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The 5 best casual restaurants in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

The 5 best casual restaurants in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

by Olivia Bell
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Table of contents

  • 1. Restaurante Glouton
  • 2. The Eat Resto
  • 3. Boogie Oogie Bar
  • 4. La Vera
  • 5. Old Bar
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Belo Horizonte, the Brazilian "city of gardens", lies 330 km away from the bustling metropolis of Rio de Janeiro. Its name evokes a sense of wonder, meaning "beautiful horizon", with the city's verdant landscape which is a sight to behold, boasting 27 parks and nearly 2 million trees.

But Belo Horizonte is not just a green paradise – it is a futuristic urban center that beckons with its towering skyscrapers, visionary architecture, and pioneering technological advancements. For a panoramic view, make your way to Papa Square's lookout point: from there, you can see Belo Horizonte in all its glory. The city is also renowned for its bar culture, with an estimated 12,000 pubs scattered throughout the quarters. Let's take a walk through the top restaurants and cafes of Belo Horizonte, so that you know where to grab a bite as soon as you arrive.

1. Restaurante Glouton
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Restaurante Glouton
#10 of 18329 restaurants in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
R. Barbara Heliodora, 59, Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Closed until 7PM
Scallops
Scallops

Scallops are often referred to as gourmet seafood. While having very tender meat, they are considered to be rather sweet in taste. Scallops can be eaten raw or cooked.

A must-visit spot in Belo Horizonte is Glouton, listed in Latin America's Top 50 Restaurants and garnering numerous accolades every year. Chef Leo Paixao infuses his French culinary roots with a myriad of innovative techniques to create an exceptional, artisanal cuisine using locally-sourced produce from the bountiful regions of Minas Gerais and Brasília. Situated in a beautiful building with a garden, this restaurant is tastefully decorated inside, combining natural wood hues and luxurious dark green velvet accents that adorn the walls.

If you don't know where to start, order the tasting menu, which is arranged like a symphony. Begin with a delectable selection of crispy seaweed with succulent scallops and tangy lemon, or a foie gras waffle with creamy cheese, followed by an imaginative turnip vegetable ravioli with smoked chestnut and corn ice cream. The entrees will leave you breathless – try braised oxtail with watercress and tarragon gnocchi for an extraordinary culinary adventure. Lastly, indulge in a sweet finale with a trio of heavenly banana candies, featuring banana in caramel, in golden chocolate with peanut praline, and banana liqueur with honey – a culinary masterpiece that will leave you spellbound.

Such a remarkable dinner and treat resemble a beautifully composed romance, where each element blends harmoniously, leaving you with an unforgettable dining experience.

2. The Eat Resto
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The Eat Resto
#17 of 18329 restaurants in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
R. Ten. Vitórino, 255, Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 30010-280
Closed until 6:30PM
Cod
Cod

Cod is a very popular fish, the most common species of which are the Atlantic, Pacific, and Greenland cod. The fish has a mild flavor and can be cooked in many ways.

The Eat Resto, situated close to Mangabeira Park, is a restaurant that should definitely be on your radar if you're looking for a delicious meal. This bistro-style eatery offers a relaxed ambiance and exceptional cuisine that is sure to impress everyone at the table. Indulge in traditional Brazilian treats like croquetes de bacalhau (cod), confit codfish with olives, rice and nut mix and crispy broccoli favora, as well as other dishes such as cappelletti, roasted pumpkin steaks, ribeyes, and many more. You'll also find an excellent selection of wines on the menu that pair perfectly with the cuisine.

The restaurant's interior is reminiscent of a loft with its raw brick walls, balanced beautifully by crystal chandeliers, luxurious chairs with ornamental patterns, wrought iron and carved elements, and designer panels. The atmosphere is so warm and inviting that time will seem to fly by as you enjoy your wine and delectable food.

3. Boogie Oogie Bar 
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Boogie Oogie Bar e Restaurante
#169 of 18329 restaurants in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
R. Santos, 264, Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 30421-386
Closed until 11AM
Feijoada
Feijoada

The main Brazilian dish is everyday and festive food at the same time, it simultaneously indicates a strict code and endless freedom. It comes with fried pork with beans and rice, and around - a legion of possible plots.

Come and experience the refreshing taste of ice-cold beer at Boogie Oogie Bar, perfect after a tiring walk in the scorching city heat. Don't miss this cozy establishment with its open-air terrace, adorned with large umbrellas to shield you from the blazing sun. Take a moment to appreciate the bar's original facade, decorated with polished wooden beams. Inside, you'll be transported to a classic English pub, complete with a lively atmosphere and a raw interior. The simple wooden walls are embellished with colorful flags bearing the emblems of famous beer brands, photos of regulars with their signatures, and stylish panels.

Satisfy your cravings with mouthwatering snacks freshly prepared in the kitchen by the team of expert chefs. The menu offers a variety of delectable dinner snacks, including crispy pork, churrasco-style barbeque, shrimp in batter, and sandwiches, as well as more substantial dishes. If you feel hungry, take couscous made with corn flour and dried shrimp and fried pork filet with spicy sauce. Don't miss out on trying the national dish, feijoada, which is a savory stew made from beans, a variety of meats, and spices, served with cabbage, orange slices, pepper sauce, and optionally, with rice.

Boogie Oogie Bar is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a couple of glasses of signature beer and scrumptious snacks with your partner while exploring the city.

4. La Vera
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La Vera Pizza Degustação italiana
#1 of 2414 pizza restaurants in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Alameda do Ingá, 77, Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 34006-042
Closed until 5:30PM
Italian pizza
Italian pizza

Some classic Italian ingredients such as Prosciutto San Daniele, Provolone, artichokes, Italian sausage, salami, black olives, anchovies and of course a few strands of fresh basil are the true 'wonder toppings' for an authentic Italian pizza.

La Vera, an Italian pizzeria placed in a charming neighborhood at the crossroads of popular tourist paths, is another culinary gem of Belo Horizonte. The restaurant is consistently packed with guests due to the mouthwatering dishes crafted by Executive Chef Leonardo Fontanelli and his weekly pizza tasting menu that highlights different flavors, sold by 4 or 8 slices.

Savor Italian classics or venture into more unconventional territory, like Truffle pizza – a delicious blend of buffalo mozzarella, fresh mushrooms, homemade Tuscan sausage, truffle olive oil, and truffles. You could also try focaccia filled with Italian mortadella and pistachios, tomatoes, and salad. Additionally, the restaurant offers a variety of antipasti, such as caprese made with fresh tomatoes, buffalo eggs, and basil baked in the oven, or “imperfect calzone” with Milanese salami and fresh buffalo ricotta, topped with Parmesan and basil emulsion. There's also a vegetable assortment with grilled veggies and Italian seasonings for vegetarians, as well as cold snacks imported from Italy, such as guanciale (pork cheek), porchetta (Italian roast pork belly), dried pancetta, and more.

In a nutshell, with such an extensive menu, you'll be spoilt for choice. You'll probably want to sample everything at once, so we highly recommend planning multiple visits to this marvelous Italian eatery.

5. Old Bar
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QUINTAL DA LAYLA by OLD BAR
#1735 of 9898 pubs & bars in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Rua Alvinópolis, 102, Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 31010-340
Closed until Friday
Stew
Stew

A stew is a slowly cooked dish made from different types of meat and vegetables. The dish can include such ingredients as gelatinous, sinewy cuts, onions, carrots, celery, etc. It was originally a common food for poorer people because its ingredients were cheap.

The birth of the bar can be traced back to the partnership of Beto and Giovanni, who collaborated to establish a fresh culinary and leisure option in Belo Horizonte. This culminated in the inception of Old Bar, a preferred haunt for both locals and tourists alike. Initially, the establishment was opened in a modest space in the Santa Tereza neighborhood, but it has since relocated to spacious and inviting premises on Alvinópolis street.

The cuisine, which is the brainchild of Chef Beto Farias, boasts several innovative pasta and snack selections. Among the Italian-influenced options, the Brazilian-style spaghetti with bacon, Calabrian sausage, dried tomatoes, green, red, and yellow peppers, black and green olives, and onion is particularly popular. Traditional versions such as Alho e Óleo – one of the most famous pasta recipes in all of Italy – and in Brazil, too, and Bolognese style spaghetti have also found their niche on the menu. Their stew in a red sauce served with French bread is another crowd-pleaser. The menu also features standard beer accompaniments like French fries, meat, and fried yucca, as well as many alcoholic drinks and cocktails.

Besides their scrumptious fare, The Old Bar is renowned for their vibrant entertainment program. Live music, DJs, and even drag queen shows are all part of the mix contributing to the electric atmosphere that you and your friends can enjoy on an evening out.

Come to Belo Horizonte for its awe-inspiring mountain vistas, captivating treks amidst lush rainforests, and unquestionably, the most delectable cuisine in all of Brazil that will leave you utterly powerless to resist.

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