The best restaurants Bahia

In the heart of the Pelourinho, the Boteco do Pelourinho offers the classic dishes of the many other Pelourinho restaurants, but eating and/or savoring a caipirinha or a fruit juice while admiring the Sao Francisco church, Salvador's architectural jewel, inevitably adds another dimension to these pleasurable menus. Under the yellow umbrellas, you can try acarajés, moqueca and carne do sol nordestine. There are a few pleasant tables inside if you want to escape the hustle and bustle. Simple and very local. Worth knowing.

Sabor da Serra is an appellation clearly suited to the establishment's services, as the dishes are bursting with flavor and finesse. Nordestin risotto, zucchini fritters with gorgonzola and sweet-and-sour passion fruit sauce are just a few examples from an endless list of dishes to try. Vegetarians and vegans are not forgotten, with these surprisingly tasty cocoa and vegan meat fettuccini, for example. The dishes are generously served and the welcome is extremely friendly and professional!

This restaurant in the Casa do Amarelindo hotel is as good as the place that houses it. The menu offers a fusion cuisine subtly combining Bahian and European cuisine in two variants, a "restaurant" menu and a "gourmet" menu of 3 courses for 2 people. Fans of Bahian dishes will enjoy excellent moquecas but world cuisine is not left out. The black rice risotto is divine, as is the beef bourguignon. Those who are hesitant can try the moqueca risotto. For those who are a little hungry, there are good petiscos.

For once, we're forgetting Afro-Bahian culinary traditions for a closer look at the Mediterranean shores of the Costa Brava. La Taperia, as its name suggests, is a restaurant that honors tapas (including Basque pintxos). The art of service of our Iberian neighbors is not neglected. The long tapas menu certainly makes it difficult to choose, but in the end, you can get lost without risk, as we found everything worthy of interest. Of course, there are also traditional Spanish dishes and sangria. In short, a must in Salvador.

Just a 10-minute walk from the center, at the foot of the theater climb, Papoularia Culinaria Artesanal is a wonderful discovery. In a pleasantly rustic and comfortable setting, in addition to seafood, fish and grilled meats, you'll find good vegetarian and vegan dishes. Everything is fresh, healthy and truly artisanal, prepared on site. Not many tables...but that's exactly what makes it so charming. The quality of service and cuisine is beyond reproach. A must-try!

Maritaca is one of the best restaurants in the small village of Trancoso. This rustic restaurant, with its white adobe walls and "straw hut" style, has become a classic for its varied, tasty dishes. Fish, shrimps, meats, but also salads, risottos, pizzas and a wide variety of desserts, including the magical goiabada soufflé, the house specialty. This is one of the most complete and pleasant restaurants in the region, and the bill inevitably reflects this! There's now also an "emporio", a grocery store.

Excellent wood fire pizzas in a family atmosphere.

Good value for money.

Don't miss the famous Dona Gagà wood moqueca.

Italian cuisine in candlelight, handicraft shop, room rental, excursions.

Fish specialties.

Located at a strategic location in the city, this hotel offers a view to the bay and another to the historic centre.

Close to 180 rooms, including 80 chalets, 92 rooms and 4 presidential suites. Air conditioning, TV, telephone, box, large, balcony with hammock. View of the sea, nice setting. Many activities proposed for children and adults.

In the heart of the city, opposite the beach and the municipal theatre, a set of 56 single but comfortable rooms. Swimming pool and restaurant.

Buffet, restaurant per kilo, self service.

Delicious Argentine meat, the best in the world.

It is one of the most traditional places in the Pelourinho, which has been open for 54 years. You will taste the soil carne (dried meat), feijão tropeiro (typical red beans), farofa (cassava flour)…

Fish specialties and moqueca.

Sea view. Varied cuisine.

The restaurant offers regional cuisine typical of the era of the garimpeiros (miners) and tropeiros (herdsmen). As in Minas Gerais, the food is tasty but generous. A far cry from nouvelle cuisine. You can try Quenga, Pirão de Parida or Cortado de Palma. For the more traditional, the restaurant also serves contemporary dishes. Rooms from Rs 230

Good regional restaurant restaurant: moqueca of fish and shrimp.

Yemanjá has been one of the good Bahian restaurants in Salvador for many years. It offers the great classics of Bahian cuisine with its moquecas of shrimp, fish or crab for two people. There are four different atmospheres: the main room, the bar, the veranda terrace and the annex. Blue and white, in homage to Yemanjá, the goddess of the waters particularly honored in Salvador, predominate. The extensive menu also offers excellent seafood dishes.

Varied cuisine.

As its name suggests, coffee and good food are inseparable from art here. This is the restaurant-tea room of the elegant Solar das Artes pousada. The menu is designed like a masterpiece. Dishes based on fresh produce and an enchanting setting. Great choice in the central square, especially in the evening. In the outdoor area, you're lulled by the sea breeze. It's very pleasant to have breakfast or dinner in this romantic setting, not far from the statue of the Victory of Samothrace.

Beco da Flores is one of the most famous and pleasant pizzerias in the village. The decoration is up to the charm of Itacaré. It has a touch of "Marius" in Copacabana. Modern iron sculptures contrast nicely with the old brick walls and you seem to be entering a place with a psychedelic and eclectic atmosphere, with its contemporary art paintings and kitsch chandeliers. The food is aesthetically pleasing and the pizzas are good. The service can be a bit slow. A place to know, at least for the eyes.

A very good option to taste bahianaise cuisine in the area, it is one of the best in Salvador. 

Located opposite the dique do Tororo, a lake in the middle of which seem to float statues of Orixas that have become the city's postcard. Since 1986, the restaurant has built up a solid reputation. You'll find Salvador specialities, but also and above all good sertão cuisine. The atmosphere is convivial. House specialties include carne de sol, leg of lamb and quail. Meat lovers will appreciate it, but the growing number of vegetarians will find good-quality pizzas and manioc purée.

As its name suggests, this small restaurant is made according to traditional taipa methods. The walls are made of cob and local brick. It is immediately clear that here, what is important is the truth of the traditional dishes and not the frills of the decorations. La casa de Taipa offers very good value for money cuisine for this buffet where you can eat without restrictions. You can choose between salads, fritters and typical Bahian dishes. The buffet is very varied, the dishes tasty and well prepared. The welcome is friendly.

Arembepe is not Praia do Forte. The small town is not full of multiple dining options, so you'll be delighted to find this beautiful waterfront restaurant open for lunch and dinner. Brazilian João Sá and Belgian Thierry Nicodème met in the hippie village and made their dream come true by creating their own restaurant. In a very nice setting (open on the beach), the menu where fish and seafood are honored offers dishes at reasonable prices, some serving two people.

Chef Heloisa Simoes is the heir to the regional culinary traditions of one of the oldest establishments in Praia do Forte, the "Nita" restaurant. This modern, wooden restaurant offers typical Bahia cuisine with dishes that appeal to the whole world. The traditional bobo de camarão (shrimp and coconut milk dish), the unmissable fish moqueca and other classics are on the menu. Take a seat on the terrace and enjoy the traditional spices and flavours of Bahia!

The Carmo district has become a popular area for foreigners and Soteropolitanos alike, while maintaining a real social mix. A quality vegan restaurant could not fail to find its place here. And Rango Vegan has done just that for Brazilians and tourists who don't like meat products. The tropeiro mineiro will feature rice and cauliflower, and the vegan lasagne bolognese will be accompanied by an interesting chestnut cream. In the afternoon, sandwiches and falafels are available. An address worth knowing.

As its name suggests, Restaurant Takê has been honoring Japanese cuisine for almost a quarter of a century. With its sober decor and welcoming atmosphere, the menu features fine Japanese and international cuisine. Culinary innovation is the watchword of the men at the piano. An excellent sushi rodizio is offered to guests. Guests can choose to eat à la carte or try the tasting menu. Quality honored by numerous culinary magazines.

For the past 40 years, Chef Franca has established his "brotherhood" in this bohemian, bustling district of Rio Vermelho. Many say you come as a customer and leave as a friend. Carne do sol (dried meat), grilled meat with onions, cod fritters, as well as seafood (try octopus with rice or arroz de polvo), fish and chicken. The dishes are numerous and are served in different rooms, including one overlooking Rio Vermelho beach and another decorated in the traditional "casas de Yemanjà" style.

In the quiet, residential district of Barra, those looking to avoid meat dishes and thus help preserve the Amazon may have found the place for them. B-Vegan is a small, but very successful vegetarian sandwich shop in the green fast-food style (with a healthier, tastier version), which is on the rise. In addition to the traditional R$20 falafels and vegetarian kibés, there are 100% vegan burgers for R$19. It's not unusual for there to be a bit of a wait on weekends.

You will have understood that this establishment honors first of all the cachaça, this Brazilian rum, but not only. The "Caraiva Cachaçaria" has other assets. It is indeed a good gourmet table - risotto, home-made burgers, soups, fish dishes - and of course a store specialized in cachaça (the list of bottles in store is impressive. This beautiful yellow house with its rustic decoration has definitely many assets. The atmosphere is relaxed and the lights are subdued. An authentic restaurant-bar to know.

This family restaurant honours the gastronomy of Chapada Diamantina. Regional dishes are prepared here from selected ingredients and combined in original ways: carne do sol and vegetables cooked to perfection, vegetarian moqueca, salmon with mango sauce and coconut rice, to name just a few dishes. All of this is served in an alleyway, along the pretty yellow façade with blue shutters of the restaurant, where the musicians are often out. A very nice gourmet address.

Here, French-style crepes meet Bahia coffee. A small French-style crêperie nestled in a pretty, well-decorated room, you can choose to eat either on the flowery tablecloths inside or on the pavement, in the fresh air. The food is good - quiches, crêpes, sandwiches, salads and bruschettas -, the desserts very good - brownies, sweet crêpes and home-made cakes - and the coffees are particularly honoured. Very nice welcome.

Behind a wooden door, in the bohemian district of Rio Vermelho, stands a magical garden, hidden at the end of an alley. Surrounded by a beautiful yellow house, Manjericao is a vegetarian, vegan and organic restaurant. The name "Manjericao" (basil) reflects the owners' love of nature in all its forms, both around us and on our plates. You can eat by the kilo, everything is fresh, light and tasty. The desserts are delicious, as are the fruit juices. The little "micos" monkeys seem to enjoy the place. Another Bahian cuisine.

Boipeba's O Ceu restaurant is a superb place to have breakfast or lunch. Café da manha is often the perfect way to start the day in Brazil, and the Ceu's experience doesn't belie this assertion. Juices, fruit, granola, eggs... Chef Juliane Martinez also offers a "por do sol" menu (small sweet and savoury dishes) and a "Diner" menu (salad, risotto, pasta... A culinary adventure at affordable prices.

An emblematic establishment in the Barra district, with its sailboat look, the Barravento has reopened its doors after being closed for several years. It has been redecorated and refurbished. People come here to eat seafood, with friends or family of course, but also to enjoy the view of the sea, at the foot of the "Mirante", and perhaps to be seen. You can enjoy an aperitif with a welcome happy hour ("filé aperitivo" at R$59) or try more complete dishes (picanha, moqueca...) in a wide range of prices.

The Zulu bar-restaurant is ideally located on Laranjeiras street, in the heart of Pelourinho. Its reputation is well established. Salads, regional dishes, everything is good value for money. The moqueca (camarao or fish) is top-notch, and one dish is more than enough for two. For lighter snacks, the chicken and mango salad is a real treat for the taste buds. The menu is varied and vegans are not forgotten. Last but not least, on certain evenings you can watch the Olodum youth butacada.

The Ulisses bar and restaurant, in the lively Santo Antonio alem do Carmo district, has established itself as one of Salvador de Bahia's places to be. From its beautiful terrace overlooking the Bay of All Saints, you can sip a fruit juice or a caipirinha while watching the Por Do Sol. The regional cuisine on offer is top-notch. Live music on certain evenings. A real traditional boteco atmosphere. A simple, authentic Bahian place.

Restaurant Poro has moved across the street to its new quarters, but the quality of the food hasn't changed. The view from the terrace is enchanting at night, embracing the Bay of Tous les Saints. In addition to excellent cocktails (such as the "oeil du tigre", invented by the chef), the cuisine at the bar is innovative, varied and tasty. Special, creative menus are regularly offered (such as for Valentine's Day). The chef systematically offers vegan dishes to open up his establishment to all gourmets.

In the heart of Pelourinho, on Maciel de Baixo Street, Uaua has been serving North-Eastern specialties for decades... and that in itself is a guarantee of quality. The décor is reminiscent of the austere lands of the North East. Yet it's a pleasure to come here, because the dishes perfectly convey the sincerity of Nordeste cuisine and its inhabitants. You can of course try the typical Bahian dishes, but specialties like carne do sol or carne verde are excellent, and the manioc fries are like no other.

As its name suggests, Artes e Sabores is a place where gastronomy and the arts meet. In fact, art is present on the premises, as Artes e Sabores is housed in the former Lençois cinema. The various indoor and outdoor spaces are all cosy and pleasant. The cuisine is inspired by Japanese cuisine of the highest quality (the yakissoba is exquisite), but international dishes are also on offer. The strawberry coulis filon mignon is a must-try. A wonderful discovery!

Quarar restô & café is a small, unpretentious restaurant serving quality dishes. Cream of vegetable soup, quiche, salad, palmito sandwiches... Small dishes typical of the region (carne do sol, shrimps with aïpim purée...). Here again, vegetarians and vegans are not forgotten (aïpim purée with mushrooms and salad). The desserts are tempting: sorbet or dulce de leche and walnut tarts). In short, this is the place to be if you're feeling peckish or peckish in the afternoon!

You can't come to Salvador de Bahia without tasting the traditional acarajés, derived from African culinary traditions. Of course, not everyone likes this red bean fritter fried in palm oil or dendê. If you're curious, don't miss the Dinha stand on largo do Santana. You can usually spot the long queue in front of this stall, where ladies dressed in the traditional white Bahian costume are bustling about, derived from the traditional garb of the lands of the Gulf of Guinea from which their ancestors were uprooted.

Panela de Barro has earned itself a reputation as one of Boipeba's finest restaurants, and it has to be said that this reputation is well-founded. The restaurant itself is rather simple, giving the impression of entering a family kitchen, but it's the cooking and service that win the accolades. The seafood is very well served and the spaghetti is excellent, but it's perhaps the mixed moqueca with shrimp, fish and banana that has made this Bahian island restaurant famous. Excellent "comida caseira". A must-try!

Casa da Nati is a good option in Praia do Forte. One of the best proofs of this is that since our first visits in the first decade of the 2000s, there are still just as many diners who come in search of simple, quality food. You can find good quality local food. You can eat by the kilo or à la carte. The atmosphere is relaxed, and you're served with a smile. Soft music lulls diners to sleep. A very good vegan moqueca will delight those looking for appetizing non-meat dishes.

The Malibu Cabana is a beachbarraca with a nice infrastructure and a good restaurant, located on the very festive page ofTaperapuan. It is very popular with locals and tourists. The atmosphere is both professional and family. The dishes are very well prepared, honoring local products and/or seafood. The cockails, which should be consumed in moderation, are famous in the whole region. You can enjoy them on the deckchairs or on the yellow tables lined up on the beach, surrounded by their parasols.