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$$$$ | Santa Teresa |
A lantern-lit tropical garden filled with exotic plants, monkeys, and birds is the spectacular setting for this family restaurant serving pan-Brazilian dishes and an exciting selection of Brazilian wines. The owner and chef, Ana Castilha, hails from Minas Gerais but received her formal training at New York City's French Culinary Institute. Call ahead to reserve, as weekends are reliably packed.
Rua Aprazível 62, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20241–270, Brazil
Known For
- Sustainable dishes with a French twist like grilled palm heart with cashew pesto
- The Tangemahall (a mint and tangerine caipirinha)
- The handful of tables set in private tree houses
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner Sun., Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
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$$$$ | Ipanema |
A chic haven set on a quiet tree-lined street a few blocks back from Ipanema beach, this tropical wood-paneled restaurant specializes in contemporary Brazilian dishes crafted from sustainable, locally sourced ingredients. During the week, ask for the great value three-course lunch menu, or opt for classy cocktails at the bar before dinner on the alfresco deck.
Rua Barão da Torre 538, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22411-002, Brazil
Known For
- Palm-heart moqueca (coconut stew)
- Crab with fennel gratin
- Stylish design
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$$$ | Jardim Botânico |
Owned by artist Vik Muniz and hospitality guru Cello Camolese, this trendy, split-level industrial-chic converted warehouse combines Italian-fusion dishes with a vibrant cocktail bar, in-house deli, microbrewery, and underground jazz club. Alfresco tables are set overlooking the racetrack, making it an idyllic spot to watch Sunday afternoon races fly by.
Rua Jardim Botânico 983, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22470-051, Brazil
Known For
- Artisanal microbrewery on the mezzanine level
- Vibrant, bohemian-chic atmosphere
- Killer cocktails served round a curved art-deco bar
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$$$ | Centro |
At the turn of the 20th century, the belle epoque structure that houses Colombo Confectionery was Rio's preeminent café, the site of elaborate balls, afternoon teas for upper-class senhoras, and a center of political intrigue and gossip. Now, visitors stop for arguably the most atmospheric coffee, melt-in-the-mouth sweet treats, and tasty salgados (savory snacks) in town while admiring the elaborate, Old-World interiors—enormous jacaranda-framed mirrors from Belgium, stained glass from France, and tiles from Portugal are among the art nouveau decor's highlights.
Rua Gonçalves Dias 32, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20050–030, Brazil
Known For
- A snap-shot into Centro's former Golden Age
- Elaborate interiors
- Decadent afternoon teas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No dinner, Credit cards accepted
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$$$$ | Centro |
Supported by its striking location overlooking the docks and set inside the sustainability-focused Museum of Tomorrow, this light-filled lunch-only restaurant has been a stand-out hit since opening in February 2018. Contemporary Brazilian dishes are crafted from locally sourced and often-organic ingredients and the extensive cocktail list and array of decadent desserts make this the ideal spot for a long lunch.
Av. Rodrigues Alves 2, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20081240, Brazil
Known For
- The 'Picadinho' steak with banana and farofa
- Decadent desserts like the Chocolate Mud Cake
- Vibrant atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$ | Leblon |
The post-beach hangout of choice for neighborhood locals since 1956, Jobi serves good coffee, super-chilled draft beer, and lip-smackingly delicious seafood. The restaurant is so small and unassuming, it's only after you step inside and see the many awards hanging on the walls that you realize just how special Jobi is.
Rua Ataulfo de Paiva 1166, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22440–035, Brazil
Known For
- Caipitequila (a caipirinha that's made with tequila instead of rum)
- The best bolinhos de bacalhau (cod and potato balls) in town
- Open from 9 am to 4 am
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$$$$ | Botafogo |
Set in a beautiful converted colonial town house complete with a roof terrace for cocktails, Lasai is one of the city’s leading gourmet experiences, featuring a daily changing 14-course tasting menu. Providence is the key here, with fish sustainably sourced from local fisherman and produce grown on renowned chef Rafa Costa e Silva's farm; for an intimate experience, book a spot at the chef's table and watch the master at work.
Rua Conde de Irajá 191, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22271-020, Brazil
Known For
- Gourmet experience at the forefront of Brazil's culinary scene
- Expert cocktails
- View of the Christ statue from the roof terrace
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.--Mon. No lunch
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$$$$ | Jardim Botânico |
Claude Troisgros, of the celebrated Michelin-starred Troisgros family of France, runs something of an empire of upscale restaurants in Rio, and this is his original and most celebrated venture. Troisgros creates the menu together with his equally talented son Thomas, applying nouvelle-cooking techniques to meals with all-Brazilian ingredients; three course or five- or seven-course tasting menus with and without wine pairings are available.
Rua Custódio Serrão 62, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22470–230, Brazil
Known For
- Exceptional, inventive cooking like foie gras with rhubarb
- The sommelier's skill at matching wine pairings with the tasting menu
- One of the city's leading gastronomical experiences
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat.--Thurs., Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
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$$ | Leblon |
Inspired by Japan's informal izakayas, this intimate spot combines first-class sashimi with more traditional hot Japanese dishes—grab a seat at the bar that loops around the center of the restaurant or the handful of tables outside. Good-value prices, an extensive sake menu, delicious food, and the laid-back vibe make it a reliable neighborhood favorite for just about everyone.
Rua Humberto de Campos 827, Loja G, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22430-190, Brazil
Known For
- Langoustine dumplings
- Soba noodle soup
- Sashimi
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$$$$ | Centro |
The elaborate Portuguese tilework, bow-tied waiters, and first-class seafood dishes make this lunchtime, weekday-only spot one of the top picks for an atmospheric lunch in Rio's downtown. Perch at one of the alfresco bar-stools for a more informal snack, or head inside to dine in the colonial vestiges of one of the city's oldest restaurants, serving the city's well-to-do since 1884; if you're on a budget, opt for a snack at the restaurant's more affordable back annex.
Rua do Ouvidor 10, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20010–150, Brazil
Known For
- Attentive, friendly service
- The Sopa Leão Veloso (a Brazilian bouillabaisse)
- Historical resonance
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends. No dinner, Credit cards accepted
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$$$$ | Ipanema |
A tank of snapping lobsters and a fish counter where you can pick your catch-of-the-day ensures you'll get some of the best seafood in town. And white tablecloths, off-the-boat-fresh fish, and excellent service ensure the quality of the experience is worth the price tag.
Rua Barão da Torre 192, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22411–000, Brazil
Known For
- Classic seafood dishes like salt-baked whole fish
- Trio of fish carpaccio
- Homemade Italian ice cream
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$$ | Ipanema |
Hidden away on the second floor of the unassuming apart-hotel Ipanema Beach Star, this low-key vegan lunch spot and sister spa (Maria Bonita) is a real find, not just for the quality of the all-you-can-eat buffet, but also for the reasonable prices. The daily changing menu is crafted from ingredients sourced from the restaurant’s organic farm, while friendly staff deliver complimentary detox juices and digestion shots to your table.
Rua Prudente de Morais 729, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22420-041, Brazil
Known For
- Shiitake mushroom stew
- Eggplant lasagna
- Green detox juice
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$ | Ipanema |
The food at this happening little Ipanema restaurant is so fresh and inventive that you’ll barely notice that they only serve plant-based vegan dishes. Its chic industrial design and top-quality cooking make this one of Rio’s go-to spots for a relaxed lunch or dinner.
Av. Henrique Dumont 110, Loja B, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22410-060, Brazil
Known For
- Vegan dishes like jack-fruit tacos and spicy Manchurian cauliflower
- Sophisticated cocktails like cucumber-infused sake
- Interesting wine list that includes biodynamic and organic options
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$$ | Copacabana |
One of the most authentic botequim (traditional bar) experiences in Rio is this hole-in-the-wall kitchen serving up tasty Portuguese-style tapas to shared tables and a long deli-bar where regulars crowd after dark. While the staff's English is limited, the service and general atmosphere—vintage prints and liters of wine lining the walls—is so warm and welcoming that you will barely notice; be prepared for a wait in the evenings if you want a table, or head to the bar and order directly from the counter.
Rua Siqueira Campos 138, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22031-010, Brazil
Known For
- Friendly local atmosphere
- Strong flavors, including generous helpings of marinated garlic cloves
- The calamari
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$$$ | Centro |
The best spot for city-center people-watching, this vast pavement boteco overlooking the Biblioteco Nacional and the Theatro Municipal has been a Carioca institution since it opened in 1921. Waitstaffers in bright yellow waistcoats and bow ties flit among the bustling tables delivering reasonably priced Brazilian dishes and ice-cold draft beer to a local after-work crowd. Don't confuse Amerelinho with the adjoining bar, Vermelhino—both have yellow roof canopies and yellow plastic chairs, but Amerelinho serves superior food.
Praça Floriano 55B, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20031–050, Brazil
Known For
- Expertly grilled meats
- Authentic local atmosphere
- Prawn pastries
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$$ | Ipanema |
While hundreds of places in Rio serve the antioxidant-rich acai berry bowls, few are more authentic than this Amazonian restaurant, which prizes the purity of its super-food pulp that's sourced straight from Para and delivered sugar and additive-free. The ultimate beach snack or light meal, add banana, sprinkle on granola, or go for the full Amazonian set-menu to experience an authentic feast of flavors you’ve likely never tried before.
Praça General Osório, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22410-010, Brazil
Known For
- Tapioca pancakes
- Organic acai berries
- Jambu snappes (guava liquor)
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$$$$ | Centro |
Open since 1933, the Ancoramar (formerly known as Albamar) is not hard to spot: this outstanding seafood house is inside a distinctive green octagonal building with 360-degree views of Guanabara Bay a few minutes walk from Centro's bustling Praça XV square. Chef Rodrigo Costa is behind the array of seafood risottos, fresh fish, and pasta dishes that now draws Centro's business moguls.
Praça Marechal Âncora 184, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20021–200, Brazil
Known For
- Glistening bay views
- Iconic architecture
- 300-bottle cellar
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, Credit cards accepted
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$$$ | Santa Teresa |
A neighborhood favorite for more than three decades, this informal tavern in the heart of Santa Teresa serves Northeastern cuisine in more than ample portions. Expect a meat-focused menu with various fried side dishes and an informal atmosphere, with friendly, laid-back service attracting a predominantly Brazilian clientele.
Rua Almirante Alexandrino 316B, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20241–260, Brazil
Known For
- Suckling pig stew
- Sun-dried beef
- Vegetarian options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Credit cards accepted
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$$ | Urca |
While you can dine indoors in this relaxed spot, make like the locals and enjoy a snack alfresco, propped against the harbor wall across the street: the sea wall doubles as a makeshift table, and waiters run to and fro delivering orders of ice-cold beer and deep-fried salgadinhos (seafood snacks). You'll have a stunning backdrop to your light meal—the panorama takes in bobbing boats, framed by a clear view of Christ the Redeemer.
Rua Cândido Gaffrée 205, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22291–080, Brazil
Known For
- Fried shrimp pastries
- Fish soup
- Bolinhos de bacalão (salted cod balls)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.
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$$$$ | Barra da Tijuca |
A nice place to stop after a long day at Barra Beach, this popular steak house serves more than 30 cuts of top-quality meat. Choose from the menu or go whole hog with the impressive all-you-can-eat rodizio buffet, which includes seafood, sushi, and colorful, fresh salads in addition to the succulent grilled cuts; there is a vegetarian option.
Av. Ministro Ivan Lins 314, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22620–110, Brazil
Known For
- The picanha steak
- The prime rib
- The wild boar
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
