Planning where to eat in Paraty can feel harder than it should when you are visiting for the first time. The historic centre is packed with menus, everyone has a favourite and you might only have two or three evenings to play with.
My guide shares the restaurants in Paraty I happily send friends to, combining my own meals with the detailed research I did to ensure I had some great meals. I’ve done the hard work for you!
Quick picks: best places in Paraty at a glance
If you only read one part of this guide, make it this. Use it as a shortcut if you are choosing places the night before you travel.
| Need | Places |
| Special dinner | Banana da Terra, Peró Restaurante |
| Relaxed dinner | Prosa Restaurante, Margarida Café |
| Best for vegetarians | Quintal Verde |
| Burgers | Quintal da Vó |
| Breakfast and coffee | Manuê, Montañita Cafés Especiais |
More of my Brazil guides to help plan your trip
- Paraty Brazil Travel Guide — The best activities, things to see and how to get to Paraty from Rio and Sao Paulo
- Ilha Grande Travel Guide — How to get to the island, what to do, where to stay and what to eat when you’re there
- Ilha Grande Pousadas and Hotels — The best areas to stay on the island and hand picked accommodation options
Disclaimer: This article may feature affiliate links. If you click these links, and choose to book with that hotel or company, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I appreciate the support that allows me to continue providing this information
How to use this Paraty restaurant guide
This is a restaurant-only guide, written with a specific focus for first-timers. I help you answer “where should we actually eat tonight?” without getting lost in all the searching. I have also written an in depth Paraty Travel Guide, to help plan your full trip.
Price bands are based on a main plus a drink, per person:
- R$20–40: light meal or simple brunch
- R$40–80: straightforward dinner in a casual spot
- R$80–150: fuller evening in a sit-down restaurant
- R$150+: special dinner places
Under each place you will see a “Typical spend”, with rough conversions into US dollars and pounds. Treat the numbers as ballpark rather than exact.
Where it is useful I mention if a place is vegetarian friendly, better for families, likely to have live music or worth booking ahead.
Google map of the top restaurants in Paraty
What to expect from the food in Paraty
Paraty sits on the Costa Verde, so seafood and caiçara cooking appear on many menus. You will often see moqueca, grilled fish, prawns and plates built around rice, beans and cassava, plenty of wonderful traditional Brazilian dishes.
There are now more vegetarian and vegan options than there were a few years ago, along with burgers, pizzas and brunch cafés for days when you want something familiar.
The town is recognised by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy, which reflects how closely food is tied to local culture and ingredients. You will also see plenty of cachaça from nearby distilleries on menus, especially in caipirinhas.
Most places in the centre are relaxed in style, with a mix of tourists and Brazilians on holiday. You can eat very simply or spend more on riverside dinners and special-occasion restaurants. This guide will recommend that whole range without overwhelming you.
Best restaurants in Paraty: where I would actually book
Banana da Terra
If I was only having one special dinner in Paraty, I would book Banana da Terra. It feels grown up without being stuffy, in a pretty colonial house just off the cobbles.
The menu focuses on local caiçara flavours, with beautifully cooked seafood dishes and clever use of banana and palm heart. It is not cheap, but it really feels like a “this is our big night” place.
Typical spend: R$100–200 (about US$19–37 / £14–28) per person.
Refúgio Restaurante
Refúgio sits by the pier in the historic centre, so you are never far from the water even if you choose an inside table. The cooking is straightforward and generous, built around fresh fish and shellfish.
It is the kind of place where you can share a big pot of something and settle in with a bottle of wine. I pick it when I want seafood and a bit of atmosphere without formality.
Typical spend: R$150–220 (about US$28–41 / £21–31) per person.
Prosa Restaurante
Prosa is an easy answer if you find yourself near Praça da Matriz and wondering where to eat. Outside tables are great for people watching and the feel is lively rather than formal.
The menu covers Brazilian-style fish and meat dishes, a few more modern plates and decent cocktails. I think of it as a strong “second night” choice when you want good food, a bit of buzz and no overthinking.
Typical spend: R$40–80 (about US$7–15 / £6–11) per person.
Thai Brasil
Thai Brasil is my choice when I want something that is not Brazilian. The room is colourful and busy, with Thai-style curries and stir-fries reworked using local seafood and herbs. I challenge anyone to not love a thai curry served in a carved pineapple!
Portions are big, cocktails are strong and the whole evening feels like a change of pace from traditional dishes. Prices are on the higher end of town, so bear that in mind.
Typical spend: R$200–380 (about US$37–71 / £28–54) per person.
Margarida Café
Margarida Café sits by the fountain on the edge of the old town and has an easygoing feel. There is live music on many evenings and a large menu that covers Brazilian comfort food, fish, meat and familiar international dishes, so most people can find something they like.
I often choose it for mixed groups or when I just want to sit somewhere busy, listen to music and share plates for a few hours.
Typical spend: R$60–120 (about US$11–22 / £8–17) per person.
Visiting Ilha Grande on your trip? My guides will help
- Ilha Grande Travel Guide — How to get to the island, what to do, where to stay and what to eat when you’re there
- Ilha Grande Pousadas and Hotels — The best areas to stay on the island and hand picked accommodation options
Punto Divino
Punto Divino is a proper Italian restaurant in the historic centre, with thin pizza, fresh pasta and a cosy courtyard that sometimes has live music. It hits the spot on evenings when all you want is a good bowl of pasta, a glass of red and not much else on the agenda.
Typical spend: R$80–130 (about US$15–24 / £11–18) per person.
Casa Coupê
Casa Coupê is my “let us grab a table and see where the night goes” place. It sits on the main square and usually has a bit of a buzz, with small rooms inside and pavement tables outside. It feels more like a bar that also feeds you than a formal restaurant. Expect caipirinhas, sharing plates and simple mains rather than anything cheffy.
Typical spend: R$60–110 (about US$11–21 / £8–16) per person.
Restaurante Vinícius
Vinícius was one of my quiet favourites. It does not have the showy setting of some old town restaurants, but the food is honest and the prices are good.
The menu mixes caiçara seafood with clearly marked vegetarian and vegan options, so everyone at the table has a proper choice. If you want something that feels local, relaxed and not too polished, this is where I would send you.
Typical spend: R$90–140 (about US$17–26 / £13–20) per person.
Peró Restaurante
Peró is where I think of for a more modern take on Brazilian food. It is not fine dining in the white-tablecloth sense, but the dishes feel a bit more put together, with attention paid to how everything arrives at the table.
There is plenty of seafood and local produce, and it works well as a “nice night out” that still feels relaxed. I recommend you book if you are visiting in high season.
Typical spend: R$90–150 (about US$17–28 / £13–21) per person.
Bendita’s Restaurante
Bendita’s feels like a “proper night out” place without being overly formal. The room is big, often air conditioned, and there is live music on many evenings.
The menu is long, with plenty of fish and meat dishes and some pasta and rice options. I see it as a good choice if you want dinner, drinks and entertainment in one place, especially if you are staying nearby.
Typical spend: R$90–150 (about US$17–28 / £13–21) per person.
Quintal Verde
Quintal Verde is where I point anyone who asks “where can I eat well as a vegetarian in Paraty”. It is a friendly, slightly bohemian-feeling restaurant with plenty of plant-based mains alongside Brazilian standards and some seafood.
Portions are generous and prices are kind compared with the more polished old town spots. I like it as a reset meal in between heavier dinners.
Typical spend: R$40–70 (about US$7–13 / £6–10) per person.
Quintal da Vó
When the craving for a burger hits, I head for Quintal da Vó. It sits a little away from the busiest streets and focuses on handmade burgers in a relaxed garden setting, with vegan options and indulgent desserts on the menu.
It is exactly the sort of place you go after a long beach day when only a burger and fries will do.
Typical spend: R$40–70 (about US$7–13 / £6–10) per person.
Manuê
Manuê is part café, part juice bar and suits breakfast, brunch or a light lunch. Expect wraps, sandwiches, açaí bowls, juices and coffee, with a good spread of vegetarian and vegan choices. It is ideal when you want something fresh and filling rather than another heavy meal.
Typical spend: R$20–40 (about US$4–7 / £3–6) per person.
Montañita Cafés Especiais
If you care even slightly about coffee, put Montañita on your list. It is a tiny specialty coffee bar in the old town, roasting its own beans and offering different brew methods alongside espresso drinks and cold brew.
The team are happy to talk through the options, which is part of the charm. I used it as a little bolt hole on grey mornings and would happily have visited every day of my trip.
Typical spend: R$20–40 (about US$4–7 / £3–6) per person.
Celeiro – Armazém Tropical
Celeiro was one of the best value meals I had in central Paraty. It sits in an old warehouse-style building and works as both bar and restaurant. The food is Brazilian, with well seasoned mains and decent portions, and you can easily eat well here without spending a fortune.
It does get busy, so expect a short wait at peak times, but I came away feeling it punched above its price point.
Typical spend: R$40–80 (about US$7–15 / £6–11) per person.
Café Café Paraty
Café Café is the sort of place I would happily adopt as my “local” if I lived in Paraty. It works for coffee and cake, a slow brunch or a light evening meal. The menu usually includes things like avocado or mushroom toast alongside daily dishes and a few vegan options.
There is often music or small events, they did when we were there, which gives it a lived-in, neighbourhood feel.
Typical spend: R$40–70 (about US$7–13 / £6–10) per person.
Restaurante Caminho do Ouro
Restaurante Caminho do Ouro’s food is firmly rooted in Brazilian home cooking and portions are generous
Typical spend: R$80–140 (about US$15–26 / £11–20) per person.
Quilombo do Campinho da Independência
This is not in town, but it is worth mentioning because the food and setting tell a story. The community at Quilombo do Campinho runs a simple restaurant that serves hearty plates built around rice, beans, stews and fish.
You eat under trees or in open shelters and you are very much a guest in someone else’s space. If you are interested in quilombola history, lunch here is a powerful way to support the community and learn at the same time.
Typical spend: R$40–70 (about US$7–13 / £6–10) per person.
Practical tips for eating out in Paraty
A few small details make eating out in Paraty smoother, especially on your first night.
Reservations, couvert, tipping and paying the bill
For the more special dinner places, it is worth reserving, especially at weekends, holidays and in the Brazilian summer. For easier-going spots, you can often just walk up, though at peak times you may wait a little for a table.
Many places take reservations by WhatsApp. I usually find the number on Google Maps or the restaurant’s social pages and send a short message with the date, time and number of people. For casual bars, burger spots and cafés, I still tend to walk in and only wait a little if it is busy.
In some Paraty restaurants you will see a “couvert” on the menu. This is usually a basket of bread or small nibbles charged per person or per table and it works more like a paid starter than a hidden fee. If it arrives and you do not want it, you can leave it untouched or ask the server to take it away.
Most sit-down restaurants add around 10% service to the bill. If that line is on your receipt and you are happy with the service, you do not need to add more. Card payments are widely accepted in the centre, but I still like to carry some cash for smaller cafés or in case of card machine issues.
What to wear and eating out with children
Most restaurants in Paraty are relaxed about dress. Even in the smarter places, clean shorts or simple dress and sandals are fine. You do not need anything formal, though some people like to dress up a little for spots such as Banana da Terra or Peró.
Paraty is generally used to families, and children are welcome in most restaurants. If you are travelling with younger children, I would lean towards earlier dinners, outdoor tables where they can stretch their legs a bit and relaxed spots like Margarida Café, Casa Coupê, Quintal da Vó or the burger places.
FAQs about eating out in Paraty
Yes. For a small town, Paraty has a wide mix of delicious seafood restaurants, casual bars, vegetarian-friendly spots, burger joints and cafés. If you pick a handful from this list to match your budget and style, you will eat well.
You will usually need a reservation for the most popular places if you want to eat at peak times, especially Banana da Terra, Refúgio, Peró, Bendita’s and Thai Brasil in busy seasons and at weekends. Casual places, burger spots and cafés are often fine for walk-ins, though at peak times you may queue.
Prices vary. Simple burgers, set lunches and lighter café meals can be quite reasonable, while riverside dinners and special-occasion restaurants sit higher. The “Typical spend” lines in this guide give a realistic idea of what you will pay before you sit down.
Yes. Burger spots, brunch cafés and simple buffet-style restaurants offer some of the cheapest meals in town. Places such as Quintal da Vó, Manuê and Celeiro often work well when you want to keep costs down without switching to self-catering.
It is getting easier. Restaurants like Quintal Verde and Restaurante Vinícius clearly mark vegetarian and vegan dishes, and cafés such as Manuê and Café Café often have meat-free bowls, toasts and salads. If you are strict, it helps to double check broths and sauces.
For a special occasion, Banana da Terra is my first pick, with Peró as another good option. Both feel good for a special dinner without being formal.
Most people eat from about 19:30 onwards, with squares and live music spots feeling busiest a little later. If you are eating with children or want a quieter meal, going earlier often works well.
3 Comments
Comments are closed.