The South - The Rough Guide to Brazil - page 614

9 GRAMADO'S FESTIVALS

For a week in mid-August, Gramado is overrun by the prestigious Festival de Cinema
( T 54 3286 1475, W festivaldegramado.net), which since 1973 has developed into one of the
most important events of its kind in Brazil. In winter the festival Natal Luz (mid-Nov to early
Jan) also stirs things up, with concerts, an ersatz German Christmas market and Carnaval-style
parades in December that end in an (artificial) snowstorm, but unless the kitschness of it all
appeals to you, the entire event is something to avoid.

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION GRAMADO

By bus Buses ( W citral.tur.br) from Porto Alegre (2.5hr;
R$25-34) run every 30min to 1hr to the rodoviária
( T 54 3286 1302) on Av Borges de Medeiros 2100, a couple
of minutes' walk south from the town centre. Buses to
Canela (20min; R$4-6.35) leave every 10-15min.

Tourist information Av Borges de Medeiros 1647, on
Praça Major Nicoletti in the centre of town (Mon-Thurs
9am-6pm, Fri-Sun 9am-8pm; T 54 3286 1475,
W gramado.rs.gov.br).

ACCOMMODATION
Casa da Montanha Av Borges de Medeiros 3166
T 54 3286 2544, W casadamontanha.com.br.
Rustic-style accommodation with extremely luxurious,
pricey rooms with old-world decor (and some with
balconies), a nd an i indoor heated pool. There is free wi-fi
throughout. R$400
★

Gramado Hostel Av Das Hortências 3880 T 54 3295
1020, W gramadohostel.com.br. About 1.5km outside
town on the road to Canela (20min walk or R$1.80
on the Canela bus), this HI hostel is decent value with
dorm rooms and some doubles. Prices for HI members
are given in br ackets. Dorms R$50 (R$40) ; doubles
R$160 (R$140)
Pousada Belluno Rua Nilo Dias 50 T 54 3286 0820,
W pousadabelluno.com.br. One of the cheaper hotels
downtown, with contemporary, heated rooms, free wi-fi,
cable LCD TVs and floor-to-ceiling windows. The sub stantial
buffet breakfast will set you up for the day. R$150

Estalagem St Hubertus Rua da Carriere 974
T 54 3286 1273, W sthubertus.com. The place to
splurge, this is a gorgeous boutique hotel set in attractive
grounds overlooking Lago Negro, with a heated pool
and stylish , duplex suites that have free wi-fi and cable
TV. R$612

EATING
Gramado is noted for its handmade chocolate and has some good restaurants (especially fondue places), but
expect to pay through the nose for anything resembling a good meal; aim for the buffets or café colonial places to fill
up properly.

Bela Vista Café Colonial Av Das Hortências 4665
T 54 3286 1608, W belavista.tur.br. One of Gramado's
classic Alpine-style cafés, offering fabulous café colonial
spreads of cakes, pastries and meats for a hefty R$58.
Mon-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat & Sun 10am-11pm.
Chocolate Caseiro Planalto Av Borges de Medeiros
2918 & 2540 T 54 3286 2268, W chocolateplanalto
.com.br. One of several artisan chocolate makers in town,
and while it's not the cheapest it's definitely one of the
best, with a range of sweet treats and sublime hot
chocolate. Daily 9am-6pm.
ITA Brasil Rua São Pedro 1005 T 54 3286 3833. Off the
main drag and very crowded, but well worth seeking out
for the cheap lunch buffets (R$16.90) of classic Italian-
Brazilian food, fresh juices, strong coffee and home-made
cachaça. Mon & Wed-Sun 11.15am-2.30pm.
★

specializing in game dishes (mains R$70-90) like wild
boar, rabbit and “Black Lake crocodile”, with unusual
tropical fruit sauces that complement the often strong-
tasting meat. Daily 7pm-midnight.
Restaurante Otto Hotel Ritta Höppner, Rua Pedro
Candiago 305 T 54 3286 1334, W rittahoppner
.com.br. Posh hotel restaurant specializing in classic
German cuisine, with immaculate service and
presentation. Set lunch is a good deal, with excellent
strudel (R$44 plus ten percent service charge). Daily
noon-3pm & 8-11pm.
St Gallen Av das Hortências 1122 T 54 3286 2519,
W stgallen.com.br. Classic place to try the local rodizio de
fondue (R$50), a gut-busting trio of cheese (Emmenthal,
Gruyére), meat (filet mignon) and superb chocolate (or
caramel and marshmallow) fondue. Also has live music and
provides a free lift back to your hotel. Daily 11.30am-3pm
& 6pm-midnight.

La Caceria Av Borges de Medeiros 3166, Hotel Casa
da Montanha T 54 3295 7575, W casadamontanha
.com.br. An intriguing but expensive hotel restaurant,