Lencois is a walk-around-and-see-what's-good type of place. All the hotels serve a serious breakfast, and the main square is dotted with little sandwich shops and juice bars; perfect for lunch on a hot day. There are about fifteen restaurants in town, serving everything from local Bahian cuisine to pizza to surprisingly decent Mexican food.

Food has had a central place in Bahian culture since colonial times when the Baihianas, who now proudly display their freshly made dishes on street corners, dominated the kitchens of slave owners.

Trying the local food and cuisine of the Chapada Diamantina region is one of the highlights of a trip there. Check out our Chapada Diamantina Restaurant Guide below for hints and tips on where to find the best restaurants and what to try when eating out there. Also make sure you enjoy some shopping between meals, and take a look at our Chapada Diamantina Shopping Guide for some hints and tips on what to buy. For some general information about food and cuisine in Brazil see our Brazil Restaurant Guide.

Food & Cuisine in Chapada Diamantina

Bahian cuisine is characterised by the generous use of malagueta chile peppers and dende oil extracted from an African palm that grows well in the northeastern climate. Several Bahian dishes also contain seafood (usually shrimp), coconut milk, banana and okra.

Local Specialities

Lencois has quite peculiar typical dishes, traditional all over "Chapada Diamantina". The most famous is "Godó de Banana", a soup of jerk meat, gumbo (or okra) and, of course, bananas. As is normal in Bahia, everything is prepared with lots of spice. The interesting part is that "Godó de Banana" is made with green bananas cut in small pieces.

Other regional delicacies are "Cortado de Palma" and "Palmito de Jaca", both served as side dishes for fish based foods. "Cortado de Palma" is a kind of cactus, cut in small pieces, spiced and fried, while "Palmito de Jaca" is the fruit (Jaca) still hard and green, chopped and spiced.

The most appreciated fish of the region is "Tucunaré", but tourists easily finds other regional options like "galinha caipira" and "carne-de-sol". The meals are served with "farofa" (cassava flour fried in oil), kale, beans, salad and, almost always, "Batata da Serra", which is a juicy vegetable. Also, try "sopa de Fruta Pão" and "Angu à moda do Escravo".

There is a good vegetarian restaurant in Lencois and a restaurant where you pay by the pound (weight of your food). The inn da Rosa (Pousalegre) provides lunch and dinner of excellent quality. You can also eat good vegetarian food with rice. You can also try the excellent fruit juices in the region (eg mangaba or umbu).

Restaurants List

Burritos e Taquitos

Burritos e Taquitos restaurant offers a traditional Mexican menu of different kinds of tacos made with homemade corn tortillas and fresh fillings in a comfortable environment with a beautiful view over the River Lençóis.

Type : Mexican Food

Address : Rua Cel. José Florêncio, 33 - city center - Lençóis

Phone : 75 3334 1083

Email : paradordesantiago@uol.com.br

Website : http://www.paradordesantiago.com.br

Opening hours : 18:00 to to 22:00

Roda D'Água Gourmet

Roda D'Água Gourmet features an extensive menu of delicious regional dishes with a dash of international sophistication. The chef recommends Moqueca Chapada and Salmon Mediterranean.

Type : International

Address : Rua Altina Alves, 747 - City Center - Lençóis

Phone : 75 3334 1102

Fax : 75 3334 1201

Website : http://www.hoteldelencois.com.br

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 16:00

Cozinha Aberta

Cozinha Aberta or the Open Kitchen is a Slow Food restaurant perfect for those who like to enjoy the art of gastronomy. Artisanal dishes prepared with varieties of pasta and Thai food.

Type : Slow Food

Address : Avenida Rui Barbosa, 42 - City center - Lençóis

Phone : 75 3334 1321

Opening hours : 13:00 to to 23:00

Restaurante AZUL

The dishes created by Chef Vagner Aguiar reveal the wealth of the flavors of Bahia - moquecas, lamb, mountain potatoes, tapioca desserts, artisanal cachaça and local fruits like mangaba.

Type : FOOD FOR AUTHOR

Address : Avenue Senhor dos Passos, 01 - Center - Lençóis

Phone : 75 3334 1154

Fax : 75 3334 1154

Email : cantodasaguas@lencois.com.br

Website : http://www.lencois.com.br

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 22:30

O Bode

Self service, by the kilo food served from a large wood burning stove with typical regional dishes such as goat stew, sun-dried meat with milk pirão, banana Godó, green jaca moqueca, and fish and hearts of palm moqueca.

Type : Kilo

Address : Praça Horácio de Matos (Beco do Rio)

Phone : 75 33341600

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 16:00

Tratoria Bell Itália

Typical Florentine Italian food served in a cozy spot. The menu features pizzas, crepes, and pastas.

Type : Pizzeria

Address : Praça Horácio de Matos - city center – Lençóis

Phone : 75. 3334.1454

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 23:00

Etnia

Etnia's classic Oriental menu also features several more exotic dishes.

Type : Oriental Food

Address : Rua da Baderna, 111 - city center - Lençóis

Phone : 75. 3334.1066

Opening hours : 18:00 to to 22:00

Salton Restaurante

Enjoy great international cuisine in a great environment accompanied by a wine selected from our list of domestic and imported labels.

Type : International Food

Address : Av. 7 de Setembro, 27 – city center – Lençóis

Phone : 75. 3334.2034/8826.2656

Opening hours : 18:00 to to 23:00

Os Artistas da Massa

At Os Artistas da Massa, enjoy handmade pastas and listen to good music. The menu includes various types of ravioli, gnocchi, lasagne and tagliatelle.

Type : Italian Restaurant

Address : Rua da Baderna, 49 - city center - Lençóis

Phone : 75. 3334.1886

Opening hours : 12:30 to to 22:30

Ki - Lanche

Sandwiches made to order.

Type : Sandwiches

Address : Praça das Nagôs, 46 - city center - close to the market - Lençóis

Phone : 75. 3334.1244

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 23:00

Natora

Clay oven baked pizzas.

Type : Pizzaria

Address : Praça Horácio de Matos - city center - Lençóis

Phone : 71. 9223.8594