Recommended coffe shops in Rio

Was just by Confeteria Colombo today... there's actually a nice coffeshop right in front. Neat area to visit and lots of other cafes in the general vicinity.

Have also noticed a few nice ones downtown (example: Avenida Marechal Floriano, corner of Rua Uruguaiana), but also share that feeling that it could be a bit better. Many of these places often have huge lines for the "caixa" during the day which makes grabbing a quick cup kind of impractical. Lavazza is great when you're desperate, but it's nice to see other specialty roasts when you really want a perfect espresso – something which is indeed pretty tough to come by in this town.

Thanks for all the replies.
I am quite surprised that Rio doesn't have a big coffee culture.
Brazil grow quite a lot of coffee. I guess they are for export? Even Starbucks have Brazillian coffee beans.
Is it like Colombia where the best coffee are exported and the local coffee not as good? (I read an article on this a couple of years ago)
Lavazza & Illy are the best that I had so far. But they are Italian. My intention is to try something local when I get to Rio in a couple of weeks.
Still ... I have a few leads now and I will definitely check it out. We need our caffeine fix :-)

In New Zealand they have superfine merino wool, the envy of the world. Would you go out of your way to buy a suit made in New Zealand or one from Saville Row? The fact that someone produces a raw material doesn't mean they know what to do with it. See Argentina and beef for another example and yes Colombianos are mostly clueless about coffee too.

You'll find coffee, you'll get your caffeine fix.

Timor, Kenya, Peru, Vietnam....etc all grow coffee beans....are they all big coffee cultures? Just because they grow a lot, doesn't mean they drink it a lot. I would say its more exported. As said, there is a small cafe culture in Rio. But coffee in Brasil is more about having a quick cafezinho.

Actually, Brazil is one of the world's largest coffee consumers... the largest in Latin America. Walking around downtown Rio you will see dozens coffeeshops, many of them old-style and brewing Brazilian beans; what you rarely see is foreigners.

Vietnam, on the other hand, has a much more prevalent coffee culture, literally everywhere in a city like Saigon.

My point wasn't the consumption, more so the culture of it. I barely saw any of that (outside of Sao Paulo anyway) in Brasil. And that was with walking around Centro. Thats not to say, that consumption doesn't take place - plenty of cafezinhos and corner stores offering it.

I haven't been to Vietnam to say it has or hasnt. So I can only take your word on it.

Seems like everyone may have a different idea of what this elusive coffee "culture" is... to some, it means lots of fancy drinks widely available, to others it means that people sit around and drink it together while chatting, to others it means a certain attention to the origin and quality of beans.

Whatever the case, the center of Rio is packed with these places, though they aren't always obvious when walking by, and many of them close down by late afternoon... also lots of them in areas like Botofogo, Tijuca, etc. that stay open later, if you know where to look, some of them pretty serious about the caffeine:

http://www.ottocafe.com.br

Everyone has differing opinions. I think, it should be more or less a combination of all 3. The quality of the coffee, to me is of the utmost importance. I'm sure to locals, they are prevalent. When I asked my hostel for recommendations - they couldn't give me one at all - certainly not in copacabana or ipanema. Glad to know where they are though for the next visit.

Great, thanks for all your inputs. I'll check out the places recommended. Less than 2 weeks to go ... can't wait.

Point taken on the difference of coffee producer and master makers. I belive Italy does not grow any coffees but they are excellent. Also in some places in the Middle East. Vietnam & Bali seems to be places that produce and make good cofees, at least that I have been to.

I have had great coffee in Brasil. I just have yet to have it in Rio. Then again, there seems to be places as stated.

Generally, its been too hot to really drink coffee anyway. Enjoy lots of Sucos.