Rio Food Guide: 13 Must-Try Dishes & Where to Find Them

By Be Free Tours - December 17, 2025 - 12 min read

In This Guide

  • Rio Food Guide: 13 Must-Try Dishes
    1. Feijoada: Brazil’s National Dish
    1. Picanha & Churrasco: Brazilian Steakhouse Classics
    1. Acai Bowl: Breakfast of Champions
    1. Pao de Queijo: Cheese Bread Heaven
    1. Brigadeiro: Chocolate Truffle Perfection
    1. Moqueca: Bahian Fish Stew
    1. Pastel: Street Food King
    1. Coxinha: Teardrop-Shaped Joy
    1. Tapioca: Gluten-Free Crepe
    1. Caipirinha: Brazil’s National Cocktail
    1. Mate Gelado: Iced Mate Tea
    1. Bolinho de Bacalhau: Codfish Fritters
    1. Chope: Draft Beer Culture
  • Food Neighborhoods to Explore
  • Join Our Food Walking Tour
  • Food Etiquette Tips
  • Dietary Restrictions
  • Final Tips
  • Related Posts

Rio Food Guide: 13 Must-Try Dishes

Rio’s food scene is as diverse as its beaches. After 12 years showing visitors around, these are the dishes you absolutely cannot miss - and where to find the best versions.

1. Feijoada: Brazil’s National Dish

The ultimate Brazilian comfort food - black bean stew with pork, served with rice, farofa, orange slices, and collard greens.

Where to Try:

  • Casa da Feijoada (Ipanema) - Traditional, tourist-friendly
  • Bar do Mineiro (Santa Teresa) - Where locals go
  • Academia da Cachaca (Leblon) - Classic spot with great sides

When: Traditionally served on Saturdays, but available daily at these spots.

2. Picanha & Churrasco: Brazilian Steakhouse Classics

The most prized cut in Brazilian churrasco - tender, juicy, perfectly grilled. Churrasco is the all-you-can-eat rodizio service that brings different meats to your table.

Where to Try (Rodizio):

  • Assador (Flamengo) - Scenic views + great meat selection
  • Churrascaria Palace (Copacabana) - Classic, consistent favorite
  • Fogo de Chao (Botafogo) - Upscale experience

For a la carte (no rodizio): Giuseppe Grill (Leblon)

Pro Tip: Order it ao ponto (medium-rare) with chimichurri on the side.

3. Acai Bowl: Breakfast of Champions

Not the sweet smoothie bowl tourists know - Cariocas eat it savory with granola and banana, no honey.

Where to Try:

  • Bibi Sucos (Ipanema)
  • Maria Acai (Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon)

Order Like a Local: “Acai sem guarana, com banana e granola” (No added sugar!)

4. Pao de Queijo: Cheese Bread Heaven

Crispy outside, gooey inside, these gluten-free cheese puffs are addictive.

Where to Try:

  • Casa do Pao de Queijo (Multiple locations)
  • Talho Capixaba (Leblon)
  • Any bakery - You can’t go wrong

Best Time: Morning, fresh from the oven. Reheat at home in your Airbnb for breakfast!

5. Brigadeiro: Chocolate Truffle Perfection

Condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, and chocolate sprinkles = pure joy.

Where to Try:

  • Local bakeries - Fresh, classic versions
  • Artisan chocolateries - Gourmet takes on the classic

6. Moqueca: Bahian Fish Stew

Coconut milk, palm oil, fish, peppers, and tomatoes = coastal perfection.

Where to Try:

  • Satyricon (Ipanema) - Seafood-focused classic
  • Aprazivel (Santa Teresa) - Upscale version

7. Pastel: Street Food King

Fried pastry pockets filled with… anything! Cheese, meat, shrimp, hearts of palm.

Where to Try:

  • Feira de Sao Cristovao (Northeast Market) - Giant pasteis!
  • Bar da Urca (Urca) - Classic snack with a view
  • Belmonte (Ipanema)
  • Any street fair (Friday-Sunday)

Local Combo: Pastel + sugarcane juice (caldo de cana) = perfect snack.

8. Coxinha: Teardrop-Shaped Joy

Shredded chicken in cream cheese, molded into a teardrop, breaded, and deep-fried.

Where to Try:

  • Belmonte (Multiple locations) - Classic bar food
  • Bracarense (Leblon) - Always crowded = always good
  • Any boteco (neighborhood bar)

9. Tapioca: Gluten-Free Crepe

Made from cassava starch, filled sweet or savory. Beach breakfast staple.

Where to Try:

  • Street fairs (Friday-Sunday) - Fresh off the griddle
  • Sweet or Savory? Try cheese + coconut (doce de leite). Weird combo = amazing taste.

10. Caipirinha: Brazil’s National Cocktail

Cachaca, lime, sugar, ice. Simple = dangerous.

Where to Try:

  • Academia da Cachaca (Leblon/Ipanema) - 100+ cachaca options
  • Bar Lagoa (Lagoa) - Giant caipirinhas since 1934
  • Jobi (Leblon) - Where locals drink

Pro Tip: Try caipirinha de maracuja (passion fruit) - less acidic, more tropical.

11. Mate Gelado: Iced Mate Tea

Cariocas’ alternative to iced coffee. Herbal, refreshing, energizing.

Where to Try:

  • Beach vendors - Literally everywhere
  • Supermercados - Buy the powder, make at home
  • Food Walking Tour - We’ll show you how locals make it

Order: “Mate gelado, sem acucar” (no sugar) or “com limao” (with lemon).

12. Bolinho de Bacalhau: Codfish Fritters

Portuguese heritage meets Brazilian beach culture. Salty, crispy, perfect with beer.

Where to Try:

  • Adega Perola (Centro) - Since 1958
  • Cervantes (Copacabana) - Famous bar food
  • Boteco Belmonte (Multiple locations)

13. Chope: Draft Beer Culture

Ice-cold draft beer in a chilled glass. Summer essential.

Where to Try:

  • Belmonte - Best chope gelado (frozen beer)
  • Bar Brasil (Lapa) - Classic downtown stop
  • Any boteco - Beer is fresher where locals drink daily

Order: “Um chope bem gelado” (very cold draft beer) - size matters: tulipa (small) or canecao (large mug).

Food Neighborhoods to Explore

Santa Teresa

Bohemian hillside with great restaurants. Try Aprazivel or Bar do Mineiro.

Centro (Downtown)

Historic with traditional botecos. Adega Perola, Amarelinho, Confeitaria Colombo.

Ipanema/Leblon

Upscale dining + beach kiosks. Everything from fine dining to acai carts.

Lapa

Nightlife hub with street food vendors. Post-bar pasteis and cachorro-quente.

Join Our Food Walking Tour

Want to try everything on this list with a local guide? Our Centro Food Walking Tour includes:

  • 8-10 tastings
  • Historical context
  • Hidden spots tourists never find
  • No tourist traps!

Or customize: Tell us your food preferences, and we’ll design a private custom tour just for you.

Food Etiquette Tips

Tipping: 10% service charge at most restaurants (already included on the bill). Upscale restaurants may charge a bit more. Timing: Lunch 12-3 PM, dinner starts 7-8 PM (earlier than Spanish!) Street food: Always fresh = always safe. Follow the crowds. Asking prices: Street vendors - always ask price first!

Dietary Restrictions

Vegetarian: Easy! Tapioca, pao de queijo, acai, salads abundant. Vegan: Harder but manageable. Acai (no honey), fruits, some traditional dishes. Gluten-Free: Tapioca and pao de queijo are your friends! Many restaurants now offer GF. Allergies: Always tell restaurants - they take it seriously.

Final Tips

My perfect food day in Rio:

  • Breakfast: Acai bowl at beach
  • Mid-morning: Pao de queijo + coffee
  • Lunch: Feijoada at Bar do Mineiro
  • Afternoon: Pastel at street fair
  • Sunset: Caipirinha with a view
  • Dinner: Churrasco rodizio
  • Dessert: Brigadeiro nightcap

You’ll need a nap, but you’ll understand why Cariocas love food so much!

Come hungry, leave happy, and probably 5 pounds heavier. Worth it!