Pão de queijo, which can be translated as “cheese bread”, is a street snack in the southeast of Brazil and, increasingly, the rest of the country. Hot dogs are often sold with grated cheese, grilled onions, mayonnaise, green peas or mashed potatoes (São Paulo only) as choice of toppings. Hamburgers are also offered with a wide assortment of toppings, such as mozzarella cheese, bacon, eggs, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard, the popular “X-Tudo” (or cheese-all, a souped up cheeseburger). Calabresa (Pepperoni) sausage sandwiches are also popular.

Rio de Janeiro beach vendors are famous for their Mate Gelado (yerba mate iced-tea), biscoitos de polvilho (sour manioc flour puffs), roasted peanuts and queijo coalho (grilled cheese on sticks, barbecued on the spot) as well as popsicles, cold beer and home-made sandwiches (sanduiche natural). In the northeastern state of Bahia, the region’s African heritage is reflected in the iconic acarajé (deep fried black eyed pea bun filled with caruru, made from salted dried shrimp, and vatapá, a creamy combination of coconut milk, palm oil and cashew nuts) or sweets like cocada (candied coconut) and pé-de-moleque (peanut brittle).

All over the country, popcorn is always offered in push carts both salty or sweet (with sugar and cocoa powder). Churros push carts (sausage shaped deep fried dough filled with a choice of doce-de-leite caramel or chocolate sauce) are also found on any major city street.