While traveling in Belo Horizonte, a few locals who I'd met up with recommended Topo do Mundo as it…read morehad a "breathtaking" view. Traveling around the US, I've seen some pretty grand sights but I do have to admit that Topo do Mundo has an unforgettable one. The view is one thing but the cuisine is quite another... The food, itself, was awful. I could not put a stronger emphasis on awful, I would have fed it to dogs if there were any in sight. At one point, someone in my group asked our waiter, "what store did you buy this at?" We went with the sirloin steak, lamb, vegetable fries, tater tots (it came with my meal), and orange juices all around. I must admit, the juice was pretty damn good. But Tropicana's never failed me. The steak was cooked in a pan (it seems) and was not palatable unless dipped in this mysterious sauce that was supplied with it. The tater tots that came with my meal are tough to describe... If I could illustrate what these might taste like, I would ask you, the reader, to find a nearest dirty chalkboard and lick it. I imagine these tots would be in line with that. Honestly, I could talk about how terrible the food was for our entire group (we had 7) but I'll just close this rating by saying that I gave this restaurant 1 star for the view.

When a restaurant is called surubim na braza, what else do you need to know when ordering? The…read moreindividual portion is plenty filling with a side of potatoes and rice. I enjoyed it so much I went back with a co-worker (we were both on business travel in Brazil). The fish is a river fish of Brazil. They cut the fish into fillets (rare to get a bone, but look out for them as they are big and flat), marinate it in a tomato based sauce, then cook it in fire to give it a wonderful smoky flavor. The skewer also has onions cooked in the same way and they are phenomenal. When I visit Sao Jose dos Campos, I love Villa Velha for their pintado na braza. I think I found a new favorite fish in Belo Horizonte. We even had a local playing guitar and singing the last time I visited. Perfect.

From the inventive decor that makes the restaurant look like a fish market (which it is) to the…read moresimple and fresh seafood, this is a fun place to visit when in BH. The fresh oysters are wonderful, as well as the simple, plump and fresh shellfish they serve up. Very casual dinning experience.

This is probably the nicest restaurant in Shopping Cidade. One floor higher than the praça da…read morealimentação (food court), and opposite the cinema, Almanaque has indoor and 'outdoor' seating, some great options for a Brazilian bite, and a good collection of drinks including cocktails and craft beers. We visited on a Monday evening when it was nice and quiet; may be different on other days/times. Service was ok. The feijão tropeiro was really delicious, with excellent pork and quality ingredients (and cheap too). We'd return just for this! Yum!!

From the owner: O Restaurante Patuscada, eleito melhor restaurante de Belo Horizonte pela Revista Veja em 2006, é…read moreespecializado em pratos da culinária internacional e comandado pelo chef Clóvis Viana, também eleito como melhor chefe pela Revista Veja no mesmo ano. Além de petiscos, o cardápio inclui massas, risotos, carnes, aves, peixes e frutos do mar, e uma adega recheada com cerca de 200 rótulos de vinhos. O Patuscada também é uma boa pedida para a hora do almoço, com pratos executivos e sugestões semanais do Chef, e para happy hours. Um dos petiscos que são sucesso no cardápio, é o "Sinfonia do Mar", servido com Lula, lagosta ao Molho de Vinho Branco e Manteiga com Ervas. Outra sugestão é a Costelinha Defumada com Jiló e Polenta Frita. Aos sábados, serve feijoada completa ao som de música ao vivo. Com cozinha aberta para visitação, o Patuscada tem um mezanino e mesas distribuídas pela calçada, em uma vizinhança tranquila e arborizada. Também possui espaço exclusivo para eventos personalizados.