What Food To Try in Recife and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Recife for 2024.
National currency: Brazilian Real, symbol — R$ (international currency code BRL).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Recife cafes and restaurants
$5.2
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $2.91
$25
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $22.88
$7.3
Combo Meal
Starting from $5.82
What to Try in Recife
Must-try Dishes
Sarapatel - This is a thick stew made with pork, offal, and spices, giving it a rich, hearty texture. Locals enjoy it at family gatherings or during festive occasions, often served with white rice.Pão de Queijo - Cheese Bread - These small, fluffy rolls made with tapioca flour and cheese are delightfully chewy. Typically eaten at breakfast or as a snack throughout the day, you can find them everywhere from bakeries to street stalls.
Carne de Sol - Sun-dried Beef - Marinated and dried beef that’s usually grilled or fried, served with sides like beans and rice. This dish is a staple for dinner, often seen at casual family restaurants or homes.
Caldeirada - A hearty fish stew with tomatoes, peppers, and spices, showcasing fresh seafood caught from the nearby coast. It’s a weekend favorite, often shared among friends during leisurely beach days.
Kibbeh - Quibe - A surprising combination of bulgur wheat, minced meat, and spices, forming a bulging pocket that’s deep-fried to perfection. It's commonly seen at street food stalls, and it’s a go-to late-night snack for party-goers.
Moqueca - Fish Stew - A tropical dish made from fish, coconut milk, and palm oil, bursting with flavors of cilantro and lime. Best enjoyed during the summer months, it reflects the coastal influence of Recife's culinary scene.
Feijão Verde - Green Beans - This dish features fresh green beans sautéed with garlic and onions, often mixed with bits of bacon for flavor. It’s a popular side for lunch, but many locals enjoy it as a main dish during festive meals too.
Tapioquinha - Tapioca Crepes - Savory or sweet, these crepes made from tapioca flour can be filled with meats, cheeses, or coconut. They’re best enjoyed for breakfast or as a quick snack, and you’ll often find locals ordering them with specific fillings at late-night food stalls.
Desserts & Drinks
Caffeine - Café com Leite (coffee with milk) - A robust blend of rich coffee and creamy milk, served hot in a small glass. Locals enjoy this comforting drink at breakfast or in the late afternoon, often accompanied by a light pastry. By the way, don't mistake it for an espresso, as the balance of milk is key!Guava Juice - Suco de Goiaba (fresh juice) - This refreshingly sweet juice is made from juicy guavas, pureed and strained, then chilled to perfection. It's particularly popular during the sweltering summer months, found at street stalls or family gatherings. You'll find it’s a common choice to complement a light lunch.
Cachaça - Cachaça (sugarcane spirit) - A distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice, enjoyed neat or in a Caipirinha. Cachaça is the backbone of many locals' evenings, often shared in a casual setting among friends during lively celebrations. Many folks have strong preferences for artisanal brands—so watch for that!
Beijinho - Beijinho (coconut sweet) - These delightful treats are made from condensed milk, grated coconut, and sugar, rolled into bite-sized balls and coated in more coconut. Beijinhos are especially popular at birthday parties, served often alongside brigadeiros (chocolate treats) in decorative trays. An unforgettable combo that brings a smile to every face!
Açaí na Tigela - Açaí Bowl (frozen dessert) - A creamy concoction of açaí berries blended into a thick sherbet topped with granola and banana slices. It's a go-to refreshing snack during hot afternoons, particularly in coastal areas. Just a heads-up: locals typically eat it with a spoon, not a straw, to really savor that texture!
Food and Groceries in Recife
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $1.37 |
| Bananas | $0.96 |
| Oranges | $1.12 |
| Potatoes | $1.16 |
| Apples | $2.24 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.71 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $1.1 |
| Imported Beer | $1.83 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $7.28 |
| Milk 1L | $1.28 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $8.82 |
| Chicken | $4.32 |
| Cigarettes | $2.5 |
| Rice | $1.11 |
| Local Cheese | $7.67 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
The lunch hour in Recife transforms streets into vibrant dining scenes. Locals typically gather for a meal between noon and 2 PM, often resulting in bustling restaurants and food stalls. In Boa Viagem, for example, the beachfront açaí stands and seafood eateries overflow with families and workers enjoying their break. You'll find stands selling a bowl of shrimp for around R$30, a decent price considering the generous portions and fresh ingredients.
Recife’s dining experiences range significantly by district. While a meal in a more upscale location like Casa Forte can cost upwards of R$60 per person, a hearty plate from a street vendor or a casual "self-service" buffet in neighborhoods like Cordeiro can be as low as R$15. Different areas cater to diverse budgets, making it easy to find options that suit your wallet.
As for payment, most places accept both cash and card, but it's common for smaller vendors to be cash-only. Always have a few reais (R$) on hand, especially for grabbing quick bites or at markets. When dining at sit-down restaurants, a service charge of around 10% is typical—just be sure to check your bill, as it’s sometimes included. Tipping isn't obligatory, but rounding up to show appreciation never hurts.
One common habit you may observe among locals is their love for sharing dishes. A table of friends will often order an assortment to appreciate various flavors rather than sticking to one meal. Families might also bring their kids to cafés during the late afternoon, enjoying coffee or açaí as a post-school treat, which is quite common here.
Oh, and before I forget, it's important to steer clear of a common tourist mistake: assuming you can dine at any hour. Many kitchens close a bit earlier, especially in quieter districts. For those late-night cravings, expect to find more options in areas like Pina or the Cultural Center, where late-night eateries endure until 10 PM or even midnight on weekends.
A tip for navigating your dining experience in Recife is to observe local habits around meal times, particularly during peak hours. If you plan to head out for lunch, aim to arrive before 1 PM or risk long waits.
As prices consistently rise in upscale districts, locals are increasingly opting for simpler, authentic meals that highlight the culinary roots of Pernambuco. This shift towards casual dining reflects an appreciation of both tradition and taste, perfectly capturing the essence of Recife’s evolving food scene.
Recife’s dining experiences range significantly by district. While a meal in a more upscale location like Casa Forte can cost upwards of R$60 per person, a hearty plate from a street vendor or a casual "self-service" buffet in neighborhoods like Cordeiro can be as low as R$15. Different areas cater to diverse budgets, making it easy to find options that suit your wallet.
As for payment, most places accept both cash and card, but it's common for smaller vendors to be cash-only. Always have a few reais (R$) on hand, especially for grabbing quick bites or at markets. When dining at sit-down restaurants, a service charge of around 10% is typical—just be sure to check your bill, as it’s sometimes included. Tipping isn't obligatory, but rounding up to show appreciation never hurts.
One common habit you may observe among locals is their love for sharing dishes. A table of friends will often order an assortment to appreciate various flavors rather than sticking to one meal. Families might also bring their kids to cafés during the late afternoon, enjoying coffee or açaí as a post-school treat, which is quite common here.
Oh, and before I forget, it's important to steer clear of a common tourist mistake: assuming you can dine at any hour. Many kitchens close a bit earlier, especially in quieter districts. For those late-night cravings, expect to find more options in areas like Pina or the Cultural Center, where late-night eateries endure until 10 PM or even midnight on weekends.
A tip for navigating your dining experience in Recife is to observe local habits around meal times, particularly during peak hours. If you plan to head out for lunch, aim to arrive before 1 PM or risk long waits.
As prices consistently rise in upscale districts, locals are increasingly opting for simpler, authentic meals that highlight the culinary roots of Pernambuco. This shift towards casual dining reflects an appreciation of both tradition and taste, perfectly capturing the essence of Recife’s evolving food scene.