33 Must-Visit Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro

This 122-year-old pastry shop features stunning vaulted ceilings and ornate, gilded mirrors that charm both locals and tourists alike, who often snap selfies in its elegant setting. The must-try delicacy here is the pastel de nata, a rich and creamy custard tart that harks back to the Portuguese colonial era. A newer branch offers picturesque views of Fort Copacabana from its windows.

Surprisingly, some of Rio’s finest coffee, sourced directly from local farmers, is served on the second floor of the city’s otherwise drab downtown bus terminal. The cafe attracts a diverse crowd of hipsters and business professionals at all hours (the most dedicated caffeine enthusiasts are often from the nearby Rio state courthouse), yet Curto maintains a relaxed atmosphere even during the busiest lunch rush.

Nestled in the artistic Lapa district, Lilia is a down-to-earth restaurant located on the upper floor of a charming old townhouse. Chef Lucio Vieira crafts a delightful, no-frills daily menu inspired by fresh ingredients sourced from local farms. While the menu emphasizes vegetables, there are hearty options for meat lovers, such as black Angus chorizo served with parsnip, chimichurri, baked garlic paste, and breadcrumbs.

Junta Local is an open-air market (feira) where emerging chefs and producers from Rio showcase their culinary skills. The offerings change depending on the venue's capacity, but you can expect to enjoy hand-crafted cheese platters and falafel, along with an abundance of jars filled with Italian antipasti, fresh fruits and vegetables, ice cream, and fine Brazilian wines to take home.

Kátia Barbosa’s family immigrated to Rio from Brazil’s rural northeast, drawn by dreams of a better life. Her restaurant, Aconchego Carioca (which translates to “the Rio embrace”), serves hearty, unpretentious dishes: beef jerky, thick yucca fries, manioc flour, chewy white cheese, and the iconic feijoada fritter — a delicacy derived from the traditional Brazilian bean stew that Barbosa created here. The extensive selection of beers and caipirinhas is worth exploring, and the new venue (just a short distance from the previous one) invites guests to stay awhile.

Nestled in a sloping garden in the artsy Santa Teresa neighborhood, Aprazível offers contemporary Brazilian cuisine. Dishes include grilled heart of pupunha palm and elevated comfort food, like sausage-stuffed pão de queijo and the day’s fresh catch paired with coconut rice, turmeric, cashew nuts, and baked banana. Sip on a starfruit, passionfruit, or ginger caipirinha as the city lights sparkle below.

Tijuca epitomizes the bohemian spirit of Rio de Janeiro, making it home to some of the city’s finest bars, including Da Gema. This bar serves an exceptional array of fried snacks crafted by chef and owner Luiza Souza, featuring polenta with oxtail ragu, shrimp rissoles, and the iconic coxinha (chicken croquette), a must-try. Pair these delights with refreshing beers and caipirinhas to complete the experience.

Famous for its burgers—ranging from the classic cheddar and onion to a veggie option with eggplant and mushrooms—Bar do Momo thrives amid Tijuca’s vibrant live music scene, lively soccer fans, and students chatting in bustling plazas. It's a gathering spot where friends enjoy multiple rounds of drinks while savoring local delights like cheese-filled rice fritters, pork leg sandwiches with garlic mayo, and gizzards paired with sweet potato puree and crispy pork cracklings.

This 50-year-old institution in Flamengo appears like a hidden speakeasy from the outside, yet inside lies some of the best beef cuts in the city, grilled over an open flame. This is the essence of churrasco culture, where prime cuts of meat and coarse salt reign supreme for many Brazilians. Currently, Majórica is operated by the daughter of one of the original Spanish owners and a Galician-born janitor who rose through the ranks. Be sure to try the picanha—succulent sirloin cap served straight from the grill.

This mirror-clad salon served as a covert meeting place for the Communist party during Brazil's military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985. Today, the waitstaff, impeccably dressed in black bowties, serve a menu rich with traditional Brazilian dishes, such as rice with broccoli and filet mignon medallions generously topped with fried garlic. For dessert, try the creamy avocado ice cream drizzled with cacao liqueur to cleanse your palate.

Situated in the picturesque Laranjeiras neighborhood, this cozy Mytoury was established by partners Ana Souza and Victor Lima, boasting a gastrobar vibe and a menu inspired by bistronomy. They embody a fresh wave of youthful chefs committed to using high-quality ingredients while maintaining a casual, unpretentious setting. Look for menu highlights like pork loin paired with cassava and malabar spinach, or indulge in ginger flan complemented by buckwheat and persimmon sorbet. Operating with a small team, they welcome guests from Wednesday to Saturday only.

While Bar Urca excels in the essentials, its view is truly unmatched. Nestled atop a seawall in the Urca neighborhood, you can relax and witness the sunset behind Christ the Redeemer, towering over the serene yachts at Botafogo beach. The local favorite is to enjoy a liter of beer, famously served 'stupidly cold,' as the Cariocas would say.

Famous for its naturally fermented bread, the Slow Bakery is the place to go. Located in the charming Botafogo neighborhood, this airy spot offers a delightful selection of freshly baked sourdough, ciabatta, and baguettes. The menu also features a variety of sandwiches and tartines—don’t miss the one with goat cheese and roasted tomatoes—as well as coffee and more. There are two additional locations in the city: one with an industrial feel in Jardim Botânico and a cozy outlet in Leblon.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, chef Rafa Costa e Silva reimagined his acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant Lasai in Botafogo. Now located in a new, smaller venue, the seating has been reduced from 40 to just 10, all arranged around a bright marble counter overlooking the kitchen. With a more intimate atmosphere and a leaner team, the daily tasting menu continues to highlight seasonal ingredients sourced from the chef’s own farm and local producers.

This vegetarian bistro is the heartfelt endeavor of chef Nathalie Passos, a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education’s Natural Gourmet Institute. She showcases organic produce sourced from local farmers in dishes like cozido Indiano (Indian stew) featuring chickpeas, sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and a rich tomato sauce, as well as a plant-based twist on the classic Brazilian feijoada made with beans, squash, smoked tofu, and a flaxseed-kale-carrot farofa traditionally crafted from toasted yucca flour.

Liga dos Botecos serves as the Justice League of Rio’s bars, bringing together signature dishes from some of the city’s finest establishments—Cachambeer, Bar da Frente, Momo, and the now-closed Botero—all in one vibrant location in the trendy Botafogo neighborhood. With permission from the original owners, Liga expertly recreates each bar's specialties, including ham hock croquettes, baked heart of palm with shrimp and cream cheese, and Brazil's beloved coxinhas (chicken croquettes). There's also a branch in Flamengo.

Having earned a reputation as one of São Paulo's top chefs, Alberto Landgraf elevated his culinary craft at Oteque. His commitment to high-quality ingredients is evident in the fishtank located in the kitchen, ensuring the freshest seafood is always on hand. Landgraf’s thoughtfully crafted tasting menus feature inventive dishes that highlight precise techniques, intricate layers of flavor, and carefully curated textures. This two-Michelin-star restaurant is also renowned for its exceptional wine selection, emphasizing natural and organic varieties.

This renowned chicken bar is a beloved bohemian staple in Rio, drawing crowds for its deliciously crispy roasted galeto (young chicken) and endless rounds of beer. The iconic Copacabana location has a second, spacious venue in Botafogo, perfect for night owls craving flavorful chicken hearts, garlic bread, and the must-have eggs farofa.

Recognized as Latin America’s Best Female Chef in 2015, chef Roberta Sudbrack continues her culinary journey at her restaurant located in the lush Jardim Botânico neighborhood. Unlike her previous establishments, this one operates without reservations, lacks a wine list, and accommodates only 12 tables. Here, Sudbrack moves away from her typical tasting menu approach, opting for simple dishes reminiscent of what she would serve at home, all while employing fine dining techniques and premium ingredients.

Situated just a few blocks from Copacabana beach, Adega Pérola is the quintessential boteco—a lively bar where you’ll need to raise your voice over the crowd to order petiscos (Brazilian tapas) like cod croquettes and smoked haddock. While most patrons enjoy the seafood, the goat cheese and artichokes are equally delightful.

Housed in the historic Copacabana Palace hotel, this tribute to the renowned Cipriani bar in Venice offers one of the finest Italian dining experiences in the city. Since the arrival of Neapolitan chef Nello Cassese, the menu has taken a modern twist with fresh dishes, including a unique take on the classic caprese salad featuring scallops, a daily risotto with combinations like eel, pear, and foie gras, and a variety of handmade pastas.

Pé sujos, or “dirty feet,” are akin to American dive bars, offering hard liquor and a lively atmosphere under bright fluorescent lights. Pavão Azul (blue peacock) keeps the classic vibe with its tiled walls and folding wooden chairs while serving delicious snacks. Regulars claim the cod fritters are some of the best in Rio, and the pasteis are also highly recommended. Along with its sister location directly across the street, called Pavãozinho (Little Peacock), this bar is a favorite among locals and savvy tourists alike.

Chef Claude Troisgros launched what may be the most intimate restaurant of his career in the same venue where he first set up shop in Rio upon his arrival from France in the 1970s. Chez Claude serves as a culinary scrapbook of his 50-year journey, offering beloved classics like scallops with heart of palm, caviar-topped eggs, and quail paired with chard, chives, and bacon in a grape sauce.

Chef Pedro Siqueira gained recognition for his fresh pasta at Massa, a lively Mytoury in Leblon, and for slow-risen, naturally leavened pizza at Ella, a Neapolitan-style pizzeria nestled in Rio’s Botanical Garden. Now combined as Massa + Ella, the restaurant features both a pasta and pizza menu, allowing diners to enjoy Siqueira’s signature dishes like beef rib and Grana Padano ravioli alongside creative pizzas topped with Brazil nuts, chile jam, and a diverse selection of cheeses.

Mil Frutas translates to “a thousand fruits,” and although this beloved ice cream parlor offers around 100 tropical sorbet flavors, the variety is still quite impressive. Enjoy a selection of refreshing scoops made with indigenous fruits like mangaba, araçá, and umbu to cool off.

As the city's first izakaya, Pabu offers a lively atmosphere with a U-shaped counter where diners can enjoy classic Japanese fare like pork gyoza, tonkatsu, ramen, and bao. Pair your meal with inventive cocktails, including a gin and tonic infused with wasabi and a matcha margarita.

In a city renowned for its seafood, Satyricon stands out as a reliable option. The interior showcases tanks brimming with lobsters, oysters, and various shellfish, alongside an ice display featuring the day’s fresh catch. Dishes are simply prepared yet exquisite, including salt-baked sea bream, shredded king crab drizzled with lemon and oil, and spaghetti alle vongole, reflecting the Italian roots of owners Marly and Miro Leopardi.

This trendy three-story bar and restaurant highlights cocktails as its centerpiece. At the expansive bar, head mixologist Daniel Estevan crafts both classic and original drinks, including the Ernesto (gin, black olive infusion, dry vermouth, lime) and his tribute to the area, À la Ipanema (Wild Turkey, Cinzano 1757, Bénédictine, Laphroaig 10, Peychaud’s). In the kitchen, New York-born chef Bruno Katz serves up his take on ceviche (featuring mango sorbet and toasted quinoa), steak tartare topped with soft eggs, and pork gyoza accompanied by kimchi, ginger, sesame, and Korean chile oil.

After 18 years in the same location in Ipanema, Bazzar has relocated to a more vibrant space within a delightful, airy 1920s mansion. Now known as Bazzar à Vins, it embodies the ideal wine bar: a fantastic venue to savor a curated selection from small producers along with delicious bites. The emphasis is on seasonal, organic, and Brazilian ingredients, which restaurateur Cristiana Beltrão passionately sources during her travels across the country. This dedication is reflected in dishes like a hearty egg with green bean puree and cheese sauce, or seafood rice cooked in a flavorful broth with Brazilian aromatic chile.

Chef Pedro de Artagão is renowned for his vibrant and hearty dishes. It’s only fitting that he embraces the essence of comida de boteco, the informal bar food enjoyed in many beloved local botecos. At Boteco Rainha, he showcases Rio's culinary classics, including pastéis (crispy fried meat pastries), cod fritters, and black bean soup, alongside sandwiches and more substantial options like octopus rice or baked cod with potatoes, broccoli, and garlic. To truly enjoy the experience, pair your meal with an ice-cold beer or a refreshing caipirinha.

When the Rio sun blares and a full meal seems too heavy, opt for a refreshing glass of cold juice. This beloved chain offers a variety of options, from local fruits like cajá, graviola, and carambola to more familiar tastes like avocado, pineapple, and pitaya. It’s a delightful way to keep cool and hydrated.

After seven years, chef Felipe Bronze chose to reinvent his renowned restaurant Oro, stepping away from the molecular techniques that made him a TV celebrity. Now, he emphasizes hearty, rustic fare prepared over live fire, with his two-Michelin-starred kitchen in Leblon featuring a wood-burning oven and grill. His whimsical tasting menu offers a rotating selection of shareable dishes that blend international cooking methods with Brazilian ingredients like heart of palm and abará, a black-eyed pea snack.

A standout in Rio's cocktail landscape, Jessica Sanchez oversees this innovative bar located in Barra da Tijuca’s Vogue Square mall. Her signature cocktails creatively incorporate the popular cachaça, blending it with local fruits and honey. Vizinho also provides a range of delicious food options — including guacamole, empanadas, and steak tartare — to complement the drinks.