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Rio de Janeiro

Brazilian restaurants in Rio De Janeiro

  1. A

    Brasileirinho

    Facing Praça General Osório, this rustically decorated restaurant serves good, traditional Mineiro cuisine. Favorites include tutu a mineira (mashed black beans with manioc), carne seca and picanha (rump steak). The feijoada (black bean and pork) here is tops – not surprising given that Brasileirinho is run by the same owner as the nearby Casa da Feijoada.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Ernesto

    With high ceilings and exposed brick walls, there's an old-time feel to this restaurant and drinking spot just a short stroll from the samba clubs in Lapa. Ernesto has an extensive menu, though its grilled meats, codfish dishes and German-inspired plates (white sausage with lentils) are standouts. There's live music – MPB or samba – on Wednesday (from 8pm; R$8) and Saturday (from 9:30pm; R$15).

    reviewed

  3. C

    Pontinho

    Tucked away on a peaceful corner of Copacabana, Pontinho is a traditional open-sided boteco (small neighborhood bar) serving sizzling platters of picanha (thin cut of rump steak), grilled chicken, omelets and other satisfying dishes to a neighborhood crowd. On your way to this untouristy spot, be sure to take a stroll past the leafy Praça Edmundo Bittencourt.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Marius Carnes

    In addition to the breathtaking array of delicious roast meats carried from table to table, this Leme churrascaria (all-you-can-eat barbecued-meat restaurant) features a lavish buffet table. Oysters in the half shell, sushi, grilled vegetables with herbs; it all seems almost too lovely to eat. Next door is Marius Crustáceas, the restaurant's seafood equivalent.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Galeto do Leblon

    One of the pioneers on this street, Galeto do Leblon has been around for over 35 years. Although a recent renovation has created an airy, modern feel, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, Galeto still serves the traditional Brazilian dishes that have made it such a neighborhood favorite over the years. On Saturday, stop in for excellent feijoada (R$46 for two).

    reviewed

  6. F

    Eclipse

    One of the only 24-hour restaurants in town, Eclipse is equal parts juice bar, pizzeria and traditional Brazilian restaurant, with outdoor seating, a stand-up counter and a sit-down air-conditioned restaurant for escaping the heat. It can be a great (and lively!) destination when hunger strikes in the madrugada (the wee hours of the night).

    reviewed

  7. G

    Cantinho do Senado

    This nondescript restaurant on antique row serves an excellent feijoada (R$31), which is enough to feed two. The chalkboard menu in front lists other daily specials, usually grilled plates of steak, trout, chicken or filet of salmon, You can dine in the casual open-sided bar on the ground floor or upstairs amid air-conditioning.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Taberna da Glória

    On a small plaza in the heart of Glória, this large outdoor eatery serves decent Brazilian staples, and in abundance – most dishes here serve two. The feijoada on Friday and Saturday still draws crowds, and if you're not up for a big meal, appetizers and ice-cold chope are a good way to enjoy the open-air ambience.

    reviewed

  9. I

    Senac Bistrô

    On the bottom floor of an old mansion built 100 or so years ago, Senac serves tasty plates of seared tuna, shrimp moqueca and other Brazilian specialties. In spite of the splendid exterior, the decor inside is a bit lacking. The chocolate cake, however, makes up for any ambience issues. It comes warm and oozing decadence.

    reviewed

  10. J

    Yorubá

    Candlelit Yorubá looks as if it’s always ready for the arrival of an orixá (deity of Candomblé). And if the goddess Iemanjá were to pay a surprise visit, she’d find heavenly plump shrimp and rich coconut milk blended to perfection in babão de camarão, and outstanding moqueca (Bahian fish stew).

    reviewed

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  12. K

    Siri Mole & Cia

    Rated one of Rio's best Bahian restaurants, Siri Mole & Cia serves outstanding vatapa, moqueca de camarão (shrimp stew) and ensopada de peixe (fish and coconut milk stew). Stop in on Saturday (before 5pm) for the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet (R$58). Around the corner is Siri Mole's smaller, cheaper and more casual boteco, Toca do Siri, which serves tasty acarajé (spicy shrimp-filled croquettes; R$15).

    reviewed

  13. L

    Atrium

    A stately dining room in the Paço Imperial, Atrium serves power-lunching business execs and those simply wanting a taste of decadence. The lamb with rosemary and mushroom risotto would have brought a smile to the face of Dom Pedro I (who once gazed out these same windows a little less than 200 years ago).

    reviewed

  14. M

    Doce Delícia

    Doce Delícia has a small but loyal following that is sold on the restaurant's innovative Eastern design concept. Restaurant-goers create their own salads from over 40 ingredients on the menu. Feeling daring? Go for the pumpkin, jerked meat and leeks. The only limit is your imagination, cara. There's another branch in Ipanema.

    reviewed

  15. N

    Cervantes

    A Copacabana institution, the late-night Cervantes gathers Cariocas who come to feast on Cervantes' trademark meat and pine-apple sandwiches. Its waiters are famed for their fussiness, along with their speed to the tap when your chope runneth dry. Around the corner, Cervantes' stand-up boteco serves up tasty bites in a hurry.

    reviewed

  16. O

    Galani

    On the top floor of the Caesar Park Hotel on Saturday, you'll find one of Rio's best feijoadas. The decadent pork and black bean recipe comes beautifully prepared, without a lot of extra fat, and you can sample nearly a dozen varieties of pork dishes. The view is spectacular.

    reviewed

  17. P

    Severyna da Glória

    One of the rare gems of the neighborhood, Severyna is a cozy restaurant with rustic décor and satisfying plates of carne seca (dried meat with spices), moqueca and other classic Northeastern fare. There's live music Thursday to Sunday nights.

    reviewed

  18. Q

    Ateliê Culinârio

    Next to the art-house cinema of the same name (the Ateliê Odeon) this place serves up decent Brazilian fare on its open-air terrace to a festive crowd. Ateliê opens onto the Praça Floriano, which is a lively gathering spot on weekday evenings. On weekends, it stays opens during film screenings next door.

    reviewed

  19. R

    Santa Scenarium

    Angels, saints and other sacred images adorn the exposed brick walls of this marvelously atmospheric restaurant on Lapa's antique row. Grilled meats and other Brazilian staples are on offer at lunchtime, while at night Cariocas gather for cold beer, appetizers and sandwiches (like the popular filet mignon on ciabatta). There's live music most nights.

    reviewed

  20. S

    Emporium Pax

    One of many eateries at Botafogo Praia Shopping, Emporium Pax is a more polished affair than the adjoining food court and offers spectacular views of Pão de Açúcar and Baía de Guanabara. As well as salads, pastas and tasty desserts, the lunch buffet draws in the shoppers and film-goers.

    reviewed

  21. T

    Botequim Informal

    Located on the 7th floor of the Botafogo Praia Shopping Center, Botequim Informal has a fairly standard menu, but boasts spectacular views of the bay and Pão de Açúcar. It's one of many eateries in the mall.

    reviewed

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  23. U

    Aprazível

    Hidden on a windy road high up in Santa Teresa, Aprazível offers beautiful views and a lush garden setting. Grilled fish and roasted dishes showcase the country's culinary highlights of land and sea (standouts include grilled orange-infused tropical fish with coconut rice and roasted plantains). This place is a bit out of the way, so call ahead (sometimes, the restaurant is booked up by groups) and take a taxi (and have your map handy, as drivers don't always know this place).

    reviewed

  24. V

    Delírio Tropical

    Famed for its salads, Delírio Tropical serves 16 varieties each day, along with a few soups and hot dishes (veggie burgers, grilled salmon) if you're famished. The open layout has a pleasant, casual feeling and there are two stories with big windows overlooking the street.

    reviewed

  25. W

    Lamas

    This classic Brazilian restaurant opened in 1874 and has fans from all over. In spite of the mileage, dishes here hold up well, and those omniscient waiters in starched white coats will tell you what's hot in the kitchen. You can't go wrong with grilled lingüiça (Brazilian sausage) or filet mignon with garlic.

    reviewed

  26. X

    Garota da Urca

    Overlooking the small Praia da Urca, this neighborhood restaurant serves standard Brazilian fare at decent prices. The weekday lunch specials are good value, and you can enjoy views over the bay from the open-air veranda. By night, a more garrulous crowd meets here for steak and chope.

    reviewed

  27. Y

    Braseiro da Gávea

    This family-style eatery serves large portions of its popular steak with farofa, pot roast or fried chicken. On weekends, the open-air spot fills with the din of conversation and the aroma of freshly poured chope drifting by. As the evening wanes, a younger crowd takes over, drinking late into the night.

    reviewed