A Guide to Eating and Drinking in Rio de Janeiro
- Rio de Janeiro Information
- Eating & drinking in Rio de Janeiro
- Night life in Rio de Janeiro
- Getting around in Rio de Janeiro
- Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
- Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro
- Rio de Janeiro street map
The complicated blend of cultures that makes up Brazilian culture is naturally reflected in the national cuisine. Changing radically from place to place as the ethnic mix shifts, eating and drinking in Rio de Janeiro is defined by its endless variety.
The national dish of Brazil is 'feijoada', a delicious bean, pork and rice dish. Roughly equivalent to America's ‘soul food’, its appeal lies in its simplicity. It's served in virtually every restaurant across the country, with many having special ‘feijoada days’ on weekends.
Another couple of reliable standards (both in terms of price and availability) are 'bife' (steak) and 'frango' (chicken), accompanied by 'arroz e feijao' (rice and beans).
Many of the better restaurants in Rio are in the Ipanema area of town. And, like most major cities, there’s a whole range of international cuisines on offer. However, while not all of them are expensive, it's best to be wary of the prices here and check out the menus before you settle on a place.
Rio’s real gastronomic charms are decidedly more relaxed and down-at-heel. Such is the case with 'pastels' or 'salgados' (local pastries), which can be picked up for next to nothing at a 'lanchonete' (snack bar) and make a cheap and tasty way to recharge your energy reserves during the day.
Undoubtedly the most famous restaurants in Rio, however, are the barbecue venues, or 'churrascaris', which line the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. Here, you can get a wide range of delicious grilled meats chased down with a few caipirinhas, perhaps followed up with some barefoot dancing on the sand. There’s only one snag: they too can be a little pricey.
The best options for the budget traveler in Rio are without a doubt, therefore, the 'butecos' (pleasingly scruffy local eateries). You can find them all across town, and they serve a dizzying array of fantastically fattening snacks, often consisting of fried fish. Specialties include 'casquinha de ciri' (crab cakes in their shells), 'empada de camarao' (little shrimp pies) and even 'cabrito assado' (roast kid)
The many 'quiosqes' (laidback beach bars) of the Lagao area are also a great option. As evening settles on the city you can sit and sip a coconut or a beer or two to watch the beautiful people on the beach pack up their things and head home and then, out beyond the bay, as the sun melts into the sea. The perfect end to a perfect day in Rio.
