The cuisine in Minas Gerais is alluring not only because it’s the most traditional in Brazil, but, above all, because it is composed of dishes that are rich in flavor and full of history. To taste this most diverse palette of flavors – from the pão de queijo (cheese bread), to cahcaça, to feijão tropeiro (tropeiro beans), the frango com quiabo e angú (chicken stew with polenta and okra) and the beef seasoned with ora-pronóbis – is one of the main pre-requisites for feeling oneself at home in Minas Gerais.

When tasting these dishes, the visitor may also learn about the State’s history. Its cooking is considered genuinely Brazilian because it incorporated indigenous, African and European influences that exist in many recipes that arose from “backyard” ingredients, such as chicken, pork, cheeses, corn, tubers, herbs and regional vegetables.

The menu of Minas Gerais is composed of innumerable delicacies that are prepared on the wood stove, including scones, cookies, cakes and the authentic Minas Gerais pão de queijo (cheese bread), which has already won over the tastes of Brazilians and foreigners alike. Those who come to Minas Gerais are impressed by the excellence of its famous cheeses (such as the Canastra and Serro varieties), by its doce de leite (sweet made from milk) and by its cachaças, many of which are handmade and renowned the best in Brazil.

Belo Horizonte is considered to be the city that has the most bars of any city in Latin America. To sit down among friends, shoot the breeze and savor the famous and irresistible appetizers is an experience that tourists mustn’t miss. Visitors also have the option of enjoying traditional Minas cuisine, as well as sophisticated contemporary and international restaurants.

In addition to the traditional delicacies that can be savored anywhere in the State, gastronomic events and competitions occur throughout the year, such as the Comida di Buteco, in Belo Horizonte, the Festa do Queijo (Cheese Fest), in Serro, and the Festival Internacional de Cultura e Gastronomia (International Culture and Gastronomy Festival) which is held in Tiradentes.