Location: Rio de Janeiro
Top Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Rio de Janeiro
With its plentiful beaches, dramatic mountains, and backdrop of samba and bossa nova rhythms, it's easy to fall in love with Rio de Janeiro. Made famous in song, Ipanema Beach is still the place to stroll, sunbathe, and be seen. The largest Art Deco statue in the world, Christ the Redeemer, beckons visitors to Corcovado Mountain. Rio’s annual Carnaval celebrations are bacchanalian extravaganzas of feasting, music, dance, and costumed revelry.
Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
1. Marius Degustare
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Fish, seafood restaurant and steakhouse. Brazilian, Mediterranean and South American cuisine.
Reviewed By AndrewCambridgeUK - Cambridge UK
For a special evening you must visit this quirky restaurant. Inside is like an aladdins cave of nautical themed treasures. The food is fantastic. Brazilian style rodizio but with helpings of lobster, prawns, oysters, fish and langoustines. Costs 170 real per person plus drinks. Go for it and you won't be disappointed.
2. Hachiko
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Located in a charming colonial-style building in the 15th-century Cultural Corridor, Hachiko is an invitation to the palate. Translation of the perfect symbiosis between contemporary cuisine and the ancient oriental cuisine, Hachiko awakens sensations with its innovative and diversified menu of mini tastings. Born Tanaka San in the year 1994, the restaurant gained new name and flavors two years later, under the command of Mauricio and Maria Helena Eskinasi. For more than a decade, the duo have been honored by Hachiko's signature innovation brand, which has made the restaurant a benchmark for oriental and contemporary cuisine. Its notorious menu, which sometimes bears the signature of renowned chefs, mixes Asian influences with creative Western touches, always accompanied by four essential elements of culinary art: harmony, tradition, wisdom and balance. Only in Hachiko do you know the true flavor of contemporary Japanese cuisine. Live this experience!
Reviewed By Schiphorst
Well, as I use to say: Every costumer knows when the owner of the business is on duty. Mauricio takes his task very seriously and developed sharp eyes to every costumer needs or feeling in concern of quality of food and service.
The waiter Zé (pronounce the é as you say in yeah) is outstanding.
You will pay a formula price of reasonable R$ 130,00 (about US$ 37,00) for an "all you can eat" plus desert. My wife assures that was the best lemon pay she ever tried. The place is tiny so better arrive before 12:30h, and opens just for lunch.
Creative and exquisite far east food in an impeccable service, just in the hart of downtown of Rio de Janeiro, in a walking distance of lots of important places to visit as well as the public transportation to everywhere.
Don’t miss the ceviche and the tuna avocado.
This is the one you must to go...
3. Galeto 183
Overall Ratings
5 based on 158 reviews
Reviewed By Ronald Jean D - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
The ambiance is very simple with crowded tables. But the excellent Portuguese cuisine and the very reasonable prices always attract a crowd of customers for lunch during the week and little less over the weekend. The place is also know as the "Bar da Dona Ana", after the the friendly Portuguese lady Ana Campos that runs the place and circulates between the tables overseeing the service and giving a hand when needed.
The dishes are very generous and one dish serves two hungry guests. The place is famous for its classical Portuguese dishes like the "Cozido à Portuguesa" (Portuguese stew with mixed meets served with polenta sweet potatoes etc.) and "Angu do Gomes" (a oxtail ragout served with creamy polenta). Besides these dishes they also serve an exellent 600 gram tenderloin and the spring chicken (galeto, the name of the place) served with generous side dishes.
4. Bar do David
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 620 reviews
Reviewed By Hillary P - Seattle, Washington
I see lots of people have already left a review with something to this effect, but get the ribs. They are so tender and juicy, with a nice char. The pineapple relish that comes with is tangy and delicious. We had them one night, and brought a group from our hostel the next day to get a plate each!
5. Gabbiano Ristorante
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 509 reviews
Reviewed By Houston_TxFriend - Houston-Tx
I can't believe I missed this restaurant for so many years! Yesterday was a perfect night and a perfect diner! The food is outstanding! The wine , a Italian, was pairing well. The service,waiters all perfect.We got lamb with polenta all perfect. The menu is rich! Hard to decide what to eat but I got the suggestion and a happy end!
I highly recommend!
6. L' Atelier du Cuisinier
Overall Ratings
5 based on 683 reviews
The cozy L'Atelier du Cuisinier meets only 26 diners at a time and has an exclusive service in charge of Chef David Jobert. Trained in French cuisine and with years of experience in Brazil and abroad. David Jobert offers cuisine with creativity and harmony filled with seasonal produce. Dishes are seeking the softness and respect to raw materials, so you can enjoy the simplicity of delicious French flavors. Located in a house arrived in 1883 as part of the Cultural Corridor of the City, is an obligatory stop on the gastronomic circuit of the city center. Come taste the L'atelier du Cuisinier.David Jobert and his team will do everything for you to discover the pleasure of fine dining
Reviewed By FRPLN - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
French Chef, using great quality products, giving excellent results. We loved the place, everything is squeaky clean, very good food, also a lot of attention : chef went out the kitchen, had a walk, asking from time to time if satisfied. (everybody was) Can't wait to return there...
7. Maison VG
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
Casa of a Dutch Chef starred with Michellin's star at his homeland, presents a traditional frech cuisine with a sutil touch of Asian spices, placed at the luxurious forest of Mata atlantica.
Reviewed By Rafael C
Make no mistake. This getaway restaurant is superb. In all dishes I had, I was able to understand the true work of a chef. All ingredients fully related to the others, making it a awesome experience. I wish all the best to the owners. This restaurant is a great addition to Rio de Janeiro's scenery.
Next time we will definitely try the lodges!!!
8. L'Etoile
Overall Ratings
5 based on 682 reviews
Reviewed By fudgbug - Pelham, New Hampshire
If you're a foodie, try the Tasting Menu with Wine Pairings. US cost approximately $367 for two and includes tip.
The portions were larger than we expected and each course was tasty and was beautifully presented.
We're sure you'll enjoy the view from the 26th floor of the Sheraton Hotel.
9. Estrelas da Babilonia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 379 reviews
Our bar and restaurant, ran by Belgian - Colombian partners, offers good quality slow-food and service. Located at a touristic viewpoint in the peaceful favela of Babilonia, it offers a unique view over the city and here you will experience a different gentle face of Brazil. A perfect place relax after a busy day in the noisy agitated metropolis. Local community laws prohibit theft, assaults and harassment of women making it an exceptional safe place.
Reviewed By Alex K
I believe this was the best place we stayed in in our entire time travelling around South America. It was a privilege to experience staying in a favela with the hosts Bibi and Pol(an extremely intelligent, friendly, interesting, knowledgeable and all round lovely couple) who are doing wonderful work to open up the favela to the wider community. The general vibe at the guesthouse and around the favela is electric; we loved feeling immersed in a place which felt like getting closer to the true vibrant flavours of Rio. Pol generously even took us around on a tour around the favela and up to a spectacular view point. It was a true eye opener to gain some insight into the favella's history, and the work that Bibi and Pol are engaging with which contributes to heightening peoples understanding of it. These are memories we will treasure forever. Even if you don't book to stay here (which you should!) then you should definitely go and check out the restaurant. Fantastic food and cocktails, with a spectacular view. I wish I was there now, on my third caipirinha...
10. Prana Vegetariano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 495 reviews
Reviewed By Thomas D - Freising, Germany
This tiny little restaurant really surprised me at all, as there work not only courteous and engaged people, but the food they serve is tasty too! I visited this location just for a quick bite! You can find this place just a few steps away from the Corcovado train station. I never expected to eat in a vegetarian restaurant in Rio de Janeiro, that's why I'm impressed. I had a craft beer, a side salad and as an entree an eggplant gratin with ricotta cream, which was delicious! I would return if possible...
