Must-try Dishes
Pastel - Fried Pastry - A crispy pastry filled with seasoned meat or shrimp, often served hot and fresh. Locals love grabbing them from street vendors for an afternoon snack, especially at the beach.
Moqueca - Fish Stew - A flavorful stew made with fish, coconut milk, tomatoes, and peppers, slow-cooked to perfection. Typically enjoyed during family gatherings, it's perfect for lunch or dinner, best paired with rice.
Acarajé - Deep-Fried Bean Fritter - Made from black-eyed peas, these golden fritters are stuffed with spicy shrimp and a sprinkle of vatapá (a paste made from bread, nuts, and coconut milk). Eating acarajé from street carts in the late afternoon is a cherished local ritual.
Caruru - Okra Stew - A rich stew featuring okra, shrimp, and ground peanuts, often eaten with rice. It's especially popular during celebrations and is served family-style, with everyone digging in from a communal pot.
Pão com Toucinho - Bacon Sandwich - A chewy white bread filled with little bites of crispy bacon, served warm and often enjoyed for breakfast. It's a common-dining mistake to call it a "simple sandwich" when it's packed with flavor and local love.
Cuscuz - Steamed Cornmeal Cake - This dish is made from cornmeal and can be topped with everything from vegetables to meat, served soft and warm. Usually eaten at breakfast or lunch, it’s a great way to start the day.
Feijoada - Black Bean Stew - A hearty stew made with black beans and assorted meats, commonly served with rice, collard greens, and orange slices. Often enjoyed on Saturdays, considering its long cooking time, it brings families together for a relaxed lunch.
Canjica - Sweet Corn Porridge - Creamy porridge made from corn, milk, and sugar, sometimes sprinkled with cinnamon. Generally eaten during winter festivities, it's a warm reminder of local traditions, often enjoyed in a cozy home setting with family.
Desserts & Drinks
Café com Leite - Café com Leite (coffee with milk) - A comforting blend of strong Brazilian coffee and creamy steamed milk, served hot in generous mugs. Locals savor it during breakfast or mid-afternoon coffee breaks, and adding a sprinkle of cinnamon can elevate the flavor to the next level.
Cocada - Cocada (coconut sweet) - A chewy, sweet treat made from grated coconut, sugar, and sometimes condensed milk, often enjoyed chilled. Commonly sold by street vendors, it's especially popular during celebrations, perfect for sweetening up festive gatherings.
Caipirinha - Caipirinha (sugarcane cocktail) - This refreshing beverage combines cachaça (sugarcane spirit), fresh lime, and sugar, served over ice. You'll find locals sipping it during rambunctious get-togethers, and be cautious when ordering; many mix up "caipirinha" with the less potent "batida."
Açaí na Tigela - Açaí Bowl (frozen berry dessert) - A frozen blend of açaí berries, served in a bowl and topped with granola, bananas, and honey; it's a cooling treat perfect for Salvador's hot days. Typically enjoyed for breakfast or a post-workout snack, many locals vouch for its energizing powers.
Bolinho de Estudante - Bolinho de Estudante (student cake) - A popular pastry filled with sweet guava or coconut, lightly fried until golden. Often eaten during school festivities, this snack brings back nostalgic memories for many locals—the perfect blend of flaky and sweet that pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee.
