5 Great Restaurants in Arraial d’Ajuda

Manguti is a longstanding Arraial d’Ajuda institution specializing in homemade Italian-style fare. The perennially popular restaurant has been serving up hearty Mediterranean treats like gnocchi and filet mignon since 1989. If you’d rather savor local flavors, try the delicious moqueca (a Brazilian fish stew) instead.

Conveniently located on the village’s main thoroughfare, Rua do Mucugê, the popular spot serves flocks of tourists each day. Don’t expect lightning-fast service during peak periods, though it’ll be worth the wait. Fair prices and enormous portions (many couples opt to share) make the place even more worthwhile.

Restaurante Paulo Pescador is your go-to venue for scrumptious freshly caught seafood in Arraial d’Ajuda. A Brazillian fisherman named Paulo Roberto (known as Paulo Pescador) founded this legendary restaurant in 1989 with his wife, Capixaba Yonala. Although the couple wedded after dating for just 4 days, their marriage (and the restaurant) has lasted for decades. Paulo retired in 2020, leaving his wife and children to run the restaurant.

Expect delicious seafood salads, hearty shrimp-infused stews, and delicate fish fillets on Restaurante Paulo Pescador’s menu. All ingredients come straight from local fishermen that day. It gets busy, so be prepared to wait.

Portinha is a good value por kilo joint in Arraial d'Ajuda serving unique themed cuisines each day of the week. Spanning traditional Brazillian fare to international flavors from Arabia, Europe and Asia, the rotating buffet menu is a surefire hit. Live music, a leafy patio, and amicable service complement the food.

If you’re unfamiliar with the por kilo concept, diners stock up from a buffet and weigh their lunch at the counter for billing. Despite the high-quality cuisine, it remains exceptionally well-priced. The popular franchise has expanded throughout Bahia since its inauguration in 1982. Nowadays, over 80,000 people dine at Portinha every year.

Restaurante Rabanete is a wonderful place to try authentic Brazillian gastronomy at an affordable price in Arraial d'Ajuda. This elegant por kilo (food per kilogram) establishment specializes entirely in local flavors, with Bahian dishes featuring heavily on the buffet. Meat-eaters can browse an impressive selection of juicy cuts, while vegetarians and vegans also have ample choice.

There’s a sheer variety on offer. From broiled fish to fresh salads and decadent sugar-laden desserts, there’s bound to be something that’ll please each member of your group. Most sit outside on the sidewalk patio or leafy garden. Both come shrouded in luscious jungle-like greenery.  

No-frills Espaço Chapa 6 em 1 is a top spot in Arraial d'Ajuda to fuel up with filling Brazillian fare at rock bottom prices. Although the restaurant specializes in local cuisine, you’ll find a few international favorites on the menu as well. Their wood-fired pizzas are particularly popular. Each comes smothered in a thick layer of quality toppings.

If you don’t want to venture to the other side of town, the restaurant does home delivery for a reasonable fee. And if hunger pangs strike in the middle of the night (or you need a post-party fill-up), the place is open 24/7.