Food & Cuisine in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro has a huge variety of restaurants, bars and pubs all over the city. From the most traditional to the very exclusive, there is something for every taste! Satisfaction guaranteed, but don't forget your Caipirinha!

Foodies will love the 'churrascarias'. These all-you-can-eat style restaurants are a popular choice across Rio de Janeiro!

Our Rio de Janeiro Restaurant Guide is a handy source of information for all you need to know about eating out on your Rio de Janeiro vacation. Familiarise yourself with the local cuisine before heading out to one of the many fabulous restaurants in Rio de Janeiro to try it for yourself! Our Rio de Janeiro Shopping Guide for some great gift and souvenir ideas, while our Brazil Restaurant Guide recommends some great food ideas to look out for as you travel Brazil. And don't forget to contact us, your local connection in Rio, for questions about accommodation in Rio de Janeiro or advice on the best things to see!

Food & Cuisine in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro has been influenced by cuisines of different cultures, mainly from the immigrants of many parts of the world, which can be encountered in the ingredients, flavours and way of preparing the food. There are numerous restaurants in Rio de Janeiro specialising in Spanish, French, Lebanese, Arabian, Greek, Mediterranean, Mexican, Japanese, and Brazilian food, among others.

Italian, French and Japanese restaurants are present in many corners of Ipanema, Leblon, Lagoa and Jardim Botânico areas, while the best typical seafood establishments are out of town in Vargem Grande and Barra de Guaratiba. In Lapa, Downtown, Flamengo and Botafogo neighborhoods, you will find many Brazilian botequins, small bars that serve beer and traditional appetizers. In Copacabana, the variety of offerings runs the gamut from traditional sandwiches - definately worth a try - and Brazilian juices such as açaí,  to international hotel cuisine created by famous European chefs. In Barra da Tijuca, the options are concentrated in shopping centres such as Rio Design Barra, which has an almost entire floor taken up by good restaurants serving different cuisines.

Some of our Rio de Janeiro tours will also enable you to experience the best restaurants in Rio.

Regional Food and Drink

Feijoada

An assorted platter of thinly sliced pork meats accompanied by side dishes of rice, black beans, collard greens, orange slices and hot peppers. Being a heavy dish that takes many hours to cook, Feijoada is consumed usually once a week at lunch time. Most restaurants serve it as the day's special, but some offer Feijoada everyday. Cariocas (locals) traditionally eat Feijoada on Sundays, for lunch, after a sunny and warm beach day.

Churrasco (Barbecue)

Meat cooked on skewers over open pits. Most of the churrascarias restaurants have an all-you-can-eat style of service and are available around many corners in Rio de Janeiro.

Caipirinha

Enjoyed everywhere in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's national cocktail is made of cachaça (Brazil's most common alcoholic beverage distilled from sugar cane), sugar and lime. One of the 50 greatest drinks of all time, Caipirinha was designated by The International Bartender Association as one of their Official Cocktails.

Chopp

The most popular alcoholic beverage in Rio, Chopp or Chope, is draft beer served ice-cold. It is perfect to drink on the hot days which are common in Rio de Janeiro. Ask for 'chopp claro' if you want a light beer or 'chopp escuro' if you want dark.

Cuisines by region

Tapas - North Zone and Downtown, specially Vila Isabel, Tijuca and Lapa

Northeast Cuisine - Feira de São Cristóvão (São Cristóvão Market)

International Cuisine, elaborate, refined food - South Zone

Among the many dining options in Rio de Janeiro, some traditional restaurants have stood out from the crowd and conquered international fame. Those are the most visited restaurants in town not only by tourists, but also by cariocas.

Porcão Rio's

Porcão Rio's is located right in front of Guanabara Bay, providing its customers an indescribable view of the Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Porcão is the best barbecue restaurant in Rio de Janeiro. This churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse) is pure carnivorous heaven! Open since 1975, Porcão now has branches in New York and Miami. Besides all kinds of meat, there is a vast selection of buffet food, including many amazing salads, fishes, sushi, amazing desserts and of course feijoada (Brazil's national dish of meat, black beans, rice and greens).

Marius

The restaurant is 'anchored' facing Copacabana Beach. The unique decor comprises original and antique pieces from old vessels. The atmosphere combines, harmony, beauty, magic and adventure. Fish, crustaceans, and mollusks come from marine farms (vivariums).

Seafood lovers will be delighted by the menu as almost everything from the sea is represented. Diners can feast on prawns, lobster, oysters, crab, tuna steaks, salmon and more, all fresh from the sea to their plates.