A passion called Minas Gerais cusine

Minas Gerais’ local cuisine is just as famous as people’s hospitality around here. The aromas, flavors and spices cannot be forgotten, and once you try local dishes for the first time, you will fall in love with them right away. Here goes a list of five restaurants for you to try our traditional food at its purest.

Café Palhares – Rua dos Tupinambás, 638

Café Palhares was founded in 1938 and welcomes hundreds of costumers, whether locals or tourists, on a daily basis. The most famous dish, KAOL, was created in the fifties and consists of a combo that includes rice, egg, pork sausage, farofa, sprouts, and cracklings. The “k” dish, as it is called, is a fun reference to the word “cachaça”, which people used to drink at the time to whet their appetite.

Cantina do Lucas - Avenida Augusto de Lima, 233

The Cantina do Lucas is located inside the iconic Edifício Maletta. The restaurant’s service and culinary delicacies have not only turned it into a landmark among local cuisine restaurants over five decades ago, but also established it as a historical and cultural heritage site to the city, listed as such in December 9th, 1997.

Casa Cheia

Casa Cheia has two different units: one is located inside Mercado Central, and the other one at Savassi. The restaurant has been operating since 1978. It has become a traditional favorite among locals, and also a mandatory tourist attraction for people coming to visit the city.

Mercado Central unit - Av. Augusto de Lima, 744 - Centro. 

Savassi unit - Rua Cláudio Manoel, 784 - Savassi 

Casa dos Contos - Rua Rio Grande do Norte, 1065

Casa dos Contos is over 45 years old and has been chosen for 8 years in a row as the Best Traditional Restaurant of Belo Horizonte by Encontro Gastrô magazine. It is the hub of intellectuals, artists and influential people.