Restaurants in Rio De Janeiro
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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
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B
Celeiro
This casual spot on one of Leblon's main restaurant strips packs crowds in during lunchtime. Celeiro is famed for its organic salads and roasted vegetables, though the small eatery serves excellent soups, pastries and quiches. Get there early to avoid the rush.
reviewed
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C
Catete Grill
The Catete Grill has a good buffet – served all day. This bustling, modern place rolls out pastas, salads, appetizers and baked dishes, though the highlight is the assortment of roast meats. It also offers ice creams – a quilo (by the kilo), of course.
reviewed
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Rio Brasa
Handily located near the Praça Floriana, this shiny new per-kilo restaurant prepares a high-quality lunch buffet with separate counters for salads, sushi, baked dishes and grilled meats (the restaurant's specialty). Prices are lower after 2pm (per kg R$43).
reviewed
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E
Mil Frutas
On chic Rua Garcia D'Ávila, Mil Frutas serves ice cream that showcases fruits from the Amazon and abroad. Jaca (jackfruit), lychee and açaí are among the several dozen varieties. There's another branch in Jardim Botânico.
reviewed
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La Fiorentina
One of Leme's classic Italian restaurants, La Fiorentina attracted Rio's glitterati in the '60s. Today, its beach-facing outdoor tables draw a loyal, mostly neighborhood crowd, who come to feast on the 15 different flavors of pizza and a well-stocked bar.
reviewed
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Espaço Brasa Leblon
One of Rio's top churrascarias, Espaço Brasa features nearly 30 different types of meat as well as sushi, seafood and salads. The beautifully presented all-you-can-eat buffet is set in a dining room with tall ceilings and elegant table settings.
reviewed
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Nova Capela
This classic, old-time eating and drinking spot opened in 1967 and is a well-known draw for neighborhood bohemians – a noisy mix of artists, musicians and party kids who fill the place till early into the morning. Legendarily bad-tempered waiters serve up big plates of traditional Portuguese cuisine. The cabrito (goat) dish (R$60 for two) is their most famous.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Ráscal
This popular São Paulo chain arrived in Rio a few years back and quickly earned top marks for its fantastic buffet. The huge spread of Italian cuisine includes salads, bruschetta, pizzas, pastas (six different kinds) and a few juicy grill choices.
reviewed
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Koni Store
With over a dozen branches in Rio, the Koni craze shows no sign of abating. The recipe is simple – temaki (a seaweed hand roll) stuffed with salmon, tuna, shrimp, roast beef or a combination – which can then be devoured at one of the tiny bistro tables. It's stylish, tasty and cheap – a few reasons why you'll have to wait in line among club kids for a roll at 4am on a Friday night. Other branches: Ipanema; Leblon; Copacabana.
reviewed
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Miam Miam
Exposed brick walls and a mishmash of retro furnishings set the scene for dining in style at Botafogo's newest culinary darling. Miam Miam, which is French for 'yum yum', is run by chef Roberta Ciasca, who trained at Paris' famous Le Cordon Bleu. Here, she serves up her own brand of 'comfort food', which means bruschetta with pesto and tapenade, endive salad with gorgonzola, pepper-crusted tuna with lentil ragout and many other unique (and yes, yummy) dishes. Don't miss the creative cocktail menu or the desserts.
reviewed
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Envídia
Step into this elegant café for heavenly chocolates, ice cream, cakes, teas and coffees. The setting is a cozy escape from the city with its old-fashioned tile floors, dainty chairs and tables, and broad pieces of artwork decorating the walls.
reviewed
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Porto Velho Enoteca
This tiny French-run café serves tasty crepes, quiches, salads and daily specials – listed on the chalkboard in front. There are a few sidewalk tables, fine for a light meal, coffee or a drink (including wines by the glass and imported beers).
reviewed
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O
Via Sete
This restaurant on upscale Garcia D'Ávila serves a good selection of salads and grilled vegetable wraps, as well as heartier fare like grilled tuna and a high-end steak burger. Best of all, Via Sete uses 100% organic ingredients (beef included). The pleasant front-side patio is a prime spot for sipping tropical cocktails while practicing the discreet art of people-watching.
reviewed
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Cais do Oriente
Brick walls lined with tapestries stretch high to the ceiling in this almost-cinematic 1870s mansion. Set on a brick-lined street, hidden from the masses, Cais do Oriente blends West with East in dishes like grilled squid with fish sauce, wild rice and green papaya.
reviewed
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Q
Copa Café
This two-story restaurant facing Copacabana beach brings a dash of style to Av Atlântica. The black-wood floors, white bar stools, trim open layout and ambient electronic music make a nice setting for risottos, seared tuna steaks and gourmet burgers – the house specialty.
reviewed
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R
Guy Restaurante
In a freestanding house in Lagoa, this restaurant and patisserie has a wrap-around porch (and an attractive upstairs dining room), where patrons enjoy quiches, salads, desserts or heartier pastas, risottos, grilled fish and meat dishes.
reviewed
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Ten Kai
In the top tier of the city's Japanese restaurants, Ten Kai serves mouthwatering sashimi and sushi, and maintains the strong culinary traditions of the East. The ambience is pure charm, with an interior lit by glowing paper lanterns.
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Tio Sam
Tio Sam is pure Carioca, with Brahma on tap, fried sardines and bowls of crabmeat on the menu, and a crowd that may or may not know why their bar is painted red, white and blue (a US school was once their neighbor).
reviewed
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Laffa
A new hit on the street food scene, this is a lively little eatery where harried staff whip up satisfying, piping hot grilled lamb or turkey shawarmas, falafel sandwiches or slightly more exotic inventions like strawberry and Nutella wraps – all of which are served on laffa bread, made fresh with each order.
reviewed
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Café do Bom Cachaça Da Boa
With a vaguely professorial air, this wood-lined café and bookshop doles out sandwiches, coffees and ice cream, but it's best known for its cachaça menu – with over 100 varieties available (from R$3.50 to R$29 per shot).
reviewed
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O Crack dos Galetos
If you're on a budget, or simply want a break from pricey restaurants, Rio's unfussy roast chicken restaurants are a must. Here, you can sidle up to the wrap-around counter and enjoy juicy plates of chicken fresh off the roaster.
reviewed
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Jasmim Manga
Well-placed beside the bonde stop on Largo do Guimarães, Jasmin Mango is a charming spot to linger over sandwiches, quiches, pastas, pizzas and desserts. The airy patio attached to the tiny café is a particularly fine spot for taking in the street scene. A few computers on the 2nd floor are handy for checking email.
reviewed
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Y
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