Amir

Located just a stone's throw from Copacabana Beach, Lebanese restaurant Amir is one of the best exponents of Arab cuisine in Rio de Janeiro. Let the flavorful Middle Eastern delicacies like falafel, kibbeh, and lamb charm you and rest assured, Amir's trademark generous portions will satisfy your appetite. Many vegetarian options are available.

• Address:

  Rua Ronald de Carvalho 55, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 2542 7039

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu & Sun noon–11pm; Fri & Sat noon–midnight

Braseiro da Gavea

Renowned for its grilled chicken, picanha, and traditional Brazilian food, this restaurant is loved by both tourists and locals, who often crowd the streets outside while waiting for a table. Thanks to its informal and lively atmosphere, the generous portions and the many local specialities offered, Braseiro da Gavea is unanimously considered one of Rio's best places to enjoy an authentic Brazilian meal.

• Address:

  Praça Santos Dumont 116, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 2239 7494

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu & Sun 11:30pm–1am, Fri & Sat 11:30pm–3am

Cais do Oriente

This fancy restaurant located in a XIX century warehouse, in the heart of old Rio, is still reminiscent of the transoceanic trade era of the past. Enjoy traditional Brazilian dishes in a charming and refined ambience, often animated by live performances of samba and bossa nova. The restaurant also features a lovely indoor garden decorated with palm trees.

• Web:

  caisdooriente-rj.com.br

• E-mail:

  atendimento@caisgourmet.com.br

• Address:

  Rua Visconde de Itaboraí 8, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 2233 2531

Galeto 183

A few blocks away from the famous Sambodromo, Galeto 183 offers traditional Brazilian food in an informal ambience. Highly popular among the citizens of Rio the Janeiro, less so among tourists, this restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy an authentic Brazilian culinary experience.

• Address:

  Rua de Santana 183, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 2252 3914

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 6am–5pm

Gurumê

Creativity, sophistication, and Asian traditions coexist in this elegant restaurant in Ipanema, the crown jewel of Japanese cuisine in Rio de Janeiro. The charming wooden interiors designed by Thiago Bernardes create the perfect atmosphere for savouring the inventions of Japanese chef Shin Koike.

• Web:

  gurumedelivery.com.br/restaurantes

• Address:

  Rua Aníbal de Mendonça 132, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 3959 2263

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri noon–11pm, Sat noon–midnight, Sun noon–10pm

Hachiko

Hidden in the narrow Travessa do Paço, Hachiko has proven to be a real culinary gem and one of the best restaurants in town. Take a seat on the wicker and bamboo chairs and wait for the restaurant's staff to flood your table with the fusion of treasures of Japanese gastronomy and modern Western flavours.

• Web:

  www.hachiko.com.br

• Address:

  Travessa do Paço 10, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 3819 3293

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 11:30am–11pm, Sun closed

Bar Armazém São Thiago

Located in the picturesque neighbourhood of Santa Teresa and housed in a 1920s-style warehouse, Armazém São Thiago is a typical Brazilian bar, bearer of the city's history and traditions. Also known as "bar do Gomez", it serves refreshing cold beers and a variety of tasty appetizers.

• E-mail:

  armazemsãothiago@gmail.com

• Address:

  Rua Aurea 26, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 2232 0822

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat noon–11pm, Sun noon–9pm

Bar Bukowski

Housed in a historic mansion, with a garden, vinyl record collection, and hookahs, Bar Bukowski is the oldest rock house in Rio de Janeiro. It offers several bars and dance floors in a large outdoor area and hosts concerts and artistic performances for the entertainment of its customers and is absolutely worth a visit–not only for fans of the genre.

• E-mail:

  contato@barbukowski.com.br

• Address:

  Rua Álvaro Ramos 270, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 97727 5715

• Opening hours:

  Thu 7pm–2am, Fri–Sat 7pm–5am

Bar Carioca da Gema

This bar regularly hosts live acts of well-known carioca artists. Grab a beer, caipirinha, or another mixed drink and move your body along to some Brazilian samba or chorinho tunes.

• Web:

  www.barcariocadagema.com.br/en

• E-mail:

  atendimento@barcariocadagema.com.br

• Address:

  Avenida Mem de Sá 79, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 98556 0834

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Thu 7:30am–3am, Fri & Sat 8:30pm–3am

Bla Blá

Fun but sophisticated, Bla Blá combines Japanese food and a wide variety of high-quality champagne labels. Its proximity to the nightlife streets of Barra da Tijuca makes it the perfect place to enjoy a cheerful dinner and get ready for a night of partying.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/blablabarra

• Address:

  Avenida Érico Veríssimo, 843, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 2495 0040

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6pm–midnight

Circo Voador

Every weekend, Circo Voador hosts important names from the Brazilian and international music scene. Rock, samba, reggae, and funk music liven up the nights of this famous Lapa concert hall, where the intimate and informal atmosphere helps forge a real connection between the artists and the audience.

• Web:

  www.circovoador.com.br

• E-mail:

  eventos@circovoador.com.br

• Address:

  Rua dos Arcos, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 2533 0354

Clube dos Democraticos

Located in the vibrant Lapa neighbourhood, Clube dos Democraticos is a great place to dance to the rhythm of Brazilian live music. Let the sound of Samba and Forró guide you through the night, find your dance floor partner and enjoy an authentic Carioca experience.

• Web:

  www.clubedosdemocraticos.com.br

• Address:

  Rua Riachuelo 91, Rio de Janeiro

Café Hum

With various branches located across the city, Café Hum is the perfect place to take a break. It serves rich Brazilian blends as well as cappuccino and espresso, combined with delicious homemade cakes, sandwiches, waffles, and pastries.

• Address:

  Avenida Flamboyants da Península, 855, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 2408 4713

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8am–10pm

• More info:

  Located in Shopping Península Open Mall

Casa Cavé

Founded in 1860, Casa Cavé is one of the icons of Rio de Janeiro's Belle Époque period, together with Confeitaria Colombo. A visit to the city's oldest bakery, once a hangout for noblemen and politicians, offers the opportunity to travel back in time and enjoy traditional Brazilian and Portuguese pastries.

• Web:

  www.casacave.com.br/ingles/index.htm

• Address:

  Rua Sete de Setembro 133, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 2224 2520

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–2pm, Sun closed

Confeitaria Colombo

This historic literary café, dating back to 1894, is a part of the cultural and artistic heritage of Rio de Janeiro. Best known for a lavish Belle Époque decor that turns the clock back to the early XX century, the Confeitaria serves Brazilian and Portuguese pastries, snacks, and tea.

• Address:

  Rua Gonçalves Dias 32, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 2505 1500

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 11am–6pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun closed

Confeitaria Kurt

When in 1940 Kurt Deichmann arrived in Rio fleeing from the Nazi Regime, he probably didn't know that the confectionery he was going to open would have become the most renowned and well-regarded in all of Rio de Janeiro. Even today, Kurt's family still manage the confectionery, serving a wide variety of delicious cakes, cookies and mousses.

• Web:

  www.confeitariakurt.com.br

• E-mail:

  sac@confeitariakurt.com.br

• Address:

  Rua General Urquiza 117B, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 2294 0599

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 8am–7pm, Sat 9am–6pm, Sun closed

Da Casa da Táta

Homey but elegant, the café Da Casa da Táta is famous for its home-baked bread, cakes, and Brazilian desserts. Locals and tourists go there in the early morning hours to taste the ultimate Brazilian breakfast, made up normally of juice, coffee, a basket of loaves of bread and a piece of cake.

• E-mail:

  tata@dacasadatata.com.br

• Address:

  Rua Professor Manoel Ferreira 89, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 98894 2276

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 8am–3pm, Sun 9am–2pm

Empório Jardim

Elected to be serving not only the best breakfast in Rio de Janeiro but also in Brazil, Empório Jardim is the right place to start your day in the morning or to drop in at any other time. The interior makes you feel like sitting in a garden while you can enjoy a cup of coffee alongside your breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

• Web:

  www.emporiojardimrio.com.br

• E-mail:

  comercial@emporiojardimrio.com.br

• Address:

  Rua Visconde da Graça 51, Rio de Janeiro

• Phone:

  +55 21 2535 9862

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8am–7pm