The best restaurants Belém

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

The visit to the Casa das Onze Janelas can be combined with a "gastronomic" stop in the restaurant of the cultural space. After an aperitif on the terrace facing the river, the vast service room, framed by ancient walls with irregular stonework and tables covered with white tablecloths, awaits the guests. The food is good, with skilfully presented seafood dishes and other simpler dishes. However, the prices tend to be a little exaggerated, relying on the undeniably enchanting setting of the restaurant.