Italian restaurants in Brazil
-
A
Luigi's
Well off the beaten path, Luigi's is a casual Italian restaurant set in an old villa in Laranjeiras. Join neighborhood regulars for a drink on the small covered courtyard in front before venturing inside for homemade beet fettuccine with rocket pesto, fresh mushroom and tomato tagliatelle, or green apple and duck risotto.
reviewed
-
B
Famiglia Mancini
Another Paulista tradition, this cozy cantina manages to be both homey and upscale, and serves up classic, delicious northern Italian fare on family-style platters.
reviewed
-
C
Lulu
On a quiet tree-lined corner in Jardim Botânico, this stylish three-story restaurant serves contemporary Italian cuisine with flair. The excellent pastas are made in-house (try the goat cheese and eggplant), while heartier palates might opt for the chef’s osso buco, fresh fish of the day with polenta or duck confit. On clear nights, reserve a table on the top-floor patio for idyllic views over the neighborhood.
reviewed
-
D
Capone
Capone has a large selection of pasta and pizza.
reviewed
-
Combinati
Good, midrange Italian food a short walk from the tourist office.
reviewed
-
E
Trattoria Via Destra
A romantic little Italian restaurant whose chef-owner migrated from Italy to Tiradentes in 2001.
reviewed
-
F
Cantina Italiana
The pink walls of this cozy pasta and pizza restaurant are covered with framed photos and artwork.
reviewed
-
Don Giovanni
One of Ilheus' classiest dining rooms, this Italian restaurant overlooking the water serves tasty pastas and pizzas.
reviewed
-
Pizza na Praça
Always bustling, this simple eatery with outdoor seating on the main church square serves pizza and pasta into the wee hours.
reviewed
-
Os Artistas da Massa
Fantastically fresh pastas and other Italian dishes are served to the jazz and pop tunes you pick off the menu at this gourmet restaurant.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Ristorante Mediterraneo
This quaint open-sided Italian restaurant serves fettuccine with shrimp and pesto, grilled fish, pasta al arrabiata and other old-world offerings. It's on the main strip.
reviewed
-
Maritaca
On the road leading to the quadrado, elegant and airy Maritaca cooks up pastas, grilled meats and rich desserts, though delicious thin-crust pizzas are the real draw.
reviewed
-
Restaurante Mediterrâneo
In a colonial building near the Praça dos Cachorros, this nicely decorated Italian restaurant serves tasty homemade pastas, grilled dishes, salads and a range of other options.
reviewed
-
Alfredo’s Restaurant
One of the best restaurants in town, Alfredo’s has a lengthy menu, gourmet meals and tortellini with ricotta and spinach that melts in your mouth. The filling lunch special is a bargain.
reviewed
-
G
Vecchio Sogno
Repeatedly voted Belo’s best Italian restaurant (not just its best Italian one), Vecchio Sogno is worth the splurge. Mains range from duck and wild rice risotto to shrimp flambéed in grappa. Reserve ahead.
reviewed
-
H
Prima Bruschetteria
There was quite a buzz surrounding this stylish snacking and drinking spot when it opened in 2010. Prima showcases an Italian delicacy not often seen in these parts, with imaginative ingredients like artichokes, gorgonzola, olive tapenade, Prosciutto, smoked salmon and even caviar appearing atop its char-grilled bread. You'll also find fresh salads, antipasto plates and four types of risotto.
reviewed
-
I
Ristorante Al Carmo
In a charming 19th-century building, this inviting Italian restaurant has an upstairs terrace where you can enjoy rich pasta dishes (pumpkin tortellini in gorgonzola sauce) or fresh plates of grilled fish and steak.
reviewed
-
Spaghetto
This bright, cheerful Italian eatery brings São Paulo's Italian culinary tradition to the beach, with pasta, fish and meat dishes that are simple but made with fine ingredients and prepared and served with care.
reviewed
-
Piazza Italia
For a sampling of architecture and gastronomy from the motherland, visit this Italian Renaissance palazzo. A children’s play space makes it ideal for families, but everyone will enjoy the massive menu of ‘nonna’s’ specialties.
reviewed
-
J
Ráscal
This popular São Paulo chain arrived in Rio a few years back and quickly earned top marks for its fantastic buffet. The huge spread of Italian cuisine includes salads, bruschetta, pizzas, pastas (six different kinds) and a few juicy grill choices.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Quadrifoglio
A charming Italian spot famed for exotic raviolis like its ravioli de maça ao creme e semente de papoula (apple ravioli with cream and poppy-seed sauce), Quadrifoglio has long been a neighborhood favorite – ever since it opened.
reviewed
-
L
Cia Paulista de Pizza
You wouldn’t know from the dining room that this is actually a chain restaurant, as the wineglasses, tablecloths, attentive waiters and recorded jazz create a unique and classy ambience. Prices are quite affordable, and the pizza and pasta excellent.
reviewed
-
M
La Fiorentina
One of Leme's classic Italian restaurants, La Fiorentina attracted Rio's glitterati in the '60s. Today, its beach-facing outdoor tables draw a loyal, mostly neighborhood crowd, who come to feast on the 15 different flavors of pizza and a well-stocked bar.
reviewed
-
N
Quadrucci
Boasting a charming wooden patio, this Italian restaurant serves decent plates in a handsome but low-key setting. Start off with a tuna ceviche before moving on to tagliatelli with lamb and artichoke sauce or tortellini with basil pesto. Strudels and tortes finish off the proceedings nicely.
reviewed
-
Mais Sabor
Occupying a raised pier perched over the water, this popular open-air restaurant opposite Praça do Pescador has nice breezes and views of both rivers – the regular one and the one made up of joggers, families and teenage couples flowing down the wide promenade. The menu has mostly pizza and pasta.
reviewed