Food & Cuisine in Ubatuba

Food info sections | Eating locally | Other dining options

Brazilian cuisine is very rich and diversified, and in Ubatuba you will find a great variety of restaurants. The famous "Palmito na brasa" (grilled hearts of palm) is a delicious specialty of our region. Fish and seafood are great options, and you can also try excellent Italian and Portuguese food. Meats are always good in Brazil and you should try a traditional barbecue as well.

After tiring yourself out playing on the beaches of Ubatuba, you might want to unwind with a drink and finger food or perhaps head to one of the several great restaurants for a wholesome local meal!

This Ubatuba Restaurant Guide provides information on the local food and cuisine, and offers some recommendations on where to find a great meal. There are numerous quality restaurants in Ubatuba serving both local and international cuisine, as well as a number of inexpensive eateries in the town center where you can get a simple meal of fish, rice and beans, perfect for re-fuelling whilst shopping in Ubatuba. We also provide some general useful information on traditional Brazilian food and cuisine.

Food & Cuisine in Ubatuba

Food constitutes an important aspect of any holiday, and what you eat depends not just on your appetite but also your mood and enthusiasm to try new things. After a day of sightseeing or lazing on the beach, you might want to just unwind with a drink and finger food, or perhaps head to one of the several pizzerias for a wholesome pizza meal with the family. If you're a honeymooning couple, then you will be happy to know that Ubatuba is filled with little cosy diners along the beaches and in quiet alleys. There are lots fine dining restaurants, specialising in fish, seafood, Italian or international cuisine everywhere in Ubatuba, especially downtown or in Itagua.

The local cuisine

Thanks to the many immigrants from Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Middle East, Sao Paulo's local cuisine is a huge variety of cuisines. While most Brazilians enjoy the traditional Italian pasta, rice with beans is a more popular dining option. It is, in fact, considered the staple food not just in Brazil but in most Caribbean nations. Another very popular food is Salgadinhos, finger foods like pastel (a delicious savory fried pastry that might be filled with meat, cheese, ham or vegetables), empadas (savory baked pastry filled with chicken, vegetables or shrimps), coxinha, a kind of chicken croquette or other delicious choices. They are a must-have during gatherings of family and friends all over Brazil.

Then there are the innumerable pastries, which are either fried or baked. Pao de Queijo, which in English means ‘cheese bread', is a standard Brazilian snack. It is a soft roll made out of cheese and manioc flour. The Coxinha, basically a chicken croquette, is made in the shape of a chicken thigh! Another cross-cultural favourite is the Kibe, (also called quibe), which is a dish made of chopped meat, bulghur wheat and a variety of spices. In fact, it's exactly like the Syrian dish Kibbeh, which was introduced to Brazil by the Lebanese and Syrian immigrants.

Local delicacies

Sao Paulo has a variety of local delicacies that are must-haves for all tourists. The brave, and also curious, must not miss the azul marinho, meaning ‘navy blue' in English. While this is the food of the local fisherman community, it looks extremely exotic and you are sure to be left wondering about the ingredients, though there is nothing uncommon in the dish. To get a taste of this dish, you could head to any of the popular seafood joints in central Ubatuba, close to the airport.

Then there is the popular Rocha ice cream. Started way back in 1947 by a local family of the same name, the over 20 popsicles and 50 flavours of ice-creams have gained a reputation for their unique flavors. Remember, however, to carry a pocket dictionary when you visit the parlours, as there is no English menu.

Don't go away without trying the many handmade sweets available at the family-owned stores. Think banana treats, strudels and oven-baked ice-creams! What's more, they even have some sugar-free options for the health conscious.

If you're looking for a fruity option, rather than all the sugar and calories, buy yourself an Acai. It is a tropical fruit, rich in energy and carbs -- a perfect dessert after a sunny day spent at the beach. What's more, you can also get it as an ice-cream flavour. In fact, it is at the Lourdes Itambuca beach that the Açaí must be tried - its rich flavour is bound to leave you speechless.