Chapada dos Veadeiros – All about the cuisine of the region

In addition to the exuberant beauty of the waterfalls, trails, natural pools of thermal waters and fields with vegetation of the cerrado, you cannot miss the tasty regional cuisine and the typical dishes of Chapada dos Veadeiros. After all, after an intense day of activities, your diet needs to be very nutritious to provide the energy needed to continue exploring the region.

The most traditional restaurants serve the typical dishes of Chapada dos Veadeiros from an early age until the moment when the sun is setting, so that everyone can enjoy the local cuisine. Know how to follow the typical dishes of the region, and now plan your visit in the best restaurants.

Typical dishes from Chapada dos Veadeiros

You can enjoy the gastronomy of the region in several family restaurants and bars. During the day the locals offer buffet by the kilo or well-served portions. At night the restaurants work with a la carte dishes. So there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the different and unusual options of traditional dishes from Chapada dos Veadeiros.

Matula

It is one of the main typical dishes of Chapada dos Veadeiros. Also known as feijoada do cerrado, since it was the main food for pedestrians in the last century. Matula was what gave the workers strength to endure the hard days of work. The recipe includes sun meat, sausage, pork feet and skin, tenderloin or tinned meat (meat prepared cooked in the fat itself stored in cans) in addition to white beans, manioc flour and chicken broth. The meats are cooked together for 4 hours while the tutu is prepared separately. Some places also offer the vegan version of the dish. Wrapped in banana leaves, the dish usually accompanies white rice, free range chicken, cooked cassava and tinned meat.

Rice with pequi

A typical fruit of the cerrado, Pequi is widely used in the cuisine of the region. The fruit can be prepared whole or in pieces along with oil or lard, garlic, onion, rice, salt and water and after cooking it is finished with pepper and a green smell. The whole fruit has thorns inside so care must be taken when biting.

Chicken Soup

Chicken is also one of the typical dishes of Chapada dos Veadeiros. The free-range chicken or chicken is cooked together with rice seasoned with turmeric, as well as pequi and gueroba chips that are also added to the dish. Goiás chicken is unsurpassed, especially if eaten under a cerrado tree.

Panelinha Goiana

Typical dish from the region of Goiás that includes rice, hen, corn and vegetables in the original recipe. Similar to a risotto, the dish is made in a single pan, which must be made of iron. Layers of seasoning and addition of cheese and pequi sauce add flavor and complexity to the dish that would have everything to be too simple, but it is a real delight.
patty Goiano
Empadão from Goiás consists of firm pasta filled with shredded chicken, tomato sauce, olives, pieces of homemade sausage and gueroba, a kind of traditional bitter heart of the cerrado. As well as pork and cheese loin or ham, they are also used in some fillings.

Gergeliko

Gergeliko is another delight that is part of the typical foods of Chapada dos Veadeiros. It is a different snack, made by hand, with whole wheat and with the purest sesame from family farming in the Chapada dos Veadeiros region. The snack is delicious pure as well as with pâtés or guacamole.

With a crunchy and tasty dough, which breaks and crumbles in the mouth, the cookies have a similar texture to the buttery biscuit. The snack is also an excellent option for an extra dose of energy at any time of the day, whether in the middle of the trail or in the aperitif before the meal.

Pamonha Goiâna

The pamonha goiana is different, as it is popularly salty and not sweet. Made with fresh green corn, freshly harvested, grated and strained in virgin sackcloth and butter or lard. It is creamy, unctuous and very well seasoned, and without mixtures. In other words, without cornmeal, flour or thickener.
In the filling, it is worth putting almost everything, such as country cheese, sausage, cheese, pequi, guariroba, goat pepper, green smell and even jiló, especially when the mush is accompanied by the term “à moda”. However every meal deserves a dessert so the sweet version of the mush is not left out. You can taste them in versions with cheese, sour cream and freshly grated coconut.

Guava jam

One of the most requested and typical desserts of Chapada dos Veadeiros. Made with white or red guava, boiled water and crystal sugar is a delight especially when it has just come out of the pan.

Where to eat in Alto Paraíso

Alto Paraíso is the base city of Chapada dos Veadeiros and very busy, as the passage through it is mandatory for those who intend to access the other cities in the region. Therefore, the city has more options of bars and restaurants. Many of them are family businesses and are usually simple, but they offer the best of home-cooked food always with plenty.

Cravo e Canela Restaurant

Cravo e Canela, is close to the city entrance, and is a great choice for anyone looking for healthy food that respects the local ecosystem. There are several options of vegetarian and vegan dishes that please all palates and the most fervent carnivores.

Coisas da Drica

Coisas da Drica is also an excellent option. In addition to wonderful food, it has a large rest area, which at night turns into a wonderful party, integrating tourists as well as residents of Alto Paraíso. At the front, Coisas da Drica offers a store with super stylish clothes, as well as accessories and cosmetics made in the region.

Rancho do Waldomiro

Located about 18 km from Alto Paraíso, on the road towards São Jorge, near Morro da Baleia. Rancho do Waldomiro offers several typical dishes from Chapada dos Veadeiros. The atmosphere is simple yet welcoming and the typical Matula dish is considered the best in the region. In addition it is possible to find different flavors of liqueurs and handmade sweets such as buriti, açaí, genipapo, cupuaçu and pequi.

Pizzaria Vila Chamego

For lovers of good pizza, Vila Chamego is a great choice. A cozy place with outside seats, low lighting, candlelight, as well as live music. The pizzas are thin crust and are baked on stones, and are served with fresh tomato sauce, extra virgin olive oil and organic basil. The restaurant also serves risotto and pasta.

Local fairs

The fair next to the CAT (Tourist Assistance Center) and the Rural Producer Fair are great options for tasting the region’s fresh food. In addition, local producers deliver baskets of organic products of the highest quality and freshness.

As soon as you arrive in Alto Paraíso de Goiás, check the days when the fairs are open, set aside cash and a returnable bag to place your purchases.

To ensure the best products arrive early and take the time to chat and interact with the merchants, who not only have great products, but also have stories and incredible local recipes to share.

Where to eat in São Jorge

In a small, rustic town like Vila de São Jorge, mealtime can be as big an adventure as one of the trails in the middle of the Cerrado. But do not be fooled by the simple appearance of the village, despite its rustic air the center of Vila de São Jorge, also offers some restaurant options for visitors to enjoy the typical foods of Chapada dos Veadeiros.

Rustic Restaurant

The Rustic Restaurant is a great choice for lovers of a good meat or hamburger, all freshly prepared on a lush grill that is at the bottom of the restaurant. However prepare your wallet, as the price is consistent with the quality of the food.

Kalunga Community Restaurant

This is an option for those who are enjoying the charms of Cavalcante. The Kalunga Community restaurant is close to the quilombola community. Simple but very tasty food such as rice, beans, free range chicken, vegetables, salads and other side dishes depending on the season.

Delicious options abound, so take advantage of all the tips and enjoy the wonders of typical Chapada dos Veadeiros food.