10 Best Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Pabu Izakaya

$$ | Leblon Fodor's choice

Inspired by Japan's informal izakayas, this intimate spot combines first-class sashimi with more traditional hot Japanese dishes—grab a seat at the bar that loops around the center of the restaurant or the handful of tables outside. Good-value prices, an extensive sake menu, delicious food, and the laid-back vibe make it a reliable neighborhood favorite for just about everyone.

Spazziano

$$ | Ipanema Fodor's choice

Hidden away on the second floor of the unassuming apart-hotel Ipanema Beach Star, this low-key vegan lunch spot and sister spa (Maria Bonita) is a real find, not just for the quality of the all-you-can-eat buffet, but also for the reasonable prices. The daily changing menu is crafted from ingredients sourced from the restaurant’s organic farm, while friendly staff deliver complimentary detox juices and digestion shots to your table.

Teva

$$ | Ipanema Fodor's choice

The food at this happening little Ipanema restaurant is so fresh and inventive that you’ll barely notice that they only serve plant-based vegan dishes. Its chic industrial design and top-quality cooking make this one of Rio’s go-to spots for a relaxed lunch or dinner.

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Adega Pérola

$$ | Copacabana

One of the most authentic botequim (traditional bar) experiences in Rio is this hole-in-the-wall kitchen serving up tasty Portuguese-style tapas to shared tables and a long deli-bar where regulars crowd after dark. While the staff's English is limited, the service and general atmosphere—vintage prints and liters of wine lining the walls—is so warm and welcoming that you will barely notice; be prepared for a wait in the evenings if you want a table, or head to the bar and order directly from the counter.

Amazonian Soul

$$ | Ipanema

While hundreds of places in Rio serve the antioxidant-rich acai berry bowls, few are more authentic than this Amazonian restaurant, which prizes the purity of its super-food pulp that's sourced straight from Para and delivered sugar and additive-free. The ultimate beach snack or light meal, add banana, sprinkle on granola, or go for the full Amazonian set-menu to experience an authentic feast of flavors you’ve likely never tried before.

Bar e Restaurante Urca

$$ | Urca

While you can dine indoors in this relaxed spot, make like the locals and enjoy a snack alfresco, propped against the harbor wall across the street: the sea wall doubles as a makeshift table, and waiters run to and fro delivering orders of ice-cold beer and deep-fried salgadinhos (seafood snacks). You'll have a stunning backdrop to your light meal—the panorama takes in bobbing boats, framed by a clear view of Christ the Redeemer.

Bistrô do Paço

$$ | Centro

Facing the patio at the cool, whitewashed Paço Imperial (The Imperial Palace) and close to the Palacio Tirandentes in the Praça XV square, this charming little bistro is a good option for a light lunch, coffee, or snack for Centro sightseers. European influences abound, and the vegetarian-friendly menu includes salads, quiches, and grilled fish; make sure to leave room for the tempting desserts.

La Bicyclette

$$ | Jardim Botânico

Located a stone’s throw from Rio’s Botanical Gardens, this cozy bakery is a great pit stop for lazy brunches, light lunches, or afternoon snacks pre- or post-stroll through the gardens. French owners are behind the buttery croissants, homemade breads, fresh juices, delicious cakes, organic coffee, and sophisticated sandwiches.

Santo Scenarium

$$ | Centro

A smaller, more laid-back neighbor to the long-established samba party at Rio Scenarium, Santo Scenarium shares its parent club’s passion for grandiose interiors, and the split-level space here is packed with ornate pillars, carved cherubs, and borderline-kitsch religious artifacts. While there’s live music on the upper floor by night (a cover of around R$20 applies), at lunchtime the kitchen serves tasty Brazilian classics; a prime spot at the heart of Rio’s oldest street in the party district of Lapa makes it a top stop for history and architecture buffs as well as for music-loving night owls.

Vegetariano Social Clube

$$ | Leblon

Vegan restaurants are a growing trend in body-conscious Rio, but few are as established and well-loved as the Vegetarian Social Club. The all-you-can-eat organic lunch buffet includes tasty and wholesome soups, whole-grain rice, colorful salads, and many soy-based dishes, while dining in the evening is à la carte.

Rio de Janeiro

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