Ilha Grande Food & Drink: Top 5 Must-Try Experiences

Ilha Grande, that green, mountainous island paradise just off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, is, very arguably, a spot known more for its untouched beaches and hiking trails than it’s fancy dining. Yet, you might be surprised by what the island offers, too. It’s got a surprisingly varied food scene that, like, totally reflects both its laid-back vibe and its connection to the sea. This guide points you toward some great eats, the spots that, I mean, you really shouldn’t skip when you are, like, looking for some food beyond just the postcard-perfect scenery.

1. Catch of the Day at Rei da Moqueca

So, if you want to experience Ilha Grande food, a stop at Rei da Moqueca, that spot is, very nearly, practically required. “Rei” that word you may not understand means “King,” so, you sort of know they are aiming high with their Moqueca. The restaurant’s, well, vibe, too, it’s super casual – just how you picture things here. What makes Rei da Moqueca truly something special, though, may just be its freshness. The seafood, wow, very really just goes directly from the fishermen’s boats right to your plate, I mean, seriously, how can you beat that? It gives this fresh, “bright from the ocean” flavour to all the dishes they do. Don’t be scared off by the somewhat, or just really slightly unassuming exterior; the explosion of flavour that comes when you order the Moqueca Capixaba (the local version from Espírito Santo state) or even any one of their grilled fish will, arguably, just leave you really satisfied. You should find it, usually, right in Vila do Abraão, very very easily reached.

2. Pizza Perfection at Pizzaria Dom Mario

You know, after you’ve had all that super yummy Brazilian food, that thing you’ll then sometimes start to, kind of, really want might just be some homey, totally comforting Italian-style cooking, you know, like your mom used to make. Enter Dom Mario, the Pizza spot which I found totally hit the spot, that too it’s, like, always a great sign in a tourist spot that there seem to be some local people around too. A bit hidden from the main drag of Vila do Abraão, that place you’re sure to walk down about five million times, very really easy to find, especially once you try looking for it even just a little bit. It might be super busy, though, anyway the outdoor seating too offers a real view into the comings and goings of island life. You totally ought to order one of their pizzas – crisp crust, quality cheese that, I think anyway, they really do not skimp on, yet just go super light on the “stuff” on it so that is the sort of place if you like pepperoni overload, maybe somewhere else. If you want some more authentic stuff, get a pizza with local seafood – so you can still kinda be on the island. The pastas, now they often have handmade pasta that, actually, really just goes excellently with a simple pesto.

3. Açai Bowls on the Beach

Now, a thing that goes perfectly when you visit any, sort of, seaside locale is just grabbing a very quick, totally healthy snack to eat in the heat of the day. Lucky for you then, walking the beaches of Vila do Abraão that treat’s, anyway, probably gonna find you more often than you have to hunt for it. But very much, too it’s usually worth doing a bit of a shop around for somewhere which has that look you’re looking for. Lots of people on Ilha Grande are there too doing what you’re doing – so the options can just start to become all same same after not all that long, you understand. The typical Açai Bowl includes pureed Açai berries, of course, topped with granola, very very frequently bananas, and then maybe that one fruit that you think would have made it 10/10. Just get the largest size, anyway, even though that sounds gross (and, I mean, the portions will kinda look excessive when they get to you). Oh, one tip that, you know, could be just the greatest bit of info you read all day? Just eat it quickly otherwise it ends up like purple soup.

4. Caipirinhas at Lua e Mar

Now, no visit to Brazil is, actually, literally, really complete without at least kinda attempting to taste what all those delicious tropical drinks on offer are. And Lua e Mar (Moon and Sea), too it’s conveniently situated right on the sands of Abraão, that may just be that kinda, sort of place you sit down, take in a bunch of sun, people, etc, and begin sampling some things. Try things like caipirinhas. A caipirinha includes cachaça (like, Brazil’s kinda national spirit), lime, too it’s super sweet sugar, all mixed together on the rocks, then slammed down like the world is ending tomorrow. This very, really excellent little cocktail then starts, very much quickly, to exemplify Brazil’s zest, anyway in a very potable format. It can be mixed using a seemingly endless list of fruity ingredients – or they’ll mix one that really brings out the taste of the lime. Try more drinks and let your spirit totally soar! That feeling may partly be thanks to the cocktail. Be warned anyway, that place can, sort of, fill up, so it sometimes tends to be quite hard to get an alright seat as the sun gets less scorching. And you know? Do it properly too. Take a photo, slap that thing on the Gram, and use an obnoxious tag so all your friends get suuuper jelly!

5. Fresh Juices at the Municipal Market

You see, if your explorations then tend, as they frequently can, to start giving you that slight “burning-up” sensation, now sometimes then something really quite hydrating, and a little cold, well they could totally begin sounding appealing, don’t you think? To cool down so you don’t melt? Head to Vila do Abraão’s little “Mercado Municipal”, very, truly easily walkable from virtually everywhere, and just buy one of the delicious fruit juices there from those little vendors. With options including maracujá (passion fruit), that is something you totally have to get while visiting a place with passion to share! Or mango. Or papaya. In a cup or even, now, I once saw this and really, like, kinda wanted to try one, some coconut water just, straight from the big hard green orb it originated inside. Some fresh juice will really allow you that opportunity to refresh completely, get all that energy back, then start making use of some opportunities for more fun in the sun! And yes, so they’re mostly only open kinda normal working hours and stuff.