Guidebook for Rio de Janeiro
Food Scene
The neighborhood bakery. Many sweets, bread, coffee, etc. Great customer service.
56 locals recommend
Santa Marta
62 R. Nascimento SilvaThe neighborhood bakery. Many sweets, bread, coffee, etc. Great customer service.
Delirium Café
183 R. Barão da TorreCharming café with healthy food options.
New Natural
171 R. Barão da TorrePer kilo restaurant w/ home-style Brazilian food and coconut water.
Small corner store open late-night if you need to grab a snack or your last beer.
Carolice Refeições & Lanches
155 B R. Barão da TorreSmall corner store open late-night if you need to grab a snack or your last beer.
Venga Bar de Tapas
147 Rua Garcia d'AvilaSpanish tapas bar. Great food, a bit expensive.
Comuna
9 Rua Visconde de MaranguapeBurger spot, semi-hipster/trendy.
¿Qué Quieres?
30 R. Aníbal de MendonçaMexican restaurant; made-to-order burritos and margaritas.
Bendito
187 R. Visc. de PirajáCafé w/ brownies, cookies, and ice cream.
Consumer conscious start-up coffee shop by college students. Donation based w/ suggested prices. Very budget friendly.
12 locals recommend
Curto Café
278 Av. Erasmo BragaConsumer conscious start-up coffee shop by college students. Donation based w/ suggested prices. Very budget friendly.
Boteco bar located in pacified favela. Amazing food and great service. Must order drink: "caipirinha com limão."
45 locals recommend
Bar do David
Ladeira Ary BarrosoBoteco bar located in pacified favela. Amazing food and great service. Must order drink: "caipirinha com limão."
La Veronese
29 A R. Visc. de PirajáThe best personal pizzas.
Café Secreto
6 R. Gago CoutinhoSuper cute café in even cuter alley way.
Drinks & Nightlife
Boteco bar w/ food available. Grab a few Antarticas and watch a game w/ your friends here.
11 locals recommend
Cantinho de Ipanema
178 R. Vinícius de MoraesBoteco bar w/ food available. Grab a few Antarticas and watch a game w/ your friends here.
Good spot to grab a beer on the way home. Large bottles must be returned (not thrown away).
Bar Panorama
135 R. Farme de AmoedoGood spot to grab a beer on the way home. Large bottles must be returned (not thrown away).
Void Lojas Gerais - Botafogo
Hipster bar and clothing store. Food available.
Alfa Bar
94 R. Mena BarretoBoteco bar. Laidback and local.
Restaurante Sociedade Secreta
Laidback bar w/ bar food options.
Alley streets with many bars and restaurants. Sometimes samba bands will play on the street.
38 locals recommend
Arco do Teles
34 A Praça Quinze de NovembroAlley streets with many bars and restaurants. Sometimes samba bands will play on the street.
Crazy Cats Bistrô
Blues bar w/ craft beer and food.
Lord Jim
44 R. Paul RedfernTraditional Irish Pub.
Caverna
26 R. Assis BuenoBurgers, beer, and rock n' roll.
Praça São Salvador
Praça São SalvadorA square where locals often meet up for drinks and music.
Sightseeing
The lagoon is a beautiful space to have a picnic and watch the sunset during the winter.
1379 locals recommend
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon
The lagoon is a beautiful space to have a picnic and watch the sunset during the winter.
Leblon
Chic neighborhood w/ many restaurants, bars, and shopping.
Smaller beach area next to Ipanema beach. Great view of Vigidal/Dois Irmãos, Ipanema, and Leblon. Must climb rocks!
1009 locals recommend
Arpoador
Smaller beach area next to Ipanema beach. Great view of Vigidal/Dois Irmãos, Ipanema, and Leblon. Must climb rocks!
Sugarloaf mountain. Cable cars offer a great view w/ access to a short hike.
2563 locals recommend
Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf mountain. Cable cars offer a great view w/ access to a short hike.
Christ the Redeemer
Statue of the Christ.
Praça Quinze de Novembro próximo ao 21
Praça 15; beautiful square by the port.
Escadaria Selaron
Rua Manuel CarneiroStairs of Lapa done by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón.
Vista Chinesa
Great view of the city from here.
Parks & Nature
Amazing view of Vigidal/Dois Irmãos. Plenty of food/beer vendors. Must-see.**
34 locals recommend
Praia de Ipanema
Amazing view of Vigidal/Dois Irmãos. Plenty of food/beer vendors. Must-see.**
Jardim Botânico
Rio's botanical garden. Beautiful variety of plant species.
More residencial, relaxed beach. About a 20 min. walk from Ipanema beach.
390 locals recommend
Praia do Leblon
More residencial, relaxed beach. About a 20 min. walk from Ipanema beach.
Lage Park
414 R. Jardim BotânicoBeautiful park once home to the royal family.
Guia Thiago Monte
Pedra da Gávea
Pedra Bonita
Small beach just outside of the city. Beautiful, clear water. Well worth visiting!
37 locals recommend
Joatinga Beach
Small beach just outside of the city. Beautiful, clear water. Well worth visiting!
Wouldn't recommend for swimming but kayaking here is fun. Sometimes the square in front of this beach has music.
192 locals recommend
Red Beach
Wouldn't recommend for swimming but kayaking here is fun. Sometimes the square in front of this beach has music.
Quick 20 min. hike w/ great views of Ipanema/Leblon and the ocean.
213 locals recommend
Parque Natural Municipal da Catacumba
3000 Av. Epitácio PessoaQuick 20 min. hike w/ great views of Ipanema/Leblon and the ocean.
Hiking trail with several waterfalls.
22 locals recommend
Solar da Imperatriz - Escola Nacional de Botânica Tropical (ENBT)
2040 Rua Pacheco LeãoHiking trail with several waterfalls.
Getting Around
Estação General Osório
61 R. Visc. de PirajáMain entrance to the metro. Many connections.
Essentials
Local grocery store w/ bakery and deli area.
284 locals recommend
Supermercado Zona Sul - Ipanema, Visconde de Pirajá
118 R. Visc. de PirajáLocal grocery store w/ bakery and deli area.
Pharmacy for health essentials, vitamins, medications, tampons, deodorant, and makeup.
108 locals recommend
Droga Raia
919 Av. Nossa Sra. de CopacabanaPharmacy for health essentials, vitamins, medications, tampons, deodorant, and makeup.
Entertainment & Activities
Catch a foreign film here for dirt cheap if you have a student ID.
56 locals recommend
Estação NET Rio Cinema
35 R. Voluntários da PátriaCatch a foreign film here for dirt cheap if you have a student ID.