The fact that a restaurant as excellent and well-established as Caminho do Ouro has no reviews…read morespeaks to the fact that Brazil's charming colonial town, Paraty, is barely represented on Yelp. This is Tripadvisor country (so far), a fact I'm doing my best to remedy.
This though, is how I came to discover Caminho do Ouro. Having no Yelp to consult I'd had an awful meal elsewhere days earlier. I was determined that situation not be repeated so, against my nature, I scoured Tripadvisor. There, Caminho do Ouro is a (possibly "the") top-rated Paraty restaurant.
On a rain-soaked evening my son and I found Caminho do Ouro in the town's historic district. As we entered, the only other diners there were departing. Apart from the workers, we had the entire restaurant to ourselves which seems like a crime given the quality of what this kitchen produces. A Tripadvisor reviewer had noted that his only complaint about the place was how quiet/sedate the restaurant was so I'm hoping this isn't a trend. Based upon my single visit I think this restaurant deserves to be packed.
Between the two of us we consumed a filet mignon entree served alongside a creamy polenta and a shrimp risotto entree. There were so many "oohs", "aahs", and "mmmms" coming from my table that I'm rethinking things: perhaps it was a good thing the restaurant was empty. This food - the beef especially - inspired my son and I to both remark, weeks after the fact, that we wish we could go back and repeat that meal. We're still wishing.
Caminho do Ouro is a quietly elegant, artful restaurant serving positively luscious food. If you're looking for an evening meal in Paraty - perhaps a romantic spot for 2 - you can stop looking. You might even want to return again the following night. Caminho do Ouro is very, very good.
(Meal for 2, tax & tip included: $44 US; are you booking your plane ticket about now)?
