Porto Velho Amazon Table: Tambaqui, Açaí & River Fish
Porto Velho's food is western Amazon — the tambaqui fish is the city's culinary obsession, açaí comes from the forest, and the Bolivian and indigenous influences add dimensions not found further east
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Tambaqui: Amazon's finest fish
The tambaquin—a large, fatty stingray that feeds on fallen forest fruits—is widely considered the Amazon's finest eating fish; the ribs grilled over charcoal (costela de tambaqui) is Porto Velho's signature dish
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Peixe na Brasa (Grilled River Fish)
The simple preparation of whole river fish grilled over charcoal — with lime, salt and cassava flour — is the most honest and delicious way to eat the freshwater bounty of the Madeira River
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Açaí da Floresta
The açaí from the forests of Rondônia—not the cultivated version—has a more complex, earthier flavor; eaten with cassava flour and sugar (not as a sweetened smoothie) it is the traditional Amazon energy food
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Bolivian Food Influence
Proximity to Bolivia has introduced Bolivian cuisine to Porto Velho — salteñas (Bolivian empanadas), sopa de maní (peanut soup) and majao (rice with dried beef) can be found in the city's restaurants catering to the Bolivian community
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Tucumã ice cream
The Tucumã palm fruit – with its orange-yellow flesh and unique flavor – is eaten fresh and used in ice cream in Porto Velho; The tucumã sorbet is the city's most distinctive dessert
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Night Market Riverside
The night market on Porto Velho beach - with grilled fish, tacacá and açaí vendors - is the most atmospheric way to eat in the city; the river breeze and the sound of Madeira accompany the dinner