Le Monde (Av. Oswaldo Aranha 391, Lojas 9–10, Galeria Florida, tel. 54/3031-1300, noon–3 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.–midnight Fri.–Sat., noon–4 p.m. Sun.; 7–midnight Wed., noon–3 p.m. and 7 p.m.–midnight Thurs.–Sat., noon–3 p.m. Sun. in July, R$50–60) is a tiny little bistro with an open kitchen that is always busy. There’s no fixed menu; instead the inspired daily specials—partridge-stuffed tortellini or panko crusted sole with Provençal vegetables—are written on the blackboard.

Cozy Café Canela (Rua Altenor T. de Souza 15, tel. 54/3282-0062, www.cafecanela.com.br, R$20–30) is proud of its exclusive culinary creations: soups and salads served in hollowed-out round loaves of bread as well as pastas and risottos served in carved-out blocks of cheese. There are also crêpes, salads, and steaks.

Canela is famed for its apple strudel. Aside from traditional German cuisine such as kessler and sauerkraut, Strudelhaus (Rua Baden Powell 246, tel. 54/3282-9562, noon–3 p.m. and 7:30–11 p.m. Tues.–Sat., noon–4 p.m. Sun., R$15–25) serves up a tasty version with ice cream. One of the finest recipes to be had in the center of town is at Confeitaria Martha (Av. Júlio de Castilhos 151, tel. 54/3282-4190), a bakery that also makes good sandwiches.

However, the best of all is served at Castelinha Caracol (Estrada do Caracol Km 3, tel. 54/3278-3208, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2:20–5:40 p.m. daily, R$4). Built by family of German immigrants, this historic early-20th-century house was constructed entirely from native araucária pine, without using a single nail. It’s the perfect place to savor the family recipe for strudel alongside homemade fruit jams and waffles.