Guidebook for Rio de Janeiro
Food Scene
Excellent Italian food, moderately priced for Ipanema. Nice place for a quiet, rather elegant evening out. Typically not too crowded. Only 5 minutes walk from our apt
13 locals recommend
Restaurante Milano Doc
134 Rua Gomes CarneiroExcellent Italian food, moderately priced for Ipanema. Nice place for a quiet, rather elegant evening out. Typically not too crowded. Only 5 minutes walk from our apt
Wonderful French restaurant in the Sofitel hotel. Expensive, but Rio's best French cuisine, of course!
15 locals recommend
Le Pré Catelan
4240 Avenida AtlânticaWonderful French restaurant in the Sofitel hotel. Expensive, but Rio's best French cuisine, of course!
Restaurant open late night with good prices on beer and food. Across the street from Rio Scenarium.
Quintal Carioca
25 Rua do LavradioRestaurant open late night with good prices on beer and food. Across the street from Rio Scenarium.
You need to pay to enter the Fort to get to the Confeteria. This bakery is only open on certain days, but has pretty good baked goods and omelets. Sit outside and enjoy the view of the bay
1015 locals recommend
Confeitaria Colombo
01 Praça Cel. Eugênio FrancoYou need to pay to enter the Fort to get to the Confeteria. This bakery is only open on certain days, but has pretty good baked goods and omelets. Sit outside and enjoy the view of the bay
A by-the-kilo place w/ healthy, natural food. The grilled salmon is good, and you can get sushi. Eat healthy, and inexpensively here!
The apres- beach people-watching can be a phenomenon on Sundays!
65 locals recommend
New Natural
171 R. Barão da TorreA by-the-kilo place w/ healthy, natural food. The grilled salmon is good, and you can get sushi. Eat healthy, and inexpensively here!
The apres- beach people-watching can be a phenomenon on Sundays!
Local brewery, restaurant in Ipanema. Get a choppe and enjoy the view of people walking up and down Farme de Amoedo The grilled seafood platter is really good here.
53 locals recommend
Cervejaria Devassa
416 Rua Prudente de MoraisLocal brewery, restaurant in Ipanema. Get a choppe and enjoy the view of people walking up and down Farme de Amoedo The grilled seafood platter is really good here.
Buffet, Kilo place down the street. Decent food, reasonable prices, pleasant atmosphere. Also all-you can eat pizza in the evenings.
Av. Ns. de Copacabana, 1175
Buffet, Kilo place down the street. Decent food, reasonable prices, pleasant atmosphere. Also all-you can eat pizza in the evenings.
Great little French cafe with authentic French breads and pastries, quiche, desserts, coffees. Excellent quality, decent prices, lovely outdoor sidewalk cafe, right around the corner from our apt!
R. Souza Lima, 35
Great little French cafe with authentic French breads and pastries, quiche, desserts, coffees. Excellent quality, decent prices, lovely outdoor sidewalk cafe, right around the corner from our apt!
A tiny buffet kilo place -- great for lunch with an outdoor shaded sidewalk cafe, with ocean views. Tasty, and cheap - around the corner from our place -- no need to cook when you are in Rio!!
R. Souza Lima, 90
A tiny buffet kilo place -- great for lunch with an outdoor shaded sidewalk cafe, with ocean views. Tasty, and cheap - around the corner from our place -- no need to cook when you are in Rio!!
CAUTION!! When dining or drinking--ALWAYS check prices and receipts. Even at expensive restaurants you're likely to find overcharges for extra entrees, wine, etc. Don't get ripped off!!
279 locals recommend
Ipanema
CAUTION!! When dining or drinking--ALWAYS check prices and receipts. Even at expensive restaurants you're likely to find overcharges for extra entrees, wine, etc. Don't get ripped off!!
Lovely & sophisticated cafe with delicious pastas, and entrees, great pastries,desserts and cafes and terrific bread and inexpensive breads for taking home! A must for a little Rio elegance!
R. Jangadeiros, 28
Lovely & sophisticated cafe with delicious pastas, and entrees, great pastries,desserts and cafes and terrific bread and inexpensive breads for taking home! A must for a little Rio elegance!
Great little coffee shop with excellent Apres- Praia people watching, as the sandy bodies exit the beach. Delicious desserts, sandwiches, and coffees.
R. Farme de Amoedo, 57
Great little coffee shop with excellent Apres- Praia people watching, as the sandy bodies exit the beach. Delicious desserts, sandwiches, and coffees.
Remarkable, spectacular cliffside restaurant with wonderful views, and a tree-house like setting. Haute cuisine -- eat before you go if you are hungry and don't want to break the bank!
593 locals recommend
Santa Teresa
Remarkable, spectacular cliffside restaurant with wonderful views, and a tree-house like setting. Haute cuisine -- eat before you go if you are hungry and don't want to break the bank!
Drinks & Nightlife
Located in Lapa, this ex- prop house is now a club/restaurant. There's two dancefloors, one from live samba downstairs, and a dj in the one upstairs. Great scene watching.
694 locals recommend
Rio Scenarium
20 R. do LavradioLocated in Lapa, this ex- prop house is now a club/restaurant. There's two dancefloors, one from live samba downstairs, and a dj in the one upstairs. Great scene watching.
Cool bar, laid-back friendly crowd of the fashionable and smart set in Leblon.
304 locals recommend
Jobi
1166 Av. Ataulfo de PaivaCool bar, laid-back friendly crowd of the fashionable and smart set in Leblon.
Lots of Ipanema locals, and expats, and some of Rio's best Mexican food. Great place to meet people if you are new to town to get you started!
32 locals recommend
Blue Agave
Lots of Ipanema locals, and expats, and some of Rio's best Mexican food. Great place to meet people if you are new to town to get you started!
Cool bar, nice crowd. Lots of expats -- great late nights at week's end!
83 locals recommend
Empório 37
37 R. Maria QuitériaCool bar, nice crowd. Lots of expats -- great late nights at week's end!
Gay club, closed on Mondays, but their little bar next door (Boy Bar) is open on Mondays.
Resident DJs are pretty good.
21 locals recommend
Le Boy
102 Rua Raul PompéiaGay club, closed on Mondays, but their little bar next door (Boy Bar) is open on Mondays.
Resident DJs are pretty good.
Fun gay bar with energetic crowd dancing to videos. Crowded, lots of birthday parties here, a good night out on weekends.
Av. Ns. de Copacabana, 1417
Fun gay bar with energetic crowd dancing to videos. Crowded, lots of birthday parties here, a good night out on weekends.
Sightseeing
From the rocks on Arpoador you can experience the magnificent sunsets of Rio.
379 locals recommend
Pedra do Arpoador
s/n Avenida Francisco BheringFrom the rocks on Arpoador you can experience the magnificent sunsets of Rio.
Spectacular view views, but make sure you go on a clear day. Early morning, or a couple of hours before sunset are best for crowds, and photography!
544 locals recommend
Sugar Loaf cable car station
520 Av. PasteurSpectacular view views, but make sure you go on a clear day. Early morning, or a couple of hours before sunset are best for crowds, and photography!
You must see the Christ statue when in Rio! Best in early morning or late afternoon for sunset over Rio! The train up to the top is a trip in itself!
1936 locals recommend
Christ the Redeemer
You must see the Christ statue when in Rio! Best in early morning or late afternoon for sunset over Rio! The train up to the top is a trip in itself!
You can go for a long walk around the lagoon, or rent a boat. There's also a floating Christmas tree here during the holidays. Lots of restaurants and bars have opened up around here.
125 locals recommend
Lagoa
You can go for a long walk around the lagoon, or rent a boat. There's also a floating Christmas tree here during the holidays. Lots of restaurants and bars have opened up around here.
The best-kept secret in Rio! Enter the Ft at the far end of Copa (4R fee) Hike up a safe & shaded path to the top for a PHENOMENAL views of SugarLoaf, Copabana. An urban retreat! Don't miss this!!!
142 locals recommend
Leme
The best-kept secret in Rio! Enter the Ft at the far end of Copa (4R fee) Hike up a safe & shaded path to the top for a PHENOMENAL views of SugarLoaf, Copabana. An urban retreat! Don't miss this!!!
Take the public ferry to Niteroi for wonderful views of Guanabara Bay. It's a great way to get a feeling for Rio at a dirt-cheap price! Take the metro to Carioca Station, and walk down to the port.
Niterói
Take the public ferry to Niteroi for wonderful views of Guanabara Bay. It's a great way to get a feeling for Rio at a dirt-cheap price! Take the metro to Carioca Station, and walk down to the port.
Wonderful botanical garden with iconic Rio scenes, including the Emperor's Avenue of Palms -- great views of Corcovado. Mosquito spray a good idea -- (we have some in the kitchen cabinet)
1717 locals recommend
Jardim Botânico
Wonderful botanical garden with iconic Rio scenes, including the Emperor's Avenue of Palms -- great views of Corcovado. Mosquito spray a good idea -- (we have some in the kitchen cabinet)
World-renowned Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer lived just a few doors down on the top floor, in the building with the double curved windows. We share the SAME VIEW of Copacabana and SugarLoaf!
Av. Atlântica, 4000
World-renowned Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer lived just a few doors down on the top floor, in the building with the double curved windows. We share the SAME VIEW of Copacabana and SugarLoaf!
Our next door neighbor is a Saudi Arabian prince, with one of Rio's most magnificent penthouses. Although we may not share the same amenities, we do share the same view, and look into his kitchen! :)
Av. Atlântica, 3906
Our next door neighbor is a Saudi Arabian prince, with one of Rio's most magnificent penthouses. Although we may not share the same amenities, we do share the same view, and look into his kitchen! :)
Shopping
On Sundays, the park at General Osorio Square, near the subway stop has lots of original art, & lots of crafts. Definitely a great place to pick up some unique souvenirs from your Rio vacation.
517 locals recommend
Hippie Fair Crafts Market
On Sundays, the park at General Osorio Square, near the subway stop has lots of original art, & lots of crafts. Definitely a great place to pick up some unique souvenirs from your Rio vacation.
Arts & Culture
Wonderful place to hear authentic Brazilian music, jazz, and other specialties -- intimate and fun - frequented by Cariocas -- a great night out!
40 locals recommend
Lapa
Wonderful place to hear authentic Brazilian music, jazz, and other specialties -- intimate and fun - frequented by Cariocas -- a great night out!
Everything Else
Taxi service is mostly excellent. Make SURE the meter is on -- if it's not, demand it, or get another cab. Cabs charge more after 9 pm and on Sundays and holidays. Most drivers don't speak English.
Rio de Janeiro
Taxi service is mostly excellent. Make SURE the meter is on -- if it's not, demand it, or get another cab. Cabs charge more after 9 pm and on Sundays and holidays. Most drivers don't speak English.
Pre-pay for a "radio taxi" if you're shy about your entrance to Rio. But grabbing a Yellow cab just outside the terminal will save you at least 1/3. Just make sure the meter is on! About 50R.
228 locals recommend
Botafogo station
5 R. Nelson MandelaPre-pay for a "radio taxi" if you're shy about your entrance to Rio. But grabbing a Yellow cab just outside the terminal will save you at least 1/3. Just make sure the meter is on! About 50R.
Walking down Francisco Sa, is a quick way to get to the Metro - a pleasant walk past many stores and services you'll need! From here you can easily get to Centro, and all it's tourist attractions.
36 locals recommend
General Osório - Feria Hippie
Walking down Francisco Sa, is a quick way to get to the Metro - a pleasant walk past many stores and services you'll need! From here you can easily get to Centro, and all it's tourist attractions.
Essentials
On your way to the metro -- this is a very good place to find excellent fresh fruits and vegetables. The best I've seen in the neighborhood!
R. Visc. de Pirajá
On your way to the metro -- this is a very good place to find excellent fresh fruits and vegetables. The best I've seen in the neighborhood!
Ubiquitous Zona Sul stores have a good selection of nearly everything you'll need--at Manhattan prices. Use our Zona Sul keychain card for discounts or sign up for your own. Francisco Sa's is easiest.
367 locals recommend
Copacabana
Ubiquitous Zona Sul stores have a good selection of nearly everything you'll need--at Manhattan prices. Use our Zona Sul keychain card for discounts or sign up for your own. Francisco Sa's is easiest.
For Gourmands:Breads -Terzetto at Gen. Osorio, or Appetite Cafe round the corner. Fresh fruit, veg: At Ipanema Frutti, also at Sa Ferreira and Copacabana. Spices at Casa Pedro down Ave.Copacabana.
43 locals recommend
Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana
Avenida Nossa Senhora de CopacabanaFor Gourmands:Breads -Terzetto at Gen. Osorio, or Appetite Cafe round the corner. Fresh fruit, veg: At Ipanema Frutti, also at Sa Ferreira and Copacabana. Spices at Casa Pedro down Ave.Copacabana.