Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
VEGETARIANS
where you might not have the
cash to cover the bill. If you
do get stuck in a “no credit
card” situation, do remember
that you can probably get
cash out of the local ATM
machine on your credit card.
Technically, restaurants are
not meant to add a 10 percent
service charge to the bill.
However, in many places, it
will be expected as a tip for
the staff. If the service charge
has not been added, the
waiter will normally let you
know. It is ideal to leave 10
to 12 percent or, if the service
charge has been included,
simply round up the bill to
the next suitable number.
Given the average wage of
the staff, tips, however small,
are always welcome.
Vegetarian options are
extremely limited in Brazil.
However, there are a few
specialized restaurants
offering dishes suitable for
vegetarians, ranging from
basic to highly innovative.
CHURRASCARIA
RODIZÍO/POR KILO
There are two styles of eating
out in Brazil that can take
visitors by surprise. The first
is the churrascaria rodízio , or
large barbecue houses found
throughout the country. Here,
one fixed price covers the
starter and main course. The
only extras will be for the
drinks and dessert. Go to a
churrascaria rodízio when
you are really hungry, as they
will keep bringing you
succulent pieces of grilled
meat. Many offer a “traffic
light system” where each
diner will have a small card.
Leave the green side
up if you want more
food. Turn over to
red and they will stop.
The por kilo type are
self-service restaurants
with a buffet of varying
degrees of sophistication and
a variety of dishes. You can
choose from salads to an
assortment of hot and cold
courses. What you pay for at
the check-out, as far as the
food is concerned, will be
based on exactly what the
food on your plate weighs.
Hence the name, por kilo ,
or “by-the-kilo.”
Drinks kiosk on one of the beaches
in Morro de São Paulo
most notable and well
known of these is the
caipirinha with fresh lime.
Though Scotch is
regarded as a status
symbol, wine is rapidly
growing in popularity.
Brazil already produces
some excellent table
wines. Brazilians also
like soft drinks,
especially Guaraná,
which is as omnipresent
as Coca-Cola. Most bars
and restaurants will
have bottled water com
(with) and sem (without) gas.
A bottle of
cachaça
Paying by credit card, in one of the
street cafés in São Paulo City
FOOD HYGIENE
SMOKING
As most of Brazil is hot
and tropical, every Brazilian
knows the importance of
keeping food fresh and well
refrigerated. Food poisoning,
even among visitors, is rare.
The majority of restaurants
use ice cubes made from
filtered water. However,
in small backstreet bars,
it is best to avoid ice.
There are regulations about
smoking in Brazil, but don't
expect anyone to obey or
follow them in a restaurant.
If you have a real problem
with people smoking around
you, let the restaurant know
before you sit down, so
they can seat you away
from the smokers.
ALCOHOL & DRINKS
CHILDREN
On the whole, Brazilians
are not great alcohol
drinkers. Beer, however,
is extremely popular. It
is the most preferred
alcoholic beverage, and
the majority of Brazilian
beer is a refreshingly cold
light lager that comes in
bottles ( cerveja ) or on tap
( chopp ). Also common,
and much stronger, are a
wide variety of drinks
containing cachaça , a
sugar-based spirit. The
Brazil is a child-friendly
country. Most restaurants,
however sophisticated
or simple, will welcome
children. Staff will normally
go out of their way to
entertain them. If they don't
have a suitable chair, they
will almost certainly try and
improvise something. Do
not be shocked by young
children eating out late
with their parents. That is
considered quite normal
in Brazil.
Por kilo self-service buffet at the
Mangai restaurant (see p406)
 
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