The Best Rio Restaurants & Breakfast Places!

Rio de Janeiro took in many immigrants during the 20th century. With a mostly European background, these people made the local cuisine a unique mix of flavors. Nowadays, that immigration translates to incredible food, and some truly eclectic places to eat in Rio. That, combined with centuries-old traditions of local cuisine, make the best restaurants in Rio pretty special!

For the best things to do in Rio check out my Rio travel guide!

My Rio restaurant review showcases some of the eclectic local cuisine and its many flavors. Out of hundreds of places to eat in Rio de Janeiro, these are some favorites!

My Top 4 Places to Eat in Rio

1. Simon Boccanegra – Luxury Italian Among the Best Restaurants in Rio! 

1. Food: 5

2. Drinks: 5

3. Atmosphere: 3

4. Design: 4

5. Service: 4

Simon Boccanegra is a luxury  and peaceful eatery in the wild city outside! Burt Atmosphere aside, the food makes it one of the best restaurants in Rio. An Italian place offering a superb culinary experience, this Copacabana spot includes all the Mediterranean must-haves. Whether you choose pasta, risotto or meats, be sure to accompany with one of their delicious wines. One of my favorite places to eat in Rio!

2. El Born – Tapas for the Soul

1. Food: 4

2. Drinks: 4

3. Atmosphere: 4

4. Design: 4

5. Service: 4

One of the all-around most impressive places to eat in Rio, in our experience. El Born specializes in tapas, with a twist. Instead of offering a tapas menu, you just pick the available ones you like after servers show them around. A very hip place with a refreshing concept and beautiful rustic stone and brick walls. Unmissable for those looking for the best restaurants in Rio and with yummy cocktails!

3. Churrascaria Palace – Local Flavors of Rio

1. Food: 3

2. Drinks: 3

3. Atmosphere: 3

4. Design: 3

5. Service: 4

No Brazil restaurant review is complete without a meat eatery, and our choice was Churrascaria Palace. The place is a little touristic for my taste, and I wasn’t crazy about its atmosphere, either. However, the experience improves when booking the romantic room, much cozier than the loud and big one. There’s a buffet and a pretty good one at that, but I’m not a fan of buffets. The meat was great and served in large portions. It may not be one of the best restaurants in Rio, but it’s a very good choice to try out local flavors!

4. Lúlivo e Vini – A New Authentic Trattroria in Rio

1. Food: 5

2. Drinks: 4

3. Atmosphere: 4

4. Design: 3

5. Service: 5

We had the pleasure of being one of the first guests in this small amazing Trattoria at Rua Miguel Lemos, just a block away from our Airbnb. This turned out to be one of our favorite places to eat in Rio. A small eatery with a genuine and authentic touch and with food to die for if you are in for Italian. Their pasta was just perfect and the owner of the place was very friendly. We felt like home. A must visit when in Rio!

3 Perfect Places to Eat in Rio for Breakfast & Lunch

My favorite places to eat in Rio early in the day!

1. Forte de Copacabana – Lunch with a View

1. Food: 3

2. Drinks: 3

3. Atmosphere: 5

4. Design: 3

5. Service: 3

A list of the best places to eat in Rio must include at least one place with a view! Forte de Copacabana might not have the best food in Rio, but it might offer the best view. Have breakfast here and become entranced by the bay and the Copacabana skyline.

2. Riba – Classy Lunch Eatery by the Sea

1. Food: 4

2. Drinks: 3

3. Atmosphere: 4

4. Design: 3

5. Service: 3

A lunch eatery by the quieter part of Ipanema beach, Riba is the place to eat by the ocean. While the design was somewhat unremarkable, it’s a classier alternative to other places to eat in Rio in the area. Have delicious European food like burrata to the sound of the waves. Great vacay feels and atmosphere!

 

3. TT Burgers – Eating Burgers in Our Flipflops

1. Food: 3

2. Drinks: 3

3. Atmosphere: 3

4. Design: 3

5. Service: 3

TT Burgers is a nice local alternative if you’re craving a burger and want to skip big chains. A surfer hangout between Copacabana and Ipanema, don’t expect one of the best restaurants in Rio. It’s a fun fast food place with good Brazilian-style burgers, where you can eat in our flip-flops!

Don’t forget to read my Rio travel story!

More from Travel with a Silver Lining

• If you’re a foodie traveling through Latin America, why not check out my Lima Restaurant Reviews and Havana Restaurant Reviews?
• If gastronomy is one of the reasons you love traveling, head to the restaurant guides section of my blog!
• For more beachy paradises, check out my hotel review for Sydney, Australia, and my Hua Hin travel story!
• Read my top 3 posts! Lisbon Instagram Guide, Amalfi Coast Photography Guide & My Favorite Trendy Restaurants in Moscow!

Booking Support & Input

• Have a craving for Brazilian food? Book your flight to Rio at the best rates with Momondo. Download their app here!
• Book your stay in Rio through BOOKING.COM!
• Go smoothly from the airport to your Rio hotel with this transfer!
• Get Your Guide is a lifesaver when traveling to Rio and everywhere else, offering one-of-a-kind experiences for every budget. Foodies will really enjoy this Rio de Janeiro: Historical Pub Crawl Through Rio’s Nightlife. Check out the Rio city guide, below!

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