Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
1. São José do Ribeirão Preto Stew (Carne Seca do São José do Ribeirão Preto)
A hearty stew made with beef jerky, vegetables, and farofa, a toasted manioc flour. This dish is a traditional specialty of Santos and represents the city's rich rural heritage.
- Unique Ingredient: The use of beef jerky, instead of regular beef, gives it a unique texture.
- Regional Specialty: This dish is not commonly found outside Santos and its surrounding regions.
- Cultural Significance: It represents the city's agricultural past and connection to rural life.
2. Santos Prawn Moqueca (Moqueca de Camarão Santista)
A seafood stew made with fresh prawns, coconut milk, tomatoes, and a variety of spices. This dish showcases the city's coastal location and abundant marine life.
- Fresh Ingredients: The use of freshly caught prawns ensures a delicious flavor.
- Cultural Fusion: It combines African, Brazilian, and Portuguese influences in its preparation.
- Coastal Delicacy: This dish is a must-try for seafood lovers visiting Santos.
3. Santos Rice (Arroz de Santo)
A flavorful rice dish made with coconut milk, shrimp, peas, and dried beef. It's a popular choice for a filling and satisfying meal.
- Tropical Flavor: The use of coconut milk gives it a unique tropical taste.
- Versatile Ingredients: It can be served as a main course or a side dish, and is suitable for various meal times.
- Local Tradition: This dish has been a part of Santos' culinary tradition for generations.
4. Fish in Coconut Milk (Peixe no Coco)
A whole fish cooked in coconut milk and seasoned with palm oil, garlic, onions, and spices. This dish embodies the tropical flavors of Santos.
- Tropical Flavor: The combination of coconut milk and palm oil creates a distinctive taste.
- Cultural Fusion: It reflects the African and Brazilian influences in Santos' cuisine.
- Seafood Freshness: The use of fresh fish guarantees a delicious and authentic taste.
5. Santos Sausage (Linguiça Santista)
A smoked sausage made from pork and beef. It's a popular choice for barbecues and is often served with farofa and beans.
- Smoky Flavor: The smoking process gives it a unique smoky flavor.
- Regional Specialty: This sausage is not commonly found outside Santos and its surrounding regions.
- Traditional Barbecue Item: It's a must-have for anyone attending a barbecue in Santos.
6. Cuscuz de Galinha (Chicken Couscous)
A dish made with chicken, vegetables, and couscous. It's a lighter option compared to some of the heavier meat-based dishes in Santos.
- Light and Flavorful: It provides a lighter alternative while still offering plenty of flavor.
- African Influence: Couscous is an African grain, reflecting the African influence in Santos' cuisine.
- Versatile Ingredients: It can be served as a main course or a side dish, and is suitable for various meal times.
7. Santos-style Beans (Feijão Santista)
A hearty bean dish made with black beans, onions, garlic, and various spices. It's a staple food in Santos and is often served with rice or farofa.
- Hearty and Flavorful: The combination of beans, onions, garlic, and spices makes for a filling and flavorful meal.
- Regional Specialty: This bean dish is a unique aspect of Santos' culinary tradition.
- Affordable and Filling: It's an affordable and filling option for travelers on a budget.
8. Santos-style Pie (Pão de Queijo Santista)
A cheese bread made with tapioca flour and cheese. It's a popular snack or accompaniment to meals in Santos.
- Cheesy Delight: The cheese filling gives it a delicious cheesy flavor.
- Gluten-free Option: It's a gluten-free option for travelers with dietary restrictions.
- Local Tradition: This dish has been a part of Santos' culinary tradition for generations.
9. Santos-style Fish Soup (Sopa de Peixe Santista)
A seafood soup made with fish, shellfish, vegetables, and spices. It's a hearty and flavorful dish that showcases the city's coastal location.
- Seafood Richness: The use of various types of fish and shellfish ensures a rich and varied flavor.
- Cultural Fusion: It combines African, Brazilian, and Portuguese influences in its preparation.
- Coastal Delicacy: This soup is a must-try for seafood lovers visiting Santos.
10. Santos-style Shrimp Creole (Camarão à Cruzet)
Shrimp cooked in a sauce made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. It's served over rice and is a popular choice for seafood lovers.
- Seafood Freshness: The use of fresh shrimp guarantees a delicious taste.
- Cultural Fusion: It reflects the African and Brazilian influences in Santos' cuisine.
- Coastal Delicacy: This dish is a must-try for seafood lovers visiting Santos.
11. Santos-style Tapioca Pancake (Cachaca de Tapioca)
A sweet pancake made from tapioca flour and coconut milk. It's often served with condensed milk or fruit preserves.
- Sweet Treat: It provides a sweet dessert option after a savory meal.
- Gluten-free Option: It's a gluten-free option for travelers with dietary restrictions.
- Tropical Flavor: The use of coconut milk gives it a unique tropical flavor.
12. Santos-style Fried Fish (Peixe Frite Santista)
Fried fish served with farofa and a side of manioc flour. It's a popular choice for a quick and tasty meal.
- Crispy Texture: The frying process gives it a crispy texture.
- Seafood Freshness: The use of fresh fish guarantees a delicious taste.
- Quick and Affordable: It's a quick, affordable, and tasty option for travelers.
13. Santos-style Fried Shrimp (Camarão Frite Santista)
Fried shrimp served with manioc flour. It's a popular choice for a quick and tasty snack.
- Crispy Texture: The frying process gives it a crispy texture.
- Seafood Freshness: The use of fresh shrimp guarantees a delicious taste.
- Quick and Affordable: It's a quick, affordable, and tasty option for travelers.
14. Santos-style Fish in Peanut Sauce (Peixe no Molho de Amendoim)
A fish dish served with a peanut sauce. It's a unique and flavorful option that showcases the city's African influences.
- Unique Flavor: The peanut sauce gives it a distinctive taste.
- Cultural Fusion: It reflects the African and Brazilian influences in Santos' cuisine.
- Seafood Freshness: The use of fresh fish guarantees a delicious taste.
15. Santos-style Fish in Coconut Milk (Peixe no Coco Santista)
A fish dish cooked in coconut milk and seasoned with palm oil, garlic, onions, and spices. It embodies the tropical flavors of Santos.
- Tropical Flavor: The combination of coconut milk and palm oil creates a distinctive taste.
- Cultural Fusion: It reflects the African and Brazilian influences in Santos' cuisine.
- Seafood Freshness: The use of fresh fish guarantees a delicious and authentic taste.