Florianópolis for the Oakberry Half: where to stay, eat, and explore

Florianópolis hosts the Oakberry Half on Sunday May 3, with the start at Praça Portugal (Trapiche da Beira-Mar Norte), and the race opens the brand-new Brazilian Road Running Championship sanctioned by CBAt. 12,000 athletes are expected over the weekend. Unlike Balneário Camboriú, Florianópolis isn’t a compact city: it’s an island with more than 40 beaches and very distinct regions, and the start location dictates the lodging plan.

This post is for runners combining race and tourism between Friday and Monday without burning their legs the day before. Where to stay to shorten logistics, where to eat (with what I actually recommend for race weekend), and what to do across the island’s zones. Course analysis, elevation, and pace strategy belong in the technical post.

Understand the scale of Florianópolis before planning

Florianópolis is an island city. Its regions are so different from each other that one wrong lodging choice can cost you 1 hour of travel per outing. The breakdown that matters:

• Centro / Beira-Mar Norte: the urban side of the island. Where the start is, where most chain hotels are, and where Av. Beira-Mar Norte runs. City vibe, not beach.
• Lagoa da Conceição: lagoon in the central-east, laid-back vibe, balanced base if you want to combine race and exploration.
• North of the Island (Jurerê, Canasvieiras, Ingleses, Praia Brava): livelier beaches, more upscale lodging in Jurerê.
• South of the Island (Ribeirão da Ilha, Pântano do Sul, Campeche, Armação): preserved Azorean villages, oyster farming, quiet hamlets.
• East (Joaquina, Praia Mole, Barra da Lagoa, Galheta, Lagoinha do Leste): scenic beaches for surfing, hiking, and sightseeing.
• Santo Antônio de Lisboa: Azorean colonial village on the northwest coast, classic sunset stop.

Distance matters. From the North (Jurerê) to the South (Ribeirão da Ilha) is more than 1 hour by car. Between neighboring regions, 20 to 40 minutes is normal. On weekends, traffic can double all of that.

Practical rule for race weekend: priority is proximity to the start. Florianópolis tourism fits better in a longer trip with more days.

Where to stay

The start is at Praça Portugal, Av. Jornalista Rubens de Arruda Ramos (Trapiche da Beira-Mar Norte). 12,000 athletes going off early on Sunday. The closer the hotel, the less logistical stress, the more sleep.

Three lodging zones make sense:

• Beira-Mar Norte / Centro (0 to 2 km from the start): full convenience. Walking distance to the start. More urban Florianópolis vibe. Best option for the race.
• Lagoa da Conceição (15 to 25 min by car): good base if combining race and tourism, but you’ll need a ride-share for the early Sunday start.
• North (Jurerê) or South (Campeche, Armação): save these for if you’re extending the trip with extra days. For the race itself, the early-morning travel is rough.

Per zone, what to look for

Beira-Mar Norte: look for hotels on Av. Beira-Mar Norte itself or on parallel streets, between Centro and Agronômica. Several chains (Mercure, Slaviero, Ibis, Best Western, Cambirela) operate there. This is the corridor that puts you walking to Praça Portugal.

Centro histórico: smaller hotels near the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Public Market, and the Hercílio Luz Bridge. Good value, more urban vibe, walking distance to Beira-Mar.

Lagoa da Conceição: guesthouses and Airbnb with lagoon views. More charm, less convenience. Good for travelers with a non-running companion who prefers beaches.

Rule of thumb:

• If priority is race performance, stay on Beira-Mar Norte.
• If it’s food and experience, stay in Lagoa da Conceição and accept the commute.
• If it’s extended leisure pre or post, consider Jurerê (North) or Campeche (South), but only for days beyond the weekend.

My picks for race weekend

Florianópolis has more good places to eat than fits in one weekend. For the race recap, three picks cover the three moments: arrival/Saturday lunch, eve-of-race dinner, and post-race Sunday lunch.

Friday or Saturday: Armazém Rita Maria

Address: Alameda Annita Hoepcke da Silva, 112, Centro. Site: armazemritamaria.com.br.

Not a single restaurant, it’s a downtown food hall with multiple operations under one roof: Italian, Portuguese, Mexican, Middle Eastern, steaks, sweets, ice cream, coffee. Indoor and outdoor seating, a meeting-spot feel. Works for groups, urban dinners, happy hour, or a varied lunch.

Works well as an arrival-day stop, especially if you combine it with Hercílio Luz Bridge + Parque da Luz on a light walk before. Close to the bus terminal and the mainland-access bridge.

Hours: Sun–Tue 11 AM to 10 PM, Wed–Sat 11 AM to midnight. Range: $$ to $$$, depending on operation, drinks, and dessert.

For the night-before-race dinner, you can do a simple plate (pasta, light dish, no heavy drink or dessert). For post-race, you can spread out and sample more.

Saturday dinner (carb-load): Lenha & Oliva

A great pizzeria in the Córrego Grande neighborhood, one of my strong recommendations in Florianópolis. Instagram: @lenhaoliva. Works as eve-of-race carb-load because the pizza is balanced, doesn’t sit heavy, and the menu has lighter options. About 10 min by car from Beira-Mar Norte.

Range: $$.

If Lenha & Oliva is full or off your route, Artesano Pizza Bar (Lagoa and Santa Mônica) and Artusi / Osli on Rua Bocaiúva, downtown, fill the role without long drives.

Sunday post-race lunch: Ostradamus, Ribeirão da Ilha

Address: Rod. Baldicero Filomeno, 7640, Ribeirão da Ilha. About 30 to 40 minutes by car from downtown.

Reference seafood spot in Florianópolis, set in the oyster-farming hub on the south of the island. Fresh oysters from the in-house farm, fish, shellfish. View of the southern bay. Instagram: @ostradamusrestaurante.

The trip down to Ribeirão is a program in itself: Azorean village, 18th-century church, cobblestone streets, calm sea. Post-race is the right moment to take on the drive and close Sunday wrapped around local food.

Range: $$$. There can be a wait, especially on race weekends. Reservations help.

Other personal picks

Outside the race-weekend recap, three more places I recommend if you extend the trip or want to skip the obvious:

• Cachorro Quente do Afonso ($, Av. Hercílio Luz, Centro). Tradition since 1970, a Florianópolis food icon. Classic pressed hot dog, fast line, usually open late. Pairs with a Pureza soda, the traditional Florianópolis brand. Good for an afternoon snack or light late dinner without ceremony.
• May Restaurante Tailandês ($$, Caminho dos Açores, 1689, Santo Antônio de Lisboa, with another location at Av. Campeche, 2122, Campeche). Authored Thai cuisine, excellent. Worth the drive, and you can chain it with sunset in Santo Antônio after.
• Restaurante Kanimambo ($$, R. Antônio Dib Mussi, 443, Centro). Authentic Portuguese food, Mozambican family, codfish specialty. Varied lunch buffet, Saturday has the codfish special.
• Empório Capella ($$$, Rod. Admar Gonzaga, 3730, on the climb up the Lagoa hill). For a special dinner, with a premium menu and refined setting. Heads up on schedule: open Friday and Saturday only, closed Sunday through Tuesday. Can’t be used for Sunday post-race. Fits as Saturday eve-of-race dinner (no excess) or for those extending the trip into the following Wednesday.

Other food options by zone

Tables grouped by zone and ordered within each from most affordable ($) to higher-end ($$$). Address, hours, and menu may change: check each spot’s Instagram or Google Maps.

Centro / Beira-Mar Norte

Restaurant	Range	Note
Cachorro Quente do Afonso	$	Av. Hercílio Luz, icon since 1970
Mercado Público (interior operations)	$/$$	Coffee, casual lunch, pastel
Kanimambo	$$	Portuguese food, R. Antônio Dib Mussi, 443. Codfish on Saturday
Armazém Rita Maria	$$/$$$	Food hall, Alameda Annita Hoepcke da Silva, 112
Artusi / Osli	$$$	Signature Italian, Rua Bocaiúva (same street, two addresses)

Lagoa da Conceição / Itacorubi / Córrego Grande

Restaurant	Range	Note
Artesano Pizza Bar	$$	Naturally fermented pizza, units in Lagoa and Santa Mônica
Espaço Nutrir	$$	Vegan, Av. Afonso Delambert Neto, 853 (Lagoa). Has a Campeche unit
Lenha & Oliva	$$	Pizzeria, R. Vera Linhares de Andrade, 1870, Córrego Grande. Eve-of-race carb-load
Restaurante Lagoa Azul	$$	Seafood at Costa da Lagoa, accessible by boat from Point 17 of Av. das Rendeiras
Restaurante Oliveira	$$	Seafood and local cuisine since 1961, R. Henrique Veras, 57, Lagoa
Empório Capella	$$$	Rod. Admar Gonzaga, 3730, on the Lagoa climb. Special dinner. Friday/Saturday only, closed Sunday–Tuesday

South (Ribeirão da Ilha / Campeche)

Restaurant	Range	Note
Abreus Pizza Shop	$$	Pizza on the southern axis (check the Instagram directly)
Capone Steak House	$$	Premium cuts, pasta, and risotto at Shopping OKA, Campeche, Rod. Francisco Magno Vieira, 4397
Krone Café e Padaria	$$	A piece of Germany in Ribeirão da Ilha, Rod. Baldicero Filomeno, 6321
Ponta das Caranhas	$$	Seafood with view (check the Instagram)
Ostradamus	$$$	Seafood and oysters, Rod. Baldicero Filomeno, 7640, Ribeirão da Ilha
Rancho Açoriano	$$$	Ribeirão da Ilha since 1997, R. Des. Pedro Silva, 3240. Has a Coqueiros unit

North (Jurerê / Canasvieiras)

Restaurant	Range	Note
Toca de Jurerê	$$	Traditional, seafood. Reopened at the original address in 2026
Premium operations of Jurerê Internacional	$$$	Beach clubs and high-summer fine dining

Cacupé / Santo Antônio de Lisboa

Santo Antônio de Lisboa concentrates many of the island’s best seafood and Italian restaurants, with views of the northern bay and a striking sunset. Worth the drive if you want a dinner that matches the trip.

Restaurant	Range	Note
Fairyland Cupcakes	$	Themed dessert shop with cupcakes and sweets
May Restaurante Tailandês	$$	Caminho dos Açores, 1689 (Sto Antônio); unit at Av. Campeche, 2122 (Campeche)
Amado Pescador	$$$	Azorean seafood, Rod. Gilson da Costa Xavier, 41
Amalfi	$$$	Italian with a view, R. Quinze de Novembro, 18
Freguesia Oyster Bar	$$$	Oysters with sea view, R. Quinze de Novembro, 179
Marisqueira Sintra	$$$	Portuguese since 2009, R. Quinze de Novembro, 147. Also operates inside Armazém Rita Maria
Nacanoa	$$$	Contemporary operation (check the Instagram)
Rosso	$$$	Seafood and contemporary Italian, Rod. Gilson da Costa Xavier, 201

What to do, by zone

Florianópolis doesn’t fit in a weekend. Pick 2 or 3 stops on Saturday and 1 or 2 post-race. Everything else stays for the next trip.

Centro / Beira-Mar Norte

Av. Beira-Mar Norte The very avenue of the start. Bayside boardwalk, good for a recon walk, light warm-up, or sunset. At night, a view of the Hercílio Luz Bridge lights reflecting on the water.

Hercílio Luz Bridge Centennial bridge, restored, lit at night. Obvious choice but it works. Walk along Av. Beira-Mar Norte toward the bridge, with viewpoint and photo opportunity at the end.

Parque da Luz Park next to the bridge with a boardwalk, viewpoint, and preserved vegetation. Pairs with the bridge walk and closes well with dinner at Armazém Rita Maria.

Mercado Público de Florianópolis Historic downtown. Coffee, casual lunch, fish market, crafts. Cultural axis of the city.

Largo da Alfândega Historic square downtown, near the Public Market. Good morning or late-afternoon stop.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Florianópolis The mother church of the city, downtown. Quick stop, part of the historic loop.

South

Ribeirão da Ilha (village) Preserved Azorean village with an 18th-century church, cobblestone streets, traditional houses, oysters, and calm sea. Half-day program, good with a post-race lunch.

Lagoa do Peri Freshwater lagoon in the southern island, with short trails, a small white-sand beach, and Atlantic Forest around. Morning or early-afternoon program. Not a race per se, but it requires walking.

Praia do Campeche Long white-sand beach, rough surf, laid-back vibe. Surfboard rentals, good kiosks.

Praia da Armação Preserved fishing village with small inns and restaurants. Cultural and photogenic.

North

Jurerê Internacional The most famous beach in the north, with beach clubs, high-end dining, music events. Punta del Este energy. Polished, less rustic.

Forte São José da Ponta Grossa 18th-century fort in Jurerê, restored, with panoramic sea views. Quick program, good for late afternoon.

Praia Brava Cliffs and strong waves. A surfer’s beach, less crowded than Jurerê.

Canasvieiras / Ingleses More family-oriented urbanized beaches with heavy tourist infrastructure.

East

Lagoa da Conceição Gastronomic and nightlife hub of the east. Bars, restaurants, stand-up paddle on the lagoon, walks along the shore.

Praia da Joaquina Surf and dunes. The dunes are a program of their own, but skip them the day before the race.

Praia Mole Young beach with surf vibe and beachside bars. Beautiful, packed on weekends.

Barra da Lagoa Fishing village and lagoon-feeding canal. Afternoon program, with fish lunch.

Lagoinha do Leste Trail 4 to 5 hours of intense hiking to a paradisiacal preserved beach. Don’t do it the day before the race. Wednesday program or post-race with an extra day available.

Santo Antônio de Lisboa

Azorean colonial village on the west-northwest coast, with an 18th-century mother church, a beachfront boardwalk, and a famous northern-bay sunset. Late-afternoon program, pairs very well with a traditional dinner afterward.

When to do what

Rule number one of race weekend: don’t burn legs on physical sightseeing the day before. Same as in BC, on a bigger scale.

Friday May 1

• Arrival and check-in.
• Kit pickup (verify location and window on the race’s official channels).
• Light walk on Av. Beira-Mar Norte, getting your bearings.
• Light dinner near the hotel or at Armazém Rita Maria.

Saturday May 2

• Morning: solid breakfast. Short walk in the historic downtown (Mercado Público, Cathedral, Largo da Alfândega) or on Av. Beira-Mar Norte. The Oakberry 5k and 10k run throughout the day, you can spectate.
• Afternoon: rest. No Lagoinha do Leste, no Joaquina dunes, no heavy trails, no Ribeirão da Ilha (too far). An aquarium or indoor museum beats a hike.
• Dinner: carb-load at Lenha & Oliva, or on the classic Italian axis (Rosso, Amalfi, Artusi/Osli, Artesano). Eat early, sleep early.

Sunday May 3 (race day)

• Start at Praça Portugal early in the morning.
• Shower, photo, solid post-race breakfast.
• Lunch: Ostradamus in Ribeirão da Ilha, with the Azorean village as a bonus.
• Afternoon: light walk on the waterfront or sunset in Santo Antônio de Lisboa.

Monday May 4 (post-race, if you have it)

• Lagoa da Conceição at a slow pace, coffee and lagoon.
• Praia Mole, Joaquina, or Barra da Lagoa for beach time.
• Forte São José da Ponta Grossa in Jurerê for those who prefer history.

If you only have 30 seconds

• Hotel: Av. Beira-Mar Norte if priority is the race; Lagoa da Conceição if you want a tourism balance and accept ride-share to the start.
• Food: Armazém Rita Maria on Friday or Saturday arrival; Lenha & Oliva for the eve-of-race dinner; Ostradamus for the post-race lunch.
• Bonus personal picks: Cachorro Quente do Afonso for a traditional snack, May Tailandês to skip the obvious, Empório Capella for a special dinner.
• Must-do sightseeing: Hercílio Luz Bridge at night + Ribeirão da Ilha post-race.
• Quick downtown: Mercado Público on Saturday morning.
• Pace: light Friday, even lighter Saturday, race Sunday, post-race free.

Sources

• Catarina Run, Meia Maratona Internacional de Florianópolis Oakberry 2026, start, course, and infrastructure information
• Mania de Corrida on the 2026 Brazilian Road Running Championship in Florianópolis, context for the race as the CBAt calendar opener
• Official Oakberry Half 2026 site (TicketSports)
• Official Instagram of the cited restaurants, linked in the body of the text

Images:

• Hero: TBD.