Side Trips from Rio Restaurants

The food here is nothing if not eclectic. Expect to find sushi bars, Italian restaurants, and German biergartens sitting alongside restaurants selling typical Brazilian cuisine. Coastal towns serve a large selection of fresh seafood, and most have a local specialty that's worth trying. Beachfront restaurants, especially the ubiquitous baracas (kiosks), can be a pleasant surprise and most will bring food and drink right up to your chosen spot on the sands.

Paraty and Búzios have excellent restaurants serving international cuisine. During high season they fill up beginning at 10 pm and may not close until after sunrise. Restaurants in Petrópolis and Teresópolis serve European cuisine and comida mineira, the hearty, meaty fare from Minas Gerais. Generally, dinner starts at seven and restaurants close around midnight.

To be on the safe side, don't buy seafood from venders strolling along the beach. Be especially careful about the oysters in Búzios and Cabo Frio, which may not be as fresh as the vendor claims.

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  • 1. Thai Brasil

    $ | Centro Histórico

    This trendy, laid-back restaurant charms with its hand-painted interiors, alfresco courtyard, and affordable prices for its generously sized Thai dishes. In the summer months, live music and great cocktails make this a fun place to spend an evening.

    Rua do Comercio 308A, Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, 23970-000, Brazil
    24-3371--2760

    Known For

    • Green papaya salad
    • Mojitos
    • Japanese squid with nirá
  • 2. Chez Michou

    $ | Centro

    A pancake house might seem an unlikely meeting point for partiers, but this Belgian-owned crêperie is indeed the hangout of choice for many hip young things in Búzios. Locals and tourists alike flock to the street-side tables after dark to soak up the scene and listen to live DJ sets while tucking into their choice of over 50 savory and sweet fillings. By day it's a quieter affair and popular with families.

    Av. José Bento Ribeiro Dantas 90, Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, 28950–000, Brazil
    22-2623–2169

    Known For

    • Outdoor big TV screens
    • Happening atmosphere
    • Chocolate crepes

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 3. Churrascaria Majórica

    $$$

    A classic steak house in the heart of Petrópolis’s historic center, Majórica has been a huge hit with meat lovers since it opened in 1962. Every cut is cooked to perfection and served with flair by attentive waitstaff, and there are excellent fish dishes and sides, too. There’s a decent wine list, although it may be even more tempting to opt for one of the very well-made caipirinhas.

    Rua de Emperador 754, Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, 25620-001, Brazil
    24-2242–2498

    Known For

    • Classic caipirinhas
    • Salted picanha (rump steak)
    • Puffed potato balls
  • 4. Estancia Don Juan

    $$ | Centro

    Take a walk through the center of Búzios and you might think you’ve suddenly landed in Argentina thanks to the large number of Spanish speakers who have adopted Búzios as their home. Of all the parillas serving Argentina's traditional barbecued steak, Don Juan is easily the best as its perfectly grilled cuts of prime beef can be washed down with a glass of Malbec from the well-stocked cellar while you take in a live tango show.

    Rua das Pedras 178, Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    22-2623–2169

    Known For

    • Succulent 'bife de chorizo'
    • Well-stocked wine cellar
    • Live tango shows
  • 5. Jardin

    $$ | Abraão

    When you finally tire of eating grilled fish and rich moqueca stews, head to this contemporary dinner-only spot that specializes in fresh salads and vegetarian options crafted from locally sourced ingredients, alongside the more innovative daily fish dishes and hamburgers. The cozy, home-like setting—just three tables set on a veranda that's a 15-minute walk into the forest from Praia da Júlia—gives diners the chance to connect with Ilha Grande's natural beauty; a guided walk along the trails each way is included in dinner.

    Caminho de Palmas, Casa 3, Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, 23968-000, Brazil
    24-99914--7738

    Known For

    • The jungle-like setting it apart from Ilha Grande's other dining options
    • Sweet potato fries
    • Generous salads

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Pizza na Praça

    $$ | Abraão

    On the flagstones of Ilha Grande's main square, this simple restaurant serves up more than four dozen types of pies, from simple margheritas to exotic seafood combinations or dessert pies; salads and other dishes are available at lunchtime. This is a great spot for evening meals on Friday and Saturday nights, when live bands play in the square.

    Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, 23968–000, Brazil
    24-3361–9566

    Known For

    • Great people watching
    • Healthy pizza options
    • Lively atmopshere on the weekends

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