Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHERE TO EAT
As a melting pot of races
lunches are an elaborate,
extended family affair.
Everywhere in Brazil it is
easy to get well-cooked, fill-
ing meals. For light snacks,
there are umpteen lanchonetes ,
or corner snack bars. For lunch,
a botequin , or working man's pub, can
be fun, while dining at a formal rodizío
is enjoyable. Famous for offering the
widest varieties of cuisine, São Paulo
is seen as the best place for a true
Brazilian culinary experience.
and influences, Brazil
boasts a rich diversity
of regional culinary styles (see
pp178-9 and pp392-3) .
Although the term “haute
cuisine” does not strictly apply
to Brazilian fare, the art of eating well,
or arte do comer bem , is known to all
Brazilians. A light breakfast, a hearty
lunch that can last from noon to 3pm,
and a late afternoon snack are followed
by a frugal dinner of soup. Sunday
Sign of Camamo
Beijupirá restaurant
RESTAURANTS & BARS
DRESS CODE
In Brazil, restaurants and bars
come in every shape and
size. From the corner botacos
(pubs) and beach bars to
elegant world-class restau-
rants, Brazil has it all. There
is a good range to suit every
budget. Even dining in top-
notch restaurants offers
excellent value for money in
comparison to anywhere in
Europe or North America.
The easygoing Brazilian
nature is also reflected in the
dress code. In corner bars,
one can walk in wearing
casuals. In Rio and other
coastal areas, it is not unusual
to see women in bikinis at
beach bars. Dress codes,
usually more relaxed and
tropical in the north, tend to
become formal in the south.
A collar and tie for men may
be the norm only in restau-
rants in the business quarter of
cites, or in Brasília, where the
politicians and civil servants
prefer formal dressing.
LOCAL EATING HABITS
Visitors will recognize that
many Brazilian eating habits
have been influenced by
European countries. People
eat leisurely and throughout
the day, although those who
want to snatch a quick bite
will not be disappointed.
As several restaurants are
open all through the day, the
lunch hour is spread over
many hours.
Brazilians generally eat
dinner late, most of them
preferring to start at 10pm
or later. However, unlike the
Spanish big late-night meal,
the Brazilian dinner is gene-
rally a very light affair. At the
weekend, numerous restau-
rants in the bigger cities,
such as Rio de Janeiro and
São Paulo, take orders well
after midnight. It is not
unusual to see Brazilians
retreating to the bar if they
have to wait for a table.
Most restaurants take reser-
vations, and this is often
necessary at the bigger restau-
rants, especially those in the
larger cities.
Inside the restaurant in Renaissance
Costa do Sauípe Resort
PAYING & TIPPING
Due to the many different
culinary styles, it is virtually
impossible to say what a
typical Brazilian meal will be,
although rice and beans will
probably make an appearance
at some point. Breakfast can
be a meal in itself, and in
most cases it will be a hearty
spread of fruits, cold meats,
cheeses, and breads.
The majority of restaurants
take credit cards. By far the
most widely accepted credit
cards are MasterCard and
Visa. Amex and Diners Club
cards are also useful.
However, it is recommended
to check first, especially at the
more expensive restaurants
Inside the Box 32 bar (see p411) in Florianópolis
 
 
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