Brazil - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 359

ACCOMMODATION
Hostels are scattered all over the city centre, but it's a
relatively small area and it's possible to walk to most
places - though you should take a taxi after dark.
Casa Azul Rua Lima e Silva 912 T 51 3084 5050,
W casaazulhostel.com. Popular hostel in a house in Cidade
Baixa with bar open to the public (Tues-Sun 7pm-
midnight). There's a spacious outside area, flat-screen TV,
pool t able an d friendl y staff who can organize excursions.
Dorms R$30 , doubles R$90
Minuano Express Av Farrapos 31 T 51 3226 3062,
W minuanohotel.com.br. Despite the ugly high-rise
building in which they are housed, rooms here are pleasant
and surprisingly modern, and the sound-proof windows
ensure a good night's sleep regardless of the tra c outside
(it's a short walk from the bus station). Free wi-fi and
filling buffet breakfast. R$99
Porto Alegre Hostel Boutique Rua São Carlos 545
T 51 3228 3802, W hostel.tur.br. Great location, and
though not really a “boutique”, the rooms here are a step
up from a normal HI hostel; all en suite in a historic
mansion, with a/c and TVs. Free wi-fi and buffet breakfast,
with laundry and co mmu nal kitche n on si te. Discount for
HI members. Dorms R$50 , doubles R$120
Porto Alegre Eco Hostel Rua Luiz Afonso 276 T 51
3019 2449, W portoalegreecohostel.com.br. Justly the
most popular hostel in the city, with excellent staff and
comfy dorms right in Cidade Baixa. Extras include a
swimming pool, free wi-fi, game s room , garden and bi ke
rental. Breakfast included. Dorms R$37 , doubles R$100
Hostel Porto Do Sol Rua Mariante 958 T 51 3330 1324,
W hostelportodosol.com.br. One of the quieter hostels, but
a hike from the centre (R$10-12 by taxi). Mixed and female-
only dorms with tiled floors, fans and free wi-fi - a simple
breakfast is served on the patio. Po ol tab le, TV ro om (w ith
DVDs) and kitchen available. Dorms R$27 , doubles R$80

Barranco Av Protásio Alves 1578 T 51 3331 6172,
W restaurantebarranco.com.br. Meat lovers' paradise since
1969 - try the celebrated (and huge) vazio , the classic
steak cut of the south (R$45 - two can share). An all-you-
can-eat “salad sidecar” trundles around the restaurant
(R$11). Daily 11am-2am.
Ì Gambrinus Mercado Público Loja 85 T 51 3226
6914, W gambrinus.com.br. Visit the city's oldest
restaurant (since 1889) for an old-fashioned southern
Brazil experience, sampling some real classics: rabada
(oxtail), a filé of beef with fried eggs or salted cod. Dishes
R$25-35. Mon-Fri 11am-9pm, Sat 11am-4pm.
Lancheria do Parque Av Osvaldo Aranha 1086 T 51
3311 8321. Knocking out cheap eats for over 30 years in
Bom Fim, this diner does a good “lunch” buffet (11am-9pm;
R$12), huge juices (R$3.30), X Salada (cheeseburger), steak
sandwiches and chicken soup. Daily 6am-1am.
Tudo Pelo Social Rua João Alfredo 448 T 51 3226 4405,
W restaurantetudopelosocial.com.br. Hugely popular
restaurant that serves Brazilian classics such as rice, beans
and meat. Lunchtime buffet is a bargain at R$7/person,
while the à la carte picanha “for two” (steak; R$28) comes
with huge portions of chips, rice and salad, and easily
feeds three to four people. Mon-Sat 11am-2.45pm &
6-11.45pm, Sun 11am-2.45pm.
Vida e Saúde Rua Gral. Câmara 60 T 51 3012 5841.
Vegetarian, lunchtime-only buffet, offering all the healthy
vegetable options you may well be craving in a town
obsessed with beef. Buffet R$13, including fruit juices.
Mon-Fri 11am-3pm.

3

NIGHTLIFE
Porto Alegre boasts a lively nocturnal scene, with two
main centres for nightlife: the more flashy action revolves
around Moinhos de Vento, and the hub of Rua Padre
Chagas, while the Cidade Baixa offers more traditional
samba joints and bohemian bars in the streets around Rua
da República and Av João Pessoa.
Dublin Rua Padre Chagas 342, Moinhos de Vento T 51
3268 8835, W dublinpub.com.br. Every city must have one:
this is your standard faux-Irish bar and the current place
where well-to-do “gauchos” look to enjoy themselves. Live
bands play daily and an entry fee is charged after 9pm
(Sun-Wed R$7; Thurs-Sat R$10 for women, R$20 for
men). Sun-Wed 6pm-3am, Thurs-Sat 6pm-5am.
Lagom Brewery & Pub Rua Bento Figueiredo 72 T 51
3062 5045, W lagom.com.br. Porto Alegre's first brew pub
serves a range of tasty ales, stouts and IPAs on a seasonal
basis - top tipples include the amber ale and oatmeal
stout. Mon-Sat 6-11pm.
Ossip Rua da República 677, Cidade Baixa T 51 3224
2422. Lively and colourful Cidade Baixa hangout, with
samba and bossa nova most nights. Good pizza. Daily
6pm-1.30am.

EATING
As the home of Brazilian churrasco (barbecue), Porto
Alegre has some great places to eat, especially in the
Cidade Baixa and Moinhos de Vento neighbourhoods. As
always, the best-value places to eat are buffets (especially
in the Mercado Público), serving a plentiful range of food
and usually offering good lunchtime deals.
Ì Banca 40 Mercado Público Loja 40 T 51 3226 3533.
Open since 1927, this local institution is justifiably lauded
for its bomba royal ice-cream dessert (R$8.90); regular
scoops of ice cream start at R$3.50. Mon-Sat 8am-7.30pm.
Bar do Beto Av Sarmento Leite 811 T 51 3332 9390,
W bardobeto.com.br. Cidade Baixa restaurant that heaves
at lunchtime due to its R$15 buffet special, when waiters
walk round tables offering different cuts of beef and
chicken. Dinner is à la carte only (mains R$25-55). Daily
11am-2am.