Discover the Delights of Belo Horizonte’s Central Market

Explore the Vast Central Market with a Chef. Immerse Yourself in This Experience and Taste the Best of Minas Gerais Cuisine.

Affectionately nicknamed BH (pronounced Beagá) by its residents, Belo Horizonte offers a true immersion in Minas Gerais cuisine. Indeed, the state’s cuisine is a major attraction, and the capital’s Central Market is a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience this world. With so many flavors, colors, stimuli, and options, the best approach is to lose yourself and discover each corner gradually.

Did you know? Belo Horizonte holds the title of UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy. The capital of Minas Gerais is internationally recognized for its creativity and gastronomic attributes, such as fairs, renowned chefs, restaurants, traditional dishes, and much more. Well deserved!

The Hub of Minas Gerais Cuisine

Belo Horizonte’s Central Market has been named the third best market in the world by “TAM nas Nuvens” magazine. For over nine decades, the site, with more than 400 stores, has been a tourist attraction for visitors and a meeting point for locals. There, you will find typical products, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, snacks, crafts, drinks for all tastes and budgets, and, of course, lots of people.

It is truly a unique space, blending tradition and modernity and enchanting with its singularity. Chefs and those seeking fresh ingredients and rare spices always frequent the market. And it’s no wonder. All the most notable features of Minas Gerais culture add charm and personality to Belo Horizonte’s most beloved market.

A Complete Immersion with a Chef

Now, imagine exploring the vastness of the Central Market with a chef by your side. An incredible tour with a professional who will unveil all the secrets of the colors, aromas, and flavors of Minas Gerais cuisine.

It all begins upon arrival at the market’s vastness. The chef will navigate through its corridors, stopping at strategic shops to showcase the best offerings. Moreover, you’ll dive into the history of Minas Gerais cuisine. I assure you, you’ll be amazed by everything you see on this tour.

And where does the eating part come in? Right from the start. There are various tasting moments of cheeses, cold cuts, sweets, jams, fruits, and more. Throughout the tour, the chef will select ingredients to prepare a meal for the group. Your mind will wander, imagining how the dish will turn out.

After the tour and ingredient selection, the chef will give a cooking class on how to prepare the day’s dishes. It’s a true show, with many explanations about flavor combinations. I’m sure you’ll be drooling until it’s time to taste the dishes. The choice of what will be served depends on the day and the ingredients available at the market, but I guarantee they will be typical dishes from Minas Gerais.

You Can’t Leave Without Trying a Bit of Everything

Take advantage of being at the market to try some dishes that are hits among visitors. I’ll warn you, you can’t leave without trying the famous Minas Gerais cheese bread, accompanied by freshly brewed coffee. A perfect combination.

But if you enjoy bars with cold beer and snacks, you’ll be in paradise. Grab your drink and enjoy dishes like liver with jiló – the best-seller at the market – pork belly crackling with molasses, tropeiro beans with fried egg, tapioca cubes with Canastra cheese, steamed ribs, and onion sautéed chorizo.

Oh, and don’t miss the famous Minas Gerais mixed dish where a single plate brings together the best, such as rice, vegetables, pork loin, homemade sausage, pork strip, fried quail egg, and a special green seasoning. And don’t leave the market without trying a good Minas Gerais cachaça, a sugarcane brandy considered the national alcoholic beverage of Brazil.

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