KEY2 Pick
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.
KEY2 Pick
KEY2 Pick
KEY2 Pick
Brazilian • $$
Academia da Cachaca
A Leblon institution pairing Brazilian small plates with one of the city's biggest cachaça lists.
Best for: Group Dinner
Botequim • $
Bar do Mineiro
A Santa Teresa neighbourhood institution for feijoada and cold chopp beer, packed with locals on weekends.
Best for: Casual Dinner
Juice Bar & Sandwiches • $
Bibi Sucos
A Leblon juice-bar chain institution serving fruit juices and sandwiches to beachgoers year-round.
Best for: Casual Lunch
Botequim • $$
Braseiro da Gavea
A Gavea square-side botequim serving grilled meats and ice-cold beer to a lively late-night crowd.
Best for: Casual Dinner
Historic Cafe • $$
Confeitaria Colombo
A Belle Epoque tearoom in the city centre, unchanged since 1894, famous for its jointed pastel de nata and mirrored dining room.
Best for: Sightseeing Lunch
Steakhouse • $$$
Esplanada Grill
A Leblon steakhouse favoured by locals for its dry-aged cuts and unfussy service since 1986.
Best for: Group Dinner
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
Steakhouse • $$$
Irajazinho
A Botafogo picanha specialist popular with locals for its charcoal-grilled beef and casual sidewalk tables.
Best for: Casual Dinner
Fusion • $$$
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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