Restaurants in Rio De Janeiro
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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G
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.
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H
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.
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I
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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J
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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K
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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L
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.
reviewed
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M
Azumi
This low-key sushi bar is a favorite among the nisei (second-generation Japanese) community. Azumi’s sushiman (sushi chef) masterfully prepares delectable sushi and sashimi. The tempuras and soups are also excellent.
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N
Brasileirinho
This rustically decorated restaurant serves good, traditional Mineiro cuisine. Favorites include tutu a mineira (mashed black beans with manioc), carne seca (dried and salted beef) and picanha (rump steak).
reviewed
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O
Sobrenatural
The exposed brick and old hardwood ceiling set the stage for feasting on the frutos do mar (seafood). Lines gather on weekends for grilled fish and moqueca. During the week, stop by for lunchtime specials.
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P
La Trattoria
This casual but festive Italian trattoria has been a neighborhood favorite for over 30 years. Seafood pasta dishes are particularly recommended.
reviewed
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Q
Confeitaria Colombo
Located inside the Forte de Copacabana (admission R$2), this café has shady outdoor tables with magnificent views of Copacabana Beach.
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R
Nanquim
Hidden inside the Instituto dos Arquitetos on a quiet street, this inviting restaurant has a small but excellent self-service lunchtime buffet. Pastas, seafood, risotto, quiches, vegetarian dishes and salads are among the options. The 19th-century building is a mix of rustic and modern, with designs and sketches by Oscar Niemeyer adorning the walls. A second branch in Jardim Botânico offers the same mix of contemporary design and good food.
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S
Barreado
In a lush setting west of Barra, this rustic spot serves fresh Brazilian seafood with a wildly eclectic twist. Meals are prepared in the wood-burning oven, and pumpkin is the serving vehicle of choice. You can order it filled with rich delicacies such as shrimp with catupiry (a kind of cheese), scampi, or lobster and mango. Vatapá and roast meats are also excellent choices. It’s located about 35km west of Rio.
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Kurt
Entering a true patisserie should delight all of your senses, and Kurt does just that. The flaky strudels and palm-sized tortes with strawberries and kiwifruit lie illuminated behind the glass counter. The smell of cappuccino hangs in the air as classical music plays overhead. A few round tables then set the stage for the most rewarding sensory experience: tasting these delicate cakes and pastries.
reviewed
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Santa Arte
Near the heart of Santa Teresa, this colonial charmer is the setting for tasty and inventive contemporary cuisine. World music plays overhead as diners enjoy grilled eggplant sandwiches, seafood pasta and, the most popular dish, a poppy-seed crusted salmon served on mashed plantains. At night, the place is at its liveliest, with occasional live music and a fair bit of pedestrian traffic outside.
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V
Gourmet Praia
In a converted villa facing the beach, Gourmet Praia spreads a tasty lunch buffet of market-fresh salads and antipasti, plus a daily special (not cheap at R$65 per person). At dinner the a la carte menu includes tilapia filet with heart of palm and pine nuts, risottos and grilled dishes. The dining room overlooks an open kitchen and leads back into a hidden garden, a charming setting for a meal.
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Cipriani
On a candlelit patio beside the Palace’s pool, Cipriani serves fine northern Italian cuisine to a well-dressed, largely non-Brazilian crowd. Signature dishes such as the gnocchi, the sirloin with port sauce, and the smoked scallops all meet their mark. For dessert, tiramisu and chocolate mousse are both good options. The dress code is once again in force, so leave your Havaianas at home.
reviewed
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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
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Y
Antiquarius
Serving without a doubt the city’s best Portuguese cuisine, Antiquarius is a rewarding but pricey spot to celebrate old-world cuisine with an antique-filled dining room, top-notch service and lovingly prepared dishes. Some particular recommendations include the leg of lamb, the wild boar in red-wine sauce and the Portuguese favorite bacalhau (cod), elevated here to the sublime.
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