Brazilian street foods are bold, fast, and unforgettable.
With Brazil home to over 200 million people, its street food culture fuels daily life—from beachside grills in Rio to bustling market stalls in São Paulo.
Crispy pastéis, cheesy pão de queijo, smoky churrasquinho, and sweet brigadeiros showcase the heart of authentic Brazilian food in every bite.
Here are Brazil’s best street foods;
1. Pão de Queijo
Pão de queijo is actually a type of cheese bread. This Brazilian street food actually has its roots from the Brazilian African slaves.
They would get the scraps from their cooking and make these.
These snacks are normally fluffy and light, made with cassava flour and cheese.
These are normally eaten for breakfast, but you can eat it whatever time of day you would like.
You can even order them “as is” and receive them hot and fresh out of the oven.
If you love cheese, you can also ask for them to cut it open and put even more cheese inside of it.
If you want something sweeter, they can also put the jam inside of it.
Once you try them, you definitely won’t be able to eat just one. You can find these in almost every bakery.
2. Kibe
Kibe originally started in the Middle East, but now they are a very popular fried food in Brazil.
Other countries make these meat patties with all kinds of different meats, but Brazil mainly uses beef.
These meat patties are made with bulgur wheat, minced beef, and minced onions.
These ingredients are combined and turned into meat patties.
Kibe can be seasoned with a bunch of different spices, and then they are usually fried.
3. Picanha
If you don’t want meat patties, you can also order picanha. It’s still beef, but this time it’s barbecued.
To make this, Brazilians will take the best part of the beef, normally an equivalent to sirloin.
This ensures that the beef will be full of fat which means there will be more taste in the meat.
When it’s barbecued, the flavor stands out even more.
The Picanha is normally seasoned with either black pepper or rock salt, but if it’s not, you can add it on afterward.
4. Pastel
Pastel is small, fried squares. These little squares can be filled with almost anything, but a popular choice is cheese.
This popular Brazilian street food can also filled with meat. There are also sweeter versions if you have more of a sweet tooth.
These pastels were actually inspired by Chinese egg rolls.
In World War II, the Japanese made their way to Brazil, and the country adopted some of their traditions and foods.
5. Açai Na Tigela
Some of the best açai berries come from the Amazon. Açai is very popular even in America, so this may not be as foreign of a food as some of the others.
Acai na Tigela is also healthy for you because this meal is low in sugar.
It also has plenty of antioxidants and a very popular Brazilian breakfast choice.
The açai berries are normally frozen and smashed and mixed with other healthy options, like strawberries, bananas, granola, and honey.
If you want to try this out, you can order it at most cafes and juice bars. Some restaurants even serve them.
6. Aipim Frito
If you want something a little bit healthier, aipim frito is a great choice.
You can even ask to have them baked to make them even healthier.
These are basically like yuca fries, made from cassava and are incredibly delicious.
7. Coxinha
Coxinha, also known as chicken croquettes, is also something you need to add to your food bucket list.
This is also a deep-fried food. The fry is formed from dough that is covered in breadcrumbs.
Then this dough is formed to look like a chicken leg. Inside of it is shredded chicken and cheese.
While this is the standard one, you can also get different fillings instead.
For example, popular fillings can also be different fruits and vegetables.
This food originated in São Paulo, but now it’s popular in all of Brazil.
8. Brigadeiro
Once you’ve had your dinner, you can get brigadeiro for dessert.
This is a popular dessert in Brazil and ranked #1 in our 11 Brazilian Desserts You’ve Never Heard Of-and Won’t Ever Forget.
Made with butter, cocoa, and condensed milk, this small cake-like food is one that you have to try.
This food was actually named off of a Brazilian politician from the ’40s.
Because it only needs a few ingredients to make, it was easy to make during World War II when fresh ingredients were hard to come by.
This dessert will definitely provide a carnival feel, and you can also get extras added onto this cake.
Some people add almonds or coconut flakes to the top of the tiny cake to add just a little bit of extra flavor.
9. Mandioca Frito
If you are missing some chips, you should get some mandioca fritos.
These are yuca or also called cassava chips.
Cassava is one of the most important sources of carbohydrates for Brazilians.
These fritos are actually kind of like potato chips in America.
They are also easy to make, you can find our recipe here.
10. Churro
Churros are most closely associated with Spain. But Brazilians love their churros too!
Traditionally churros are topped with melted chocolate or smothered in cinnamon or sprinkled with sugar.
However, Brazilians do it slightly different, dipping the tip of their churros into doce de leite, more commonly known as dulce de leche.
11. Feijoada
Feijoada is widely considered the national dish of Brazil. It also made our list of 19 Best Brazilian Foods You Have To Try Right Away.
This is an hearty option that will warm you up during the cold months.
This Brazilian stew is made with black beans, beef and pork, and is somewhat similar to chili in America.
If it’s cold outside, you couldn’t find a more comforting dish.
You will practically find feijoada served in every bar and restaurant, as it is one of Brazil’s most popular stews.
12. Pamonha
Pamonha is a popular Brazilian dish that is a sweet corn paste covered in corn husks that’s been boiled.
It can be made either sweet with coconut milk or savory by being stuffed with cheese, ham, beef, chicken, or peppers.
Pamonha is derived from the Old Tupi word pa’mua, meaning “sticky.”
13. Empada
Empada is a pastry or pie stuffed with a meat, vegetable, or cheese filling and baked until golden and delicious.
While made with many different fillings, shredded chicken remains a firm favorite.
Brazilians enjoy Empada as a tasty little snack or eat it as a main meal.
14. Tapioca
Tapioca, derived from the cassava root, is a popular Brazilian street food known for its gluten-free, crepe-like texture and ability to hold both sweet and savory fillings.
Brazilian street vendors often serve it filled with ingredients like cheese, ham, chocolate, or coconut.
Its versatility and naturally gluten-free nature make it popular among those with dietary restrictions, such as gluten sensitivity or low-carb diets.
With its neutral flavor and adaptability, tapioca has grown in popularity worldwide while maintaining its roots in Latin American cuisine.
15. Baiana de Acarajé
Baiana de Acarajé is a beloved street food from Bahia, Brazil, deeply rooted in Afro-Brazilian culture.
It features acarajé, a black-eyed pea fritter fried in palm oil and filled with vatapá, chili sauce, and dried shrimp.
Prepared by Baianas dressed in traditional white lace, this dish symbolizes the African influence in Brazilian cuisine and the cultural heritage of Bahia.
Both a flavorful dish and a cultural tradition, Baiana de Acarajé continues to attract locals and tourists alike.
16. Caldo de Cana
Caldo de Cana is one of Brazil’s most refreshing and iconic street drinks.
Made by pressing fresh sugarcane stalks through a metal roller right in front of you, this naturally sweet juice is served ice-cold—often with a squeeze of lime to balance the sweetness.
You’ll commonly find vendors selling it at street markets and beach kiosks, especially alongside pastel for the ultimate Brazilian snack combo.
Light, energizing, and completely unprocessed, caldo de cana is a simple yet essential part of Brazil’s vibrant street food culture.
Try Brazilian Street Food Today
You can try some of these Brazilian street foods when you visit the country.
However, there is still plenty more to learn about Brazilian food.
For example, if fish is your thing, learn more about Brazil’s famous fish stew, Moqueca.
Or maybe you’re looking for something to wash it all down with, then Caipirinha might be the answer.
Find more great Brazilian recipes here or to shop for Brazilian foods & drinks visit Amazon.
More Brazilian Foods
See all →
Jorge Garcia is the founder of AmigoFoods, where he has spent over 20 years helping readers discover authentic Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Raised in a Cuban-American household, Jorge learned to cook at the hands of his mother and grandmother, carrying forward generations of family recipes. That heritage, backed by his family’s four-generation history in the Latin food industry, inspired him to launch AmigoFoods in 2003. With more than 1,000 published articles on recipes, ingredients, and food culture, Jorge’s mission is simple: make authentic Latin cooking approachable for home cooks everywhere while honoring the traditions behind every dish.