Itineraries connect destinations to local dishes and ingredients since 2020
Brazil’s culinary tourism has gained momentum over the past four years, with well-structured routes linking cities to regional products. According to data from the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants (Abrasel), eight states now offer official gastronomic itineraries, including visits to producers, farms, and markets.
In Minas Gerais, the Cheese Route covers 12 municipalities in the Serra da Canastra region, such as Alagoa and Cruzília. The area produces around 20,000 tons of artisanal cheese annually, as reported by the Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Company of Minas Gerais (Emater-MG). Visitors can witness the production process at registered properties and sample products with origin certification.
In the South, the Vale dos Vinhedos in Rio Grande do Sul spans 30 wineries across 82 square kilometers. The route includes tastings of sparkling wines and wines in cities like Bento Gonçalves and Garibaldi. In Paraná, Curitiba serves up dishes like barreado, a traditional stew from the coastal region, available in restaurants throughout the historic center.
In the North and Northeast, the itineraries highlight ingredients from local biodiversity. In Belém, the Ver-o-Peso Market sells around 500 tons of regional fish monthly, including pirarucu. In Bahia, Salvador’s gastronomic circuit includes the Historic Center, where stalls sell acarajé and moqueca at landmarks like Terreiro de Jesus.
The states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, and Ceará also maintain official routes, focusing on products like coffee, cachaça, and seafood. The São Paulo State Tourism Secretariat recorded an 18% increase in visits to coffee farms along the Circuito das Águas Paulista in 2023 compared to the previous year.