Brazilians who live in cities enjoy a much wider choice of food than people in the rural areas. Cola beverages, hamburgers, and wheat bread have become increasingly popular in Brazil's larger cities. The diet of wealthy city dwellers includes a variety of meats. In the rural areas and in poor sections of the cities, the chief foods are beans, a starchy root called cassava or manioc, and rice. Feijoada, Brazil's national dish, combines black beans, dried beef, and pork.

Brazilian cuisine shows a strong African influence in Bahia, where many people prepare dishes with bananas, coconuts, fish, palm oil, and hot peppers. Southern Brazil is known for churrasco, a selection of charcoal-broiled meats. Coffee is Brazil's chief drink. Brazilians also like batidas (sweet fruit beverages made with rum), beer, and a tealike drink called mate.

Brazilians love to eat on the street. Whether you want prawns, chicken, tapioca pancakes, coconut sweets, or corn on the cob, it can all be purchased on the street for next to nothing.