Guidebook for Rio de Janeiro
Drinks & Nightlife
Venga
113-B Rua Dias FerreiraGreat bruschettas! Good for a happy hour.
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Prima Osteria e Bruschetteria
95 Rua Rainha GuilherminaGreat bruschettas! Good for a happy hour.
There is live music and also a night club. Excelent environment and beautifully decorated. Either arrive early or late night, otherwise there will probably be a huge line to get in.
694 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rio Scenarium
20 R. do LavradioThere is live music and also a night club. Excelent environment and beautifully decorated. Either arrive early or late night, otherwise there will probably be a huge line to get in.
It is a very "carioca" bar. Great to hang out at the end of the day. The appetizers are delicious. There are not many tables available but locals hang out there even if they have to drink standing up.
157 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bar Bracarense
85 R. José LinharesIt is a very "carioca" bar. Great to hang out at the end of the day. The appetizers are delicious. There are not many tables available but locals hang out there even if they have to drink standing up.
Great to hang out at the end of the day or to eat after the beach. Very relaxing environment but tends to be too crowded at night.
1062 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Boteco Belmonte
242 R. Domingos FerreiraGreat to hang out at the end of the day or to eat after the beach. Very relaxing environment but tends to be too crowded at night.
Great Italian bar! Mostly finger food but delicious and nice environment.
66 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Stuzzi
45 Rua Dias FerreiraGreat Italian bar! Mostly finger food but delicious and nice environment.
Food Scene
CT Boucherie
636 Rua Dias FerreiraDelicious meat
Kurt
117 B R. Gen. UrquizaGood for a desert and a coffee.
The best fillet mignon! (although the place looks awful)
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cantinho do Leblon
482 Rua Dias FerreiraThe best fillet mignon! (although the place looks awful)
Great for a breakfast or lunch. Everything is good there! Although there is one in Leblon (at Av. Ataulfo the Paiva) this one (in Ipanema) is in a better spot.
283 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Balada Mix
290 - 403 Av. Afrânio de Melo FrancoGreat for a breakfast or lunch. Everything is good there! Although there is one in Leblon (at Av. Ataulfo the Paiva) this one (in Ipanema) is in a better spot.
This place is amazing. Their crepes are delicious! You have to arrive early night. Very romantic.
169 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Le Blé Noir
19 - A R. Xavier da SilveiraThis place is amazing. Their crepes are delicious! You have to arrive early night. Very romantic.
Formidable Bistrot
148 R. João LíraDelicious french restaurant.
Perfect for a special ocasion. It is a fancy italian restaurant. Delicious food. Unfortunately they only accept cash or check. Expect to spend a lot of money there (although every cent is worth it)
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Anna Ristorante
214 Av. Epitácio PessoaPerfect for a special ocasion. It is a fancy italian restaurant. Delicious food. Unfortunately they only accept cash or check. Expect to spend a lot of money there (although every cent is worth it)
I haven't been there yet but I've heard great reviews about this Italian restaurant. Just a few tables.
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casa do Sardo
405 R. São CristóvãoI haven't been there yet but I've heard great reviews about this Italian restaurant. Just a few tables.
It is a tiny bar where everyone drinks at the other end of the street admiring the view. There is a restaurant on top of it but what everyone does is to go there and drink a beer looking at the ocean view.
420 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bar e Restaurante Urca
205 R. Cândido GaffréeIt is a tiny bar where everyone drinks at the other end of the street admiring the view. There is a restaurant on top of it but what everyone does is to go there and drink a beer looking at the ocean view.
The food is delicious, the neighborhood is very charming and try to make a reservation in advance and get a table up in the tree. Very nice environment! Aprazível has a breathtaking view and an impressive potpourri of Brazilian specialties, from roasted goat and pork to excellent seafood (try the shrimp and ceviche).
293 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Aprazível
62 R. AprazívelThe food is delicious, the neighborhood is very charming and try to make a reservation in advance and get a table up in the tree. Very nice environment! Aprazível has a breathtaking view and an impressive potpourri of Brazilian specialties, from roasted goat and pork to excellent seafood (try the shrimp and ceviche).
Great italian restaurant. Same owner as Anna but better prices. It also doesn't accepts credit card. Delicious food.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Artigiano Ristorante
204 Av. Epitácio PessoaGreat italian restaurant. Same owner as Anna but better prices. It also doesn't accepts credit card. Delicious food.
Everything is great there!!! You can either sit at the tables outside or inside at the back of the bakery there are some tables available.
277 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Talho Capixaba
1022 Av. Ataulfo de PaivaEverything is great there!!! You can either sit at the tables outside or inside at the back of the bakery there are some tables available.
Beautiful view. There are several restaurants there and you can also choose to eat at the balcony with the view to the Lagoon and choose from any one of the five restaurants from there.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pax Delícia
1424 Av. Borges de MedeirosBeautiful view. There are several restaurants there and you can also choose to eat at the balcony with the view to the Lagoon and choose from any one of the five restaurants from there.
Delicious pizza and desserts.
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Stravaganze Pizzaria (Fechada)
132 Rua Maria QuitériaDelicious pizza and desserts.
Great food and beautiful view. Specially the sunset view.
1015 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Confeitaria Colombo
01 Praça Cel. Eugênio FrancoGreat food and beautiful view. Specially the sunset view.
Beautiful traditional building downtown Rio.
1015 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Confeitaria Colombo
01 Praça Cel. Eugênio FrancoBeautiful traditional building downtown Rio.
Sightseeing
The 125-foot (38 meters) Christ the Redeemer statue was created from soapstone and concrete to commemorate the centennial of Brazil’s independence in 1922. It was inaugurated in 1931 at the summit of Corcovado mountain in Tijuca National Park. Voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Most visitors pay about $22 to ride a cog train (tickets must be purchased online) up to the statue's perch atop Corcovado Mountain for a sweeping panorama of Rio’s breathtaking land-meets-seascapes. Cog trains to the statue depart every 30 minutes from Rua Cosme Velho 513; tel. 55 (21) 2558 1329. www.corcovado.org.br
1936 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cristo Redentor
The 125-foot (38 meters) Christ the Redeemer statue was created from soapstone and concrete to commemorate the centennial of Brazil’s independence in 1922. It was inaugurated in 1931 at the summit of Corcovado mountain in Tijuca National Park. Voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Most visitors pay about $22 to ride a cog train (tickets must be purchased online) up to the statue's perch atop Corcovado Mountain for a sweeping panorama of Rio’s breathtaking land-meets-seascapes. Cog trains to the statue depart every 30 minutes from Rua Cosme Velho 513; tel. 55 (21) 2558 1329. www.corcovado.org.br
In my opinion it is the best view of Rio.
Rio’s other iconic vista is viewed from Sugarloaf, a 1,300-foot granite rock rising up from the mouth of Guanabara Bay. Although it's also accessible by foot, it's not for the average day-hiker. If you've left your climbing gear at home, a ticket to ride the glassed-in cable car up to the monolith costs about $25. Many visitors qualify for half-price fares, including those age 6-21 (children under six go free) and adults age 60 or older. Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon on weekdays to avoid long lines.
Rising 1,299 feet (396 meters) above Guanabara Bay, Pão de Açúcar (“Sugarloaf”) mountain offers spectacular panoramic views of Rio, especially at sunset. Reach summit on two-stage cable cars, stopping at Morro da Urca.
Cable cars leave from Avenida Pasteur 520, Urca; tel. 55 (21) 2546 8400. www.bondinho.com.br
2563 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pão de Açúcar
In my opinion it is the best view of Rio.
Rio’s other iconic vista is viewed from Sugarloaf, a 1,300-foot granite rock rising up from the mouth of Guanabara Bay. Although it's also accessible by foot, it's not for the average day-hiker. If you've left your climbing gear at home, a ticket to ride the glassed-in cable car up to the monolith costs about $25. Many visitors qualify for half-price fares, including those age 6-21 (children under six go free) and adults age 60 or older. Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon on weekdays to avoid long lines.
Rising 1,299 feet (396 meters) above Guanabara Bay, Pão de Açúcar (“Sugarloaf”) mountain offers spectacular panoramic views of Rio, especially at sunset. Reach summit on two-stage cable cars, stopping at Morro da Urca.
Cable cars leave from Avenida Pasteur 520, Urca; tel. 55 (21) 2546 8400. www.bondinho.com.br
Beautiful view of Rio. It used to be very unsafe. Lots of people go there biking.
308 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Vista Chinesa
Beautiful view of Rio. It used to be very unsafe. Lots of people go there biking.
Chilean artist Jorge Selaron landed in Rio de Janeiro’s Lapa neighborhood in the 1980s. For fun, he started decorating the gritty staircase outside of his home with tiles and pieces of porcelain he found in the trash. Within 10 years, the 215 steps were covered with more than 2,000 tiles. As you climb, look for the faces of Princess Diana, Barack Obama and Hindu gods in the tiles around you. The staircase has appeared in music videos, commercials and even in Rio’s winning video bid to host the 2016 Olympics, but it rarely gets proper attention in guides to the city.
505 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Escadaria Selaron
Rua Manuel CarneiroChilean artist Jorge Selaron landed in Rio de Janeiro’s Lapa neighborhood in the 1980s. For fun, he started decorating the gritty staircase outside of his home with tiles and pieces of porcelain he found in the trash. Within 10 years, the 215 steps were covered with more than 2,000 tiles. As you climb, look for the faces of Princess Diana, Barack Obama and Hindu gods in the tiles around you. The staircase has appeared in music videos, commercials and even in Rio’s winning video bid to host the 2016 Olympics, but it rarely gets proper attention in guides to the city.
Shopping
Centro comercial Leblon
290 Av. Afrânio de Melo FrancoParks & Nature
Beautiful park with old palm trees. Nice to relax and walk.
It’s not free, but the $2 admission to the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden is one of the city’s best values. Created in 1808 by Prince Regent Dom João VI, who later became the king of Portugal, the 340-acre park welcomes visitors with an avenue of towering royal palms, some of which date back a hundred years. Don’t miss the orchid house, boasting some 2,000 varieties; the bonsai and cherry trees in the Japanese Garden; and the giant Amazonian water lilies. Keep an eye out for toucans.
1717 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jardim Botânico
Beautiful park with old palm trees. Nice to relax and walk.
It’s not free, but the $2 admission to the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden is one of the city’s best values. Created in 1808 by Prince Regent Dom João VI, who later became the king of Portugal, the 340-acre park welcomes visitors with an avenue of towering royal palms, some of which date back a hundred years. Don’t miss the orchid house, boasting some 2,000 varieties; the bonsai and cherry trees in the Japanese Garden; and the giant Amazonian water lilies. Keep an eye out for toucans.
Parque Lage, a 19th-century estate cum public park at the foot of the mountain. Build time into your visit to explore the park’s rambling English gardens, cool caves (including one with an aquarium lining its walls), and free art exhibitions.
1473 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Lage
414 R. Jardim Botânico Parque Lage, a 19th-century estate cum public park at the foot of the mountain. Build time into your visit to explore the park’s rambling English gardens, cool caves (including one with an aquarium lining its walls), and free art exhibitions.
Essentials
Large supermarket with a drugstore inside.
It has a pizza restaurant inside where you can also eat there or take away.
58 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pão de Açucar
245 R. José LinharesLarge supermarket with a drugstore inside.
It has a pizza restaurant inside where you can also eat there or take away.
This supermarket also has a pizza restaurant inside. They allow you to buy wine from the supermarket and have it with your pizza which makes a great cost benefit.
182 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Supermarket South Zone
290 Rua Dias FerreiraThis supermarket also has a pizza restaurant inside. They allow you to buy wine from the supermarket and have it with your pizza which makes a great cost benefit.
Great variety of fresh organic fruits and vegetables. You can also buy home made cookies by the weight.
454 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hortifruti
281 Av. Prado JúniorGreat variety of fresh organic fruits and vegetables. You can also buy home made cookies by the weight.
Lavanderia Dry-Clean
553 Av. Bartolomeu MitreDry Cleaning
Arts & Culture
Always something good to watch but unfortunately only in Portuguese.
81 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Leblon theater
26 Rua Conde de BernadotteAlways something good to watch but unfortunately only in Portuguese.
Large theater. Always something good to watch but unfortunately only in Portuguese.
66 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Oi Casa Grande
290 - a Av. Afrânio de Melo FrancoLarge theater. Always something good to watch but unfortunately only in Portuguese.
Modern Art and also has a great restaurant inside.
703 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo de Arte Moderno
85 Av. Infante Dom HenriqueModern Art and also has a great restaurant inside.
Museo del Mañana
1 Praça MauáMost recent museum.
They always have great exhibitions. Also there is a nice restaurant inside.
Former headquarters of the country’s central bank, the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, known as CCBB, now houses art galleries, cinemas, theaters, a bookstore, and a café. Peruse the free rotating art exhibitions—previous shows include a multimedia installation by Laurie Anderson—or relax in the atrium and bask in the building’s neoclassical architecture.
719 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Centro Cultural Banco de Brasil - CCBB Río de Janeiro
66 R. Primeiro de MarçoThey always have great exhibitions. Also there is a nice restaurant inside.
Former headquarters of the country’s central bank, the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, known as CCBB, now houses art galleries, cinemas, theaters, a bookstore, and a café. Peruse the free rotating art exhibitions—previous shows include a multimedia installation by Laurie Anderson—or relax in the atrium and bask in the building’s neoclassical architecture.
Great place to visit. You have to take a boat to visit. You cannot book in advance. It is open to public from Thursday to Sunday. The tickets are bought at the Naval Museum from 11am to 3:15pm only for visits at the same day. There is a limit on the number of visitors and usually the tickets are sold out as soon as the ticket office opens. The visits are scheduled at 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30pm and it last approximately 2 hours including the boat trip. Small island housing 1889 neo-Gothic castle. Arrive on schooner; guided tours in Portuguese (English booklet).
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fiscal Island
Great place to visit. You have to take a boat to visit. You cannot book in advance. It is open to public from Thursday to Sunday. The tickets are bought at the Naval Museum from 11am to 3:15pm only for visits at the same day. There is a limit on the number of visitors and usually the tickets are sold out as soon as the ticket office opens. The visits are scheduled at 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30pm and it last approximately 2 hours including the boat trip. Small island housing 1889 neo-Gothic castle. Arrive on schooner; guided tours in Portuguese (English booklet).
The view of Rio from Niterói is astonishing but the museum itself is not that interesting. The view is worthwhile.
On Wednesdays, admission to the Museu de Arte Contemporânea (MAC)-Niterói is free. The Oscar Niemeyer-designed building—some have likened its modernist saucer shape to that of a UFO—is worth the trip alone. Past shows include “The Network Project,” a collaborative sculpture that welcomed contributions from visitors.
368 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Niterói
s/nº Mirante da Boa ViagemThe view of Rio from Niterói is astonishing but the museum itself is not that interesting. The view is worthwhile.
On Wednesdays, admission to the Museu de Arte Contemporânea (MAC)-Niterói is free. The Oscar Niemeyer-designed building—some have likened its modernist saucer shape to that of a UFO—is worth the trip alone. Past shows include “The Network Project,” a collaborative sculpture that welcomed contributions from visitors.
Vivo Rio
85 Av. Infante Dom HenriqueUsually nice live concerts or plays.
Opened in the city’s revitalized port area in time for the 2014 World Cup, the Museu de Arte do Rio combines old and new architecture—a onetime palace built by Emperor Dom João VI and a modernist art school—united by a wavy roof crafted by Carnival floatbuilders. Tour a chronological history of the city as rendered by artists and see rotating shows like “Guignard and the Orient, between Rio and Minas,” a look at works by Brazilian artist Alberto da Veiga Guinard that were inspired by his interest in China. Admission is free on Tuesdays.
563 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo de Arte de Río - MAR
5 Praça MauáOpened in the city’s revitalized port area in time for the 2014 World Cup, the Museu de Arte do Rio combines old and new architecture—a onetime palace built by Emperor Dom João VI and a modernist art school—united by a wavy roof crafted by Carnival floatbuilders. Tour a chronological history of the city as rendered by artists and see rotating shows like “Guignard and the Orient, between Rio and Minas,” a look at works by Brazilian artist Alberto da Veiga Guinard that were inspired by his interest in China. Admission is free on Tuesdays.