2 Best Restaurants in The Amazon, Brazil

Background Illustration for Restaurants

Dining in the Amazon is often an adventure in itself, with an abundance of ingredients that are rarely found outside the region. This is particularly true of giant Amazonian river fish, such as pirarucú, tambaqui, and tanadré, traditionally served with white rice and farofa de tucumã (palm fruit fried flour), or baio de dois (a bean salad from the Northeast). Where possible, sample freshly caught fish from the river, rather than the farmed variety; you’ll notice a big difference in flavor. Other highlights include caldinho de tucupi, jambu, e camarão, a regional delicacy made from manioc extract and mixed with a white glutonous gum and served with the spinach-like jambu leaf (which can turn the mouth numb). Exotic fruits, such as cupuaçu and tucumã, are ubiquitous in desserts and juices, as are excellent quality castanha de pará (cashew nuts), cultivated in the state of Pará.

Reservations and dressy attire are rarely needed in the Amazon (indeed, reservations are rarely taken). Tipping isn't customary except in finer restaurants. Call ahead on Monday night, when many establishments are closed.

Banzeiro

$$$$ | Vieralves Fodor's choice

Run by the brothers Felipe and Thiago Schaedler, this restaurant specializes in top-notch regional Amazon cuisine. Fresh fish from the Amazon rivers reigns supreme here—you can't go wrong with the grilled tambaqui fish ribs served with tucupi farofa (palm heart fruit manioc flour). For dessert, try the banana cake drizzled with molasses. Popular with locals, the place fills up on weekends. Check the restaurant's website before going for English descriptions of their main dishes, as no menus in English are available in the restaurant, and most staff speak only Portuguese.

Churrascaria Búfalo

$$$$ | Vieralves Fodor's choice

Twelve waiters, each with a different cut of beef, chicken, or goat, scurry around this large, sparkling clean restaurant. As if the delectable meats weren't enough, tables are also stocked with side dishes, including manioc root, pickled vegetables, and caramelized bananas. You can eat as much as you like for a fixed price of R$90 per person.