Food

It’s impossible to go hungry in Bonito [1]. Located in an atmospheric wooden house, Cantinho do Peixe (Rua 31 de Março 1918, tel. 67/3255-3381, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 6–11 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Sun., R$12–20) is a traditional favorite, serving up hearty portions of pantaneiro fish dishes. The fresh piranha soup is a nice starter. As a main course, the pintado ao urucum is especially good and serves two.

The varied menu at Castellabate (Rua Colonel Pilad Rebuá 2168, tel. 67/3255-1713, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. and 6–11 p.m. daily, closed on Wed. Mar.–June and Aug.–Sept., R$12–22) includes pizzas, pastas, and regional dishes. More daring souls won’t be able to resist the jacaré steaks (served with fries) and javonteiro (a cross between a boar and a wild pig).

Although fish is the common thread running through the menu at Sale e Pepe (Rua 29 de Maio 971, tel. 67/3255-1822, 6–11 p.m. Tues.–Sun., daily Dec.–Jan. and July, R$15–30), recipes run the gamut from pantaneiro to Japanese and Chinese.

In the mood for dourado sushi and piranha sashimi? This is the place to come. Vício da Gula (Rua 29 de Maio, tel. 67/3255-2041, noon–10 p.m. Tues.–Sun., R$8–18) is a great place for a snack or light meal. The sandwiches and hamburgers are fresh and tasty, and the desserts are quite addictive.

For late-night sweet cravings head to the Palácio dos Sorvetes (Rua Coronel Pilad Rebuá 1915, daily until midnight off-seasons and until 4 a.m. in summer). Its 45 flavors of ice cream range from classics such as chocolate to the utterly exotic guavíra and bocaiúva, two of the sweetest and most succulent fruits of the Cerrado.