Tasty Rio de Janeiro Restaurants

Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's cultural hub, as well as its primary tourist destination. The local flavor is very interesting, as the city's lifestyle and appearance has been influenced throughout its history by Portuguese, French, and English cultures, as well as a more general South American flair. The same can be said for Rio de Janeiro restaurants. The city's culinary offerings are exceedingly diverse in origin and style. Picking the best restaurants from the countless number Rio de Janeiro has to offer can be difficult for those unfamiliar with the city. Here are some of the best Rio de Janeiro restaurants, with dining quality ranging from quick street foods to fine dining.

Portuguese Food

The prevailing cultural influence in Rio de Janeiro restaurants is Portuguese. Once a Portuguese colony, Brazil reveals its origin prominently through its food. The restaurant most famously associated with heralding Portuguese cuisines into contemporary Brazilian food is Rio de Janeiro's Antiquarius. It was the first to take Portuguese food to a fine dining level. It offers many traditional dishes, like the codfish-based Bacalhau a Lagareiro, and puts a luxe spin on them. This restaurant is both popular and pricey, so book your reservation well in advance and be prepared to leave with a considerably lighter wallet.

Steakhouses

Well seasoned and properly cooked meats are a mainstay in the best Rio de Janeiro restaurants, as well as steakhouses across Brazil. We highly recommend eating a meal at Marius, a churrascaria steakhouse that offers amazing views of Leme Beach. It offers diners dozens of meat dishes, as well as a great salad bar. For barbecued meat, the Ipanema restaurant Porcão has many types and cuts that are served directly off the spit at your table, ensuring tenderness and freshness every time. Both of these restaurants are popular with celebrities, so make your reservations and hope to see someone famous!

Seafood

Brazil and Rio de Janeiro restaurants also have excellent seafood traditions. Next door to Marius is Marius Crustáceos, a top-flight seafood restaurant. The shellfish is particularly well regarded, and the restaurant's décor features many maritime artifacts and relics that make for an exciting experience. Food here is quite pricey, so for some it may be more feasible to have a few drinks and snap a photo or two. For a looser, more upbeat atmosphere, try Siri Mole e Companhia. It has developed an impressive following amongst Rio de Janeiro's young adults, as well as celebrities who pass through the city. Siri Mole e Companhia serves classic Brazilian seafood, and its location in Copacabana only adds to its party-like setting.

Not all of the best Rio de Janeiro restaurants are easily categorized. Garcia e Rodrigues, for example, combines styles from all over the world, and its menu is always changing. If you find restaurants serving traditional Brazilian food to be a bit heavy, come here for a change of pace and a classic delicatessen experience.

Rio de Janeiro restaurants are tasty and feature cuisines that are uniquely Brazilian—you'll find food here that isn't available anywhere else. There are many great options, and we're confident that you'll find something to satisfy your cravings.