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Empório Brasil
Hidden in the back of a small shopping center, Empório Brasil has a small, attractive collection of regional handicrafts, as well as incense and beauty products showcasing the fruits of the Amazon. The store also offers massage and other treatments.
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Empório Musicale
This is an LP-lover's dream. You'll find bins and bins of old records covering the full spectrum of Brazilian music. You can unearth some gems of classic samba, Música Popular Brasileira (MPB) and funk. CD users have less to celebrate, with a rather paltry selection.
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Escada
One step inside this rambling antique shop, and you'll just know there's some treasure hidden within. The only problem is that it may not fit in your suitcase. Chandeliers, papier-mâché sculptures, along with antique rings, rugs, little statues and countless other objects litter the interior of this store. Peer beneath the dust and you might find a gem.
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Esch Café
This restaurant-bar is also the House of the Havana, which means if you have a taste for the Cubans, this is your place. The humidor is stocked with a decent selection, which you can enjoy there over a glass of port, or a few blocks away on the beach (over a sunset). They also have a branch in Centro (Rua do Rosário 108).
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Espaço Brazilian Soul
Set in a picturesque little villa, Espaço Brazilian Soul is a two-story boutique selling designer duds (Osklen among them) in the form of board shorts, T-shirts, flip-flops and button-downs. There's more men's apparel than women's, though the dresses are still worth a peak.
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Expand Wine Store
This well-stocked wine shop is a great place to buy a few bottles while out exploring Centro. Chile, Argentina and 11 other countries are represented among the vintages. The 2nd floor has a wine bar where you can taste those velvety malbecs and merlots.
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Favela Hype
Inside the Galeria River, this stylish boutique sells daring youthful fashions for men and women. Founded by the sisters Kananda and Krishna Soaras in Santa Teresa in 2001, Favela Hype incorporates a mix of retro and vintage design in the clothing, accessories and shoes, and the label deserves credit for its socially responsible employment practices.
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Feira do Rio Antigo
Although the Rio Antiques Fair happens just once a month, don't miss it if you're in town. The colonial buildings become a living installation as the whole street fills with antiques and music.
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Forum
Much touted Brazilian designer Tufi Duek has set up his wildly designed flagship store on a peaceful, tree-lined street just up from the main avenue. Here you'll find elegant, beautifully made pieces from his men's and women's collections - which have secured his reputation among high-end retailers in São Paulo.
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Galeria River
Surf shops, skateboard and rollerblade outlets, and shops selling beachwear and fashions for young nubile things fill this shopping gallery in Arpoador. Shorts, bikinis, party attire and gear for outdoor adventure are in abundance. The shops here - like Ocean Surf Shop - are a good place to inquire about board rentals, which cost about around US$10 a day. Those interested in rock climbing and trekking should stop by the Casa do Montanhista, a trekking-apparel store for more info about courses.
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Garota de Ipanema Shop
Next to the famous restaurant of the same name, this tiny boutique is an excellent place to browse for attractive, reasonably priced bikinis and beachwear. There are also eye-catching T-shirts (for men and women) as well as bags and other accessories.
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Gilson Martins
Designer Gilson Martins turns the silhouette of Corcovado into a fashion statement in his flagship store in Ipanema. In addition to glossy handbags, wallets and other accessories, the shop sports a gallery in back with ongoing exhibitions.
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H Stern
The famous jeweler H Stern has an array of finely crafted jewelry, watches and other accessories for sale. At the company's headquarters you can also take a tour of the H Stern gem museum.
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Hippie Fair
The Zona Sul's most famous market, the Hippie Fair (otherwise known as Feira de Arte de Ipanema) has lots of artwork, jewelry, handicrafts, leather goods and even furniture for sale. A stall in the southeast corner of the plaza sells tasty northeastern cuisine.
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Hortifruti
Leblon's popular indoor produce market features a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as a small juice bar.
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Interstudio
This small Ipanema shop sells some beautifully made art pieces. You'll find works in colored glass, wooden boxes, paintings and some intriguing papier-mâché objets d'art. Nearly everything here comes from Brazil (Minas and Recife in particular). Worldwide shipping available for bigger pieces.
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Ipanema.com
Featuring local and international designers, Ipanema.com focuses on men - though it also has women's wear. A good spot if you need a new look in a hurry for that special night out.
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Isabela Capeto
One of Brazil's rising young stars, Isabela Capeto creates beautifully handmade pieces with seductive lines and a masterful use of color. All of her pieces are embroidered and feature add-ons of vintage lace, sequins or fabric trims. A good place to see some of the dresses and skirts that have earned her accolades from O Globo, Vogue and others.
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Jeito Brasileiro
Next to the Corcovado train terminal in Cosme Velho, Jeito Brasileiro has a wide selection of handicrafts from all over the country, including folk art made by members of the Camucim tribe.
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Kopenhagen
Serving up tasty bonbons and other decadent chocolate treats, Kopenhagen has been satisfying children and chocoholics since 1928. There's a tiny café on hand if you can't resist the temptation to devour those cognac-filled truffles right there. There's another store in Copacabana.
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La Vareda
On the bonde (tram) line near Largo do Guimarães, La Vareda stocks a colorful selection of handicrafts from local artists and artisans. Pottery, furniture, paintings, handmade dolls and tapestries cover the interior of the old store. You can also purchase stationery and prints highlighting historic Santa Teresa.
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Letras E Expressões
One of Ipanema's growing assortment of bookshops, Letras e Expressões carries a decent selection of foreign-language books from architectural tomes to fiction and travel books (Lonely Planet titles notwithstanding). It also has a variety of English-language magazines and an internet café (Café Ubaldo), which is nice for sipping cappuccino and sending envy-worthy missives back home. There is also a 24-hour location in Leblon.
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Lidador
One of Leblon's best wine shops, Lidador stocks a decent variety of good Chilean and Argentinean wines as well as vintages from Europe and beyond. Cachaças, rums and even Brazilian wines are available if you're looking for something with a little more bite.
There is also another branch in Centro(2533 4988; Rua da Assembléia 65).
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Livraria da Travessa - Centro
Livraria da Travessa, hands down, wins Centro's most-charming-bookstore award. The location, tucked off the narrow alley Travessa de Ouvidor, accounts for a large part of it, then there's the knowledgeable sales staff, the bistro, and the light falling just so across the shelves. A second Livraria da Travessa on Av Rio Branco 44 has a decent café overlooking the store.
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Livraria da Travessa - Ipanema
One of a growing chain of bookstores around the city, Livraria da Travessa has a small selection of foreign-language books and periodicals. Upstairs it has a good music collection - most of which you can listen to by scanning the discs under the headphone stations. After browsing stop in at the cozy, second-floor cafe for tasty salads, quiches and desserts.
