A popular region on the coast of São Paulo, Ilhabela also has good restaurants, especially seafood.
Beautiful island It is a busy tourist season. Not only because of school holidays, when families look for beautiful beaches to spend time, but also because it is one of the most frequented whale routes. Ecotourism is gaining more and more strength there.
Like this, Palate has selected four restaurants in Ilhabela that are worth a visit, one of which, in fact, is on the high seas. The best options for those who love fish on the beach.
Anglerfish
If you walk by too quickly, you might not even notice that there, on a major avenue in the city, is the Pescadora restaurant. After all, it is hidden in the old garage of the family boat of chef Renata Vanzetto. The menu is strongly influenced by Renata’s childhood in the caiçara, with a focus on seafood and local producers. It is essential to start this meal with the delicious manjubinhas (R$ 33), which come to the table whole and with spicy mayonnaise. Among the main dishes, the poke (R$ 125) is excellent, with crispy shrimp, diced salmon, mango, soy sauce, sweet and sour cucumber, spicy mayonnaise and rice. Good for cool days. Want something more elaborate? Choose IlhaBelle (R$ 119), with grilled cambucu hake, caper sauce, fresh mushrooms, butter, lemon zest and white wine.
Where: Av. Força Expedicional Brasileira, 495, Santa Tereza, Ilhabela. (12) 3896-2650. Wednesday and Thursday, 4pm/10pm; Fri. and Saturday, 12:00/22:00; Sunday, 12pm/6pm.
The boat
It’s not really a restaurant: Barca organizes day trips to the most remote beaches and, in season, also goes whale watching. All on a large boat, as comfortable as possible, with tables and chairs. There are two menus available that vary depending on the tour. When the boat goes out to sea, in an attempt to spot whales, a plate of fruit (pineapple, grapes and strawberries), appetizers (ricotta, beetroot hummus; caponata with toast), native fish ceviche, fish tacos, calamari and other seafood and, to finish, a tasty brownie with dulce de leche. The second menu is when the boat is in the channel between Ilhabela and São Sebastião. They serve fruit, carrot and cucumber sticks served with natural yogurt sauce, two appetizers (ceviche with fresh fish of the week and calamari or prawns Provençal), a fish caught that week on the same boat, cooked on the grill of the boat with grilled vegetables and a tasty banana farofa and, to finish, the brownie. Today it costs R$380 per person.
Where: Departures from São Sebastião and Ilhabela. Duration: six hours. Price: R$380 per person, plus 10% tip. Contact for reservations: 12 99115-3410.
Kitchen and bar Caiçara
It is there, inside the Vila Salga event space, next to the Nossa Senhora Imaculada Conceição Chapel, that Caiçara Kitchen and Bar is located. The restaurant’s cuisine focuses on fresh seafood, seeking to enhance local ingredients and favoring small producers. At the same time, it seeks inspiration from other “caiçara” cuisines around the world and their diverse coastal dishes.
Where: Av. Perimetral Norte, 4781, Armação, Ilhabela. 10am/6pm (Saturday, 10am/2pm).
Viana Restaurant
If there is a truly traditional restaurant in Ilhabela, it is Restaurante Viana, open for over 60 years and belonging to a German family in love with Brazil. You can’t visit the address without eating the famous Casquinha de Camarão (R$55), whose recipe is kept under lock and key. As for seafood, the house suggestions are the grilled shrimp with brie and leek risotto (R$154). Want to take a break from shrimp? Go for Peixe Caiçara (R$110), with pirão and banana farofa.
Where: Av. Leonardo Reale, 2300, Praia do Viana, Ilhabela. 11:00-17:30 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11:00-19:00).
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
