Salvador Restaurants and Dining

(Salvador, Bahia, Brazil)

The city of Salvador comes with a good mixture of restaurants and eateries, many of which not only feature fine dining, but also an enticing atmosphere and at times, live music. Bahian cuisine is a mainstay for a large number of restaurants in Salvador and local dishes often have strong African influences, using ingredients such as coriander, coconut, tomatoes, peppers, garlic, spicy malagueta pepper and dende oil.

Being located next to the Atlantic Ocean, local Salvador dining establishments frequently specialise in seafood, and some of the most popular Bahian seafood dishes include 'acarajé' (fritters made with shrimp and brown beans), 'moqueca' (a stew with crab, lobster, shrimp and white fish) and 'vatapa' (shrimp, coconut milk, peanuts and bread).

Where to Eat

The Pelourinho area of Salvador is almost overflowing with popular restaurants and these really do suit all budgets. Many good choices reside on streets such as the Rua Direita de Santo Antonio and the Rua das Laranjeiras.

The Carmo and San Antonio areas of Salvador also have a good choice of eateries and dining venues, which often occupy characterful 19th-century buildings, standing along the Rua do Carmo and boasting enviable bay views.

In the Comercio area of the Cidade Baixo neighbourood, it won't be long before you walk past a snack bar (lancheonetes) or self-service restaurant. Informal dining in this part of Salvador is especially affordable on the second floor of the Mercado Modelo, while further choices lie along the bay, within Barra and throughout the coastal suburbs.