With a city as diverse and multifaceted as Curitiba, you’d probably expect its downtown area to be a melting pot of the cultures that make the city so unique. If so, you’d be right. The busy downtown area is full of European influences, including the old buildings and streetcars along its pedestrian street.
The History of Curitiba
There are also caramelized pumpkins, which add a nice sweetness to the savory, salty, oily, and crunchy meal. I also can’t recommend the spicy asado eggplant enough. I love eggplant, and when you add chilies to it, it changes the game in the best possible way!
With its central location and comfortable accommodations, the Intercity Curitiba Batel is a top-notch choice for travelers. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. The staff is friendly and it offers everything you could possibly want. Staying there is easily one of the top things to do in Curitiba, Brazil!
Then, my friend and guide Guilherme and I went with a type of croqueta called a bolinho for a quick snack. They’re essentially ground beef fritters with molten cheese inside, served with mustard and a spicy sauce.
PHONE: +55 41 3286-8033
Centro, Curitiba, Paraná 80020-010
These sprawling, French-style botanical gardens have been one of Curitiba’s main tourist sites since it opened in 1991. Visiting them is easily one of the best things to do in Curitiba, Brazil. The gardens encompass neat, impeccably-manicured grounds that feature evergreen hedgerows, bright and healthy-looking grass, and thousands of vibrant flowers.
Modern-Day Curitiba
As I mentioned earlier, even though Curitiba was founded by the Portuguese, its Italian influences also run deep. One of my favorite spots in town to see and feel those nuggets of Italian culture is Lucca Cafés Especiais.
R. Mateus Leme, 5981
Lucca Cafés Especiais
Villa Rosa Brasil Restaurante
Intercity Curitiba Batel
4 Beans Coffee Co.
Visit Jardim Botânico de Curitiba
Avenida João Cualberto, 1817
Brazil
My time in Curitiba was quick but eventful, and took my taste buds on a mouthwatering journey through its eclectic food and coffee culture. And while Curitiba’s famously rainy weather was on full display for most of my visit, it couldn’t put a damper on my excitement.
The coffee comes in a satchel almost like a large teabag. They place it inside your cup, open it up, and then pour the hot water inside. The result is an intensely fresh brew that helps kick start your day!
Today, Curitiba is one of the safest Brazilian cities, as well as the best big city in the country to call home, according to Reader’s Digest. It’s also known for its sustainable urban development.
Jardim Botânico de Curitiba
Centro, Curitiba, Paraná
Brazil
Brazil
Abranches, Curitiba, Paraná 82130-085
Pizzaria Itália
BONUS: Eat at Gringo Dog Colombia
The European influences in southern Brazil are as abundant as they are varied. One of these diverse influences from across the pond can be seen in one of the city’s most famous attractions, Jardim Botânico de Curitiba.
Bar Stuart also offers several exotic dishes, including bull testicles and fried crocodile tail. The crocodile tail is dense and gamy but goes well with chimichurri, manioc flour, and spring onions served on the side. If you’re an adventurous eater like I am, you shouldn’t pass it up!
During the 1700s, the settlers in Curitiba took advantage of its favorable location for cattle breeding, which saw the city expand. Later in its history, in the 19th and 20th centuries, logging and other agricultural practices such as coffee, mate, corn, soybean, and wheat cultivation, then led to more expansions.
While the pastel was heavenly on its own, I also recommend adding some chili sauce if you like your food to have a kick to it. The heat and flavor of the chilies tie everything together and creates a flavor profile you won’t be able to get enough of. And, best of all, at just R$ 24 (just under USD), it’s practically a steal!
Conclusion
Boqueirão, Curitiba, Paraná 81750-400
Curitiba was founded by the Portuguese in March of 1693 under the name “Vila da Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais.” The name, which translates to “Village of Our Lady of the Light of the Pines, changed to “Curitiba” in 1721.
