Guide to typical seafood dishes from Santa Catarina

With a coastline of more than 500 kilometers, Santa Catarina has a strong connection with the sea, directly reflected in its gastronomy. The local cuisine is an attraction in itself, offering fresh and authentic dishes that delight locals and tourists. Among the unmissable experiences is the famous shrimp sequence, a true feast that represents the abundance and tradition of the region. This guide presents the typical seafood dishes you need to try in Santa Catarina for a complete immersion in local flavors.

SC’s main seafood dishes

The basis of coastal cuisine in Santa Catarina is fresh fish, shrimp, oysters and shellfish, prepared in ways that enhance the original flavor of the ingredient. Discover the classics:

• Shrimp Sequence: The most famous dish, especially in Florianópolis. It is a complete meal served in stages, with shrimp prepared in different ways.
• Mullet on Telha: A seasonal dish, typical of winter, when artisanal mullet fishing takes place. The fish is slowly roasted on a clay tile with vegetables and mush on the side.
• Fresh or grilled oysters: Santa Catarina is the largest oyster producer in Brazil. They can be consumed in naturewith lemon, or gratin with cheese and seasonings.
• Cockles in vinaigrette or cachaça: The cockle is a small mollusk, similar to the Vôngole, very common in the region. It is served as a snack, usually cooked in a simple vinaigrette sauce or flambéed in cachaça.
• Fish pirão: An essential accompaniment, made with fish cooking broth and cassava flour. It has a creamy texture and strong flavor, serving as a base for many dishes.

Understanding the classics: what to expect from each dish

To make the most of the experience, it’s important to know what makes up each dish. The shrimp sequence, for example, is more than a meal: it is a gastronomic ritual.

The Shrimp Sequence Experience

Served in generous portions, ideal for sharing, the sequence traditionally follows an order that explores different textures and flavors of the crustacean.

1. Prohibited: The meal usually starts with shrimp in garlic and oil, fried until golden and crispy.
2. Main dishes: Then, the breaded shrimp (breaded and fried) and a version with bread or in a creamy sauce, like bobó, arrive at the table.
3. Finishing: To top it off, a fried fish (usually anchovy or mullet) is served along with the classic accompaniments: white rice, fries, salad and, of course, a tasty fish pirão.

The tradition of mullet on the tile

This dish is a cultural symbol, especially during the months of May to July. The mullet is prepared whole, stuffed with roe or shrimp farofa, and slowly roasted on a ceramic tile, which guarantees uniform cooking and a unique flavor. It is served with potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and pirão.

Tips for an authentic gastronomic experience

To ensure your tasting is memorable, follow some practical tips when exploring the sea cuisine in Santa Catarina.

• Search by seasonality: Mullet is best in winter. Oysters and shrimp are available all year round, but freshness is always the main indicator of quality.
• Visit the right regions: For oysters, the Ribeirão da Ilha neighborhood, in Florianópolis, is a national reference. For shrimp sequences, Lagoa da Conceição and Costa da Lagoa are excellent options.
• Talk to locals: Fishermen and restaurant owners are the best sources of information about the fish of the day and the house specialties.
• Pair with local drinks: Try pairing the dishes with a local artisanal cachaça or locally produced beers, which complement the lightness of the seafood.

Exploring the cuisine of the sea in Santa Catarina is a journey of flavors that reveals the culture and lifestyle of the coast. Now that you know the essential dishes, such as the shrimp sequence and the mullet on the tile, you are ready to choose with confidence and enjoy one of the best cuisines in Brazil. Allow yourself to taste these delicacies and take home the authentic taste of the Santa Catarina sea.