Where to Stay

Where to Eat in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro lacks little in choice when it comes to food - you can probably find something to fit any craving. Restaurants tend to be expensive, although a reasonable deal can be had at lunch, often in an informal eatery as a botequim or a lanchonete. A good approach to local food is "comida a kilo" - buffet style restaurants where you pay by the weight of the food on your plate. These vary greatly in price and quality. Servings are usually generous enough to be shared by at least two people at dinner time. Brazil has the largest population of Japanese outside of Japan, and sushi has become widely popular in Rio too. Travellers with fatter pockets may also splash out a bit at the Dias Ferreira street in Leblon, Rio's up-and-coming restaurants.

The restaurants listed here are highly recommended, popular and reservations are always a good idea.

1) Marius - Steakhouse

For meat lovers, this churrascaria overlooking Leme Beach offers more than 30 different grilled meat dishes. There is also a superb salad bar with colorful, tasty vegetable combinations as well as a great selection of fish. Right next door is Marius Crustáceos, a seafood palace. Always crowded, reservations are a good idea.

2) Porcão - Barbecued Meats

Choose from many different cuts of beef, pork, mutton and chicken served on spits directly at your table at this Ipanema barbecue restaurant popular with celebrities. Seafood and salads are also offered.

3) Satyricon - Seafood

Ipanema restaurant famous for its superb seafood grilled and served with memorable sauces. Beware of the couvert—excellent, but almost a meal by itself. The wine list is good, the tiramisu is one of the best around, and on Saturdays there is a seafood buffet. The restaurant is large, pleasant and always full, and is one of the preferred places of artists, businessmen and politicians. Valet parking is provided.

4) Madame Butterfly - Asian/Pacific

Madame Butterfly is a must for Japanese food lovers, and was elected best in its category by gourmet specialists. The food here is superb, and the highlights are the fish with shimeji mushrooms in ginger and sake sauce, the many different types of sushi and rolls with unusual shapes.

5) Cafe Lamas - Traditional

Presidents, writers, actors, poets have dined here since 1874. The decor and menu are simple and traditional, with steaks and seafood most popular.

6) Hotel Cipriani Restaurant - International

Part of the Copacabana Palace Hotel, the restaurant has a high ceiling, crystal chandeliers and candlelight that provides a romantic touch with cosmopolitan dining.

7) Zazá Bistrô Tropical - Tropical Asian/Pacific

A block from Ipanema beach, the bistro mixes Thai, tropics and international cuisine for a mysterious, romantic effect.

8) Quadrifoglio - Italian

With an excellent menu and wine list, this small restaurant in the Jardim Botânico district is a great choice for a romantic evening.

9) Siri Mole e Companhia - Seafood

Serving classic Brazilian cuisine to a mostly young adult crowd, and very popular with celebrities, this restaurant in Copacabana has a happy, party atmosphere.

10) Garcia e Rodrigues

In Leblon, with an ever-changing menu, this combination delicatessen, wine cellar, cookbook kitchen wares shop, the cuisine is a mix of American, European and Japanese styles, perfect for a brunch, lunch or dinner.