In this guide
To pick a restaurant in Santa Rita, think about the kind of food and the timing: the town has a strong southern-Brazilian influence, so churrasco and long family tables matter, and during the Expo Santa Rita, from late April to early May, everything fills up. If you are passing through, the urban center sits right on Route PY06, so you will not need a big detour.
What kind of food will you find?
Santa Rita was settled from the 1970s by families from southern Brazil, many of German and Italian descent, and is now one of the largest Brazilian-Paraguayan (brasiguayo) communities in the country, according to Portuguese Wikipedia (opens in a new tab). Portuguese is heard every day, people drink chimarrão, and churrasco gatherings are part of social life.
That shows at the table. Before choosing, decide what you want:
- Churrasco or grill: for a long lunch or a group meal. Ask whether it is rodizio, all-you-can-eat buffet or à la carte, since the final bill changes a lot.
- Quick lunch or pay-by-weight buffet: if you are working or on the road.
- Paraguayan food: also around; ask about the menú del día.
- Pizza, burgers or a casual dinner: mostly on weekends.
Where to look if you are on the highway?
Route PY06 crosses Santa Rita north to south through the urban center, according to Wikipedia (opens in a new tab). North it leads to PY02 and Ciudad del Este, about 70 km away; south it continues to Naranjal, Santa María and Encarnación. That makes the town a natural lunch stop between Ciudad del Este and Encarnación.
From Asunción it is about 340 km via PY02 and then PY06, according to Wikipedia (opens in a new tab). Plan your timing: many lunch places close the kitchen by mid-afternoon, and if you arrive late you may only find fast food until dinner places open.
When do you need to book?
The key date is the Expo Santa Rita, the agribusiness fair held each year between late April and early May at the CTG Indio José grounds; the 2026 edition ran from 25 April to 3 May (opens in a new tab). It draws around 100,000 visitors per edition, according to Wikipedia (opens in a new tab). On those days, central restaurants run at full capacity, so book or eat outside peak hours.
The rest of the year, for a large group or a birthday, send a WhatsApp a day ahead with the number of people and time. For two or three people on a weekday, walking in is usually fine.
What to ask before you go?
- Kitchen hours today, not just opening hours.
- Whether churrasco is rodizio, buffet or à la carte, and what the price includes (salads, sides, drinks).
- Whether there is parking, which matters if you are driving a pickup or towing from the farm.
- Options for children or anyone who does not eat meat.
How do you pay?
Many places take QR, now the most used electronic payment in Paraguay: Bancard data reported by ABC Color (opens in a new tab) puts it at 68.1% of electronic payments. Carry some guaraníes in cash too. If you are coming from Brazil, ask first whether Brazilian reais are accepted and at what rate, and do not assume Pix works.
Can I order in Portuguese?
Usually yes: Portuguese is one of the most spoken languages in town alongside Spanish and Guaraní, according to Wikipedia (opens in a new tab). For a Brazilian visitor, Santa Rita is probably one of the easiest places in Paraguay to order a meal.
FAQ
Where to eat in Santa Rita, Paraguay?
Look in the urban center, which Route PY06 runs through. Decide whether you want churrasco, a buffet or something quick, and confirm kitchen hours before going.
Do I need a reservation in Santa Rita?
During the Expo Santa Rita, from late April to early May, yes. The rest of the year, book only for large groups or weekend dinners.
Can I pay with Brazilian reais?
It depends on the restaurant. Ask first, and carry guaraníes or pay by QR so you do not depend on the exchange rate.
