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As the capital, Brasília attracts citizens from throughout the country as well as dignitaries from around the world. You can find a variety of regional cuisines as well as international fare. Brasília also has plenty of "per kilo" restaurants, usually decently priced cafeteria-like places where you pay according to the weight of your plate. Barring the fish dishes, the food in the Pantanal is neither as interesting nor as flavorful as that found elsewhere in the country. That said, the food is hearty, and the meals are large; affordable all-you-can-eat buffets are everywhere.
This attractively located pizzeria, situated right by the futuristic Ponte JK on the shores of Paranoá Lake, is a surprisingly good value for such a fashionable spot. Diners can choose from a selection of wood-fired pizzas—try the four-flavor sinfonia di sapori, or opt for the buffet of pastas and salads. At lunchtime, take advantage of the set meals with an open salad buffet, reasonably priced by this city's standards.
One of the largest restaurants you may ever eat in, Mangai specializes in cuisine from Brazil's Northeast and has seating for up to 900 people—you still may have to wait for a table. Located near the Ponte JK, Mangai charges R$59.90 for a kilo of food, which you serve up yourself from a vast buffet at the back of the dining hall. Try the carne de sol com nata (sun-dried meat in cream) or the tasty shrimp dish gororoba de camarão.
