On the Hunt for the Best Acaí Brasil Has To Offer
March 15, 2018
Brasil is the land of happiness, sunshine, beer, and lots of delicious food. One of the staples that I couldn’t seem to avoid (and embraced every opportunity with a bright smile and ready stomach) on my two week trip to Brasil was the beloved açaí (açaí na tigela). Known to most North Americans as it made way into New York City/Los Angeles hip-eating-smoothie-bowl-fad, the origins of the açaí berry lies in in the heart of Brasil— the Amazonian rainforest. A proud staple of the locals, they will tell you that the açaí berry holds antioxidants and energy — their secret to staying active the whole day long.
Bitter, smooth, sweet, cold, refreshing. An açaí bowl (or sometimes served in a huge plastic cup) is the perfect breakfast, lunch, or snack to keep you cool and keep you full throughout the Brasilian sunshine days. In two weeks, I ate açaí each day, making it my mission to find the best of the best. Order it “completa,” “mista”, or “com banana e granola” to have the perfect, filling, and delicious treat.
*Hint: be sure to ask “sim açucar” (without sugar), but instead for it sweetened with guarana, the Brasilian syrup.
Copa Lima
(Rua Rodolfo Dantas, 110 – Copacabana)
The most delicious. You can’t miss this lachonetche (corner café) that resides only two blocks from the famous Copacabana beach. Look for the huddle of people holding their plastic cups filled with a rich purpley-pink mixture topped with bananas. Copa Lima is known to the Copacabana locals as THE place to get your açaí. The workers are constantly smiling, familiar with a tourist accent, and take about 25 seconds to whip up the best açaí — which I had three times in 2 days.
Price: topped with granola & bananas, 15 reals (about $5)
Tacaca do Norte
(Rua Barão do Flamengo 35- Flamengo)
The most authentic. If you ask a local where to find the best açaí, they will tell you that this is the most pure and original. Owned by a group of men from the Pará state of Brasil (gateway into the Amazon rainforest), the menu and the environment shows their dedication to simplicity and quality: tacaca (a shrimp stew), Casquinha de siri (shredded crab meat), and of course açaí na tigela. The taste of this açaí was unlike any other–sweet, airy, slightly bitter with hints of coffee, light and creamy. It was unreal, and it is a million percent worth it to pay a bit more to taste the most true and authentic flavor.
Price: 21 Reals (about $7)
Cultivar
(Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno, 124 – Santa Teresa)
The best bang for your buck. Residing in the hip Santa Teresa neighborhood, Cultivar sells organic, vegetarian products with an relaxed ambience. Upon walking into this small, unpretentious, delicious cafe you will see that açaí and pao de queijo— famous Brasilian cheese bread— are the must have combo at an unbeatable price. (For me, they have best pao de queijo in the entire city). For 7 reals, about $2.25, order yourself an açaí na tigela and top it off with homemade granola as you people watch in the city’s most artistic neighborhood. Guilty: I ate here three times.
Beware! There is no sign outside — just look for everyone with a smile and their açaí in tow.
Happy eating!
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These shots make me hungry 🙂 I wanna try this authentic food, it looks delicious.
I’ve never tried any Acai that looked like this! It’s good to understand the best places to try something so authentic. If I ever get to Brasil, I want to go here!
I haven’t heard about açaí, but then I saw them in Split. Didn’t try though, every time I passed through the stall I was not hungry, lol
I’ve heard of acai berries but I’ve definitely never heard of açaí before. Definitely a great opportunity to try out some local cuisine when you’re there in Brazil. You know you’ve gotten quite the treat when you go back to the same restaurant thrice!
They all looks absolutely delicious! The granola and banana would be my go to I reckon! Thanks for sharing:)
Seems your hunt for the best acai proved fruitful! I loved my time in Rio – there was a corner shop/stand that sold all types of smoothies and acai and my sister and I frequented it almost daily during our time there. I hope to go back and follow this acai crawl you’ve created!
Cultivar seems to be the place. $2.25! Really? That acai looks amazing! The Copa Lima one looks way more filling though. Plus I love bananas.
This article is delicious 🙂 I would die for some açaí with bananas. They all look super tasty!
I’ve never tried acai before but I hear its sort of a wonder food! I suppose if it can keep you active for the entire day it must be! I think you went on a hunt for acai like I usually hunt for coffee!