Best Places to Eat in Rio de Janeiro by Neighborhood

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Rio de Janeiro is such an underrated food destination. From Brazilian barbecue to traditional dishes like feijoada and moqueca (feijoada is essentially a stew made of beans and different cuts of meat, while moqueca is a seafood stew), there’s so much to explore.

Over the course of my several trips to Brazil, I’ve rounded up the best places to eat in Rio de Janeiro — all organized by neighborhood, so you can easily fit places into your itinerary, depending on where you are each day.

I’ve made sure to include a mix of spots — a few more upscale, acclaimed restaurants, places where you can hear live music, and some cozy botecos, which are pretty much like dive bars — and are an essential Rio experience.

If you want to save everything easily for your trip, be sure to drop your name and email below to grab my curated Google map. It has all these spots (plus way more) that I’ve saved after years of traveling to Rio!

Best restaurants in Copacabana

Copacabana is one of Rio’s most famous neighborhoods, for a reason! Apart from the iconic beach, it’s a fun neighborhood to hang out in, thanks to its abundant food and bar scene. No trip to Rio is complete without some time in Copacabana.

Adega Pérola

Adega Pérola serves Spanish and Portuguese tapas, plus other seafood and meat dishes. (Rua Siqueira Campos, 138, Copacabana)

Churrascaria Palace

A Brazilian steakhouse is a must at some point during your trip to Rio, especially to try picanha, a specific cut of meat often served with typical Brazilian sides like white rice, black beans, and farofa. And Churrascaria Palace is one of the best places for it. (R. Rodolfo Dantas, 16 – Copacabana)

Restaurante Basha

Believe it or not Rio has some really good Middle Eastern restaurants, and Restaurante Basha is a delicious option serving Lebanese cuisine. (Av. Nossa Sra. de Copacabana, 198, Copacabana)

Cervantes Copacabana

Cervantes Copacabana is the perfect spot for a sandwich and a beer. (Av. Prado Júnior, 335, Copacabana)

Woman sits at beach restaurant with plates of food in Rio de Janeiro — *From left: a seafood dish in Barra da Tijuca, Copacabana, and tapioca, a popular Brazilian food*

Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro — *From left: a seafood dish in Barra da Tijuca, Copacabana, and tapioca, a popular Brazilian food*

Best restaurants in Ipanema

Ipanema is another gorgeous and rightfully iconic beach neighborhood. Regardless of whether you have a couple days, a week, or longer in Rio, it’s somewhere you have to visit! It’s super walkable, beautiful, and has lots of restaurants and bars to check out. Here are some highlights:

Etta Bar

Etta Bar has a range of options from pizzas, salads, burgers and sandwiches, steaks, and more. They’re especially known for having live music, like samba and jazz, and for having great drinks and appetizers. I really like the ambiance here! (Rua Teixeira de Melo 53, Ipanema)

Boteco Belmonte

A traditional boteco, or “root bar” is a quintessential experience you have to have in Rio, and Boteco Belmonte is a solid option. There are a few different locations, but its Ipanema spot is particularly beloved thanks to its ocean view. (Av. Vieira Souto, 236, Ipanema)

Zazá Bistrô Tropical

Zazá Bistrô Tropical is popular mainly for its vibes — it’s located in a cute 100-year-old mansion, and it’s also one of the pricier options here. But their menu is creative and fun, putting a modern spin on classic Brazilian ingredients and dishges. If you’re looking for a fun date night spot, this is it! (Rua Joana Angelica 40, Ipanema)

T.T. Burger Arpoador

T.T. Burger Arpoador is a delicious and affordable burger spot that’s my go-to when I’m looking for something easy and satisfying. (R. Francisco Otaviano, 67, Ipanema)

Gringo Cafe

If you’re feeling homesick during your trip (no judgment), head to Gringo Cafe for a classic American breakfast. I wouldn’t say it’s exactly like home, but it was definitely the closest I’ve had while in Rio. (R. Barão da Torre, 240 – A, Ipanema)

Best restaurants in Leblon

Leblon is among Rio’s fanciest neighborhoods and is another must during your trip to Rio. Here are some popular spots:

Massa + Ella

Massa + Ella serves pizza and pasta. (Rua Dias Ferreira, 617, Leblon)

Rio has lots of good Japanese restaurants — if you’re looking for a great one, check out Pabu Izakaya (R. Humberto de Campos, 827 – Loja G, Leblon)

Sushi Leblon

Sushi Leblon is another amazing sushi spot that everyone loves — it’s even in the Michelin guide. You’ll want to get a reservation if going for dinner! (Rua Dias Ferreira 256, Leblon)

Boteco Rainha

Boteco Rainha is a delicious seafood spot with a really cute, Portuguese-inspired ambiance. I had the most amazing octopus of my life there on my last trip to Rio! (Rua Dias Ferreira, 247 – loja B, Leblon)

Jobi

Jobi serves Portuguese-Brazilian cuisine — with lots of small bites, seafood and meat dishes, pizzas, feijoadas, and more. (Av. Ataulfo de Paiva, 1166, Leblon)

Veloso

Veloso is another classic Brazilian bar serving a wide range of options — think fried appetizers, seafood and meat dishes, etc. They also have a great happy hour special! (R. Aristides Espinola, 44, Leblon)

A mural of the Santa Teresa cable car, with Rio behind it, in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro — *Santa Teresa and feijoada*

the Brazilian food feijoada with rice and collard greens — *Santa Teresa and feijoada*

Best restaurants in Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa is an amazing spot to immerse yourself more into Brazilian culture — and first and foremost, through the food. While there are sooo many great places (seriously, I’m still working through my list of places to try), here are some to get you started:

Bar Simplesmente

Bar Simplesmente is a traditional bar/restaurant with a friendly atmosphere, solid food, and maybe most importantly, samba. (Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno, 115, Santa Teresa)

Bar do Mineiro

Bar do Mineiro is a beloved local bar, and it’s a great place to get authentic Brazilian classics like a caiprinha, feijoada, and more. (Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno, 99, Santa Teresa)

Aprazível

Aprazível is a popular restaurant for a reason. It’s beautiful, with a great view, and its menu is all delicious. (R. Aprazível, 62, Santa Teresa)

Bonde Boca

Bonde Boca is a casual and affordable bar and restaurant that often has music. It also has a great view! (R. Aarão Reis, 20, Santa Teresa)

Café do Alto

Café do Alto is an affordable spot focused on food from the Northeast of Brazil. This region includes cities like Salvador and Recife and is known for amazing food! (Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno, 143, Santa Teresa)

Moqueca, a Brazilian fish stew — *Moqueca, a seafood dish from Northeastern Brazil, and a caiprinha cocktai*

A caiprinha on a green table with a water bottle and glass behind it in Salvador, Brazil — *Moqueca, a seafood dish from Northeastern Brazil, and a caiprinha cocktai*

Other top places in Rio

Confeitaria Colombo

Confeitaria Colombo is worth a visit even if you don’t buy anything! It’s a historic cafe that’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s also not the affordable place, and I’ve heard mixed reviews about some of their savory dishes, but the pastries are known or being delicious. Here, I think it’s really about the ambiance. (R. Gonçalves Dias, 32 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro)

Casa Porto

Casa Porto is a popular restaurant located in Rio’s Little Africa neighborhood. It overlooks a square, and has a fun atmosphere. It’s a great place to get some appetizers and drinks. (Largo de São Francisco da Prainha, 4, Centro)

Café Cultural Sacrilégio

Café Cultural Sacrilégio is an iconic bar in Lapa, Rio’s biggest nightlife neighborhood. The original building was once frequented by Carmen Miranda, and today, it’s a beloved nightlife spot for live samba music. (Av. Mem de Sá, 81, Lapa)

Plage Cafe

Plage Cafe is mainly on the list because it’s in one of my favorite places in all of Rio — Parque Lage. To get a look at the iconic courtyard pool, the only way is to grab a table at the cafe. It’s not the most affordable spot on this list, but I recommend getting at least a drink so you can enjoy the beautiful view. (R. Jardim Botânico, 414, Parque Lage) (September 2025 update — The cafe is temporarily closed while the Parque Lage mansion is undergoing some renovations — I’ll update this when I see it’s reopened!)

Tourão

Tourão is another top Brazilian steakhouse that’s in Barra da Tijuca, a gorgeous beach area in western Rio. (Praça São Perpétuo, 116 – Barra da Tijuca)

Planning your Rio trip

Rio is one of my favorite places in Brazil, and visiting some of its many restaurants and bars is one of the best ways to experience Carioca culture. I hope you have the best time!

I’ve got all these spots saved — plus a bunch more — in my curated Rio Google map, built over the course of my several visits, with the help of my husband, a Rio local. Drop your email below and it’ll get sent straight to your inbox, so you can save it for your trip!