Ouro Prêto Restaurants

Just down the hill from Praça Tiradentes, Casa do Ouvidor offers a large menu with regional, national, and international dishes. It also has an extensive wine list.

I had lunch here, with a guide, in 1998 and dinner, with my wife, in 2008. Both meals were superb.

Favorite Dish: In 2008:

1) Tournedos á Rossini, R$24 (US$16): succulent Brazilian beef with vegetable garnishes.

2) Tutu Mineiro, R$22 (US$14.67) Beans with bacon fat, cooked the day before; beans puréed and spread on manioc flour, with Calabrian sausage and french fries on top. (Tutu mineiro is a relative of feijoada, Brazil's national dish, served everywhere on Saturdays.)

A 'kilo' (or 'quilo') is a buffet restaurant that charges you by the weight of your food: that is, an ounce of chicken costs the same as an ounce of lettuce.

Maximus is one of the best kilos I've eaten in. The dozen or so dishes are well prepared and there is no skimping on the favorites (like beef, chicken, beans, and rice).

There are a half–dozen tables on the ground floor (where the buffet is located) and several more on the second floor.

Favorite Dish: Chicken roasted to perfection.

My meal — chicken legs (2), french fries, beans, and rice — cost R$6,40; a coke added R$2,50. Total: US$5.90.

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The buffet expanded greatly between my two luncheons at Casa dos Contos — the first in May 1998, the second in June 2008. There were, for example, many more salad makings and three (3) different bean dishes.

The 2008 price for the buffet was R$20 (about US$13) — and well worth it.

The restaurant takes all major credit cards.

Favorite Dish: Roast chicken (I eat legs only) smothered with soupy beans.

With the closing of Le Coq d'Or at the Hotel Solar NS do Rosario, Bené da Flauta now serves the closest to gourmet meals in Ouro Prêto.

The restaurant is located in an early 18th century building -- with enormously high ceilings -- that was once part of the nearby St Francis of Assisi Church complex.

Favorite Dish: My wife raved about the grilled trout au caper with ruddy potatoes (R$29, about US$19 in June 2008).

I enjoyed Lamb carré in Port wine with Moroccan couscous (at R$65, or US$43).

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This restaurant is in an 18th century building, typical of those in Ouro Preto. It is rustic, with exposed beams, and it has a very cozy atmosphere. The food was served buffet style, and we selected our choices from rustic bowls.

I have a few other photos of the restaurant, so don't forget to take a look!

Favorite Dish: I would like to name the dishes, but to tell the truth, nothing was labeled, and I am not familar with the proper names of these dishes. However, I can say that the food is "comfort food" which means that you can expect hearty dishes like stewed chicken, beans, rice, beef, heart of palm...it is all very delicious, so just dig in and enjoy!

The tipical plates in Ouro Preto are " FEIJAO TROPEIRO " (beans,manioc flour and meat all cooked together,delicious but heavy stuff!!),and " TUTU " (smashed beans served with cole ).
Most of the tipical restaurants are located in " TIRADENTES SQUARE ",in the city center.
Here's a picture of the square.

With just a little time,you can wonder freely between a world of history and that of actuality,with limits outlined by colonial architeture,that now houses charming inns,restaurants,museums,shops and more.

The local 'typical' food is excellent. Try to get off the main square. Try the 'feijao'.