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Pontinho
Tucked away on a peaceful corner of Copacabana, Pontinho is a traditional open-sided boteco 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.
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Porcão Rio's
Set in the Parque do Flamengo with a stunning view of Pão de Açúcar, Porcão Rio's has been gradually moving up the charts in the churrascaria ratings. Some claim it's the best in the city; others are content just to go for the view. Whatever the case, you're in for an eating extravaganza. Call a few days in advance to book that table by the window.
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Quadrifoglio
A charming Italian spot famed for exotic raviolis like its ravioli de maça ao creme e semente de papoula (apple ravioli with cream and poppy seed sauce), Quadrifoglio has long been a neighborhood favorite - ever since it opened.
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Quadrucci
Boasting a charming wooden patio, this Italian restaurant serves decent plates in a handsome but low-key setting. Start off with a tuna ceviche before moving on to tagliatelli with lamb and artichoke sauce or tortellini with basil pesto. Strudels and tortes finish off the proceedings nicely.
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Rancho Inn
Exposed brick and tall windows lend a vaguely Parisian air to this charming lunchtime spot. In addition to offerings like caprese raviolini (tomato and mozzarella ravioli) and snapper with basil and almonds, the salads and quiches are muito gostoso (very tasty).
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Ráscal
This popular São Paulo chain arrived in Rio in 2006 and quickly earned top marks for its fantastic lunch buffet. The huge spread of Italian cuisine includes salads, bruschetta, pizzas, pastas (six different kinds), along with a few juicy grill choices. At night Ráscal is à la carte.
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Restaurante Albamar
The green gazebo structure perched over water offers excellent views of the Baía de Guanabara and Niterói. The seafood has its fans, but it's not nearly as outstanding as the view. The peixe brasileira (fish in coconut milk) is one of the most popular dishes.
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Restaurante Kioto
Hidden on a street behind Largo do Machado this simple, well-concealed restaurant is worth seeking out when craving a sushi feast that won't break the bank. There's an enormous variety of rolls at the buffet, and you can take pride in dining in a restaurant known to only a handful of Cariocas.
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Salitre
Above a wine store and gourmet delicatessen, Salitre serves unique international fare like sweet potato gnocchi with salmon as well as grilled dishes, and luscious desserts (just visit the counter on the first floor). Breakfast features homemade breads (a rarity in these parts).
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Sansushi
This tiny sushi spot on Santa Teresa's main strip attracts a loyal local following with its delectable sushi and sashimi (36 varieties) as well as teriyaki and other hot dishes.
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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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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.
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São Sebastião
This hidden gem has brought a dash of style to Leme since its opening in 2002. In an artfully decorated bistro, Chef Pedro Prado prepares beautiful French and Italian dishes that don't neglect the flavors of the tropics. Salmon with passion fruit, steak tartare, shrimp salad and ceviche are among the eclectic choices. Live jazz some nights add to the appeal.
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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.
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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.
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Shirley
The aroma of succulent paella hangs in the air as waiters hurry to and from the kitchen, bearing platefuls of fresh seafood. Shirley is currently the only Spanish restaurant in town, and attracts a local following in its small Leme dining room. In addition to paella, the mussel-vinaigrette appetizer or the octopus and squid in ink are also recommended.
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Siri Mole & Cia
Understated elegance is the key to Siri Mole & Cia's longstanding success - both in ambience and in the perfectly prepared seafood. Among the favorites are moqueca de siri mole (spicy, soft-shell-crab stew), acarajé (spicy shrimp-filled croquettes) and the grilled fish.
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Sobrenatural
The exposed brick and old hardwood ceiling set the stage for feasting on the frutas do mar (seafood). Lines gather on weekends for the grilled fish and moqueca . During the week, stop by for the tasty lunchtime specials.
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Sorvete Brasil
A delightful pit stop on a sunny day in Ipanema, Sorvete Brasil scoops up more than 50 different ice cream flavors including Amazonian cupuaçu, lychee, star fruit and guava.
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Stravaganze
This small, elegant restaurant serves piping-hot pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven. Fresh ingredients and excellent variety, along with attentive service, make this one of Rio's top pizza picks.
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Sushi Leblon
Leblon's top sushi destination boasts a Zen like ambience with a handsome, dark wood sushi counter setting the stage for succulent cuisine. In addition to sashimi and sushi, you'll find grilled namorado (a type of perch) with passion fruit farofa, sea-urchin ceviche and refreshing sake to complement the meal.
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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 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.
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Tacacá do Norte
In the Amazonian state of Pará, people order their tacacá late in the afternoon from a street vendor. The dish is usually served from a gourd bowl. In Rio, you don't have to wait until the sun is setting. The fragrant soup of manioc paste, jambu (a Brazilian vegetable) leaves, and fresh and dried shrimp isn't for everyone. But then again, neither is the Amazon. For the faint of heart, this simple lunch counter also offers fruit juices and a handful of daily specials like pirarucu from Amazônia.
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Tempeh
Don't be intimidated by the new-age music. This is one of Centro's best vegetarian restaurants, serving a wide assortment of flavorful dishes, including soups, pastas, veggie burgers, tabouli, fried yucca, soba noodles, vegan sushi and desserts. The old colonial walls add to the charm.
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Ten Kai
In the top tier of the city's Japanese restaurants, Ten Kai serves mouth-watering sashimi and sushi, and maintains the strong culinary traditions of the East. The ambience is pure charm, with an artful interior lit by glowing paper lanterns.
