Restaurants in Rio - eatrio.net

The food scene in Rio can be tricky, especially for visitors – there are a lot of decidedly mediocre establishments serving up barely passable food at painfully high prices. Frustratingly, the transient tourist trade is so strong that this strategy continues to be a very successful.

Thankfully, Rio also has some great places to eat if you know where to go. Below I have listed some recommendations. I’ve included a range of places, from street stalls all the way up to the top-end restaurants. I’m not saying every place is perfect – I’ll be honest about shortcomings – but I do think they’re all definitely worth a visit.

Note: With all listings, please take the time to quickly check their Instagram or Facebook page to confirm that they are still operating and that their opening hours haven’t changed.

Flor do Céu

A unique Italian gem perched atop a tranquil favela community above Leblon. Beautifully prepared seafood and stunning terrace views.

Galeto Sat’s

A quintessential Rio experience: Galeto Sat's at 2am with caipirinhas, chopp, grilled chicken hearts and picanha, farofa de ovo and drunken friends.

Chez Claude

Claude Troisgros scores another big hit with his laid back restaurant of French classics and comfort food. That rare thing in Rio: a safe bet

Ferro e Farinha

The wildly popular food truck morphed into THE place to get pizza in Rio. Managing to be simultaneously cosy and funky, Rio's finest pizza joint is the perfect place to enjoy delicious and creative pizzas topped with such delicacies as spiced honey, fresh palm heart ‘tagliatelle’ and lots more.

Liga dos Botecos

Four of Rio's best botecos in one awesome location in Botafogo. Sit out on the terrace and enjoy classic snacks from Bar do Momo, Bar da Frente and more.

Adega Pérola

A short walk from Siqueira Campos metro station, Adega Pérola is a rough pearl in the heart of Copa. This lively bar offers a massive selection of delicious seafood and other tasty treats, all laid out temptingly under the glass topped bar.

Bar do David

Bar do David has deservedly won many fans with its mix of great service and amazingly yummy bar food! Now with a new branch in Copacabana

Rotisseria Sírio Libaneza

The locals’ secret: great value, delicious middle eastern food.

Pavão Azul

A proper locals's place - perch your beer on a bar stool, order the fantastic salt-cod pataniscas and join the cariocas in this crowded sidewalk bar.

Be+Co

A hipster hangout that consistently lives up to the hype. Excellent cocktails and the burger from Curadoria is my favourite in Rio

CT Boucherie

Dependably excellent meat served alongside endless vege side dishes which are worth the visit alone. Always a good choice.

Zazá Bistrô

Zazá offers stylish, modern treatment of excellently sourced (often exotic) Brazilian ingredients, served in a beautiful, quirkily decorated restaurant.

Bar do Zé (Britan Bar)

Hidden up a side-street in Catete, this tiny bar is lined from floor to ceiling with hundreds of bottles of Cachaça. Much like Catete, the bar is a little rough around the edges but what it lacks in A/C and waiters, it makes up in personality and charm.