City Guide
Rio de Janeiro
Restaurants
Rio de Janeiro Restaurants
Most Popular Hotels in Rio de Janeiro:
Rua Senador Dantas, 14, 20031-202
Av. General Artigas, 200, 22441-140
Rua Siqueira Campos,90- Copacabana, 22031-070
Av. Atlântica, 1866, 22021-001
The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.
Sales tax of 5% and a service charge of 10-15% are added to most restaurant bills in Rio. Most credit cards are now widely accepted in the city's restaurants, although some of the cheaper or older establishments only accept cash. It is advisable for diners to telephone the restaurant in advance, in order to check whether or not a particular card is accepted.
The restaurants below have been grouped in four different price categories:
$$$$ (over R$200)
$$$ (R$100 to R$200)
$$ (R$50 to R$100)
$ (up to R$50)
These prices are based on the average price of a three-course meal and half a bottle of house wine or equivalent. They include tax but not service.
Sales tax of 5% and a service charge of 10-15% are added to most restaurant bills in Rio. Most credit cards are now widely accepted in the city's restaurants, although some of the cheaper or older establishments only accept cash. It is advisable for diners to telephone the restaurant in advance, in order to check whether or not a particular card is accepted.
The restaurants below have been grouped in four different price categories:
$$$$ (over R$200)
$$$ (R$100 to R$200)
$$ (R$50 to R$100)
$ (up to R$50)
These prices are based on the average price of a three-course meal and half a bottle of house wine or equivalent. They include tax but not service.
Gastronomic
Aprazível
Some of the best Brazilian food is served in this magical tropical garden and terrace overlooking the city. Dishes are rich in exotic flavours, though there's also a strong European influence. Heart of palm salad is tender and delicious, while fleshy white cod is perfectly combined with tangy sun-dried tomatoes and olives. Desserts such as fruity mango sorbet and Portuguese creme brûlée are as sweet and delightful as the setting. Open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday evenings only.
Rua Aprazîvel 62, Santa Teresa
Tel: (21) 2508 9174.
Website: www.aprazivel.com.br
Price: $$$
Some of the best Brazilian food is served in this magical tropical garden and terrace overlooking the city. Dishes are rich in exotic flavours, though there's also a strong European influence. Heart of palm salad is tender and delicious, while fleshy white cod is perfectly combined with tangy sun-dried tomatoes and olives. Desserts such as fruity mango sorbet and Portuguese creme brûlée are as sweet and delightful as the setting. Open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday evenings only.
Rua Aprazîvel 62, Santa Teresa
Tel: (21) 2508 9174.
Website: www.aprazivel.com.br
Price: $$$
Carême Bistró
This intimate French-style bistro, with mirrored walls, chequered floor and silver service on crisp white tablecloths is refined without being stuffy. The sublime cordon bleu cuisine changes seasonally and game is the speciality. Mains include grilled duck breast on puréed potato with caramelised spring onions in a jus de cassis. Reservations are essential. Dress code is smart. No lunch. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Rua Visconde de Caravelas 113, Botafogo
Tel: (21) 2226 0085.
Price: $$$
This intimate French-style bistro, with mirrored walls, chequered floor and silver service on crisp white tablecloths is refined without being stuffy. The sublime cordon bleu cuisine changes seasonally and game is the speciality. Mains include grilled duck breast on puréed potato with caramelised spring onions in a jus de cassis. Reservations are essential. Dress code is smart. No lunch. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Rua Visconde de Caravelas 113, Botafogo
Tel: (21) 2226 0085.
Price: $$$
Cipriani
The Cipriani in the luxurious Copacabana Palace (see Hotels) is one of Rio's most upmarket restaurants. In this spacious room with marble floors and French windows, the chef serves a continually changing selection of freshly made North Italian dishes with a Brazilian twist. Mains include veal fillet with lemon and capers and other Italian classics. Dress code is smart (jacket and tie required) and reservations are essential at the weekend. Closed Sundays.
Copacabana Palace, Avenida Atlântica 1702, Copacabana
Tel: (21) 2548 7070 or 2262 0198 (after 2000 and at weekends).
Website: www.copacabanapalace.com.br
Price: $$$$
The Cipriani in the luxurious Copacabana Palace (see Hotels) is one of Rio's most upmarket restaurants. In this spacious room with marble floors and French windows, the chef serves a continually changing selection of freshly made North Italian dishes with a Brazilian twist. Mains include veal fillet with lemon and capers and other Italian classics. Dress code is smart (jacket and tie required) and reservations are essential at the weekend. Closed Sundays.
Copacabana Palace, Avenida Atlântica 1702, Copacabana
Tel: (21) 2548 7070 or 2262 0198 (after 2000 and at weekends).
Website: www.copacabanapalace.com.br
Price: $$$$
Olympe
The rather quirky art deco exterior (founded by celebrity French chef Claude Troisgros in 1979) contains a surprisingly modern and sophisticated restaurant. Although the menu focuses on traditional French cuisine, fresh Brazilian ingredients are used, which add a tropical flavour. Mains include crispy red snapper with aubergine confit in honey and sherry vinegar. Save space for amazing desserts, such as sweet corn cake with lychee. Lunch Fridays only. Closed Sunday.
Rua Custódio Serrão 62, Jardim Botânico
Tel: (21) 2539 4542.
Website: www.claudetroisgros.com.br
Price: $$$
The rather quirky art deco exterior (founded by celebrity French chef Claude Troisgros in 1979) contains a surprisingly modern and sophisticated restaurant. Although the menu focuses on traditional French cuisine, fresh Brazilian ingredients are used, which add a tropical flavour. Mains include crispy red snapper with aubergine confit in honey and sherry vinegar. Save space for amazing desserts, such as sweet corn cake with lychee. Lunch Fridays only. Closed Sunday.
Rua Custódio Serrão 62, Jardim Botânico
Tel: (21) 2539 4542.
Website: www.claudetroisgros.com.br
Price: $$$
Trendy
Bar do Arnaudo
In Bohemian Santa Teresa, this tiny bar and restaurant is full of character. Swing doors open onto a rustic, wooden interior decorated with handicrafts and antique artwork. Wine is served in tankards, with beer and caipirinhas also available. Popular choices include classic dishes from northeast Brazil, such as carne do sol (sun-dried beef), feijão de corda (black beans in herb sauce) and queijo coalho (grilled cheese on sticks). Credit cards are not accepted.
Rua Almirante Alexandrino 316B, Santa Teresa
Tel: (21) 2252 7246.
Price: $$
In Bohemian Santa Teresa, this tiny bar and restaurant is full of character. Swing doors open onto a rustic, wooden interior decorated with handicrafts and antique artwork. Wine is served in tankards, with beer and caipirinhas also available. Popular choices include classic dishes from northeast Brazil, such as carne do sol (sun-dried beef), feijão de corda (black beans in herb sauce) and queijo coalho (grilled cheese on sticks). Credit cards are not accepted.
Rua Almirante Alexandrino 316B, Santa Teresa
Tel: (21) 2252 7246.
Price: $$
Bistrô 66
Situated in an old house on a residential street Bristô 66 is part Paris bistro and part Rio corner bar. The owner, the renowned French chef Claude Troisgros (see Gastronomic above), creates European favourites with a hint of Brazilian flavour. Mains include pepper steak, fish fillet with bananas and brie risotto.
Avenida Alexandre Ferreira 66, Lagoa
Tel: (21) 2266 0838.
Website: www.66bistro.com.br
Price: $$$
Situated in an old house on a residential street Bristô 66 is part Paris bistro and part Rio corner bar. The owner, the renowned French chef Claude Troisgros (see Gastronomic above), creates European favourites with a hint of Brazilian flavour. Mains include pepper steak, fish fillet with bananas and brie risotto.
Avenida Alexandre Ferreira 66, Lagoa
Tel: (21) 2266 0838.
Website: www.66bistro.com.br
Price: $$$
Via Sete Grill
This modern Centro restaurant caters for a busy lunchtime crowd of hungry workers. The colourful décor suits the vibrant atmosphere and the staff are fast, efficient and friendly. Choose from grilled meats served burger-style with salad, potato with cream cheese and salsa and filled wraps. No dinner. Closed weekends.
Rua Sete de Setembro 43, Centro
Tel: (21) 2221 8020.
Website: www.viasete.com.br
Price: $$
Other location:
Rua Garcia D'Avila 125, Ipanema
Tel: (21) 2512 8100.
This modern Centro restaurant caters for a busy lunchtime crowd of hungry workers. The colourful décor suits the vibrant atmosphere and the staff are fast, efficient and friendly. Choose from grilled meats served burger-style with salad, potato with cream cheese and salsa and filled wraps. No dinner. Closed weekends.
Rua Sete de Setembro 43, Centro
Tel: (21) 2221 8020.
Website: www.viasete.com.br
Price: $$
Other location:
Rua Garcia D'Avila 125, Ipanema
Tel: (21) 2512 8100.
Zazá Bistrô
Distinctly funky, this eastern bistro has three floors - try to get a table on the balcony or upstairs sitting on cushions. The cuisine is a mix of South-East Asian, North African and Latin American. Main meals include tuna steak with passion fruit sauce and fried crunchy cole served with cardamom rice or filet mignon robatas (on a stick) served with Moroccan couscous and caramelised onions with cinnamon.
Rua Joana Angélica 40, Ipanema
Tel: (21) 2247 9101.
Website: www.zazabistro.com.br
Price: $$
Distinctly funky, this eastern bistro has three floors - try to get a table on the balcony or upstairs sitting on cushions. The cuisine is a mix of South-East Asian, North African and Latin American. Main meals include tuna steak with passion fruit sauce and fried crunchy cole served with cardamom rice or filet mignon robatas (on a stick) served with Moroccan couscous and caramelised onions with cinnamon.
Rua Joana Angélica 40, Ipanema
Tel: (21) 2247 9101.
Website: www.zazabistro.com.br
Price: $$
Zuka
Bright, modern Zuka is contemporary to its core. Simple, wooden tables surround a sunken kitchen, where diners can watch their meals being prepared. The food is delicious, but it is the presentation that lingers in the memory. Served on big rectangular plates, each dish is a work of art. The selection of grilled steaks, pasta and seafood dishes include local fish fillet in pistachio sauce with honey-mashed potato.
Rua Dias Ferreira 233B, Leblon
Tel: (21) 3205 7154.
Website: www.zuka.com.br
Price: $$
Bright, modern Zuka is contemporary to its core. Simple, wooden tables surround a sunken kitchen, where diners can watch their meals being prepared. The food is delicious, but it is the presentation that lingers in the memory. Served on big rectangular plates, each dish is a work of art. The selection of grilled steaks, pasta and seafood dishes include local fish fillet in pistachio sauce with honey-mashed potato.
Rua Dias Ferreira 233B, Leblon
Tel: (21) 3205 7154.
Website: www.zuka.com.br
Price: $$
Budget
Aipo & Aipim
The best budget option for dining is one of the many comida a quilo or 'food-by-weight' restaurants found throughout the city. One of the most popular is the chain, Aipo & Aipim, with canteen-style tables. Like other quilo restaurants, diners load a plate with salads and hot dishes to be weighed and paid for after eating. The system is simple, efficient and very, very cheap.
Rua do Ouvidor 108, Centro
Tel: (21) 2222 3423.
Price: $
Other locations:
Avenida Nossa Senhora Copacabana 391, Copacabana
Tel: (21) 2255 6285.
Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana 605, Copacabana
Tel: (21) 2549 2215.
Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana 920, Copacabana
Tel: (21) 2547 2101.
Rua Visconde de Pirajá 145, Ipanema
Tel: (21) 2267 8313.
The best budget option for dining is one of the many comida a quilo or 'food-by-weight' restaurants found throughout the city. One of the most popular is the chain, Aipo & Aipim, with canteen-style tables. Like other quilo restaurants, diners load a plate with salads and hot dishes to be weighed and paid for after eating. The system is simple, efficient and very, very cheap.
Rua do Ouvidor 108, Centro
Tel: (21) 2222 3423.
Price: $
Other locations:
Avenida Nossa Senhora Copacabana 391, Copacabana
Tel: (21) 2255 6285.
Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana 605, Copacabana
Tel: (21) 2549 2215.
Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana 920, Copacabana
Tel: (21) 2547 2101.
Rua Visconde de Pirajá 145, Ipanema
Tel: (21) 2267 8313.
Casa da Feijoada
The feijoada (Brazil's national dish, introduced by African slaves) is a heavy stew of pig's ear, pig's trotters, dried sausage, salt-cured pork and beef tongue with black beans. Traditionally eaten on Saturday, Casa da Feijoada serves up the dish daily with a choice of ingredients. Other Brazilian dishes include marinated chicken or prawns with coconut milk. The restaurant's walls are lined with pictures of slaves preparing feijoada.
Rua Prudente de Moraes 10B, Ipanema
Tel: (21) 2247 2776.
Price: $$
The feijoada (Brazil's national dish, introduced by African slaves) is a heavy stew of pig's ear, pig's trotters, dried sausage, salt-cured pork and beef tongue with black beans. Traditionally eaten on Saturday, Casa da Feijoada serves up the dish daily with a choice of ingredients. Other Brazilian dishes include marinated chicken or prawns with coconut milk. The restaurant's walls are lined with pictures of slaves preparing feijoada.
Rua Prudente de Moraes 10B, Ipanema
Tel: (21) 2247 2776.
Price: $$
Celeiro
This organic restaurant is always packed with people enjoying its very healthy but tasty cuisine. The décor reflects the natural ingredients used, with rustic wooden panelling and skylights. The pay-by-weight buffet offers an extensive array of delicious salads and hot dishes, as well as delectable desserts such as truffles and chocolate mousses. No dinner. Closed Sunday. Unlicensed.
Rua Dias Ferreira 199, Leblon
Tel: (21) 2274 7843.
Website: www.celeiroculinaria.com.br
Price: $
This organic restaurant is always packed with people enjoying its very healthy but tasty cuisine. The décor reflects the natural ingredients used, with rustic wooden panelling and skylights. The pay-by-weight buffet offers an extensive array of delicious salads and hot dishes, as well as delectable desserts such as truffles and chocolate mousses. No dinner. Closed Sunday. Unlicensed.
Rua Dias Ferreira 199, Leblon
Tel: (21) 2274 7843.
Website: www.celeiroculinaria.com.br
Price: $
Mr Ôpi
Another quilo restaurant, but a little more upmarket, it serves gourmet food to a lunchtime crowd of city workers. Décor is elegant and inviting and smart waiters spoon dishes 'canteen style' onto plates. The buffet bar serves freshly-cooked fish, meats and feijoada. Ingredients and recipes change daily and desserts and drinks are picked up en route to the till. No dinner. Closed weekends. Unlicensed.
Rua da Alfândega 91D, Centro
Tel: (21) 2224 5820.
Website: www.mropi.com.br
Price: $
Other location:
Rua da Quitanda 51, Centro
Tel: (21) 2507 3859.
Another quilo restaurant, but a little more upmarket, it serves gourmet food to a lunchtime crowd of city workers. Décor is elegant and inviting and smart waiters spoon dishes 'canteen style' onto plates. The buffet bar serves freshly-cooked fish, meats and feijoada. Ingredients and recipes change daily and desserts and drinks are picked up en route to the till. No dinner. Closed weekends. Unlicensed.
Rua da Alfândega 91D, Centro
Tel: (21) 2224 5820.
Website: www.mropi.com.br
Price: $
Other location:
Rua da Quitanda 51, Centro
Tel: (21) 2507 3859.
Pizzaria Guanabara
A good selection of tasty pizzas are served in this simple, popular pizzeria, which spills onto the pavement. As well as the usual Margharita and Quattro Formaggi options, diners can tantalise their palates with sweet toppings, such as banana or peach, as well as steaks, seafood and paellas. The down-to-earth atmosphere and late opening hours (until 0400) have made this venue one of the most popular in affluent Leblon.
Avenida Ataulfo de Paiva 1228, Leblon
Tel: (21) 2294 0797.
Website: www.pizzariaguanabara.com.br
Price: $$
A good selection of tasty pizzas are served in this simple, popular pizzeria, which spills onto the pavement. As well as the usual Margharita and Quattro Formaggi options, diners can tantalise their palates with sweet toppings, such as banana or peach, as well as steaks, seafood and paellas. The down-to-earth atmosphere and late opening hours (until 0400) have made this venue one of the most popular in affluent Leblon.
Avenida Ataulfo de Paiva 1228, Leblon
Tel: (21) 2294 0797.
Website: www.pizzariaguanabara.com.br
Price: $$
Personal Recommendations
Shirley
This unassuming, front-room eatery serving home-cooked food has become one of Rio's most popular seafood restaurants. Hidden down a side street, just one block from Copacabana beach, it serves a superb range of fish, squid and shellfish dishes, such as Lobster Thermidor and fish stew. The cosy wood panelling and weathered sea-inspired artwork give the restaurant an authentic and homely atmosphere. No credit cards.
Rua Gustavo Sampaio 610, Leme
Tel: (21) 2275 1398.
Price: $$
This unassuming, front-room eatery serving home-cooked food has become one of Rio's most popular seafood restaurants. Hidden down a side street, just one block from Copacabana beach, it serves a superb range of fish, squid and shellfish dishes, such as Lobster Thermidor and fish stew. The cosy wood panelling and weathered sea-inspired artwork give the restaurant an authentic and homely atmosphere. No credit cards.
Rua Gustavo Sampaio 610, Leme
Tel: (21) 2275 1398.
Price: $$
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