
Best restaurants in Rio de Janeiro
Counters, dining rooms and neighbourhood favourites, chosen for the way they actually eat — not for how loudly they market.




Brazilian • $$
Academia da Cachaca
A Leblon institution pairing Brazilian small plates with one of the city's biggest cachaça lists.
Best for: Group Dinner

Botequim • $
Bar do Mineiro
A Santa Teresa neighbourhood institution for feijoada and cold chopp beer, packed with locals on weekends.
Best for: Casual Dinner


Historic Cafe • $$
Confeitaria Colombo
A Belle Epoque tearoom in the city centre, unchanged since 1894, famous for its jointed pastel de nata and mirrored dining room.
Best for: Sightseeing Lunch

Pizzeria • $$
Ferro e Farinha
A tiny, wood-fired Santa Teresa pizzeria with no reservations and a queue that starts before it opens.
Best for: Casual Dinner

Botequim • $$
Garota de Ipanema
The bar that inspired "The Girl from Ipanema," still serving cold beer and grilled classics a block from the beach.
Best for: Casual Dinner

Fusion • $$$
Zaza Bistro Tropical
An eclectic, colourfully decorated Ipanema house mixing Asian and Brazilian flavours on a candlelit back patio.
Best for: Date Night
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