Brasilia - Post Report Question and Answers
What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
iFood is great and we live off it frequently. The extra cost is negligible - frankly I don't know how the restaurants and delivery guys make the economics work. It's very nice because service at restaurants can be slow. That said, many agree the food is just average. We rotate around our best Italian, Indian, etc. choices and after two years I'm ready for a change. I won't miss or think about any particular restaurant here when I leave - I will dearly miss cheap acai though. - Jan 2024
We use iFood for delivery which is great and cheap/fast. Restaurants are varied, and we've found some good Italian, Mexican, Korean and Indian ones. Steak houses are great, particularly the Rodisio Churrasqueria style. - Oct 2021
iFood and Ubereats are very popular. The restaurant scene here is very good. - May 2020
Everyone loves picanha (Brazilian steaks) and that's very popular. We bring guests to Brazilian steakhouses for the experience (unending waves of meat), but its way too much food for a normal dinner. There are a lot of different restaurants here, but in my opinion, they aren't very good, just... meh. Also, the service and quality can vary visit to visit. You might try one restaurant and love it, only to go back and have it be horrible the next time. - May 2017
Brasilia isn't exactly known for its culinary scene, but there are some good places in town to eat. For upscale restaurants specializing in steak, I would suggest, El Negro, Corrientes 348 or Rubaiyat. For brunch: Dylan's is popular (owned by a couple who spent many years in Australia), Ernesto's and Daniel Briand. For Italian food, we can recommend Cantina Da Massa and for sushi I'd say New Koto is the favorite pick among expats. Finally, Pauliceia is hands down the best place for churrasco. - May 2017
Restaurants are primarily churrasco, or grilled meat. Very few options for variety. There are a couple of Indian places, but Brazilians do not prefer spicy food, so most dishes are fairly mild. There are a couple of apps for food delivery (ifood and PedidosYa).
Be prepared for limited hours of most restaurants. Some are only open for lunch, some open for lunch, close around 3pm, and open back up for dinner. In addition, Brasilians typically eat dinner later than Americans, so if you show up right at opening time, they are likely just setting up, and you will have the place to yourself - no reservation needed. Very few serve all 3 meals and stay open consistently during the day. Also, a number are closed on Mondays. I always check Google as it typically has the most up to date information.
Brazil is just starting to get into a healthier food mindset and they do have a few vegetarian/vegan restaurants. Even if you aren't vegetarian, these can be good choices as they typically offer a larger variety of food when you get tired of the meat (and yes, you will get tired of meat, beans, and rice). - Mar 2017
There are lots of buffets with churrasco (grilled meats). These are generally good quality, healthy and well-priced. - May 2016
I don't know because we don't eat out, and don't do fast food, except meat on a stick ($1.25 each) or acai (yummy!). We do occasionally go to a by-the-kilo place with food from Minas Gerais ($11 the kilo). - Aug 2015
There's McDonald's, Burger King, Subway, Quiznos, and a Dunkin Donuts just recently opened. There are also Brazilian fast food available and Chinese/Japanese fast food - but they come with a Brazilian twist. There are plenty of Brazilian restaurants, Japanese restaurants, French, and Italian restaurants. Decent foods from other countries are lacking, but there is a good Indian (vegetarian restaurant), a couple of Mexican restaurants, one good Chinese restaurant, and an OK Korean restaurant (only open for lunch). Dinner at a nice Brazilian restaurant for two adults and two kids is usually around R$200-R$300. The drinks drive up the bill a lot since everyone here drinks bottled water or juices. - Aug 2015
McDonalds', Burger King and Dunkin Donuts are here. Malls have food courts with many options. A fast food meal costs around US$7-$8. There are all kinds of restaurants. I love Coco Bamboo (seafood) and El Negro (steak Argentine style). You can find really cheap Brazilian food or more costly food at more American prices. Cheap Brazilian food is salty, burnt and is served with rice and beans, lettuce, and unripe tomatoes. - Aug 2015
Yes, plenty of good restaurants and sufficient fast food is available. Costs really vary. Better restaurants will cost nearly double what a similar meal in the USA would cost. What's really missing here is good ethnic food choices. Brazilians, in general, don't like spicy food. There are no Thai or Indian restaurants here. Yes, NONE. There is one place that does a good Indian buffet once a month and it is very popular with the dip community. There are a few Mexican places but they aren't great. Japanese food is common and is good. - Jun 2014
American fast-food chains are all over Brasilia, but at about double the price of what you'd pay in the U.S. Decent---and even exceptional---restaurants abound at a wide range of prices, serving food from nearly all ethnic backgrounds (Thai being an unfortunate exception). Quality restaurants are one of the best parts of living in Brasilia, making it great for couples who like to escape on a date-night or friends who want to celebrate a special occasion (and there's plenty to celebrate in Brazil). - Sep 2012
None. There is a McDonalds, but no such thing as a "drive-thru". A big Mac costs R$15, about $10. This is find with us, as we never went to fast food in the states. - Dec 2011
The best fast food here comes from the food-by-the-kilo places. It is excellent and somewhat moderately priced. Also, they have all the McDonald's, Pizza Huts, Giraffas, etc. But, well, things are very expensive here and when you are spending real money on a meal, why would you go to them? - Aug 2011
International fast food chains: McDonald's, Burger King, Dominos and Pizza Hut. Local fast food: Giraffas (burgers, grilled items, rice and beans), Habib's (arab food), Bob's (burgers). Prices are slightly higher than in the US. There are a lot of nice restaurants in town. I'd recommend Trattoria da Rosario (italian). - Dec 2009
Yes, but there is no ethnic variety. - Nov 2009
McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Dominos Pizza, and other Brazilian fast food. The prices are similar to those in the U.S. - Jun 2009
