[I agree with almost all of C010T3 recommendations but have a couple of others:

No Mangue http://www.nomangue.com.br/ Brazilian seafood place that is less expensive and better than the vast majority. It also has a cheap and very good Executive Lunch ~R$20 that is one of my favorites

Couve Flor he mentioned. It is about five minutes from my house and is my favorite spot for lunch. Surprisingly it has very good sushi also.

Terzetto http://www.terzetto.com.br/ is an excellent Italian that has a superb wine list, including some excellent Brazilian garage wine called Bettu that you'll very rarely find anywhere else. It is about half the price of gero, but is really worthwhile.

Oro http://www.ororestaurante.com/ just opened a couple fo weeks ago across the street from Olympe. The chef, Fililpe Bronze, is well known in Rio and has adopted some molecular cuisine tricks. It is very good, maybe excellent but it is also brand new, so may not keep the early promise. The location is good in Jardim Botanico, but has become jinxed by revolving restaurants.

if you can get to Petropolis Locanda della Mimosa cannot be missed. One goes for the weekend and stays there, it is only open on weekends. Fabulous and a great wine cellar. If you're really flush, the place is for sale, but not the cellar. It is worth the trip, in Michelin terms. http://www.locanda.com.br/



There are many options in Rio that are really local ones. if you've specific preferences let us know. We will certainly be free with opinions. My own list of favorites has about thirty places.

Just got back from a weekend trip to Rio and tried several restaurants, some of which have already been mentioned here:

1. Porcao (specifically the Rios location with the great view of Pao Acucar). I have been to numerous churrascarias, including Fogo de Chao. I believe Porcao offers a slightly better buffet and better pan queija. IMHO, the filet mignon was among the best filets I have experienced anywhere in the world at any price. Impressive rolling drink cart made the best caipirinhas we tried on our trip. Porcao also provided the very best service we experienced among all dining venues in Rio. Overall, I think Porcao is better than Fogo, and I'd recommend it as a "must do" if you're a meat eater. Price was around R97 per person.

2. Azul Marinho. This is a seafood place located beachfront in Arpoador. It was recommended by our tour guide, who insisted we try it even though we didn't feel like easting at what was clearly a tourist trap. I am glad he pushed us, because it was quite tasty. I had the fish moqueca, and it was simply divine. Service was spot on, and the beachfront location provided breathtaking panoramic views of Ipanema and Leblon. A simply wonderful way to enjoy lunch on a sunny day. Price was around R75 per person with a beer and water each.

3. Zuka. Best described as trendy international cuisine, located in Leblon directly across from Sushi Leblon. The hostess was incredibly friendly and accommodating, but the rest of the service was a bit detached and less efficient than it should have been. This was one of the biggest ripoffs of our entire trip. Two-course meal was around R105 per person + drinks. Mixed drinks were weak and not as good as other places. The least expensive 750ml bottle of wine was R65, and the least expensive glass was R25. The only saving grace was that the food was really, really good. It's a shame that the poor service and high prices detracted from what would have otherwise been a very noteworthy meal.

4. Zaza Tropical Bistro. Located in Ipanema. The menu was very eclectic and showed influences from both southeast asia and latin america. They are well known for their cocktails, but I was not in a drinking mood. Service was efficient, but not notable. Food ranged from good to exceptional across the board. 2-course meal with a soda was R45. Overall a good mid-priced restaurant. Supposedly a really good night spot upstairs.

In general I found most of the restaurants in Rio to be as offensively expensive as the hotels are. And, generally speaking, they delivered very tasty food with varying levels of service.

Everything in BB Lunches is good, from the fresh juices to the snacks. I was also impressed by the efficiency of the staff. No wonder it is always busy with the locals.

I had lunch almost every day at Degrau. http://www.restaurantedegrau.com.br/

Have any of the resident Brazil experts been to Fasano....? Comments & a review would be greatly appreciated... ^

I fondly remember the first time I was taken to Rio's Porcao for dinner. This was 1965, and Rio was then located in the state of Guanabara, later to become the state of Rio. I still have the state flag, a gift from the Mayor.

I had been at the beach all day training, and was told not to eat anything after an early breakfast, but work up an appetite. I certainly followed instructions: 0630-18:30, and it really hurt. ( I could have eaten a Fusco if given the chance ).

Upon arriving that evening, the seemling endless miles of colorful, aromatic, and steaming plates of food were amazing to see. Picanha, fraldinha, cupim, linguica, fruit, vegetables, fruit drinks: You name it, I probably had thirds of each. When we left, I couldn't walk, but rolled out the door like a beerbarrel.

My wife and I returned again this April. We certainly do not eat that way any more. Prices as mentioned are close to R$ 100 today, including a Caiprinha or two, but the food is good, the quality remains and the selection on display remains photoworthy, and a memorable experience.

I heartily second the motion on visiting this restaurant !

I have been. The only Fasano I really like a lot is Gero, but that is less about the experience during the meal than it is the astoundingly extortionate prices. I do not mind paying for value but I am offended at being ripped off.

Thus I choose non-Fasano places almost always.

I know YMMV. Lots of Paulistas swear by Fasano, and others too.

I don´t know why but the Porcao Rio´s in Aterro do Flamengo is my favourite restaurant in Rio.

The mix between the meats, the views of the bay and Sugar Loaf, a couple of caipirinhas and great service really do it for me.

Some images: http://www.porcao.com.br/porcaosite/...idaderios.html

T-44 and counting...

Can't wait to have a coxinha and fruta de conde juice at BB Lunches.

I indent to go to Churrascaria Oasis (oh no, it just closed!), Degrau, Boucherrie, and maybe La Mole. Are there any other restaurants in Leblon that are worth trying?

La Mole... who goes there? Are we back in 1988??

If you must stick to Leblon, I would recommend Pabu Izakaya, and Aconchego Carioca. If you can widen your search to Ipanema, Oia, Gurumê and Pici Trattoria (free BYO) are all very good.

If "old school" (i.e. waiters in white jackets, portions that serve 2-3) are more your thing, in addition to Degrau there's always Le Coin and Filé do Lira.

That's why I'd rather leave it in memories... back in the 1980s it was a treat. From the 90s onward, food quality declined so much it made eating there a pretty grim experience. They managed to ruin even the couvert!

T-9

The best local food you could find in Rio is in Cachambeer, Armazem Sao Thiago, Restaurante Skinna and in Org Bistro