Restaurants in Brazil
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A
Zazá Bistro Tropical
Inside an art-filled and whimsically decorated converted house, Zazá serves satisfying dishes with Eastern accents, and uses organic ingredients when possible. Two favorites: curry chicken with coconut milk and basmati rice; and semi-raw tuna with vegetables, grilled shrimp and passion fruit sauce. Upstairs, diners lounge on throw pillows, while candles glow along the walls. You can also sit at one of the tables on the front.
reviewed
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Bacalhau do Tuga
Since opening in 2009, the ‘Tuga’ (Portuguese guy) has been drawing throngs of people to this beachfront hole-in-the-wall, mixing classic Portuguese codfish recipes with local specialties such as peixe grelhado com molho de manga (grilled fish with mango sauce).
reviewed
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B
Cafecito
A few steps above street level, this open-air café attracts a mix of foreigners and neighborhood regulars (the Argentine owner is a longtime Santa Teresa resident). You'll find imported beers, desserts, cocktails (caiprinhas and mojitos), tapas plates and gourmet sandwiches (with ingredients like smoked trout, artichoke hearts and prosciutto).
reviewed
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C
Porcão Rio’s
Set in the Parque do Flamengo with a stunning view of Pão de Açúcar, Porcão Rio’s is consistently ranked by restaurant critics as the city’s best churrascaria. Whether you believe the hype – or simply come for the view – you’re in for an eating extravaganza. Arrive early, both to score a good table and to see the view before sunset.
reviewed
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D
Carretão
It's all about the meat at this decent but inexpensive churrascaria. With several branches throughout the city, including an Ipanema Carretão, this popular chain serves up consistently good cuts – and heaps of them. There's a small salad bar, and you can order sides from the menu at no added charge.
reviewed
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E
Amir
Step inside Amir and you'll enter a world of delicate aromas and handsomely dressed waiters in embroidered vests. Daytime crowds come for the buffet (R$33 on weekdays, R$45 weekends), while at night the a la carte menu features all the favorites, including delicious platters of hummus, kaftas (spiced meat patty), falafel, kibbe and salads. There's a belly dancer Friday nights (at 9:30pm), while other nights you can smoke from a hookah if you snag a balcony seat.
reviewed
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F
Yalla
One of the few non-fancy options on this culinary street, Yalla is a small, quick-serving restaurant where you can pick up fresh tabouli or couscous salads, sandwiches on lavash bread (Shawarma, falafel, shish kebab) or pasties filled with ricotta, beef or spinach. Don't miss baklava for dessert.
reviewed
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G
A Bela Paulista
This very agreeable, upscale bakery is especially popular with the gay Paulistano community for its gourmet sandwiches and salads served around the clock. Expect lines in the wee hours as clubs start to close.
reviewed
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H
Bráz
Cooking up what many consider Sampa's best pizza in wood ovens, this rather upscale but always animated spot is worth the 10 to 15 minute walk from Av Paulista.
reviewed
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Bodega
This stylish pizzeria and Italian eatery offers prime people-watching, gourmet pies and potent cocktails.
reviewed
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Sorveteria Bali
Grab an outdoor table and enjoy Maceió’s best ice cream. Among favorites are walnut, guava and tapioca.
reviewed
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J
Nam Thai
Thai cuisine is a rarity in Rio, which makes charming Nam Thai even more of a star. The French colonial interior is a cozy setting for the eclectic Thai cooking. Favorites are the squid salad and spicy shrimp curry with pineapple. No less intoxicating are Nam Thai's tropical drinks, such as the caipivodca de lychee (lychee vodka caipirinha).
reviewed
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Xicara da Silva
Plenty of people say this popular restaurant prepares the city's best pizza and pasta, and you won't find any arguments to the contrary here. With artful and comfortable dining areas indoors and on a raised patio, the atmosphere is just as appealing. For something smaller, try the quiche. Squeezed into a small leafy lot near the huge Lider Z mall.
reviewed
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K
Ristorante Fiorentina
The pasta, fresh meats, sangria and homemade desserts are all first-rate, even at the per-kilo lunch buffet, but bring some extra moolah to cover your meal. The dining area features the obligatory Italian restaurant red-and-white checkered tablecloths; the upstairs area mixes things up a bit with blue and white checkers.
reviewed
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Gero
Part of the Fasano family of high-end restaurants, Gero occupies a beautifully minimalist, brick-lined dining room that attracts a lively, fashion-conscious crowd with its brilliantly executed Italian fare, like polenta with squid in its own ink, and homemade pasta with a ragu of sausage and radicchio.
reviewed
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M
Zuka
One of Rio's best restaurants, Zuka prepares delectable mouthwatering cuisine – zingy ceviche or the confection-like delicacy of Zuka's original foie gras to start, followed by rack of lamb with passion fruit, grilled fish of the day with mandoquinha (a kind of sweet root vegetable) purée, seared tuna over heart-of-palm tagliatelle and many other imaginative dishes. All the grilling action happens at the open kitchen to the right (you can sit at the counter and watch the chefs in action), and the cocktails (particularly the lychee saketinis) and desserts are excellent.
reviewed
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Artigiano
Overlooking the Jardim de Alah, Artigiano is set in a picturesque villa with more than a hint of the old-world about it. Here, you will find an older, well-dressed crowd enjoying classic Italian fare, including some 20 superb varieties of handmade pasta amid the oil paintings and antique furnishings.
reviewed
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Cantina Jeri
Excellent value spot offering a ridiculously extensive (and good) list of pastas and risottos. Dishes are meant for one, but when they show up – placed on the table in the very pan in which they were cooked – they can easily serve two, catapulting this Italian-run midrange into the budget category.
reviewed
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O
Fellini
One of Leblon's top buffet restaurants, Fellini has an enticing selection of dishes: salads, pastas, grilled fish and shrimp, a sushi counter and the hallowed roast-meat counter. The modest dining room attracts a mix of hungry patrons – tourists, neighborhood folk and the beautiful crowd included.
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Pimenta Verde
This delightful little corner café with only a few tables pumps out memorable cuisine from the former chef at longtime favorite Carcará. The octopus Provençal (best dish in Jeri?) and the green peppercorn filet are both divine. Cute artistic touches round out the culinary happiness.
reviewed
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Mangai
This spectacular regional buffet is worth the stop in João Pessoa alone. Nearly everything is labeled in English and there’s plenty for vegetarians. Save room for the decadent caramelized cashews smothered in doce de leite (creamy milk-and-sugar concoction) and chocolate.
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Churrascaria Búfalo
There’s no better place in Manaus for rodizio, an all-you-can-eat meat extravaganza in which a cadre of tuxedoed waiters bring skewer after skewer of sizzling meat right to your table, accompanied by a full salad and pasta bar. There’s no chance of leaving here hungry.
reviewed
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Q
Sushi Leblon
Leblon's top sushi destination boasts a Zenlike ambience with a handsome dark-wood sushi counter setting the stage for succulent cuisine. In addition to sashimi and sushi, you'll find grilled namorado (a type of perch) with passion fruit farofa, sea-urchin ceviche and refreshing sake to complement the meal.
reviewed
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R
Benkei
This casual Japanese restaurant is a favorite haunt for after-the-beach meals on weekends. Benkei does have a menu, though nearly everyone here comes for the all-you-can-eat sushi buffet, with a wide variety of rolls and sashimi, plus miso soup. You can dine on the small front patio or in the cooler, dining room inside.
reviewed
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S
Casa da Feijoada
Admirers of Brazil's iconic feijoada (black beans and pork stew) needn't wait until Saturday to experience the meaty meal. The casual Casa da Feijoada serves the rich black-bean and salted-pork dish every day of the week. It comes with the requisite orange slices, farofa and grated kale (cabbage), and goes nicely with a caipirinha.
reviewed