15 Brazilian Foods and Drinks You Have to Try in Rio de Janeiro

On my first trip to Rio de Janeiro back in January 2020 — I had no idea what to order when I went out to eat. I guess I knew that Brazilians ate a lot of steak, and I’d maybe heard about caipirinhas, but that’s definitely it. I definitely went to at least one moderately suspicious buffet where I just filled my plate with anything that looked appetizing, and left still having no idea what I’d just eaten.

Now that I’ve been to Rio de Janeiro five times (and am married to a local), I realize the huge error of my ways — like, there are so amazing Brazilian foods and drinks to try, all with a unique blend of African, Indigenous Brazilian, and Portuguese influences. If I’d known what to try on that first visit, I for sure would’ve had a better time (I’ve more than made up for it every trip since then, don’t worry).

Seriously, Brazilian food is super underrated, and it’s so much more than just barbecue — so here’s a quick and easy guide of 15 top Brazilian foods and drinks to try when you go to Rio de Janeiro.

A handful of these will be suuper easy to find, but for some more specialized items, I’ll also share where I’ve had the best version.

Foods to try in Rio

1. Pão de Queijo

First on this list will always have a special place in my heart: pão de queijo, a.k.a Brazilian cheese bread. It’s light, kind of chewy, and completely addicting. Plus, it’s cheap and you can find it pretty much everywhere, so no excuses not to try it while visiting Rio de Janeiro!

2. Coxinha

Coxinha is a fried tear-drop-shaped street food filled with shredded chicken. Its filling often includes a creamy Brazilian cheese such as catupiry cheese or requeijão. It’s super satisfying and the perfect bar snack. This is another snack you’ll find at pretty much any bar that serves food.

3. Tapioca

Brazilians love their cassava, and tapioca’s typically made from either cassava flour or tapioca flour. The end result is something similar to a crepe but with a spongier texture. Like crepes, these can be served either sweet or savory.

Where to Try Tapioca

Get them from Feira Nordestina São Cristóvão, a northeastern fair/cultural center. Last time I went, I tried a tapioca with dried beef, and it honestly converted me to a tapioca fan. In the past, I’d tried them just with cheese, and I found the texture combo to just be a bit too much, but this one was 10/10.

4. Picanha

Since we are talking about Brazil after all, if you eat meat, you should be prepared for the abundance of steak and barbecue options!

Whether or not you choose to go to a churrascaria, picanha is an option you’ll find at many restaurants. This juicy and tender cut of meat has some fat on the edge for flavor, and is most likely served with classic Brazilian sides of white rice, black beans, farofa, and maybe a vinaigrette (similar to a salsa or pico de gallo) or side salad. 

5. Açai

Although açai is popular in the United States, a trip to Rio wouldn’t be complete without sampling the city’s many açai options.

While it’s common in the U.S. to fill your bowl with as many toppings as possible, you’ll find that some locals eat it plain or just with powdered milk (I like to get it with passionfruit — or passionfruit mousse if I want more of a dessert — and coconut shavings.)

Although pure açai actually isn’t even sweet (in the North of Brazil, where açai actually originated, açai can even be served in savory or salty meals), many places in Rio will typically blend it with a little bit of sweetener, like guarana, which is a Brazilian fruit. In some places, adding the guaraná syrup is an optional add-on.

Where to Try Açai

This is another super easy-to-find item. Different chains are sprawled throughout Rio, from shopping mall kiosks, to near the beach. Check out Maria Açai for affordable and fully customizable açai. If you’re in Barra da Tijuca, you can’t beat Golden Sucos (pictured below).

6. Moqueca

This rich stew consisting of fish or shrimp (or both), coconut milk, palm oil, tomato, onion, and lots of seasonings originally comes from Brazil’s Northeast region, but it’s since become popular in Rio. And it’s also one of my favorites! As in, I try to have it multiple times every time I go to Brazil. It’s hearty without feeling too heavy, and so flavorful.

Where to Try Moqueca

The last time I went to Rio, I tried it at Boteco de Peixero, a restaurant in the Tijuca neighborhood, and it was so good. It was also a giant portion, so either plan to share it, or have lots of leftovers.

7. Pastel

You can find this delicious fried Brazilian street food with a variety of fillings. It’s kind of similar to an empanada, but it’s generally rectangular shaped, and is airy — as in, it’s not totally stuffed.

It’s common for locals to grab a pastel de feira, or a pastel from a street market, along with caldo de cana, or sugarcane juice.

While it usually involves cheese and a type of meat or seafood, it can even have sweet fillings, although I’ve personally never tried it that way. My favorite way to get it is with shrimp. The best ones are usually found at a random street vendor!

8. Feijoada

One of the most famous items on this list is feijoada, a dish made of black beans (feijões in Portuguese, hence the name) and different cuts of pork and sometimes beef.

Served with a side of fried collard greens (usually mixed with bacon bits), white rice, farofa (cassava flour toasted with seasonings that sometimes has additions of things like bacon or egg — a super common side dish in Brazil), and a slice of orange, save this one for a day when you have a big appetite!

Where to Try Feijoada

Check out Bar Simplesmente in Santa Teresa for generous portions and affordable pricing. Or, check out two of Rio’s most famous spots for feijoada: Bar do Mineiro and Aprazivel. All three restaurants are located in Largo dos Guimarães, a square in the Santa Teresa neighborhood.

9. Acarajé

Our tenth and final item on this list of Brazilian foods is one of my favorites. A specialty originating in the Northeast, Acaraje is a typical Afro-Brazilian street food consisting of lack-eyed peas fried into fritters. It’s typically topped with vatapá, a shrimp, coconut milk, peanuts, and palm oil mixture. 

Where to Try Acarajé

Also grab one from a stall at the Feira Nordestina São Cristóvão, a fair dedicated entirely to Northeastern Brazilian culture.

Drinks to try in Rio

10. Coconut water

Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve never been a fan of bottled coconut water in the States. But it’s a totally different experience drinking it straight from a coconut.

Where to Try Coconut Water

These are super convenient to grab anywhere along the beach, there are always plenty of kiosks or vendors selling these for an affordable price. They’ll be called “coco gelado,” or ice cold, coconut water. Plenty of restaurants near the beach will also sell them, but they probably will be a bit pricier.

11. Mate

This is a type of herbal tea that’s super common in Brazil (if you’ve ever seen Yerba Mate in the U.S., that actually comes from Brazil, along with other South American countries!). While each place has a slightly different way of drinking it, in Brazil, it’s served cold. You can get it plain, or with extra flavors like lime or passionfruit. It’s commonly served at restaurants and people also drink it at home.

12. Limonada Suiça

Brazilian lemonade, first of all, is made with limes instead of lemon, and the entire limes are blended, peel and all.

Add sweetened condensed milk along with sugar, ice and water, and you’ll have this popular version, known as Swiss lemonade or limonada suiça. It’s sweet, tangy, creamy and refreshing, all in one. Many restaurants will offer it!

13. Caiprinha

If you drink alcohol, you can’t leave Rio without trying the famous caiprinha.

Made with cachaça, sugar, and lime, this drink is refreshing, sweet and fruity. I love getting it either regular or with extra flavors like passionfruit (maracuja). You’ll find it on pretty much every menu throughout Rio, from tiny boteco bars to fancy places.

14. Batida

Batida means “shaken” in Portuguese, and this cocktail can be made a number of different ways, but think of it as kind of like an alcoholic milkshake. It utilizes cachaça, coconut milk, and sweetened condensed milk, making for a creamy and refreshing drink that’s extra delicious with mango or passionfruit, but you can make it with pretty much any flavor!

15. Caldo de cana or sugarcane juice

I’ve been told this one’s more of an acquired taste, but personally, I found it delicious, and surprisingly, not too sweet.

You can find it sold by many street vendors, and it’s common to enjoy one with a pastel, or a fried, savory pastry, that I mentioned earlier.

If you don’t want to hunt down everything on your own, a great way to explore all that Rio’s food scene has to offer is through a tour — Viator has a few great options to check out like this one here, as does Free Walker Tours.

Want to easily track down all of these foods and drinks before your trip? Drop your email below to immediately get access to my curated Google Map, which has all the places I’ve loved over years of visiting Rio de Janeiro.

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