Meals in Brazil are more leisurely and on a later schedule than in the United States. Brazilians eat 4-5 meals per day.
Breakfast is simple, and lunch begins around 12:00-1:00 p.m., and can last a few hours. During this time, many businesses will be closed. Dinner times in Brazil are a bit later than in most of the United States, and many restaurants will not open until 7:00 p.m. On weekends, dinner times for Brazilians is later, starting around 8:00-9:00 p.m.. You will have to ask for the check, as it is considered rude to provide a check without the patron having requested it. In many restaurants a 10% gratuity will be automatically added to your bill, though you can add on top of this if wanted. If you would like Knowmad to assist you with making restaurant reservations, please note that we must be notified at least 2 weeks prior to your dates of travel, especially if traveling during December or early January.
Covid-19 has affected restaurants’ hours of operation in South America as in the United States. Please refer to their websites. For additional information and to make a reservation, as doing so may require you to enter payment information to confirm the reservation. We recommend making reservations at least 2 months in advance for the Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter holiday dates; and further in advance if looking to dine at a particular restaurant. If calling or making reservations from outside of Brazil dial +55 before the complete phone number.
Price guide for the approximate cost of a main dish at each restaurant (please note that prices and restaurant hours are subject to change without notice): $ = Under 10 $$ = 10-20 $$$ = 20-40 $$$$ = Over 40
RIO DE JANEIRO – COPACABANA / LEME / URCA
- RISTORANTE HOTEL CIPRIANI – Price: $$$$ In the Copacabana Palace, this award-winning restaurant offers a vibrant tasting menu, featuring Italian cuisine. For a more intimate and exclusive experience, book the chef’s table, located inside the kitchen.
- CHURRASCARIA PALACE – Price: $$$$ A traditional steakhouse, internationally renowned for its authentic Rio style, all-you-can-eat options, including fine house cut meats, seafood and fish.
- S BISTRO LEME – Price: $$ A mix of Brazilian and French gastronomy in a charming, contemporary bistro on the boardwalk of the Leme neighborhood.
- JOAQUINA BAR – Price: $$ Traditional Brazilian homemade dishes and snacks in a relaxed beachfront atmosphere.
- BAR URCA – Price: $-$$ Local Brazilian food and snacks with views over Guanabara Bay and St. John’s Fort.
RIO DE JANEIRO – IPANEMA / LEBLON / JARDIM BOTANICO
- SATYRICON RIO – Price: $$$-$$$$ Fresh Mediterranean cuisine, such as seafood, made with simple products and using techniques that preserve the true flavor of the ingredients.
- ZAZA BISTRÔ TROPICAL IPANEMA – Price: $$-$$$ The first contemporary restaurant in Rio, inspired by journeys all over the world, using organic ingredients and with vegetarian and vegan options.
- TEVA VEGETAL – Price: $$ A plant-based restaurant with an innovative, international menu that uses organic seasonal ingredients, with gluten free, raw food and lactose intolerant options.
- ORO – Price: $$$$ Innovative and revolutionary Brazilian Cuisine with 2 menu options; the Creativity Menu, a longer menu elaborated daily with seasonal market ingredients and the Affectivity Menu, a shorter menu consisting of house specialties.
- SUD, O PÁSSARO VERDE – Price: $$$ Modern Brazilian food that uses the best ingredients in partnership with the small producers to preserve its traditional gastronomic heritage.
RIO DE JANEIRO – BOTAFOGO / FLAMENGO
- LASAI – Price: $$$$ Restaurant of chef Rafa Costa e Silva and Malena Cardiel, a tasting menu made using modern techniques with Brazilian ingredients grown in their garden and on local farms.
- NATURALIE BISTRÔ – Price: $$ A vegetarian restaurant and coffee house, in a charming and cozy house. Serves fresh food with carefully selected ingredients that change according to the ingredient’s seasonality.
- ASSADOR – Price: $$$ An All-you-can-eat with an extensive wine and drinks menu, beach views and a rustic decoration similar to the traditional steakhouses of the south.
RIO DE JANEIRO – SANTA TERESA
- TERRITÓRIO APRAZÍVEL – Price: $$-$$$ This restaurant, surrounded by gardens with views over the city, uses tropical ingredients to blend Brazilian and international cuisines in a relaxing setting.
- TÉRÈZE – Price: $$$ Contemporary cuisine with a local touch in an intimate atmosphere at the Hotel Santa Teresa Rio MGallery with a tropical chic design and beautiful views.
- PORTELLA BAR & RESTAURANTE – Price: $$-$$$ This restaurant, located in a historical building with a rustic, informal atmosphere, serves regional and northeast cuisine with classic snacks.
- ARMAZÉM SÃO THIAGO – Price: $-$$ Also known as Bar do Gomes, this once grocery store, is now one of the most iconic bars in Rio de Janeiro, with a wide selection of cachaça.
RIO DE JANEIRO – CENTRO
- CONFEITARIA COLOMBO – Price: $$ A charming, historical patisserie that forms a part of the heritage of the city as part of the Belle Époque in Rio with its glamorous salons.
- LILIA RESTAURANTE – Price: $$$ Contemporary regional cuisine with a creative menu that changes daily based on the market products and offers vegetarian alternatives as well.
RIO DE JANEIRO – VIDIGAL
- BAR DA LAJE – Price: $$-$$$ A rooftop bar with stunning views over the city, next to the ecological reserve and facing the sea. In case of special events and live shows it may be necessary to pay for an entrance fee. Offer van transfer from Leblon beachfront, only open on weekends (must book at least 24h in advance).
SAO PAULO – JARDINS / IBIRAPUERA
- DOM RESTAURANTE – Price: $$$$ A critically acclaimed contemporary restaurant that is constantly exciting lovers of haute cuisine with its revelations about the culinary and ingredients from Brazil.
- MANÍ MANIOCA – Price: $$$-$$$$ Enjoy fine-dining on organic and contemporary Brazilian food, awarded nationally and internationally, based on the constant search for simplicity and seasonality.
- BARBACOA – Price: $$$-$$$$ One of Brazil’s best-known churrascarias where many different cuts of meat are served to you at your table and an extensive salad buffet is available. The price is discounted for children.
- SKYE RESTAURANT & BAR – Price: $$$ On the rooftop of the Unique hotel, Skye boasts a crimson red pool and lounge area with stunning views over São Paulo. Enjoy the varied menu of international dishes with a Brazilian touch, and the lively atmosphere.
- TORDESILHAS – Price: $$-$$$ A restaurant that proposes a trip through Brazil’s national cuisine, valuing the variety and richness of its ingredients while giving each meal the refinement they deserve.
- VERIDIANA – Price: $$-$$$ This restaurant offers an excellent selection of artisanal pizzas with a Neapolitan style. There are three locations in Jardins, Higienópolis and Perdizes, each with unique designed dining rooms.
- BARÚ MARISQUERIA – Price: $$ Entirely dedicated to fish and seafood, the ingredients shine brightly in their recipes that mix accents from various corners of Latin America.
- CAMPIM SANTO – Price: $$ An oasis in the middle of Sao Paulo with its beautiful garden, this restaurant focuses on food made with French technique and Brazilian ingredients.
- AE! COZINHA – Price: $-$$ This cozy restaurant offers lower cost, seasonal Brazilian cuisine, carefully selected with a special attention to sustainability along with seasonal wine.
SAO PAULO – VILA MEDEIROS
- MOCOTÓ BAR & RESTAURANTE – Price: $$-$$$ A casual, family run restaurant which focuses on “sertaneja” food, or northeast interior Brazilian classics, with an innovative twist by chef Rodrigo.
SAO PAULO – DOWNTOWN
- TERRAÇO ITÁLIA – Price: $$$-$$$$ Located in one of the most iconic buildings, Terraço Itáliaheaded by the Tuscan Chef Pasquale Mancini, focuses on the tradition and simplicity of Tuscan cuisine.
- PRICELESS RESTAURANT & BAR – Price: $$ (Abaru) $$$$ (Notiê) Notiê Restaurant and Abaru bar are located in the priceless center in São Paulo’s Historic Downtown. Abaru is known for its classic drinks and craft beer, but also offers a la carte food options. Notiê is a highly acclaimed fine dining restaurant, offering a seasonal tasting menu inspired by Brazilian biomes.
SAO PAULO – PINHEIROS
- ARTURITO – Price: $$-$$$ This restaurant serves cuisine with inspirations from the Mediterranean and Latin-American gastronomy and is led by chef Paola Carosella, famous for being a judge on “Masterchef”.
- FITÓ COZINHA – Price: $$ This restaurant offers cuisine from Northeastern Brazil, mainly the chef’s native states of Ceará e Piauí, with family recipes and a relaxed atmosphere.
- CLOS WINE BAR & BISTRÔ – Price: $$ Clos Wine Bar serves a selection of wines produced by small producers, many with limited production, in an old property from the 1930s. Their dishes mix French and Brazilian cuisine and are prepared with respect to seasonality and focus on the plant world.
PARATY
- BANANA DA TERRA – Price: $$$ Known as one of the best restaurants in town for its impeccable service and wonderful food. Enjoy the unique flavor combinations in the Paratiense cuisine with Brazilian sourced produce.
- MARGARIDA CAFÉ – Price: $$-$$$ Located in the main entrance of the historical center, this cozy restaurant serves a wide array of Brazilian and international cuisine and often has live music playing in the background.
- RESTAURANTE REFÚGIO – Price: $$-$$$ Excellent option to taste Brazilian and Mediterranean cuisine, the highlight being the seafood. Enjoy the patio with views of the bay and surrounding mountains.
- THAI BRASIL – Price: $$ A variety of typical Thai food in a colorful and vibrant, while also relaxing, environment. Sit in the Thai herb garden while enjoying the fresh, and often spicy, food.
- CELEIRO ARMAZÉM TROPICAL – Price: $-$$ A quaint mix of restaurant, bar and store offering regional cuisine. You may choose to sit outdoors appreciating Paraty’s cobblestone streets.
