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The Real Rio · Food & Dining

Food
Done Right

"The Rio menu most travelers never order from."

My personal restaurant list. The best churrascaria in Rio. Fresh oysters in Ipanema. Rooftop drinks with the view that ends every night well.

Copa Palace Brunch Black-Owned Crawl In-Home Feijoada Best Churrascaria In Rio

Build a Trip Around These See the Real Rio Pillar →

Part of the Real Rio pillar · See on the full menu · Private Chef →

The food menu, the spots cariocas actually eat at.

Eat like a local

Sunday Brunch at Copacabana Palace ★ Premium

The Belmond's Sunday brunch, seafood tower, sushi bar, Brazilian classics, free-flowing champagne, the Pérgula poolside service. The kind of Sunday that turns into Sunday dinner because no one wants to leave.

On the groundIconic Belmond Copacabana Palace property. White-tablecloth, poolside, the brunch every Carioca-in-the-know already knows. We handle the booking, Concierge meets you, transport both ways included.

Best timeSundays only. Service typically 12:30pm to 4pm.

Pairs withLazy Ipanema beach afternoon, sunset at Arpoador, Vidigal sunset evening.

2-3 hrs2-4From $145/pp incl. transport

Novotel Rooftop Bar

Drinks and views over Rio at one of the best rooftop spots in Copacabana.

On the groundDrinks and views. Quiet pre-game before a heavy night out.

Best timeSunset to 9pm.

Pairs withCasa Black, Boate Save, anywhere you're going next.

2 hrsUp to 4Drinks at own expense

Sunset Dinner at Aprazivel

Hilltop Santa Teresa restaurant with one of the best views in Rio. Traditional Brazilian cuisine, open-air terrace, the city below at golden hour.

On the groundPerched on a Santa Teresa hillside overlooking central Rio. The view at sunset is the kind of thing you don't forget. Bryant has brought clients here and watched them go quiet for a minute.

Best timeArrive 5:30-6pm for the golden hour. Reservations required, we handle them.

Pairs withEscadaria Selarón (same neighborhood), Santa Teresa walk, evening return to Zona Sul.

2-3 hrsUp to 6Food at own expense + transport

Churrascaria at Palace

Guided meal at Churrascaria Palace, the best churrascaria in Rio. Full traditional Brazilian BBQ.

On the groundBest churrascaria in Rio. Show up hungry, leave reborn.

Best timeDinner, any night of the week.

Pairs withBoate Save (after), Sugar Loaf (sunset before).

2 hrsUp to 4Food at own expense

Local Food Tour

Our personal list of restaurants, street food, and local spots. 2 person minimum.

On the groundMy personal list. Spots no one finds without trust. Two-person minimum.

Best timeHalf day, any day. Better on weekdays for slower service.

Pairs withPequena África walking tour, Feira do Glória.

Half day2-4Food at own expense

Fresh Oysters at Escama

Guided experience at Escama, one of the best seafood spots in Rio.

On the groundBest seafood in Rio. Built for people who care about freshness.

Best timeLunch or early dinner.

Pairs withLocal Food Tour, Sugar Loaf, Novotel Rooftop.

2 hrsUp to 4Food at own expense

Açaí Bowl Crawl

Three stops, three styles. Learn what real açaí is supposed to taste like, the syrupy supermarket version Americans know is a tourist con. Bowls from a beach kiosk, an Ipanema café, and a North Zone original.

On the groundYour guide explains the exact phrasing to order it the way Brazilians do, no syrup, with granola and sliced banana, the right consistency.

Best timeMorning or post-beach. Avoid late evening.

Pairs withRasta Beach Day, Sunrise Run with Zeek.

2-3 hrsUp to 4$8-12/bowl own expense

Black-Owned Restaurant Crawl

Three Black-owned restaurants in one evening, the spots cariocas actually eat at, not the Tripadvisor list. African-Brazilian fusion, North-Zone classics, a Bahia-style stop.

On the groundYour guide moves between them with you, handles Portuguese, knows the owners by name. The dinner version of the Pequena África walking tour.

Best timeFriday or Saturday evening.

Pairs withPequena África Walking Tour earlier in the day; Pedra do Sal Monday.

EveningUp to 4$60/person

Carioca Cooking Class · In-Home Feijoada

Hands-on feijoada from scratch in a local home (or your rental). Your instructor shops with you at a small market, then teaches you the cook. Includes the meal at the end.

On the groundThe recipe you'll bring back and actually make. Wine optional. Vegetarian version available with 48hr notice.

Best timeSaturday lunch (traditional). Allow half a day.

Pairs withLocal Food Tour, Capoeira Class.

Half dayUp to 4$80/person

Feira do Glória · Sunday Eats ★ Also in: Cultural · Shopping

The Sunday market under the Glória arches has the best street-food row in Rio, pastel de feira, caldo de cana, tapioca crepes, grilled cheese on skewers. Your guide walks you stall to stall.

On the groundCash only. Bring R$50-100/person. The pastel de carne stall on the south side is the move.

Best timeSunday 10am-2pm only.

Pairs withSunday samba roda at Glória, or Rasta Beach in the afternoon.

2-3 hrsUp to 4Food at own expense

Want any of these on your trip?

Free 30-min concierge call with one of our Experience Concierges. No purchase required. We figure out which fit your group, your dates, and your energy.

Schedule a Free Call Meet the Private Chef →

Tickets and bookings we arrange carry a 20% service fee.

FoodDone Right