Restaurants in Brazil
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A
Zazá Bistrô Tropical
French-colonial decor and delicately spiced cuisine await those venturing inside this charming converted house in Ipanema. Inventive combinations, blending East and West, match the seductive mood inside. Upstairs, diners lounge on throw pillows, with candles glowing along the walls. Those who prefer fresh air can dine on the porch out front.
reviewed
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B
Cafecito
A few steps above street level, this open-air café serves imported beers, desserts, cocktails (caipirinhas and mojitos), tapas plates and gourmet sandwiches (with ingredients such as smoked trout, artichoke hearts, prosciutto).
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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C
Carretão
It’s all about the meat at this inexpensive churrascaria. There is another branch in Ipanema, at Rua Visconde de Pirajá 112.
reviewed
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D
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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E
Amir
Serving some of Rio’s best Middle Eastern dishes, this enticing two-story restaurant near the beach offers consistently good plates of hummus, kaftas (savory meatballs), falafel and salads. Daytime crowds come for the buffet (R$33/45 on weekdays/weekends), while at night it’s à la carte.
reviewed
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F
Yalla
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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Bodega
This stylish pizzeria and Italian eatery offers prime people-watching, gourmet pies and potent cocktails.
reviewed
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H
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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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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I
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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J
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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K
Zuka
One of Rio’s best restaurants, Zuka prepares delectable mouth-watering 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 purée and many other imaginative dishes.
reviewed
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L
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 antiquefurnishings.
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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M
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.
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.
reviewed
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N
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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O
Sushi Leblon
Leblon’s premier sushi destination, Sushi Leblon boasts creative additions to its award-winning sashimi, including grilled namorado (a type of perch) with passion fruit farofa (manioc flour sautéed with butter) and sea-urchin ceviche.
reviewed
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P
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.
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Q
Casa da Feijoada
At this longstanding institution, any day is fine to sample the rich, black bean and salted pork dish. The feijoada is served with the requisite orange slices, farofa and grated kale, all of which pair nicely with a caipirinha.
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Famiglia Maran
This bakery and cafeteria has something for everyone. Sandwiches, pastas and filling hot dishes will sate your hunger, as will the irresistible soup buffet (R$7, from 6pm to 5:30am). You can enjoy the sidewalk seating during pleasant weather.
reviewed
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R
Satyricon
Best known for its superb seafood – from avocado-and-shrimp-stuffed fish carpaccio to a let-out-all-the-stops mixed grill called fantasia di mare – Satyricon’s wide-ranging Mediterranean menu also includes pizza, pasta and risottos.
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S
Martín Fierro
Even Brazilians admit that Argentines are the masters of barbecue, and this humble-looking but convivial spot proves their point. The grilled beef is outstanding, while the grilled veggies and empanadas make first-rate accompaniments.
reviewed
