What to Know About Eating Out in Brazil: Big Plates & Easy Tipping
- MASX
- Jan 23
- 2 min read
Brazil is the kind of place where food is generous, flavors are comforting, and dining feels social. If you’re visiting for the first time, two things tend to surprise travelers the most: how big the portions are and how tipping actually works. Good news—both are easy to navigate once you know the local rhythm.
Brazilian Food Portions: Come Hungry (or Share!)
If there’s one universal truth about eating in Brazil, it’s this: portions are generous.
Many meals—especially lunch dishes—are designed to be shared. Ordering “for the table” isn’t just acceptable, it’s normal. In fact, if you order one main dish and a couple of sides, you might end up with enough food for two (or three).
A smart move for first-timers:
Start with one dish and see how big it is
Ask your server about portion size
Share plates with friends instead of ordering individually
And of course, you can’t leave without trying feijoada—Brazil’s iconic black bean and meat stew. It’s rich, filling, deeply local, and usually served with rice, greens, and farofa. This is definitely a “share with friends” kind of meal.
Tipping in Brazil: Relax, It’s Usually Covered
Tipping in Brazil is refreshingly simple.
Most restaurants automatically include a 10% service charge on the bill. That means you usually don’t need to tip extra—just check the receipt so you don’t tip twice. If the service was amazing and you want to add more, that’s up to you, but it’s not expected.
Here’s how it generally works:
Restaurants: 10% service charge is usually included
Taxis: No need to tip, but rounding up is polite
Hotels: Small tips for porters or housekeeping are optional and appreciated
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