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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 is an unpretentious place to try local fish; don't miss the delicious piraputanga, a local fish prepared in a stew or fried. Other options are the pintado (a large freshwater fish) and pacu (a small piranha-like fish). All orders include a side serving of pirão (a thick fish gravy with cassava flour) and banana frita (fried bananas).
