Welcome to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where the streets come alive with the enticing aromas of diverse street foods. From savory pastels to sweet cocadas, Sao Paulo’s vibrant culinary scene offers a tantalizing array of flavors and textures. Join us on a culinary journey through the bustling streets and markets of Sao Paulo, where each bite is a celebration of Brazilian gastronomy. Prepare to indulge in the rich tapestry of tastes that define Sao Paulo’s street food culture.
27 Street Food to Eat in Sao Paulo
1. Pastel
Crispy deep-fried pastries filled with a variety of savory fillings like cheese, ground meat, and palm heart.
2. Coxinha
Deep-fried dough filled with shredded chicken, creamy catupiry cheese, and sometimes spices.
3. Acarajé
Deep-fried black-eyed pea fritters filled with spicy shrimp paste, caruru (okra stew), and vatapá (spicy paste made from shrimp, coconut milk, and bread).
4. Pão de Queijo
Chewy cheese bread made from cassava flour and cheese, served warm and often enjoyed as a snack or breakfast item.
5. Feijoada
Brazil’s national dish, a hearty stew made with black beans, pork or beef, sausage, and spices, typically served with rice, collard greens, and orange slices.
6. Pastel de Feira
Larger-sized pastel found at street markets, offering a variety of fillings including cheese, meat, and heart of palm.
7. Bauru Sandwich
A traditional Brazilian sandwich made with French bread, roast beef, melted cheese, tomato, and pickles.
8. Empada
Small savory pies filled with chicken, shrimp, cheese, or hearts of palm, encased in a buttery pastry crust.
9. Tapioca
Flatbread is made from cassava flour, often filled with sweet or savory fillings like cheese, coconut, condensed milk, or ham.
10. Churrasco
Brazilian-style barbecue featuring various cuts of meat like picanha (rump cap), sausage, chicken hearts, and more, often served on skewers.
11. Esfiha
Lebanese-inspired baked pastries filled with seasoned ground meat, cheese, or vegetables.
12. Cachorro Quente
Brazilian-style hot dogs topped with a variety of ingredients such as mashed potatoes, corn, peas, diced tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.
13. Frango à Passarinho
Deep-fried chicken wings seasoned with garlic, chili peppers, and lime, served crispy and flavorful.
14. Caldo de Cana
Sugarcane juice is served cold or freshly pressed, offering a sweet and refreshing beverage option.
15. Pamonha
Sweet or savory corn tamales wrapped in corn husks and steamed, typically filled with cheese, coconut, or sausage.
16. Bolo de Milho
Corn cake is made from fresh corn, sugar, and coconut, offering a moist and flavorful dessert option.
17. Churros
Fried dough pastry filled with sweet fillings like chocolate, dulce de leche, or guava paste, often coated in cinnamon sugar.
18. Bife à Cavalo
Grilled beef steak served with a fried egg on top, often accompanied by rice, beans, and farofa (toasted cassava flour).
19. Cupim
Grilled beef hump, known for its tender and flavorful meat, is often seasoned with garlic and served with sides like rice, beans, and salad.
20. Espetinho
Skewered and grilled meat or vegetables, seasoned with spices and often served with chimichurri sauce.
21. Pão com Mortadela
Massive sandwiches filled with slices of mortadella, a type of Italian sausage, served at the Mercado Municipal de São Paulo.
22. Virado à Paulista
A traditional dish featuring rice, beans, kale, pork chops, sausage, fried egg, and farofa, offering a hearty and flavorful meal.
23. Vatapá
Creamy and flavorful dish made from bread, shrimp, coconut milk, peanuts, and palm oil, often served with rice.
24. Moqueca Baiana
A rich and flavorful fish stew made with coconut milk, palm oil, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and spices, typically served with rice.
25. Pão de Açúcar
Brazilian-style sugar bread, soft and fluffy with a slightly sweet flavor, often enjoyed with butter or cheese.
26. Caipirinha
Brazil’s national cocktail is made with cachaca (sugarcane spirit), sugar, and lime, offering a refreshing and tangy drink option.
27. Cocada
Sweet coconut candy made from grated coconut and sugar, often formed into squares or balls and enjoyed as a dessert.
These street foods capture the essence of Sao Paulo’s culinary scene, offering a diverse and flavorful selection that reflects the city’s cultural heritage and gastronomic creativity. Enjoy exploring the bustling streets and markets, where each bite tells a story of tradition, flavor, and local ingenuity.
