Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Campinas, Brazil
1. Feijão Tropeiro
A hearty bean stew made with black beans, smoked pork, and farofa (toasted manioc flour). Try it at Restaurante O Tropeiro.
- Rich Flavor: The combination of flavors from the beans, smoked pork, and farofa creates a rich taste unique to Campinas.
- Historic Connection: Feijão Tropeiro is named after tropeiros, historically important cattle drivers of the region.
- Hearty Meal: This dish is filling and perfect for those seeking a substantial meal.
2. Coxinha de Frango
A deep-fried chicken croquette made from shredded chicken, mashed potatoes, and dough. Try it at Padaria Arcoverde.
- Delicious Snack: Coxinha de Frango is a popular and tasty snack in Campinas.
- Portable: It's easy to carry around and can be enjoyed as street food.
- Versatile Filling: While coxinha de frango is the most common, you can also find fillings like catupiry cheese or heart of palm.
3. Panqueca de Queijo Minas
A thin, crispy pancake filled with minas cheese. Try it at Pastelaria Santo Antonio.
- Traditional Cheese: Minas cheese is a traditional Brazilian cheese, popular in the Minas Gerais region and now in Campinas.
- Crispy Texture: The contrast between the crispy pancake and gooey cheese makes this dish a delight.
- Quick Snack: Panqueca de Queijo Minas can be found at bakeries and makes for an easy, quick snack.
4. Moqueca de Peixe
A seafood stew made with various types of fish, coconut milk, and spices. Try it at Restaurante Mocotó.
- Authentic Recipe: Moqueca de Peixe is a traditional Bahian dish adapted to Campinas' local taste.
- Seafood Variety: You can find a variety of fish and seafood in this stew, depending on the day's catch.
- Spicy Flavor: For those who enjoy spicy food, moqueca de peixe can be made extra hot with malagueta pepper.
5. Empadinha de Abobrinha
A savory pastry filled with pumpkin, onions, and seasonings. Try it at Restaurante Barão de Cocais.
- Traditional Ingredient: Pumpkin is a staple ingredient in Campinas' cuisine, making this dish unique.
- Handheld Pie: Empadinha de Abobrinha is easy to eat and can be found at local eateries.
- Flaky Crust: The flaky, buttery crust complements the savory filling perfectly.
6. Sopa de Feijão
A bean soup made with black beans, onions, garlic, and cilantro. Try it at Restaurante O Tropeiro.
- Homemade Comfort Food: Sopa de Feijão is a comforting, homemade soup that's perfect for a rainy day in Campinas.
- Versatile Soup: Add extra meat or vegetables to make it your own.
- Nutritious Meal: This soup is rich in protein, fiber, and other nutrients, making it a satisfying meal.
7. Tapioca de Minas
A thin, gluten-free pancake made from yuca flour and filled with various ingredients like guava jam or cheese. Try it at Tapiocaria Santo Antonio.
- Gluten-Free Option: Tapioca de Minas is a great gluten-free alternative for those with dietary restrictions.
- Versatile Filling: Tapioca can be filled with various ingredients, making it suitable for any taste preference.
- Quick Snack: This snack is easy to find and perfect for a quick bite on the go.
8. Cuscuz de Galinha
A dish made with chicken, cornmeal, vegetables, and coconut milk. Try it at Restaurante Barão de Cocais.
- Traditional Recipe: Cuscuz de Galinha is a traditional Brazilian dish that's adapted to Campinas' local taste.
- Hearty Meal: This dish is filling and perfect for those seeking a substantial meal.
- Flavored with Coconut Milk: The addition of coconut milk gives the dish a unique, tropical flavor.
9. Moqueca de Camarão
A shrimp stew made with coconut milk and spices. Try it at Restaurante Mocotó.
- Seafood Variety: You can find various types of seafood in this stew, depending on the day's catch.
- Spicy Flavor: For those who enjoy spicy food, moqueca de camarão can be made extra hot with malagueta pepper.
- Creamy Texture: The coconut milk gives the stew a creamy texture and tropical flavor.
10. Tapioca de Doce
A sweet, gluten-free pancake made from yuca flour and filled with condensed milk, guava jam, or other sweet fillings. Try it at Tapiocaria Santo Antonio.
- Gluten-Free Option: Tapioca de Doce is a great gluten-free alternative for those with dietary restrictions.
- Versatile Filling: Tapioca can be filled with various sweet ingredients, making it suitable for any taste preference.
- Traditional Snack: This snack is a traditional Brazilian treat enjoyed throughout the country.
11. Salgado de Feijão
A savory pastry filled with black beans, onions, garlic, and seasonings. Try it at Restaurante Barão de Cocais.
- Traditional Ingredient: Black beans are a staple ingredient in Campinas' cuisine, making this dish unique.
- Handheld Pie: Salgado de Feijão is easy to eat and can be found at local eateries.
- Flaky Crust: The flaky, buttery crust complements the savory filling perfectly.
12. Sopa de Carne Seca
A beef broth soup made with dried meat and vegetables. Try it at Restaurante O Tropeiro.
- Hearty Meal: This soup is filling and perfect for those seeking a substantial meal.
- Authentic Recipe: Sopa de Carne Seca is a traditional Brazilian dish that's adapted to Campinas' local taste.
- Flavorful Broth: The dried meat gives the soup a rich, flavorful broth.
13. Coxinha de Palmito
A deep-fried pastry filled with heart of palm. Try it at Padaria Arcoverde.
- Versatile Filling: Coxinha de Palmito offers a unique, vegetarian option for those seeking a different taste.
- Portable: It's easy to carry around and can be enjoyed as street food.
- Crispy Texture: The crispy exterior contrasts with the soft heart of palm filling.
14. Bolinho de Bacalhau
A ball-shaped pastry filled with codfish, onions, and seasonings. Try it at Padaria Arcoverde.
- Traditional Ingredient: Codfish is a traditional Brazilian ingredient, making this dish unique.
- Handheld Snack: Bolinho de Bacalhau is easy to eat and can be found at local bakeries.
- Flavorful Filling: The codfish filling gives the pastry a rich, savory flavor.
15. Coxinha de Frango com Catupiry
A deep-fried chicken croquette made from shredded chicken, mashed potatoes, and dough, filled with catupiry cheese. Try it at Padaria Arcoverde.
- Versatile Filling: This version of coxinha offers a unique twist with the addition of catupiry cheese.
- Portable: It's easy to carry around and can be enjoyed as street food.
- Creamy Texture: The catupiry cheese filling gives the coxinha a creamy, rich texture.