Guia Cultural da Costa Verde

Paraty • Paraty

QUIOSQUE DO LAPINHA

Quality in genuine caiçara cooking

At one end of Praia do Pontal from where a beautiful sunset may be admired, this much sought after kiosk is famous for its memorable stuffed shrimp – typical caiçara fare prepared with giant shrimp and seasoned farofa with small shrimp – that captivates the eyes as well as the palate. The place is simple yet it enthralls due to its cooking, the informal open-air atmosphere in a seaside scenario and the lively combination of tourists and locals who visit this venue. There is usually live music on weekends, when musicians from the region get together to play and end up by spreading their cheerfulness to everybody.

This small business has a respected 60-year history, having functioned at the start in a house and now installed on the beach for the last 12 years. The owner Antônio Lapa, nicknamed Lapinha by his close friends, takes care of the kitchen and prepares dishes together with his brother, four offspring who wait on customers, and faithful friend Julio Cezar, who has worked for the family for 50 years. According to Lapinha, his grandparents “invented” the famous stuffed shrimp, a dish that has become a tradition in the region’s restaurants.

Another Lapinha specialty is the seafood spaghetti, enough to serve four persons. The menu lists plenty of delicious recipes such as fried fish fillet or tranche, seafood stew, squid, shrimp, mussels in vinaigrette, squid, shrimp or seafood risotto, among other delicacies. A very cold beer and fruit caipirinha go well with the fare, the latter made with Corisco cachaça from Paraty.

The kiosk stays open until the last customer and receives cash or checks only, as credit card machines do not work here. This attraction is a must for anyone wishing to spend an informal day with genuine caiçara cooking, in a more than original setting.

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