What Food To Try in Florianopolis and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Florianopolis for 2024.
National currency: Brazilian Real, symbol — R$ (international currency code BRL).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Florianopolis cafes and restaurants
$6.2
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $4.16
$39.5
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $22.88
$7.3
Combo Meal
Starting from $6.24
What to Try in Florianopolis
Must-try Dishes
Miguel's Style Rice - Arroz de Marisco (seafood rice) - A rich blend of rice, shellfish, and fish, simmered in a savory broth until perfectly tender. Locals savor it during special occasions, often sharing it in family gatherings.Pasta with Fresh Shrimp - Massas de Camarão (pasta with shrimp) - Hand-made pasta tossed with garlic, olive oil, and large, fresh shrimp, often with a tangy tomato sauce. It's a popular lunch fix at seaside restaurants, traditionally paired with a laid-back afternoon.
God's Plate - Prato do Deus (hearty stew) - A filling meat stew featuring beef, pork, and various vegetables slow-cooked for hours until flavors meld beautifully. You’ll find this as a dinner staple, especially when families gather together.
Green Bowl Delight - Feijoada (black bean stew) - A black bean stew packed with pork and beef, served with rice, orange slices, and farofa (toasted cassava flour). Feijoada is often enjoyed on Wednesdays and Saturdays, allowing friends to convene for a leisurely meal.
Sea and Land Tacos - Tacos de Peixe e Carne (fish and meat tacos) - Juicy tacos filled with a combination of grilled fish and seasoned beef, often topped with fresh salsa. It's a street food favorite, capturing the lively essence of Florianopolis street vendors at night.
Seasonal Fish Sensation - Tainha (seasonal fish) - Grilled thin fish, typically served with lemon and side dishes, is a summer specialty here. Locals flock to beachside spots to relish this dish, especially during the fishing season.
Breakfast of Champions - Pão com Ovo (bread with egg) - A thick slice of bread topped with a fried egg, seasoned with a sprinkle of salt. This simple breakfast is best enjoyed early in the morning, before the sun heats up, making it a cherished start to the day.
By the way, always ask for a "pouco mais" when ordering your rice dishes; it means a bit more, and you'd be surprised how often that gets you an extra scoop!
Desserts & Drinks
Caipirinha - Caipirinha (classic cocktail) - A refreshing mix of cachaça (sugarcane spirit), sugar, and lime, muddled together for a zesty finish. This drink is a staple at beach parties and local gatherings, often enjoyed at sunset when the day cools down. Chimarrão - Chimarrão (herbal infusion) - A traditional green mate tea made from yerba maté, served hot in a gourd with a bombilla (metal straw). You'll see locals sip this during leisurely afternoons, sharing the gourd among friends in a social ritual, often referring to it as a sign of hospitality.
Açaí Bowl - Açaí na Tigela (frozen berry blend) - Creamy, thick açaí pulp blended with bananas and topped with granola and fresh fruits, making for a refreshing treat. Commonly enjoyed at beachside stalls, this dish is especially popular on hot days and after surfing sessions—everyone loves a boost of energy from fresh, local ingredients!
Quindim - Quindim (coconut custard) - A vibrant yellow dessert made from coconut, sugar, and egg yolks, which results in a silky texture. Found at various bakeries, this sweet is often reserved for special occasions but is truly irresistible any time—just beware of overindulging before a meal!
Geladinho - Geladinho (frozen popsicle) - A beloved frozen treat, usually made with fresh fruit juices or sweetened milk, often on a stick. Perfect for cooling down in the summer heat, these pops are sold by street vendors all around town—look out for unique flavors like coconut or guava that locals can’t resist!
Food and Groceries in Florianopolis
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $1.58 |
| Bananas | $0.97 |
| Oranges | $0.96 |
| Potatoes | $0.94 |
| Apples | $1.67 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.76 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $1.21 |
| Imported Beer | $2.29 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $8.32 |
| Milk 1L | $1.16 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $9.26 |
| Chicken | $4.19 |
| Cigarettes | $2.5 |
| Rice | $1.17 |
| Local Cheese | $9.43 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
Observing lunch hour in Florianopolis is a vibrant spectacle. Locals flock to nearby restaurants, creating bustling queues typical of 12:30 PM, especially in districts like Lagoa da Conceição and Centro. You’ll often see people communal-style sharing dishes—perhaps a feijoada or a fresh seafood moqueca.
Meal times here typically start around 12 PM for lunch, with dinner commonly served later, around 8 PM. It’s worth noting that many families opt for an earlier dinner, especially with children in tow. For lunch, expect to pay around R$35 to R$60 in most decent restaurants, while dinner could be slightly pricier due to higher-end options. Street food, a staple among locals, might only set you back R$10 to R$20, depending on your choice—pastel de feira or a slice of pizza from a vendor can be a delicious and economical choice.
In dining districts like Lagoa da Conceição, you often find menus that reflect both traditional and contemporary Brazilian cuisine, often featuring fresh ingredients procured locally. However, rush periods can be deceiving. While you might expect a place to be busy during peak hours, surprisingly, many restaurants tend to have quieter evenings, especially from Sunday to Thursday, giving you a better chance for a relaxed dining experience.
Payment customs here lean towards cash, but many places accept card payments as well. Just remember to bring cash for smaller vendors at public markets—their systems may not be as advanced. Tipping is also appreciated but not mandatory—rounding up to the nearest real (R$) usually suffices.
An authentic local habit I’ve observed is sharing meals among friends and family, making dining a social event rather than a solitary experience. This can sometimes lead to the common tourist mistake of underestimating portion sizes—meals are often designed for sharing, so don’t be surprised if you can’t finish what you ordered solo!
As a heads up, if you plan to dine at popular locales, reservations are a good practice, especially on weekends. Not doing so can lead to disappointment when you find a bustling restaurant with no available tables, particularly in busy areas during the late-night dining rush.
The ongoing popularity of food delivery services has shifted some traditional dining customs, with many opting for convenience over culinary experiences. In turn, local favorites are evolving with modern trends, reflecting the bolder flavors and innovative pairings that younger chefs are experimenting with. This combination of tradition and modernity keeps Florianopolis's food scene exciting and reflective of both its rich heritage and future gastronomic landscape.
Meal times here typically start around 12 PM for lunch, with dinner commonly served later, around 8 PM. It’s worth noting that many families opt for an earlier dinner, especially with children in tow. For lunch, expect to pay around R$35 to R$60 in most decent restaurants, while dinner could be slightly pricier due to higher-end options. Street food, a staple among locals, might only set you back R$10 to R$20, depending on your choice—pastel de feira or a slice of pizza from a vendor can be a delicious and economical choice.
In dining districts like Lagoa da Conceição, you often find menus that reflect both traditional and contemporary Brazilian cuisine, often featuring fresh ingredients procured locally. However, rush periods can be deceiving. While you might expect a place to be busy during peak hours, surprisingly, many restaurants tend to have quieter evenings, especially from Sunday to Thursday, giving you a better chance for a relaxed dining experience.
Payment customs here lean towards cash, but many places accept card payments as well. Just remember to bring cash for smaller vendors at public markets—their systems may not be as advanced. Tipping is also appreciated but not mandatory—rounding up to the nearest real (R$) usually suffices.
An authentic local habit I’ve observed is sharing meals among friends and family, making dining a social event rather than a solitary experience. This can sometimes lead to the common tourist mistake of underestimating portion sizes—meals are often designed for sharing, so don’t be surprised if you can’t finish what you ordered solo!
As a heads up, if you plan to dine at popular locales, reservations are a good practice, especially on weekends. Not doing so can lead to disappointment when you find a bustling restaurant with no available tables, particularly in busy areas during the late-night dining rush.
The ongoing popularity of food delivery services has shifted some traditional dining customs, with many opting for convenience over culinary experiences. In turn, local favorites are evolving with modern trends, reflecting the bolder flavors and innovative pairings that younger chefs are experimenting with. This combination of tradition and modernity keeps Florianopolis's food scene exciting and reflective of both its rich heritage and future gastronomic landscape.