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Varjota
For food lovers
📍 Photo of the area coming soon
Varjota
Behind Meireles lies the Polo Gastronômico: streets full of restaurants and bars, redesigned for pedestrians in 2020.
- 📍LocationBehind Meireles and Mucuripe
- 🍽️Polo GastronômicoMore than 110 venues
- 🛣️Revamped1.5 km of streets, 2020
- 🚶Centred onRua Frederico Borges and Ana Bilhar
About Varjota
What is Varjota like?
Varjota is known as Fortaleza’s eating-out district. In August 2020 the Polo Gastronômico da Varjota opened here: 1.5 km of streets between Rua Ana Bilhar and Rua Frederico Borges were given new paving, cycle lanes, wide pavements and raised crossings.
The aim was to put pedestrians first. More than 110 businesses line these streets: restaurants, bars and casual places for every budget.
✅ Good for
- Eating out, any night of the week
- Wandering from place to place
- Being close to the Meireles promenade
⚠️ Less good for
- A beach on your doorstep: the sea is a few blocks away
- Sightseeing: it is all about food here
- Quiet Friday and Saturday nights
Tip: Start on Rua Frederico Borges and walk towards Rua Ana Bilhar to see most of the Polo.
Experiences
Things to do in Varjota
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Polo Gastronômico
More than 110 restaurants, bars and casual eateries along revamped, pedestrian-friendly streets.
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An evening stroll
The streets were redesigned in 2020 with wide pavements, new lighting and raised pedestrian crossings.
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By bike
The Polo has cycle lanes; with Bicicletar you can ride from the Beira Mar to Varjota.
Featured in Varjota
Hotels, restaurants and tours in Varjota can feature here.
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Food and drink
See them in the guide →Eating in and around Varjota
Venues from our restaurant guide in Varjota and neighbouring Meireles. We are expanding our Varjota listings.
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GepposRestaurant · Meireles
🍽️Italian cooking with a Ceará touch. Known for Pargo da Praia: grilled fish with fried cassava, baião de dois and farofa.
VignoliRestaurant · Varjota
🍸Italian cooking, pizza and pasta, in Meireles and Varjota.
Austin PubBar & nightlife · Meireles
🍸Bar and nightclub with live music and cocktails, one of the busiest nightspots on the Meireles side.
Hoots GastropubBar & nightlife · Meireles
🍸Big venue with a garden and live music, mostly rock, for up to 600 people. Known for churrasco and craft draught beer.
Moleska GastrobarBar & nightlife · Meireles
🍸Bar and restaurant with happy hour, a private dining room and a focus on cocktails.
Vila CamaleãoBar & nightlife · Meireles
Cocktail bar with outdoor seating, open late on busy nights.
Where to stay
Hotels in Fortaleza →Staying in Varjota
For a hotel by the sea, look in Meireles; from there you can walk to Varjota for dinner.
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In Meireles
On or near the promenade, within walking distance of Varjota.
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Apartment
For longer stays there are apartments in the residential streets.
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A quiet night
Pick a street outside the Polo if you want to avoid weekend noise.
Location
Getting around Fortaleza →Getting around from Varjota
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On foot
Varjota is a walk from Meireles.
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Bike
The Polo has cycle lanes.
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Uber and 99
The easiest way back at night.
🛡️ Staying safe
In busy places
Keep your phone and bag close in crowds.
At night
Stick to busy, well-used streets and take an Uber or 99 for longer distances.
Swimming
Swim near a staffed lifeguard post and check the flags.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about Varjota
Why is Varjota known for food?
It is home to the Polo Gastronômico, with more than 110 venues on streets redesigned for pedestrians in 2020.
Where exactly is the Polo Gastronômico?
Around Rua Frederico Borges and Rua Ana Bilhar, behind Meireles.
Where should I stay if I want to eat in Varjota?
In Meireles, on the promenade: Varjota is a short walk away.
Sources: O POVO (2020): Polo Gastronômico da Varjota é inaugurado · Portal IN: Requalificação do Polo Gastronômico da Varjota
Nearby
All neighbourhoods →Neighbouring areas
SeafrontMeireles
The rebuilt Beira Mar promenade, the craft market every evening and plenty of hotels facing the sea.
See the neighbourhood →⚓Seafront
Mucuripe
The harbour at the end of the promenade, with fishing boats and the Mercado dos Peixes.
See the neighbourhood →
Behind MeirelesAldeota
Busy area right behind Meireles, with three shopping centres and lots of restaurants.
See the neighbourhood →Between Meireles and Praia do FuturoPapicu
Home of Shopping RioMar Fortaleza, with 400+ shops, a cinema and a theatre.
See the neighbourhood →Blog
Stories and tips
More about beaches, food and going out in Fortaleza.
Become a partner
A business in Varjota?
Let visitors to the neighbourhood know you are there, in 8 languages.
- Available in 8 languages, for an international audience
- Independent and editorially trustworthy
- Personal contact, no anonymous self-service portal
Become a partner
We are happy to discuss in person how to make your business visible.
See the options →Culture and history
All sights →Sights in Fortaleza
Nineteen places that explain how Fortaleza became the city it is, with what is open on each day, real walking times and a route for one day.
Varjota📷 Museu da Fotografia
A free museum full of photographs, open since 2017. On now: Fotofantasma and Territórios de si. With ramps, lifts and adapted toilets.
See this place →
Praia de Iracema🎭 Dragão do Mar
Two museums, a cinema, a theatre and open squares on one site, linked by a red footbridge. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 to 21:00.
See this place →
Centro⛪ Catedral Metropolitana
Two pointed spires above the centre. The first stone was laid in 1939 and the cathedral was inaugurated on 22 December 1978. Closed on Mondays.
See this place →