Gramado eats like a hybrid of Brazil, Italy, and Switzerland. The German and Italian immigrant heritage shows up in pasta houses, fondue restaurants, and beer halls; the local twist is that fondue is the unofficial regional dish, served everywhere from rustic chalets to upscale dining rooms. The basic offering is the trio: fondue de queijo (cheese), fondue de carne (meat in oil), and fondue de chocolate (dessert).
Beyond fondue, look for arroz de carreteiro (a hearty regional rice dish with dried beef), galeto al primo canto (a southern-Italian-inspired roast chicken served by the bird), and excellent ice cream. Most of Gramado's restaurants cluster along Avenida Borges de Medeiros and around Rua Coberta.