Must-see restaurants in Brazil

  • Nossa Cozinha Bistrô

    Brasília

    At this sweet, welcoming bistro tucked away on Bloco C’s backside, superb value awaits. The US-trained chef excels at gourmet treats like the signature…

  • Du Chef Arte e Gastronomia

    Salvador

    Fresh seafood and upscale plating make the dishes at this swish Barra restaurant pop. You're likely to make the acquaintance of the chef, Lucius Gaudenzi,…

  • Vila Gourmet

    Bahia

    This tropical-style eatery (connected to the centrally located Pousada Sobrado da Vila) serves regional cuisine that’s a cut above the rest – thanks to…

  • Bráz Pizzaria

    São Paulo

    Cooking up what many consider to be Sampa’s best pizza Paulistana in wood ovens, this Higienópolis location of the Bráz chain is an always-animated and…

  • Beijupirá

    Pernambuco

    The best restaurant in the region, Beijupirá is right on the beautiful southern end of Carneiros and specializes in fresh seafood platters served in a…

  • Mangue Sereno

    Bahia

    Homemade pastas and creative seafood dishes are locally famous at this lovely restaurant at the pousada (guesthouse) of the same name; the romantic, low…

  • Chão Nativo I

    Goiás

    Break out the calculator to help you choose between pay-by-weight or all-you-can-eat at this smorgasbord of bubbling Goiânian cauldrons, often voted the…

  • Meza Bar

    Rio de Janeiro

    Humaitá’s see-and-be-seen hot spot serves delectable, Brazilian-slanted tapas to a sophisticated and trendy crowd. Creative cocktails and delightful staff…

  • 50 Sabores

    Fortaleza

    Mucuripe branch of the popular ice cream shop; there's another one by the beach in Meireles.

  • Tacacá do Norte

    Flamengo & Around

    In the Amazonian state of Pará, people order their tacacá late in the afternoon from their favorite street vendor. In Rio, you don't have to wait until…

  • Ella Pizzaria

    Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa

    Located in a prime spot next to the Jardim Botânico, this upmarket pizzeria offers Neapolitan-style pizzas with elaborate toppings such as crispy octopus,…

  • Casa Paladino

    Rio de Janeiro

    Going strong since 1906, this frozen-in-time delicatessen is lined with bottles, canned goods and other preserves. The attached restaurant serves Paladino…

  • Shirley

    Rio de Janeiro

    The aroma of succulent paella hangs in the air as waiters hurry to and from the kitchen bearing platefuls of fresh seafood. Shirley, opened in 1954, was…

  • Mironga

    Rio de Janeiro

    With its tall ceilings, exposed Edison bulbs, lounge-like music and chunky wooden tables, Mironga channels a Brooklyn vibe, which is unsurprising given…

  • Bakers

    Rio de Janeiro

    The Bakers is a fine spot for flaky croissants, banana Danishes, apple strudels and other treats. There are also waffles, omelets, salads, gourmet…

  • Galeto Sat's

    Rio de Janeiro

    One of Rio's best roast-chicken spots, laid-back Galeto Sat's has earned many fans since it opened back in 1962. Grab a seat along the mirrored, tiled…

  • Antônia Casa e Café

    Rio de Janeiro

    Though it's just a short stroll from Copacabana's busiest thoroughfare, this little cafe (which shares space with a home-design store) maintains a…

  • Ceviche RJ

    Rio de Janeiro

    This simple Peruvian-run restaurant serves arguably the best ceviche in Rio. Although there is some seating inside the restaurant, most diners sit outside…

  • Intihuasi

    Flamengo & Around

    Colorfully decorated with Andean tapestries and artwork, this tiny Peruvian restaurant serves mouthwatering ceviches, papas rellenas (meat-filled potatoes…

  • Rancho Inn

    Rio de Janeiro

    Exposed brick and tall windows lend a vaguely Parisian air to this charming upstairs lunchtime spot. The menu changes daily and features specials like…

  • Le Depanneur

    Rio de Janeiro

    This buzzing cafe and deli serves juices, waffles, crepes, salads, antipasti plates and specialty sandwiches. On weekends the large plant-trimmed front…

  • Miam Miam

    Rio de Janeiro

    Exposed brick walls and a mishmash of retro furnishings set the scene for dining in style at Botafogo’s culinary darling. Chef Roberta Ciasca serves her…

  • Luigi's

    Flamengo & Around

    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 in the small…

  • Cervantes

    Rio de Janeiro

    A Copacabana institution, the late-night Cervantes attracts cariocas who come to feast on the trademark filet mignon and pineapple sandwiches. This…

  • La Fiorentina

    Rio de Janeiro

    One of Leme's classic Italian restaurants, La Fiorentina attracted Rio's glitterati in the 1960s. Today its beach-facing outdoor tables draw a loyal,…

  • Arab

    Rio de Janeiro

    On Copacabana's oceanfront road, Arab is a laid-back spot where you can linger at an outdoor table over delicious platters of tabbouleh, hummus, baba…

  • Açougue Central

    São Paulo

    Supertsar chef Alex Atala's carnivorous venture into VIla Madelena is a surefire sign the neighborhood's culinary offerings are catching up to its…

  • Massa

    Ipanema & Leblon

    Chef Pedro Siqueira made waves in 2015 with the opening of his excellent restaurant Puro in Jardim Botânico. Building on that success, Siqueira opened…

  • Alda Maria Doces Portugueses

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    This charming family-run bakery and cafe is one of the secret spots that make Santa Teresa so popular with locals and visitors alike. The beautiful little…

  • Majorica

    Flamengo & Around

    Established in 1963, Majorica is regarded as an institution among Rio’s discerning carnivores. Although the all-you-can-eat option is not offered, we…

  • Casa de Taipa

    Natal

    What is probably Brazil's most famous tapiocaria flips the script on a traditional street food and turns it into a gourmet treat fit for foodies. Droves…

  • Don Pascual

    Rio de Janeiro

    Don Pascual has undeniable charm. Amid lush scenery you'll dine on open-sided wooden decks, listening to birdsong. Not surprisingly, by night it's all…

  • Casa Aveiro by Dolores

    Gramado

    After a successful foray into the boutique hotel industry in Portugal, superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is throwing his funds into the food-and…

  • Brou

    Flamengo & Around

    A brilliant new addition to Flamengo, this bright and attractive eating and drinking spot features a daytime menu of creative salads topped with grilled…

  • Moleskine Gastrobar

    Fortaleza

    One of Fortaleza's trendiest restaurants, this gastro-bar draws the young, hot and restless as much for its striking design – denim-covered banquets and…

  • Da Gema

    Rio de Janeiro

    Well off the beaten path, this humble-looking botequim (bar with table service) serves mouthwatering petiscos (appetizers). It was started by three…

  • Laguna Restaurante

    Rio de Janeiro

    Located on an island near the eastern section of Barra, this charming spot serves excellent seafood dishes meant for sharing. Start off with casquinha de…

  • Pastel de Maria

    São Paulo

    Maria Kuniko Yonaha has nearly 40 years experience frying up one of Brazil's best street eats, pastel (stuffed fried pastries), which are said to have…

  • Underdog Meat & Beers

    São Paulo

    A humble Argentine is behind the grilled perfection that emerges from this rapidly expanding den of carnivorism, where the perfectly charred meat – add…

  • Void – House of Food

    Rio de Janeiro

    This venue has two halves: on one side is Void, a store and cafe/bar selling sneakers, T-shirts, baseball caps, brownies and drinks. On the other side of…

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