3 Best Restaurants in The South, Brazil

On a leafy square in an upscale suburb, this place serves contemporary cuisine at its most creative. The eponymous chef offers a tasting menu (which must be booked the day before) of small, stunning dishes that are loaded with flavor. The dazzle and glitz extends to the space—all grays and blacks with mirrors and LED tube lights, with a well-dressed clientele. À la carte options are also available, and the wine list is extensive, albeit with few Brazilian options.

Decked out in purple leathers and black laminate, L’Assiette Cozinha de Autor has an enviable location looking out over the sweeping bay in Balneário Camboriú. Unlike the decor, there’s nothing of dubious taste on the menu here, with imaginative dishes emerging from a small kitchen. For maximum Franco-Brazilian flair, adventurous diners should book ahead to try the chef’s excellent tasting menu (six courses R$128, nine courses R$178), packed with surprises like a trio of tomatoes (powder, jelly, and chutney) and funghi ice cream with white chocolate foam.

A top-end option in Curitiba, Restaurant Manu is an intimate spot with a dozen tables, and a constantly evolving menu that emphasizes local ingredients with creative flair. Submit to one of chef Manu’s tasting menus—3 courses (R$118), 7 courses (R$158), or 11 courses (R$190)—for a show-and-tell of bite-sized dishes and surprising combinations: think seared fish with bacon, caramel, and sour melon. For a behind-the-scenes view, book the table by the kitchen window, just inches away from where the dishes are plated up. Expect to pay top dollar for wine.