The best restaurants Amazonia

Tambaqui de Banda is a Manaus institution. It's a popular local address for tourists and locals alike. You can sit and drink a fruit juice or eat on the terrace, facing the majestic Amazonas Theatre. Generous portions of fish are served at very reasonable prices. Tambaqui, a large Amazonian fish, is the star here, served grilled. Upstairs, cooled by air conditioning, you can satiate yourself while admiring the permanent exhibition of works by local artist Rui Machado.

Thiago Castanho is one of Brazil's hottest chefs. The young Castanho innovates because he has drawn the inspiration for his cuisine from Amazonian products sold at the Ver-o-Peso market. He exploits the gustatory and nutritional qualities of forest products. For the restaurant's customers, the chef offers fish-based dishes, purified and cooked with great care. His tucunaré (fish), accompanied by shrimps, is delicious, and for dessert, the banana crème brûlée variation or the bacuri (local fruit) tiramisu are a must-try.

Sirià is a pleasant restaurant in Alter do Chão. The warm-hearted Bethania welcomes you to her shady terrace overlooking a pleasant little garden. Her menu is simple and vegetarian (vegan option available). The dish on the slate changes daily, but the plates are always hearty, healthy and full of flavor. Bethania puts a lot of heart into her cooking, carefully selecting ingredients and preparing them with precision. Excellent desserts and perfect coffee. A precious and beautiful address.

This establishment is a must for those who want to taste a refined and revisited cuisine. At Remanso do Bosque, the prestigious chef Thiago Castanho shares the kitchen with his brother Felipe. Here, they leave the classics of Amazonian cuisine and the family's traditional recipes behind and try out new ones created by themselves. Of course, the local ingredients are always in the picture, but with a personal touch! Not to mention that the location is most pleasant, right across the street from the Botanical Gardens.

When you come to Brazil, the lure of the churrascaria will surely be felt! In these large restaurants for carnivores, all (or almost all) cuts of meat turn on the spit to the delight of meat lovers. On top of this, a diverse buffet of side dishes, including the classic rice and red beans, as well as other more elaborate dishes (gratins, dishes in sauce, fries, salads) will finish off your meal. Depending on how hungry you are, opt for the rodizio (all-you-can-eat), or choose what you want on your plate and weigh it at the checkout.

The first attempt to urbanize the square dates back to 1801, under Intendant Arthur Índio do Brasil. He paved the avenues, tarred the sidewalks, installed fountains and benches, and laid out the alleys. Today, the Praça da República is the scene of major celebrations such as the Círio de Nazaré, and the September 7 parade. For the rest of the year, it's the ideal place for a stroll. On Sundays, individuals sell cakes and fruit juices of their own making. Ice creams are generously served at Brasileiros, near Ver-o-Peso.

Fish and seafood.

Fish specialties. Superb view.

Good Italian cuisine.

The Ver-o-Açaï restaurant is a superb showcase not only for the culinary traditions of this Amazonian region, but also for its rich culture. The decorations on the walls immediately highlight the owners' deep love of the Indian and Cabocla roots of Belém and Parà. Ver-o-Açai offers sincere cuisine, made with love and quality products. You can eat à la carte or choose a "tasting" meal. Excellent local beers are available. A must-try!

New home of the already traditional Bufalo network. Salad buffet, including one of the palm cores, 39 meat options served by the broche, classic beef, salted and quasi, and famous garlic medallions. 10 accompaniments options (polenta, rice, feijão). The cupuaçu cream is of hell, that of maracuja a little sour. Good music and lovely staff.

The Ver-o-peso market has been Belèm's picture postcard for over a century. This emblematic site of the old Parà is not to be missed. At the magnificent Ver-o-Peso market, you can buy... parsley. It has a unique, invigorating aroma. Combine it with rice, tomatoes, onions and herbs(cheiro-verde), and you've got the basis of all regional cuisine. Numerous "bouis-bouis" where, for a handful of reais, you can enjoy a hearty local meal (try the saltedaçai ), often in a warm atmosphere. Their fried food is quite heavy.

Chef Wânia Martins operates with talent at the pianos of the Pomme d'or restaurant. She has successfully blended Amazonian culinary traditions with outside influences. Pomme essentially offers a good buffet with many options for regional hot dishes and salads. On Saturday, feijoada is in the spotlight. Nice to get a sample of the different local recipes! The base is homemade, aimed at an eclectic audience, and on Thursdays it adds Arabic dishes. Try the duck with tucupi.

The Piracema restaurant is dedicated to fish(piracema is a Tupi word that evokes the breeding season of fish), but also to regional cuisine. It's certainly one of the best restaurants in this city between Belém and Manaus. Close to the river beach and the city center, the premises are simple but pleasant, with a few Amazonian handicraft decorations. Pato (duck) with tucupi is a must-try. Pirarucu with banana purée and fish à la Piracema are some of the restaurant's star dishes.

Not far from the airport and accessible by road or by boat (the restaurant has a private beach), Casa do Saulo is a reference in the Santarem region and beyond. This good Brazilian restaurant is located on top of a small hill overlooking the Tapajos River and has several very pleasant areas under the trees, one of which has a pool. The food here is excellent fish dishes - including the famous tambuqui - served with hearty side dishes. A very nice place where you can linger with delight.

Tacacà do Renato honors the eponymous dish, a specialty of the Amazon region. It's a tangy broth made from manioc, coriander and tucupi, with shrimps. In the end, it's a classier little gargote than it looks from the outside, where you can eat these delicious local specialties at very low prices. The interior decoration is a little too aseptic, which is a real shame for such a typical little eatery. Many diners flock to the small outdoor stand in a street food atmosphere. A must-try.

Govinda Belém is an Indian restaurant with Amazonian influences. Every day, 3 vegetarian dishes are on the menu, based on whole grain rice, soups and other ingredients from the region. Without much pretension, this address is very popular with the inhabitants of Belém and tourists looking for vegetarian dishes. The price to pay is that it can be very crowded and you have to be patient. Excellent value for money. Vegetarian address to know.

Here, as diners will have gathered, tambaqui, a highly prized species of Amazonian fish, is the featured dish. In a relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant offers fish dishes, especially grilled tambaqui(assado), a tasty, boneless local species. The menu also features dourados and pirarucu. Other recommended dishes include traditional moquecas and caldeiras . Casa do Tambaqui has acquired a solid regional reputation and welcomes locals and travellers alike.

Celeiro is a mineira restaurant with a good reputation in the region. The reputation is well-founded. The place is cosy, simple and pleasant. It's almost like an American-style outdoor restaurant. A variety of hot and cold dishes are served buffet-style in a rather family atmosphere. For some, it's a subtle fusion between a Nordic and an Italian restaurant. Vegan and vegetarian dishes are also on offer. Meat lovers will love the prime rib marinated in cachaça.

This restaurant takes its title from a famous Werner Herzog film set in the Amazon. Opened in 2016 at the same time as the beautiful boutique hotel that houses it - the Villa Amazônia - Fitz Carraldo offers international-influenced dishes with an Amazonian twist in a modern, elegant setting. Fresh, well-presented starters, fish or chicken main courses - unless you prefer the excellent house burger - accompanied by South American wines, and hearty desserts. European prices.