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Best food destinations in South America

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Buenos Aires
Where Tango and Culture Thrive
8.1
Steak, empanadas and Italian influences fill the tables of Argentina's capital. Parrillas grill beef, chorizo and sweetbreads over wood coals. Visitors can eat at corner bodegones and browse the San Telmo Market on Sundays. Dulce de leche desserts and Malbec wine finish long late dinners.
Highlights:
  • 🎭 Tour the grand Teatro Colón and admire its opulence
  • 🎨 Stroll through colorful Caminito Street in La Boca
  • 💃 Watch a passionate tango performance in San Telmo
Cusco
Gateway to the Incan Empire's Heart
8.4
Andean ingredients such as quinoa, native potatoes and corn shape the local cooking. Cuy, alpaca and chicha morada are traditional dishes and drinks. Visitors can browse the San Pedro Market and eat in restaurants near the Plaza de Armas. The nearby Sacred Valley grows giant white corn.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Stroll through Plaza de Armas and admire colonial architecture
  • 🏔️ Take the train or trek to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu
  • 🧱 Visit the ancient Inca site of Sacsayhuamán overlooking the city
Rio de Janeiro
The heartbeat of Brazil's coast
8.1
Beach kiosks, botecos and churrascarias make the food scene casual and lively. Feijoada, pastel and açaí bowls are everyday favourites. Visitors can eat at Confeitaria Colombo in the old centre and at beach barracas on Ipanema. Caipirinhas and cold chopp beer accompany sunset snacks by the sea.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the iconic sands of Copacabana Beach
  • ✝️ Stand before Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain
  • 🚠 Take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for breathtaking views
São Paulo
A vibrant mix of culture and cuisine
8.0
Immigrants from Italy, Japan, Lebanon and Portugal shaped the city's food. Pizza, pastel, sushi and mortadella sandwiches all thrive here. Visitors can eat at the Mercado Municipal and in the Liberdade district. Fine dining restaurants, bakeries and wine bars fill Jardins and Pinheiros at night.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Admire street art at colorful Beco do Batman
  • 🌳 Relax in vast green Ibirapuera Park with museums
  • 🚶‍♀️ Walk vibrant Paulista Avenue, heart of São Paulo
Lima
Historic Charm Meets Coastal Vibes
7.3
Peruvian ceviche, tiradito and Nikkei fusion cooking define the capital's restaurants. Chefs like Gastón Acurio and Virgilio Martínez helped put Peruvian food on the world map. Visitors can eat at cevicherías in Miraflores and street stalls selling anticuchos. Several local restaurants regularly appear on Latin America's 50 Best list.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Stroll the scenic Malecón along the Pacific coast
  • 🎨 Visit the Museo Larco for ancient Peruvian art
  • 🏛️ Explore the historic Plaza de Armas and Cathedral
Salvador
Afro-Brazilian Soul on the Sea
6.6
Afro Brazilian cooking from Bahia uses palm oil, coconut milk and fresh seafood. Acarajé fritters, moqueca stew and vatapá are the region's classic dishes. Visitors can buy acarajé from baianas in white dresses in the Pelourinho old town. Mercado Modelo sells spices and sweets by the harbour.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Watch the sunset over All Saints Bay from the São Marcelo Fort
  • 🥁 Listen to live samba rhythms on the streets at night
  • 🎨 Explore the colorful Pelourinho district and its colonial architecture
Mendoza
Wine, Andes and Adventure Bliss
7.2
Malbec vineyards at the foot of the Andes make this a wine and food destination. Winery restaurants serve asado, empanadas and olive oil from nearby groves. Visitors can bike between cellars in Luján de Cuyo and Maipú. Long lunches under the mountains come with pairings and views.
Highlights:
  • 🍇 Join a tasting at a traditional Mendoza bodega
  • 🏔️ Drive along the scenic Route of the Andes to Aconcagua
  • 🍷 Tour vineyards and sample Malbec in the heart of wine country
Belo Horizonte
Modernist Marvels, Bars and Mountains
6.0
Hearty mountain cooking from Minas Gerais defines the local table. Pão de queijo, feijão tropeiro and tutu de feijão are regional staples. Visitors can eat at Mercado Central and lively botecos in Savassi. Comida di Buteco, an annual bar food contest, draws crowds every spring.
Highlights:
  • 🌇 Enjoy the city skyline from Mirante Mangabeiras viewpoint
  • 🖼️ Explore Inhotim, the world-renowned contemporary art museum and park
  • 🏛️ Visit Praça da Liberdade and its historic architectural landmarks
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