Local flavors
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
3 places picked to eat in São Luís.
A restaurant on Rua João Damasceno, in the Farol de São Marcos area, known for its carne de sol (sun-dried beef) served with baião de dois (rice and beans), pirão (fish-broth porridge) and paçoca (toasted cassava flour with meat), as well as Maranhão-style fish stew, octopus rice and seafood. It has air-conditioned dining rooms and an outdoor area with a sea view, and suits those who want to try regional cooking in generous portions.
A training restaurant on Rua de Nazaré, in the historic center, where culinary students cook and serve under the supervision of instructors. The buffet changes daily and includes Maranhão dishes such as arroz de cuxá (rice with sorrel and dried shrimp), vatapá (shrimp and bread purée) and shrimp, making it a good introduction to local food.
A family restaurant on Travessa Marcelino de Almeida, known as Beco da Faustina, in São Luís's historic center. It serves regional cooking with fish and seafood rice in a relaxed setting, sometimes with live music, and caters to those exploring Praia Grande.
