Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast
Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro
Traditional breakfast in Rio is toasted bread with butter (pão na chapa), coffee and milk. In some juice shops (casas de suco), bakeries, bistrots and snack bars in south zone, you find many set menus for your meal: cereals, yogurt, fruits, eggs, ham, tapioca, cakes. We recommend to include papaya in your choice; you won’t regret!
Fancy a pint? Where to grab a beer in Rio
Beer is, no doubt, the most popular drink in Rio. Years ago, the choice was limited mostly to Pilsen, both tap and bottle. At last, things are changing and you have more options; it’s already possible to find bars and restaurants that offer a different kind of beers.
Over time, the production of craft beer is consolidating more and more; microbreweries are gaining market share before dominated only by big brands, like Skol, Brahma, Antarctica.
Beer is an institution in Rio and the habit to drink it outdoor is really carioca style. Here some spots of the city that gather people together: the famous low-wall in Urca (mureta da Urca) during sunset (opposite Bar Urca and Garota da Urca restaurant); San Salvador Square (Praça São Salvador); kiosks on Ipanema and Copacabana beach and around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.
Check it out!
Boteco Colarinho, Rua Nelson Mandela, 100, Loja 127, Botafogo.
Botto Bar, Rua Barão de Iguatemi, 205, Praça da Bandeira.
BeerLab Bar, Rua Sousa Lima, 16 C, Copacabana.
Together with the beer, we suggest trying the traditional appetizers (petiscos).
Where to eat feijoada in Rio de Janeiro?
Feijoada is maybe the most traditional dish of the city. Its origin is Portuguese but it added some more peculiar elements on the brazilian soil.
It basically consists of black beans cooked with different kind of meat (pork and cow); as sides, white rice, fried cassava flour, fried cole and pieces of orange.
The best feijoada of my life has been usually home-cooked. So, you are lucky if you find somebody who can cook it for you, considering the long preparation. In case you are not that fortunate, check these restaurants where you can taste a good one.
Bar do Mineiro, Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno, 99 – Santa Teresa.
Aconchego Carioca, Rua Barão de Iguatemi, 379 – Praça da Bandeira. Rua Rainha Guilhermina, 48 – Leblon.
Jobi, Av. Ataulfo de Paiva 1.166 – Leblon.
Academia da Cachaça, Rua Conde Bernadotte, 26 – Leblon. Avenida Armando Lombardi, 800, Loja 65-L – Barra da Tijuca.
Best churrascarias in Rio de Janeiro
Nowadays, barbecue (churrasco) is consumed all over Brazil, but its tradition comes from the southern states, a region historically related to cattle breeding. In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the tradition continues in the form of barbecue, as in the Centers of Gaucho Traditions (CTGs).
In Rio and in the rest of Brazil, the steakhouses innovated by offering, besides the traditional cuts, a huge variety of meat, dishes, salads and even sushi and sashimi. In the churrascaria, the barbecue is usually served in the “carvery” scheme, which allows you to enjoy the different types of meat. It works as follows: waiters walking by tables offering different types of meat and cuts. You pick the piece and they cut to you directly from the skewer.
Here a list of different options and prices.
Carretão, Rua Siqueira Campos, 23 – Copacabana. Rua Visconde de Pirajá, 112 – Ipanema.
Churrascaria Majórica, Rua Senador Vergueiro, 15 – Flamengo. A traditional churrascaria in Rio, but they do not serve “rodízio”.
Fogo de Chão, Avenida Ayrton Senna, 2150 – Barra da Tijuca. Avenida Repórter Nestor Moreira, s/n. – Botafogo.