TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Brazilian Foods
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Picanha is a fresh cut of beef that's especially popular and highly prized in Brazil. In the US, it's called sirloin cap, and in the UK, it's known as the rump cap. Picanha is situated on the back side of the animal, above the butt, where it sits on a fat cap.
It's mostly used for churrasco – the meat is first grilled, then sliced off of a skewer. This cut holds very little fat in the meat, so it must be cooked perfectly in order not to make it tough. In Brazil, every churrasco has picanha, and all of the best churrascarias feature picanha on their menus.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Churrasco
MOST ICONIC Picanha
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
Literally translated to cheese bread, pão de queijo has its origins in the culinary inventions of African slaves, when they started to use the residue of the cassava plant. A fine white powder, or starch, was rolled into balls and baked.
At the time, no cheese was added, so it was just baked starch, but at the end of the 19th century, when slavery ended, other foods started to become available to the Afro-Brazilians for the first time. In the state of Minas Gerais, the dairy center of Brazil, cheese and milk started to be added to the starchy balls, and pão de queijo was created.
MOST ICONIC Pão de queijo
View moreEscondidinho is a traditional casserole. It can be made with a variety of ingredients – beef, chicken, fish, pork, or shrimp. The original one is called escondidinho de carne seca, made with a combination of dried and salted meat and mashed potatoes.
The carne seca is cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and various spices. It is placed into a baking dish, then topped with mashed potatoes, and often grated cheese. The combination is baked in the oven until golden brown on top. The name of the dish means little hidden one, referring to the meat hidden underneath a layer of mashed potatoes.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
In the American, French, German, Brazilian, and Korean systems of primal beef cuts, the tenderloin is a cut from the loin, which is located towards the back of the cow, nestled under the ribs, next to the backbone. It spans two primal cuts: the short loin and the sirloin.
The tenderloin is one of the most tender cuts of beef as it comes from a muscle that doesn't get much exercise. It is also one of the most highly prized and correspondingly expensive cuts of beef, due to its tenderness and flavor. Given the tenderness of this cut, the tenderloin is often cooked quickly over high heat, with methods such as grilling or broiling.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
In Brazilian cuisine, costela refers to a specific cut of beef known as ribs in English, although it differs from the American style ribs as it encompasses both ribs (costela do dianteiro) and ponta de agulha (plate ribs). It's a popular and essential component of Brazilian barbecue culture (churrasco).
Ribs are often skewered and grilled over an open flame to create flavorful and tender meat. It's seasoned with minimal ingredients like salt to enhance the natural flavors of the meat. The slow cooking process allows the meat to become tender and develop a delicious smoky flavor.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
In Brazilian cuisine, contrafilé refers to a specific cut corresponding to parts of the boneless strip loin and the ribeye. The term comes from Portuguese and literally translates to "against the grain," indicating the way the meat is typically sliced for cooking and serving.
Contrafilé is characterized by its marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor. The marbling of fat throughout the meat contributes to its juiciness and delicious taste when cooked. In Brazilian churrasco, the contrafilé is often skewered and grilled to perfection over an open flame.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Tacacá is a mouth-numbing Brazilian soup made with large dried shrimps, tucupí (wild cassava byproduct), manioc starch, hot yellow peppers, and jambú – a leafy plant with anesthetic properties. To make tucupí, the juice extracted from a specific variety of sour cassava called mandioca brava (lit. angry cassava) is boiled, then left to ferment to eliminate the high levels of cyanide it possesses in its raw form.
After the fermentation process is over, the resulting sauce is distinguished by a yellowish color and an intensely acidic flavor. The mouth-numbing sensation of the soup comes from the jambú plant, which apart from being used in cooking, has also had a long tradition as a folk remedy in northern Brazil, especially in the states of Pará and Amazonas.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Bife à Parmegiana is a beloved Brazilian dish that draws its roots from Italian cuisine, specifically the Italian classic parmigiana dishes, like chicken parmigiana or veal parmigiana. In this version, the main protein is a tender beef cutlet, typically made from high-quality cuts such as sirloin, filet mignon, or even ribeye.
The preparation begins by pounding the beef cutlet to tenderize it, then seasoning it with salt and pepper. The cutlet is coated in flour, dipped in beaten eggs, and finally covered with breadcrumbs before being fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
This traditional Brazilian dessert is a type of creamy, caramel-coated custard flan. Although there are as many variations on the dessert as there are families in Brazil (and throughout Latin America), the standard ingredients of pudim de leite condensado include sweetened condensed milk, regular whole milk, eggs, and sugar.
To make the custard, the condensed milk mixture is typically poured into round molds or cake pans that have been coated with a simple caramel sauce, before it is baked in a water bath until it’s become firm and set. According to popular belief, this simple dessert is thought to have evolved from an old Portuguese dish known as pudim de priscos, an invention that has been attributed to a certain Portuguese priest named Manuel Joaquim Machado, also known as Father Priscos.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
One of Brazil's favorite street foods, coxinha (lit. little thigh) is a crispy croquette filled with chicken meat and cream cheese that is cleverly shaped into a chicken drumstick, then breaded and deep-fried. Coxinha originated around São Paulo in the 19th century, and by the 1950s it spread to Rio de Janeiro and Paraná, having now become one of the most popular salgados (savory appetizers) across the country.
Legend has it that coxinha was first made for the Brazilian princess Isabel's son who only liked chicken thigh meat. However, according to food historians, it was probably invented during the industrialization of São Paulo to be marketed as a cheaper and more durable substitute to traditional chicken cuts that were sold at the gates of local factories as snacks for the workers.
MOST ICONIC Coxinha
View moreTABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Brazilian Food Producers
Daterra Coffee – Innovation and Sustainability in Specialty Coffee Daterra Coffee is a leading Brazilian coffee plantation renowned for its innovative and sustainable practices in specialty coffee cultivation. Located in the Cerrado region, Daterra was founded in the 1980s with the mission of redefining coffee production through environmentally responsible methods.
Their farms, situated in Patrocínio, are among the oldest coffee plantations in Brazil’s Cerrado, positioned at an average altitude of over 900 meters, with some areas reaching 1,200 meters. Daterra was the first coffee farm in the world to package its green coffee in sealed vacuum packs, preserving the delicate flavor nuances throughout long overseas journeys.
BEST Daterra Coffee Coffees
Located in the heart of Chapada de Minas, Fazenda Primavera is synonymous with the production of premium Arabica coffee. Thanks to this specific geographical location, the farm cultivates Arabica varieties in a dry region, with plantations spread across flat plateaus with gentle slopes, typical of this area.
The microclimate, characterized by periods of humidity and drought, creates ideal conditions for growing high-quality coffee. At Fazenda Primavera, special attention is given to sustainable coffee cultivation. The farm has implemented techniques that minimize the environmental impact of production, and as part of long-term projects, coffee is grown alongside African mahogany, creating a unique product – Mahogany Coffee.
BEST Fazenda Primavera Coffee Beans
Prosperato is an olive oil producer located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. They focus on producing high-quality, extra virgin olive oil. The region's climate and soil conditions are favorable for olive cultivation, contributing to the distinctive flavor profiles of their oils.
The company emphasizes sustainable practices and innovation in their production processes.
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Double Gold
2024, 2021

ATHENA IOOC - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018

NYIOOC - Gold
2023
BEST Prosperato Olive Oils
Estância das Oliveiras is a Brazilian producer of extra virgin olive oil located in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. The farm focuses on sustainable agricultural practices and integrates livestock with olive cultivation to maintain soil health.
The company also offers guided tours and tastings for visitors to learn more about their production process.
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Double Gold
2024, 2023

ATHENA IOOC - Gold
2024, 2023

NYIOOC - Gold
2023
BEST Estância Das Oliveiras Olive Oils
Azeite Batalha is an olive oil producer based in Brazil. The company is located in the southern region of Brazil, which is known for its suitable climate for olive cultivation. Azeite Batalha produces extra virgin olive oil and has won several awards for its quality.
The company focuses on sustainable production practices and often participates in national and international olive oil competitions.
Café Fazenda Sertãozinho Ltda is a producer based in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The company is primarily known for its high-quality coffee production and has also ventured into olive oil production. The olive groves are cultivated in the Brazilian highlands, benefiting from the unique climate and altitude of the region.
The company focuses on sustainable farming practices and maintaining the natural ecosystems around their plantations.
AWARDS

EVO IOOC - Gold Medal
2022, 2021, 2020, 2018

London IOOC - Gold
2022

Terraolivo IOOC - Prestige Gold
2022, 2019, 2018
BEST Café Fazenda Sertãozinho Ltda Olive Oils
Beg Gin Boutique Distillery is a craft gin producer located in Brazil, known for its artisanal approach to distilling premium gins. The distillery emphasizes unique botanical blends that highlight local ingredients and flavors, creating distinctive spirits with a strong connection to Brazilian terroir.
Beg Gin's offerings appeal to connoisseurs seeking high-quality, small-batch gin with innovative and refined profiles.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

Bartender Spirits Awards - Double Gold
2023

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
BEST Beg Gin Boutique Distillery Spirits
Capolivo Comercio De Azeite is an olive oil producer based in Brazil. They focus on producing high-quality olive oils using olives cultivated in Brazilian olive groves. They emphasize sustainable agricultural practices and prioritize quality in their production process.
Capolivo caters to both local and international markets.
AWARDS

NYIOOC - Gold
2023

London IOOC - Gold
2023

London IOOC - Platinum
2023
BEST Capolivo Comercio De Azeite Olive Oils
AWARDS

EVOOLEUM - Top 100
2023, 2022

EVOOLEUM - BEST OF CLASS
2023

EVOOLEUM - BEST OF EACH COUNTRY
2023, 2022
BEST Fazenda Do Campo Alto Olive Oils
Luisa Abram is a chocolate producer based in São Paulo, Brazil, specializing in bean-to-bar chocolates crafted from wild cacao sourced from the Amazon Rainforest. The company emphasizes sustainable practices and direct partnerships with local families who harvest the cacao.
Their chocolate bars are noted for highlighting the unique flavors of the Brazilian Amazon's diverse cacao varieties.
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2020, 2018

Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2023

Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018
BEST Luisa Abram Chocolates
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Brazilian Food Products
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Double Gold
2021

ATHENA IOOC - Gold
2023, 2022

Olive Japan - Gold
2022, 2021, 2020, 2018
AWARDS

NYIOOC - Gold
2023

EVO IOOC - Gold Medal
2022, 2021, 2018

Terraolivo IOOC - Grand Prestige Gold
2022, 2021, 2019, 2018
Black - Azeite Batalha is a premium extra virgin olive oil crafted with precision and expertise in Brazil. Made from carefully selected olives, it boasts an intense and complex flavor profile with bold fruity notes, a hint of bitterness, and a balanced peppery finish.
Cold-pressed to preserve its rich aroma and health benefits, this high-quality oil is perfect for enhancing gourmet dishes, salads, grilled vegetables, and fine dining experiences. Its distinctive character and depth make it a standout choice for olive oil connoisseurs.
AWARDS

NYIOOC - Gold
2023

Terraolivo IOOC - Grand Prestige Gold
2022, 2021

EVO IOOC - Gold Medal
2021
Blend Exclusivo - Estância Das Oliveiras is a premium extra virgin olive oil crafted from carefully selected olive varieties. With a rich and well-balanced flavor profile, it offers fresh, fruity aromas and a smooth yet complex taste with hints of green grass, almonds, and a slight peppery finish.
Perfect for enhancing gourmet dishes, this exclusive blend embodies the excellence of Brazilian olive oil production.
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Double Gold
2024

ATHENA IOOC - Gold
2024, 2023

NYIOOC - Gold
2023
Azeite Batalha - Frutado is a premium extra virgin olive oil known for its fresh and fruity aroma. Made from carefully selected olives, it offers a well-balanced profile with mild bitterness and a subtle peppery finish. Cold-pressed to maintain its natural flavors and health benefits, this oil is perfect for drizzling over salads, fresh vegetables, seafood, and light dishes.
Its smooth and elegant character makes it an excellent choice for everyday gourmet cooking.
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Double Gold
2021

Terraolivo IOOC - Grand Prestige Gold
2021

Olive Japan - Gold
2020
Azeite Batalha - Intenso is a robust extra virgin olive oil with a bold and complex flavor profile. Made from carefully selected olives, it features intense fruity notes, a pleasant bitterness, and a lingering peppery finish. Cold-pressed to preserve its natural aromas and health benefits, this high-quality oil is ideal for enhancing grilled meats, hearty dishes, and Mediterranean cuisine.
Its strong character makes it a perfect choice for those who appreciate rich and full-bodied olive oils.
AWARDS

EVO IOOC - Gold Medal
2022, 2021

London IOOC - Gold
2022

Terraolivo IOOC - Grand Prestige Gold
2022, 2021
Signature - Estância Das Oliveiras is a distinguished extra virgin olive oil that showcases the finest selection of olives from the estate. With a harmonious balance of fruity, bitter, and spicy notes, it delivers an elegant and complex taste experience.
Its fresh aromas and smooth texture make it ideal for enhancing high-quality culinary creations.
AWARDS

NYIOOC - Gold
2023

Olive Japan - Gold
2023

EVO IOOC - Gold Medal
2023, 2022
With a desire to innovate and introduce a unique style of gin to Brazil, BEG developed the BEG New World Navy Gin. With 54% alcohol content, this gin contains over twice the juniper of the BEG Brazilian Boutique Dry Gin. Part of the ingredients is infused via steam extraction, while another part is macerated for 24 hours, as in the original recipe.
The result is a gin with greater complexity in aroma and flavor, ideal for enhancing your favorite drink.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024

Bartender Spirits Awards - Gold
2023
Koroneiki - Estância Das Oliveiras is a high-quality extra virgin olive oil made from the renowned Koroneiki olive variety. Known for its intense fruitiness, it offers vibrant aromas of fresh grass, green apple, and herbs, complemented by a well-balanced bitterness and peppery finish.
This premium oil is perfect for drizzling over salads, grilled vegetables, and Mediterranean dishes.
AWARDS

NYIOOC - Gold
2023

EVO IOOC - Gold Medal
2023, 2021

London IOOC - Gold
2023
Frantoio - Estância Das Oliveiras is a high-quality extra virgin olive oil crafted from the Frantoio olive variety, known for its balanced complexity. It offers fresh aromas of green grass, artichoke, and herbs, with a bold yet smooth taste that combines mild bitterness and a lingering peppery finish.
Ideal for drizzling over salads, pasta, and grilled vegetables, this oil enhances dishes with its rich and aromatic profile.
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Double Gold
2023

NYIOOC - Gold
2023

Olive Japan - Gold
2023
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Brazilian Foods” list until March 27, 2025, 12,123 ratings were recorded, of which 8,868 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.