If you are currently living in Curitiba or you’re looking forward to visit this city, check out our series of posts about the neighborhoods of the Paraná’s Capital:

Bigorrilho

Bigorrilho, also known as Champagnat, has the highest concentration of buildings in Curitiba. Bigorrilho has many restaurants, it’s a safe place and it has easy access by bus. This neighborhood holds two very important squares for Curitiba:

Praça Espanha in Bigorrilho

Praça da Espanha is Curitiba’s most famous square. Surrounded by bars and restaurants, this place offers entertainment for all ages. During the day you will see families, people walking their dogs, yoga classes and an antique market on sundays. When it’s sunny people like to go to Praça da Espanha and the bars near it to have a beer.

Praça Ucrânia fair

Every friday night there’s a street food market at Praça da Ucrânia. There you will find different cuisines from all over the world and people of all ages. This street fair has become a tradition in Curitiba and it opens from 5:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. The only problem is that if you’re driving, you’re gonna have a bad time finding a parking space. So take the bus or a taxi, it will be easier.

Juvevê

What used to be residential neighborhoods are now becoming a good alternative for those who want to escape Batel. Juvevê has the best location of all three, very close to Curitiba’s downtown. There you will find many restaurants, with worldwide cuisines and bars that became tradition for the locals.

If you’re a fan of italian food you can’t miss Mangiare Felice, an italian restaurant that has been in Curitiba for 20 years.

Also, every saturday from early morning until lunchtime there’s a street fair at  Rua Alberto Bolliger, where you can find fresh fruits and vegetables, although, what really matters is the pastel. This fair has the best pastel in Curitiba – in my opinion – and it’s a great option for a casual lunch. When the fair ends, don’t be afraid to walk around the streets to look for drinks, there are plenty of bars near. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon at Bar do Dante, Capitu, Rock’a Birra, Jacobina and Baroneza. Also, Brazilian Experience’s office is in the neighborhood!

For those with a sweet tooth, A Familiar is a pastry shop that became tradition in Curitiba. This place has been around for 28 years and you must try the famous madrilenho.

Alto da XV

Alto da XV is also well located, right next to Juvevê, with really easy access to Curitiba’s downtown. But “alto” in portuguese means “high”, so if you’re going there from downtown, make sure to take the bus or a taxi, it’s a long way up.

Alto da XV is a very safe neighborhood, mostly residential, but Rua Itupava became an important piece of Curitiba’s nightlife. The whole street is filled with bars and restaurants, and you will find people of every age enjoying a good meal or a few drinks. Definetly a must do, if you want to avoid the cliché of going to Batel.

Cabral

The high point of Cabral is its bus station. From there you will be able to get around the whole city. Be careful with pickpockets on the station and inside the bus. The maps on the bus station and in every bus stop in Curitiba can be quite confusing. It’s better to check your route on google than trying to figure out those maps.

Cabral is very close to Curitiba’s Civic Center and to Alto da XV. On Avenida Munhoz da Rocha and its surroundings you will find most of Cabral’s restaurants.