Donana Restaurante - Mata de São João

One of the best meals we had while travelling through the north coast of bahia. It 's a well known local restaurant and not a tourist trap. If you are not sure, order the shrimp and octopus moqueca

I read the reviews and I went. Tried to to go to no 1 resto Xica here but they only serve beer and shots! No caipirinhas or wine so we gave that a miss. Have had enough moqueca to last a life time and wanted...some simple grilled fish. This we found on the menu and the fish itself whiting? was fresh and nicely cooked. You get three side dishes gratis with this order so I got salad and veg. Latter over cooked and possibly frozen? Since this meal I have decided to stick to my hotel the Porto da Lua where the food is fab! Last night we had the best mixed seafood moqueca in three weeks mariscada . No non residents allowed. So yah boo sucks! The staff were charming and friendly, little English, but we managed alright. I suspect most of the places in Praia do Forte are much of a muchness as its so commercial.

In the heart of the tourist area is this nice place- but not one waiter speaks English. We had a nice dish of shrimps but had no idea what was brought as a side dish. Very small bottle of mineral water- with a big price......and a cute dessert- not exactly what we wanted... but nice. The food was tasty. But the all around experience...less.

We have checked and reviewed some restaurants on TripAdvisor community we then fortunately found the fine restaurant named Donana Restaurante that served us with wonderful smiles from staff and healthy food on menu.

Be prepared to wait as this place has suddenly become extremely popular for good reason. Donana has had a restaurant in Salvador's Brotas district for many years that was a neighborhood favorite. Her traditional bahian recipes work well in this wonderful beach town an hour...north of Salvador. The Casquinha de Siri is one of the best I have ever had and the Ensopada do Camarao held its own in a village with lots of tough competition. Worth the wait.