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In the first half of 2025, newly mapped regional culinary routes are guiding visitors deeper into Brazil’s breathtaking countryside. The survey covers everything from rich coffee production in the São Paulo Water Circuit (Circuito das Águas Paulista) to the traditional dairy trails in the state of Minas Gerais. This seamless blend of food and hospitality is gaining international recognition, highlighted by the Michelin Guide’s recent launch of a cocktail award in the Brazilian market.
Artisanal Cheese Hubs and Wine Tourism
The artisanal production of raw-milk cheeses is drawing food lovers to picturesque rural communities across Minas Gerais. The municipality of Alagoa, with a population of fewer than 3,000 inhabitants, crafts this local delicacy at an altitude of 1,500 meters (4,900 feet). The circuit continues through Cruzília, home to the National Museum of the Mangalarga Marchador horse breed, and reaches the certified farms of the spectacular Serra da Canastra region.
In the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, the grape-growing industry concentrates its celebrated wine tourism in the Vale dos Vinhedos (Valley of the Vineyards) and the historic city of Garibaldi. Rural estates open their doors for traditional grape harvesting during the Vindima, a lively harvest season running from January to March. In the same region, factories located in the charming mountain towns of Gramado and Canela offer guided tours showcasing their renowned chocolate-making processes.
Native Forest Ingredients in the Capitals
The culinary scene in Brazil’s state capitals features vibrant menus built on slow-cooking methods and native forest ingredients. In the restaurants of Belém, Pará—a gateway to the Amazon—preparing the traditional dish maniçoba requires boiling wild cassava leaves for several days to create a rich and flavorful stew. The urban gastronomic route in Manaus highlights the everyday use of tucumã (a native Amazonian palm fruit), while the bustling kitchens of Recife and Salvador take pride in offering dishes deeply rooted in the country’s rural hinterlands and rich Afro-Brazilian heritage.