbal, and unlike any other soft drink.
Served ice-cold, with fizzy bubbles and a balanced sweetness, guaraná is the perfect drink to accompany a meal or quench your thirst on hot days. It is part of both everyday life and leisure moments in Brazil.
Besides soda, guaraná is also available as guaraná syrup. It can be mixed with water, juices, or smoothies and is a great option to take back to your home country, since it’s easier to carry than bottles of soda.
Many foreigners are surprised to discover that guaraná doesn’t taste like cola, lemon, or orange — it has a unique flavor that’s hard to compare, which is exactly what makes it so distinctive.
Where to find it: Anywhere that sells beverages in Brazil: supermarkets, snack bars, grocery stores, restaurants, convenience stores…