Ipanema & Leblon
One block up from Ipanema Beach, this hip little spot with a small terrace fires up some of the best thin-crust pizzas in the Zona Sul. The creative…
Must-see restaurants in Brazil
São Paulo
Heloisa Bacellar, who honed her pastry skills in France, runs this adorable kitschy homewares shop–restaurant-bakery. Excellent Brazilian comfort food …
Ipanema & Leblon
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…
Pernambuco
For simple Northeastern food at its best, you can't beat this backyard restaurant that offers just one dish: chunks of grilled queijo coalho (a salty…
São Paulo
This hotshot sandwicheria has been scooping up awards for the city's best sandwich joint since opening in 2015. These juicy concoctions tend towards an…
Rio Grande do Sul
Around 6km southeast of the Pinto Bandeira turnoff along the Caminho das Pedras, this historic, cinematic wooden house dates to 1935 and is considered one…
Recife
A classic corner diner, Geraldo is known as o rei do omelete (the king of the omelet) but also serves up a variety of flavorful homestyle dishes including…
Porto Alegre
Established in 1969, this always-crowded temple of beef has no cowboy shows or endless skewers of speared meat, but it is where locals go for their carne…
Minas Gerais
One of Tiradentes’ finest restaurants, Estalagem specializes in classic comida mineira, from frango com quiabo (chicken stewed with okra) to tutu à…
Minas Gerais
Occupying two levels of a gorgeous colonial sobrado (mansion) just below Igreja de São Francisco, this upscale restaurant is ideal for a romantic dinner,…
São Paulo
This República hot spot was one of the first to give Paulistanos a reason to venture into Centro at night. The legitimately retro space, fueled by a…
Ipanema & Leblon
This charming cafe, which arrived in Ipanema in 2018, was an instant hit thanks to its excellent anytime menu of rich quiches, huge ingredient-packed…
Espírito Santo
Delicious comida caseira (home-cooked food) and a warm welcome await anyone who reaches this end-of-the-line beachside hideaway on the border between…
Santa Catarina
Tucked down a dead-end lane behind the beach, Toca de Jurerê is a dependable seafood stop that appears expensive at first glance; that is, until you…
São Paulo
There are exceptions, of course, but most Brazilians eat their meat churrascaria-style, but if you're looking for a fat and juicy hunk of perfectly…
Espírito Santo
Grab a table on the front patio of this pretty turquoise house, suffused with the warm-hearted presence of chef-owner Berê, who specializes in delicious…
Restaurante do Minas Tenis Clube
Belo Horizonte
For atmosphere and price combined, it’s hard to beat the noon buffet at Belo’s tennis club. Gorge to your heart’s content in the parquet-floored dining…
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
La Bicyclette whips up creative sandwiches (named after Parisian neighborhoods), hearty quiches, salads and desserts. Vegetarians can opt for the Olympia,…
Minas Gerais
Whimsically decorated with vintage radios, telephones and sewing machines, this trendy, high-ceilinged corner spot with old vinyl records for placemats…
Paraná
What is likely the city's most sophisticated restaurant is an offshoot of one of the town's other good restaurants, Danubio Azul, post-family feud. You'll…
Minas Gerais
This popular downtown spot is part bar, part restaurant, with a menu that offers intriguing new twists on traditional mineira cuisine. Local favorites…
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
This family-style place serves large portions of its popular linguiça (garlicky pork sausage) appetizers, picanha (rump steak) and galetos (grilled…
Rio de Janeiro State
Perched 3.5km up a mountainside along a steep, tortuous dirt road, this intimate glass-walled restaurant serves up divine views and refined international…
Foz do Iguaçu
Cheff – two f's! – Lopes churns out the town's best por-kilo lunch buffet (weekday/weekend R$46.90/56.90) and, for dinner, a top-end menu loaded with…
Maria Fulô Bistrô Natural & Tapiocaria
Paraty
This cheerfully painted little restaurant just outside the historic center is a welcome refuge for both wallet and taste buds. At lunchtime, reasonably…
Foz do Iguaçu
Foz's Lebanese community is second in size only to São Paulo's; come here to sample the Middle Eastern cuisine. The bakery does great esfihas (open-faced…
Gramado
Due to the elevated climate, pastures in the Serra Gaúcha are ideal for raising Angus cattle. This is Gramado's best traditional churrascaria (barbecue…
Ipanema & Leblon
French chef Claude Troisgros adds another hit to his culinary empire with this classic French bistro, opened in 2018, near the western end of Leblon…
São Paulo
This independently minded boteco (neighborhood bar) is slammed at night, when packs of sexy bohemians swill properly chilled bottled beer with fresh…
Fernando de Noronha
Mergulhão makes full use of its breezy site offering stupendous views over the port, while its Mediterranean menu with a Brazilian twist is one of Noronha…
Minas Gerais
Set in a romantic, candlelit space with exposed stone and brick walls, Tragaluz prides itself on home cooking served with artistic flair. The innovative…
Maranhão
Your best bet for a casual meal in town, this attractive open-air place behind the church prepares good fish dishes alongside other Brazilian standards…
Ubatuba
This intimate restaurant along the waterfront manages to be both the least touristy and the most creative along this string of mostly carbon-copy options…
São Paulo
Tucked away in a deep lane off Rua Augusta, this hipster veg burger delight was spawned from the opposite: a highly successful traditional burger joint in…
Jericoacoara
Soak up the spectacular views from the cashew-tree-shaded oceanfront terrace at Jericoacoara's best por kilo eatery, then settle into a lounge chair and…
Ipanema & Leblon
From its location on the top floor of the Hotel Praia Ipanema, this place has a jaw-dropping view of Ipanema Beach. The dinner menu features Brazilian…
Mirante Tapiocaria & Crepiocaria
Pará
You've seen tapioca at your hotel breakfast – those spongy white crepes served with butter – but never like the creations served at this popular outdoor…
Centro & the Mainland
This good-time blue-and-white tableclothed joint is our favorite boteco inside the Mercado Público. It only serves products from Santa Catarina: the local…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
Angels, saints and other sacred images adorn the exposed brick walls of this marvelously atmospheric restaurant on Lapa's antique row. Grilled meats and…
Espírito Santo
Generous portions of local seafood, from fried fish to shrimp and lobster stews, are served at this unpretentious eatery half a block from Iriri's beach…
