Rio de Janeiro Guidebook
Food Scene
There's no shortage of incredible food in Rio. Here are some must-visit spots for all types of travelers.
One of Copacabana's most celebrated eateries. Opt for the polvo à vinagrete — some of the freshest and most flavorful octopus we've had to date. The chopp (draft beer) are equally beloved. It gets packed, so go early or prepare to spill over into the street!
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Adega Pérola
138 Rua Siqueira CamposOne of Copacabana's most celebrated eateries. Opt for the polvo à vinagrete — some of the freshest and most flavorful octopus we've had to date. The chopp (draft beer) are equally beloved. It gets packed, so go early or prepare to spill over into the street!
An order of pataniscas de bacalhau is a necessity. Pavão Azul’s pataniscas are made without potatoes, which is a recipe not as readily found around Rio. Other must-eats include the escondidinho—a sort-of deep dish shepherd's pie, stocked with either shrimp or carne seca, a dried beef—and a selection of pasteis, the fried, filled half-moon pockets of cheese, meat, or shrimp. At night, Pavão Azul is bursting with crowds in between its two outposts, which are located directly across the street from each other.
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Pavão Azul Bar
71 Rua Hilário de GouvêiaAn order of pataniscas de bacalhau is a necessity. Pavão Azul’s pataniscas are made without potatoes, which is a recipe not as readily found around Rio. Other must-eats include the escondidinho—a sort-of deep dish shepherd's pie, stocked with either shrimp or carne seca, a dried beef—and a selection of pasteis, the fried, filled half-moon pockets of cheese, meat, or shrimp. At night, Pavão Azul is bursting with crowds in between its two outposts, which are located directly across the street from each other.
This Copacabana classic is a must! The esfihas and kibbe are perfect for a mid-day snack.
Restaurante Baalbek
473 R. Barata RibeiroThis Copacabana classic is a must! The esfihas and kibbe are perfect for a mid-day snack.
Alfaia Restaurante
30 Rua InhangáGo for the cod. Stay for dessert.
Charmingly decorated restaurant celebrating Brazil's Nordeste (Northeast) region. It is around the block from our apartment.
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Barraca da Chiquita
33 R. Santa ClaraCharmingly decorated restaurant celebrating Brazil's Nordeste (Northeast) region. It is around the block from our apartment.
Wonderful vegetarian buffet made up of wooden décor
and Buddhist art. A-la-carte options also available.
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Refeitório Orgânico
120 R. Dezenove de FevereiroWonderful vegetarian buffet made up of wooden décor
and Buddhist art. A-la-carte options also available.
Pizza and more pizza. You will not leave hungry! The correct address is R. Maria Angélica, 37 - Jardim Botânico.
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Capricciosa
187 R. Domingos FerreiraPizza and more pizza. You will not leave hungry! The correct address is R. Maria Angélica, 37 - Jardim Botânico.
A lovely new addition to Galeria Menescal. Don't leave without trying the chocolate pastel de nata!
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Casa das Natas
995 Av. Nossa Sra. de CopacabanaA lovely new addition to Galeria Menescal. Don't leave without trying the chocolate pastel de nata!
Aprazível is one of the nicest restaurants in Rio. Situated on a hilltop in Santa Teresa, you'll be in awe of its decor. Best to go at sunset if you can snag a reservation!
R. Aprazível, 62
62 Rua AprazívelAprazível is one of the nicest restaurants in Rio. Situated on a hilltop in Santa Teresa, you'll be in awe of its decor. Best to go at sunset if you can snag a reservation!
Sightseeing
Trust us — there's so much more to Rio than its beaches. Make sure to explore a dash of everything this city has to offer.
Arpoador is located in between Copacabana and Ipanema — making it one of the best beachside views in the city. Climb the rocks and prepare for some primetime surfer watching.
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Arpoador
Arpoador is located in between Copacabana and Ipanema — making it one of the best beachside views in the city. Climb the rocks and prepare for some primetime surfer watching.
This is a wonderful place to come in the earlier morning hours for a coffee. You'll have some of the best views of Copacabana Beach and you can explore the historic military fortress.
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Copacabana Fort
1, Posto 6 Praça Cel. Eugênio FrancoThis is a wonderful place to come in the earlier morning hours for a coffee. You'll have some of the best views of Copacabana Beach and you can explore the historic military fortress.
This is not your average fair. Intrepid families who are up for a trek outside of Zona Sul — not to mention a ton of food and dancing — should check out Feira de São Cristóvão on Saturdays or Sundays. Here you'll find over 600 stalls, making it the perfect place for original souvenirs.
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Feira de São Cristóvão
B47 Rua ParaíbaThis is not your average fair. Intrepid families who are up for a trek outside of Zona Sul — not to mention a ton of food and dancing — should check out Feira de São Cristóvão on Saturdays or Sundays. Here you'll find over 600 stalls, making it the perfect place for original souvenirs.
It's a wonder of the world and worth your time! Make sure to book tickets on the "Trem do Corcovado" online ahead of time.
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Cristo Redentor
It's a wonder of the world and worth your time! Make sure to book tickets on the "Trem do Corcovado" online ahead of time.
Known as the 'Selaron Steps.' This world-famous set of steps came from the mind of Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón, who dedicated as "my tribute to the Brazilian people."
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Escadaria Selaron
Rua Manuel CarneiroKnown as the 'Selaron Steps.' This world-famous set of steps came from the mind of Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón, who dedicated as "my tribute to the Brazilian people."
Buy tickets online and go at sunset. It will be an unforgettable experience.
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Zuckerhut
Buy tickets online and go at sunset. It will be an unforgettable experience.
Perfect place for families to rent bikes or paddle-boats, with stunning panoramic views.
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Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
Perfect place for families to rent bikes or paddle-boats, with stunning panoramic views.
Carioca Aqueduct
Your portal to Lapa. Great place to route for an Uber.
Wonderful for brunch or simply sightseeing its gorgeous exterior. Take a stroll down Copacabana beach toward Leme and you can't miss it.
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Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro
1702 Avenida AtlânticaWonderful for brunch or simply sightseeing its gorgeous exterior. Take a stroll down Copacabana beach toward Leme and you can't miss it.
Great place to go following Pão de Açúcar for stellar views on the ground.
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Guanabara Bay
Great place to go following Pão de Açúcar for stellar views on the ground.
Neighborhoods
For treks outside of Copacabana, don't miss these thriving neighborhoods.
Cinemas. Breweries. Vegetarian Joints. Hop on metro lines 1 or 2 and you'll find yourself in Botafogo — one of Rio's up-and-coming, trendy neighborhoods.
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Botafogo
Cinemas. Breweries. Vegetarian Joints. Hop on metro lines 1 or 2 and you'll find yourself in Botafogo — one of Rio's up-and-coming, trendy neighborhoods.
Lapa is the New Orleans of Rio, in part due to its historic colonial buildings — in other part due to its samba-centric streets! Come here from 9pm onward and you'll find unrivaled street parties, the Carioca Aqueduct and the famous Escadaria Selaró.
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Lapa
Lapa is the New Orleans of Rio, in part due to its historic colonial buildings — in other part due to its samba-centric streets! Come here from 9pm onward and you'll find unrivaled street parties, the Carioca Aqueduct and the famous Escadaria Selaró.
Nestled in the hills of Rio, Santa Teresa is one of the city's most charming neighborhoods. This bohemian district is known for its 19th-century mansions and thriving historic bars.
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Santa Teresa
Nestled in the hills of Rio, Santa Teresa is one of the city's most charming neighborhoods. This bohemian district is known for its 19th-century mansions and thriving historic bars.
Parks & Nature
So many parks, so little time. Here's a list of what to prioritize.
One of the world's best botanical gardens. It's an essential part of any visit to Rio and can be reached after walking along the Lagoa. Keep an eye out for the monkeys!
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Jardim Botânico
One of the world's best botanical gardens. It's an essential part of any visit to Rio and can be reached after walking along the Lagoa. Keep an eye out for the monkeys!
Stunning public park that most visitors overlook, known for a gorgeous mansion that was once the former residence of industrialist Enrique Lage and his wife, singer Gabriella Besanzoni.
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Lage Park
414 R. Jardim BotânicoStunning public park that most visitors overlook, known for a gorgeous mansion that was once the former residence of industrialist Enrique Lage and his wife, singer Gabriella Besanzoni.
Said to be the world's largest urban forest and you'll see why.
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Parque Florestal da Tijuca
Said to be the world's largest urban forest and you'll see why.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Marvelous City is *the* place for marvelous nightlife.
Come for the bolinhos de bacalhau (fried cod balls) and stay for the music flooding into the streets of Santa Teresa, the city’s bohemian district.
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Armazém São Thiago
26 R. ÁureaCome for the bolinhos de bacalhau (fried cod balls) and stay for the music flooding into the streets of Santa Teresa, the city’s bohemian district.
One of Copacabana's most celebrated eateries. Opt for the polvo à vinagrete — some of the freshest and most flavorful octopus we've had to date. The chopp (draft beer) are equally beloved. It gets packed, so go early or prepare to spill over into the street!
11 Einheimische empfehlen
Adega Pérola
138 Rua Siqueira CamposOne of Copacabana's most celebrated eateries. Opt for the polvo à vinagrete — some of the freshest and most flavorful octopus we've had to date. The chopp (draft beer) are equally beloved. It gets packed, so go early or prepare to spill over into the street!
An order of pataniscas de bacalhau is a necessity. Pavão Azul’s pataniscas are made without potatoes, which is a recipe not as readily found around Rio. Other must-eats include the escondidinho—a sort-of deep dish shepherd's pie, stocked with either shrimp or carne seca, a dried beef—and a selection of pasteis, the fried, filled half-moon pockets of cheese, meat, or shrimp. At night, Pavão Azul is bursting with crowds in between its two outposts, which are located directly across the street from each other.
367 Einheimische empfehlen
Pavão Azul Bar
71 Rua Hilário de GouvêiaAn order of pataniscas de bacalhau is a necessity. Pavão Azul’s pataniscas are made without potatoes, which is a recipe not as readily found around Rio. Other must-eats include the escondidinho—a sort-of deep dish shepherd's pie, stocked with either shrimp or carne seca, a dried beef—and a selection of pasteis, the fried, filled half-moon pockets of cheese, meat, or shrimp. At night, Pavão Azul is bursting with crowds in between its two outposts, which are located directly across the street from each other.
Jobi
1166 Av. Ataulfo de PaivaBeloved local pub that is a must when visiting Leblon.
For all of your fancier caipirinha needs. It is a staple in Leblon.
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Academia da Cachaca
26 Rua Conde de BernadotteFor all of your fancier caipirinha needs. It is a staple in Leblon.
Sits along a street of open-air breweries. Great local artisanal beers!
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Hocus Pocus DNA
186 R. Dezenove de FevereiroSits along a street of open-air breweries. Great local artisanal beers!
Situated along one of the most popular streets in Leblon; known for artisanal beers and people spilling onto the streets.
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Brewteco Leblon
420 Rua Dias FerreiraSituated along one of the most popular streets in Leblon; known for artisanal beers and people spilling onto the streets.
Bar & pizzeria in a historic mansion. Great for samba and choro.
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Bar Carioca da Gema
79 Av. Mem de SáBar & pizzeria in a historic mansion. Great for samba and choro.
Cafés
For when you just need that coffee, pastry, moment to breathe — or all of the above.
Cafeina Barata Ribeiro
507 R. Barata RibeiroLocal café with nice staff and great hours.
Perfect place for a morning coffee or pastry inside of Galeria Menescal. There is WIFI and an additional dining area upstairs.
Galleria Café & Bistrô
473 R. Barata RibeiroPerfect place for a morning coffee or pastry inside of Galeria Menescal. There is WIFI and an additional dining area upstairs.
Fantastic bookstore along an ever-popular street in Leblon. There is a café in the back.
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Livraria Argumento
417 Rua Dias FerreiraFantastic bookstore along an ever-popular street in Leblon. There is a café in the back.
One of the most important cafés in Rio's history. The inside is stunning and not to be missed!
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Confeitaria Colombo
01 Praça Cel. Eugênio FrancoOne of the most important cafés in Rio's history. The inside is stunning and not to be missed!
Fantastic bakery, with a buffet sold by weight in the back, and wonderful pastries. The pizza is incredibly tasty and they also offer several vegetarian and a few vegan options. Everything is homemade.
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Farro
630 Av. Nossa Sra. de CopacabanaFantastic bakery, with a buffet sold by weight in the back, and wonderful pastries. The pizza is incredibly tasty and they also offer several vegetarian and a few vegan options. Everything is homemade.
Arts & Culture
An architectural gem of Rio de Janeiro, located right off the Cinelândia metro stop.
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Gemeindetheater von Rio de Janeiro
S/N Praça FlorianoAn architectural gem of Rio de Janeiro, located right off the Cinelândia metro stop.
Forward-thinking museum devoted to science and better understanding our natural world. Free to all visitors on Tuesdays.
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Museu do Amanhã
1 Praça MauáForward-thinking museum devoted to science and better understanding our natural world. Free to all visitors on Tuesdays.
Follow up your trip to the Museum of Tomorrow with a trip to the Museu de Arte do Rio.
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Museu de Arte do Rio – MAR
5 Praça MauáFollow up your trip to the Museum of Tomorrow with a trip to the Museu de Arte do Rio.
Fundação Biblioteca Nacional
219 Avenida Rio BrancoBibliophiles will feel right at home.