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Sugarloaf mountain in Rio de Janeiro

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Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro offers a unique cuisine, spicing the traditional, Old World gastronomy with new exotic local ingredients.

The Rio restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over R$200)
Moderate (R$ 50 to R$200)
Cheap (up to R$50)
These Rio restaurant 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 phone the restaurant in advance to check whether or not a particular card is accepted.

Satyricon

Price: Expensive

Satyricon is one of the finest restaurants in Rio de Janeiro for seafood lovers. The clean interiors contrast with the exuberant cuisine, which is by large the best Mediterranean seafood in town. The wine cellar is to die for and the service is impeccable. Satyricon is a Rio restaurant you will remember long after you’ve left Brazil.

Address: Rua Barão da Torre 192, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Telephone: (21) 2521 0627.
www.satyricon.com.br

Aprazível

Price: Moderate

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. The 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 crème brûlée are as sweet and delightful as the setting. Open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday evenings only.

Address: Rua Aprazîvel 62, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Telephone: (21) 2508 9174.
www.aprazivel.com.br

Antiquarius

Price: Expensive

Award-winning Antiquarius is one of Rio's best restaurants, serving classic Portuguese dishes. The elegant splendour of the interior doubles as an antiques shop - hence the name. The leg of lamb is excellent and seafood includes Lobster Thermidor and over 50 varieties of bacalhau (salted cod). The extensive and impressive wine list includes many fine French, Spanish and Portuguese varieties. Reservations advised.

Address: Rua Aristides Espinola 19, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Telephone: (21) 2294 1049.
www.antiquarius.com.br

Frontera

Price: Cheap

Frontera is one of the best restaurants in Rio de Janeiro for travellers on a budget. Serving a large and eclectic buffet of international cuisine, Frontera offers quality food at very reasonable prices. Perfect for a light lunch after or before the beach. Not recommended for big eaters though as the food is priced depending on its weight.

Address: Rua Visconde de Pirajá 128, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Telephone: (21) 3289 2350.
www.frontera.com.br

Miam Miam

Price: Moderate

Miam Miam offers a new concept of dining in Rio. The location is unusual, hidden in one of the side streets of Botafogo. It is not easy to find, but this is part of its charm. Everything you see is for sale, furniture included. Urban chic and Rio’s most trendy restaurant, Miam Miam preaches the wonders of comfort food, eating in bowls while stretching on a couch – socializing has never tasted so good.

Address: Rua General Góes Monteiro 34, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Telephone: (21) 2244 0125.
www.miammiam.com.br

Bar do Arnaudo

Price: Moderate

In Bohemian Santa Teresa, this tiny Rio 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.

Address: Rua Almirante Alexandrino 316B, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Telephone: (21) 2252 7246.

Le Pré Catelan

Price: Expensive

Located just between Copabana and Ipanema beaches, Le Pré Catalan is the most experimental restaurant in Rio. Amazonian ingredients meet French gourmet cuisine and the result is a gastronomic journey to the wonders of Brazilian jungle food. Four-Michelin-star chef Roland Villard loves to pamper his clients so he often stops at tables to chaperone the experience.

Address: Avenida Atlântica 4240, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Telephone: (21) 2525 1160.
ww2.leprecatelan.com.br/default.asp

Zazá Bistrô Tropical

Price: Moderate

Zazá Bistrô Tropical is the perfect choice for a romantic night out or for a treat after a long day at the beach. 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 cuisines. 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. Credit cards are not accepted.

Address: Rua Joana Angélica 40, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Telephone: (21) 2247 9101.
www.zazabistro.com.br

Gero

Price: Expensive

Owned by a powerful São Paulo-based family of restaurateurs and hoteliers, this sophisticated restaurant is arguably the best Italian restaurant in Rio. The menu, drawn up by skilful chef Salvatore Loi, is a mouth-watering selection of classic, indulging Italian dishes such as lamb cutlets filled with foie gras. The warm and elegant décor adds to the dining experience.

Address: Rua Aníbal de Mendonça 157, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Telephone: (21) 2239 8158.
www.fasano.com.br

Aipo & Aipim

Price: Cheap

The best budget option for dining is one of the many comida a quilo or 'food-by-weight' restaurants found throughout Rio de Janeiro. One of the most popular is the Aipo & Aipim chain, 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.

Address: Rua do Ouvidor 108, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Telephone: (21) 2222 3423.
www.aipoeaipim.com.br

Cervantes

Price: Cheap

Stand with the locals and enjoy a refreshing glass of chopp (draft beer) at this old-fashioned venue with frosted windows and a lively atmosphere. Smartly dressed waiters serve drinks, hot food and sandwiches to a mixed crowd who drop in until closing at 0600. Try the filet mignon sandwich garnished with pineapple. Closed Monday.

Address: Avenida Prado Júnior 335, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Telephone: (21) 2275 6147.
www.restaurantecervantes.com.br

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