turismo ·
What to eat in the Triple Frontier: flavors of three countries
Arab food in Foz, chipa and Paraguayan soup, parrilla and Argentine empanada
In the Triple Frontier you taste three cultures in a single day: in Foz do Iguaçu, the strong Arab heritage (esfiha, kibbeh, shawarma) and gaúcho barbecue; in Paraguay, chipa, Paraguayan soup, and ice-cold tereré; in Argentina, parrilla, empanadas, and alfajor. It is one of Brazil's most multicultural destinations at the table.
Eating on the border means traveling through the three countries at a leisurely pace. What to try on each side:
Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) — the Arab and gaúcho table:
- Arab food: Foz has one of the largest Arab communities in the country. Esfiha, kibbeh, hummus, shawarma, and sweets like baklava are easy to find downtown.
- Barbecue and the cuisine of the South, a legacy of gaúcho settlement.
Ciudad del Este and Paraguay — Guaraní flavors:
- Chipa: the starch-and-cheese bread roll, sold everywhere
- Paraguayan soup: despite the name, it is a savory cake of cornmeal, cheese, and onion
- Tereré: chilled yerba mate, a national institution in the heat
- Cassava (mandi'o) in everything
Puerto Iguazú and Argentina — parrilla and dulce de leche:
- Parrilla: the Argentine barbecue, with bife de chorizo and provoleta
- Empanadas baked, filled with beef, chicken, or cheese
- Alfajor and everything with dulce de leche
- A good Malbec to go with it
Trinational tip: you can have breakfast in Brazil, lunch on a parrilla in Argentina, and dinner with chipa in Paraguay — all in the same day, with the right crossings.
Source: Marco Três newsroom · verified in Jun/2026
Frequently asked questions
- What typical food should I eat in Foz do Iguaçu?
- Foz has a strong Arab heritage — esfiha, kibbeh, shawarma, and sweets like baklava — plus barbecue and the cuisine of southern Brazil.
- What to try in Paraguay on the border?
- Chipa (starch-and-cheese bread roll), Paraguayan soup (a savory cornmeal cake), tereré (chilled yerba mate), and cassava dishes.
- What is the typical food of Puerto Iguazú and Argentina?
- Parrilla (Argentine barbecue), empanadas, alfajor, and dulce de leche, paired with a good Malbec.
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✓ Marco Três fact-check
Content verified by the newsroom based on an official source: Redação Marco Três. Last checked: 6/14/2026. Found something inaccurate? We fix it fast. How we work.