Culinary Highlights in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is one of the world’s most beautiful cities, situated between high mountains and the blue sea with homes nestled among the long string of beaches. Ipanema and Copacabana are world-famous names for the gorgeous locals, famous drinks, and lovely beaches. However, while enjoying the beach, it’s essential to venture beyond and explore the city’s amazing food culture.
You might be surprised, considering the perfectly sculpted bodies found on the beaches, but eating is a national pastime in Brazil, and finding great food is never challenging in Rio de Janeiro. Beyond simply selecting the “best” restaurants, it’s crucial to know how to eat in Rio, focusing on the right type of restaurants for each meal.
Pao de Queijo
Traditionally, Brazilians enjoy a light breakfast, often consisting of toasted bread with jam, butter, Minas cheese, fruit, and espresso. One popular breakfast item is the pao de queijo, a cheesy bread roll made from tapioca flour. These can be found throughout Rio, particularly at Casa de Pao de Queijo, known for its flaky and warm offerings.
However, American and European tourists tend to favor heartier breakfasts, prompting some Brazilian restaurants to introduce American-style bakeries or brunch options. Gringo Cafe caters to this demographic with traditional American options, while Bakers serves sandwiches, quiches, and an assortment of pastries.
Acai Cuco
One of the highlights of staying in Rio de Janeiro is the abundance of juice bars found on nearly every street corner, offering a variety of fresh juices and chopped fruit—ideal for snacking throughout the day.
Most juice vendors specialize in acai juices (acai suco), which are an essential treat while in Rio. The acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berry is recognized as a superfood due to its high antioxidant levels. Juice bars typically blend acai with ice and sugar to create a refreshing smoothie that can be topped with granola or additional fruits. This cold beverage is not only delicious but also a healthy way to cool down on a hot day in Rio.
For some of the best acai suco, consider visiting:
- Polis Sucos (Rua Maria Quitéria, 70, loja A, Ipanema)
- Big Nectar (Rua Teixeira de Melo, 34, loja A, Ipanema)
- Bibi Sucos (Avenida Olegário Maciel, 440, lojas A e B, Barra)
Street Food
Given Rio de Janeiro’s hot climate, with summer temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees, enjoying lighter meals can be a preferable option. Street food stands offer a quick and delicious alternative.
Vendors along the sidewalks from Copacabana to Leblon provide a staggering array of pastries and savory treats. Consider trying a flaky pastel, a deep-fried pastry filled with options such as chicken, cheese, hearts of palm, or beef. Alternatively, enjoy pipoca, popcorn flavored with either caramel or bacon. You can also sample tapiocas, crepes made from cassava flour, filled with various ingredients including cheese, meats, or Nutella and bananas. Additionally, there are kebab stalls selling kibe balls, a reflection of the Lebanese cuisine that is prominent in Rio.
Brigadeiro
Padarias are bakeries in Brazil known for serving an array of sandwiches, pastries, and their most famous dessert, the brigadeiro. This delightful treat is crafted from condensed milk, cocoa, and butter, rolled into balls, and coated with chocolate sprinkles. The brigadeiro is a cherished dessert at various celebrations, from birthday parties to family gatherings, across all socio-economic backgrounds. Be sure to try these delectable chocolate balls while in Rio.
Lanchonetes
Lanchonetes, or small diners, feature many ingredients typical of street food, such as pasteis and kibe balls, alongside sandwiches, bolinho de bacalau (fried codfish balls), caldinho de feijao (black bean soup), and coxinhas (fried spicy chicken rounds). These establishments often offer beer, making them an excellent place for a quick meal.
Restaurant Por Kilo
For an exciting dining experience in Rio, consider visiting a restaurant por kilo, where guests can select from a massive buffet and pay based on the weight of their food. This unique dining style allows you to sample a variety of dishes, as you pay for what you eat. For a high-end treat, Frontera in Ipanema specializes in delicious churrasco (grilled meats) along with a wide array of soups and vegetable dishes. Alternatively, Temperarte is a budget-friendly option near Copacabana Beach, perfect for vegetarians and gluten-free diners as well.
Churrascaria Rodizio
The churrascaria rodizio stands as Brazil’s most celebrated restaurant concept. “Rodizio” means “rotation,” where servers present numerous types of grilled meats to the tables. Guests pay a flat fee and receive a card that indicates their preference for meats with a green side for service and a red side for stopping it. One of the most popular churrascarias in Rio is Fogo de Chao.
Feijoada
Regarded as Brazil’s national dish, feijoada is a hearty bean and meat stew paired with rice or farofa (toasted cassava flour). Typically enjoyed on Saturdays, it’s a delicious choice to experience in Rio, especially at Casa de Feijoada in Ipanema where it’s available all week long.
Restaurante Tipico and Restaurante Internacional
If you desire a break from traditional Carioca cuisine, Rio boasts a range of restaurante tipico and restaurante internacional focusing on regional and global specialties. Consider trying:
- L’Atelier du Cuisiner: A French restaurant in Centro offering creative cuisine with Brazilian ingredients. Advanced bookings are essential as it is only open for lunch.
- Hachiko: A modern Asian restaurant that integrates Japanese influences, including sushi, focusing on traditional Asian dishes with local ingredients.
- Rotisseria Siria Libanesa: Renowned for its simple yet delicious Lebanese cuisine, this restaurant is located in the Largo do Marchado mall, appealing to the second-largest Lebanese community outside the Lebanon.
- Quiteria: An upscale venue delivering high-end culinary creations by an Argentinian chef, with dishes like wild boar chops and grilled seafood with coconut risotto.
Tipping and Eating Etiquette in Brazil
In Brazil, a 10 percent gratuity is typically included in the bill, marked as gorjeta, so no additional tipping is necessary. It is advisable to pay in Brazilian reais, though U.S. dollar currency is sometimes accepted due to favorable exchange rates. Moreover, unlike in the United States and most Western nations, Brazilians eat with the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left, utilizing the knife to assist in scooping food onto the fork. Local dining customs typically involve a light breakfast, a substantial lunch, and a hearty dinner shared with family, reminiscent of traditions in Portugal.
