Peace in the bustle

A pleasant and shady spot for those who desire a healthy snack

In back of the Casa França Brasil with view on the Igreja da Candelaria
Rua Visconde de Itaboraí, 78 - Centro

Comedoria

This is a very nice restaurant in Leblon, the nicest part of town. This is the second restaurant for the owner, the other one has been established for several years, in the center of town, and is renowned for the feijoada (black beans with lots more) balls.
In the new restaurant, I found the feijoada balls not quite as tasty as the ones in Aconchego Carioca but the moqueca (fish/shrimp stew with coconut milk) balls are superb. They also have a big selection of beers though they are a bit expensive.
Brazilian food.

Rua Rainha Guilhermina, 48 – Leblon. Tel.: 2294-2913
Closed Mondays

La Gondola

A long-time favorite restaurant, I finally decided to add it to the blog as it really is an experience and delight.

 Right by the Lagoa in the Parque dos Patins, right next to the helipad, if offers great italian food, great Brazilian music (singer Jorge Guedes plays Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) and a great view over the Lagoa.

1-17-2014

The restaurant continues to be one of our favorites, the food is consistently good, and so is the music, now with Daniel Lemos

Next to the restaurant is a lawn that stretches sort of along the pathways.

It is fascinating to observe the road system that the ants have established from and to their home and how hardworking they are. They carry all kinds of material on their backs, often many times bigger than they are themselves.

Go have a look and admire

Nova Capela

Nova Capela is a traditional hang-out for artists and bohemians
It is in operation since 1923 though it used to be at the Largo da Lapa.
Today is is at the center of a very revitalized Lapa, nightspot par excellence.
The specialty of the house is roasted kid with broccoli rice, truly delicious, melts in your mouth.
Av. Mem de Sá, 96 2232-1907

You can find many examples of old Portuguese architcture in Lapa, beautiful old houses fortunately now being restored to accommodate, probably, yet another hot night spot. Right next to A Nova Capela there are these two:

O Carangueijo

Should you be in Copacabana hungering for seafood, this is the place for you.
A pleasant restaurant, with inside and outside dining, and also a take-out station right next to it, it is known for its fresh and tasty seafood.
I confess that we have only visited it once, having only discovered it towards the end of our stay in Rio, but what we had was delicious. And I did not even have my camera with me, I will have to improve this post ASAP.
Should you go, please send your comments and pictures if possible.

The restaurant is located very near the metro station of Cantagalo.

Rua Barata Ribeiro, 771
Copacabana

Terra Brasilis Restaurant and Bar

This restaurant boasts the most beautiful view of Rio. Located at the end of Praia Vermelha, very close to the access to the Sugarloaf, it has a varied menu. Unfortunately the service is fairly mediocre, but the view is certainly worth the wait.


Pr General Tiburcio - Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22290-270 (21) 2275-4651 ‎

Nomangue

1/27/13 - Nomangue closed in Botafogo, it opened in Copacabana but I have not yet been to it.

Unfortunately, we only just discovered this wonderful restaurant, so close to our home, such delicious food, such excellent service. What else can I say? Guess you just have to try it out for yourselves.
The restaurant specializes in seafood, Thursday is the day to go if you like oysters, they are then flown in directly from a farm in Florianopolis. We had those, and some marinated mussels and some spaghetti with seafood. Wonderful, the picture does not do it credit.
We did not try the seafood feijoada, that will be our next time, but friends have praised it in loud voices. As far as I know it has white beans, seafood and some of the meats that regularly go into the feijoada. Sounds a bit strange to me, but I am assured it is well worth having.


Let's go..........................

Rua Visconde de Caravelas, 180 - CEP 22 271-030
tel/fax: (21) 2225-4028 | (21) 2286-2579
Botafogo

Bistro Ouvidor

We found, by chance, a delicious restaurant right in the center of town.

It's prize winning dish is Lasagna Mediterranee. Well worth a try.

It is open Monday thru Friday, 8am to 6pm

52 Rua do Ouvidor
Centro

Bistro Lorenzo

Another discovery in Jardim Botanico.
Bistro Lorenzo is a nice change from the crowded fashionable restaurants in Leblon. This little restaurant, actually not so little, three floors, being that on the third floor there is a terrace with a lovely view towards the Christ statue is charming.
The owner used to be a partner at Garcia & Rodrigues, a high-class restaurant and delicatessen in Leblon.
The food is excellent though a little pricey. My husband loved the mojito, a rum based drink with mint.

Rua Visconde de Carandaí 2 (corner with Lopes Quintas)
Jardim Botânico
2294-7830

Bar do Horto - old Bar da Graça

This is a very charming bar, restaurant. It is totally decorated in wrapping paper, with lots of knick-knacks and ornaments made out of ordinary plastic kitchen gadgets. But most of all, it is the food that recommends the place. You HAVE to try the ~bobó de camarão~, shrimp in yucca cream, that is out of this world.
We also love to go there after a hike in the Floresta da Tijuca or in Jardim Botânico, just to sit outside and enjoy a nice cold beer. (look at the trails in this blog)
The pictures here are thanks to my friend Monica (www.dbstudio.blogspot.com) who goes on adventures with me and especially enjoys have gotten back safely.
http://www.dohorto.com.br/
Rua Pacheco Leão 780
Jardim Botânico
21 3114-8439 21 7817-7352

Garcia & Rodrigues

Feeling a bit homesick, maybe? Miss a bagel? some fancy cheeses? Pates?
Visit Garcia & Rodrigues and all your troubles are over.
You will be treated with utmost courtesy and you can delight in any number of delicacies from pastries, to pates, to steak tartare, to breads.
ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately the place is now closed - July 2012

A Mineira

In this restaurant you will find food typical of the state of Minas Gerais, which is very tasty and rather heavier than food from Rio, for example.
It is a help-yourself restaurant, with over 50 items, and for a very reasonable price you can eat to your hearts content.
In addition to the hot-food buffett which has dishes like chicken with ocra, any kind of beans and stewed meats, there is a beautiful salad bar, a beautiful dessert bar and a grill where you can request steaks, sausages, chicken hearts and so on.
Not only that, but there is a little keg where you can help yourself to a cachaça (Brazilian firewater) also made in Minas Gerais.
Give it a try, be brave, try something different!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You'll like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rua Visconde Silva 152
Humaita
Tel: 2266-0520

Open from 11.30 to 4pm and from 6pm to 11pm during the week, Fridays dinner until 12am, Saturday all day until 12am and Sundays all day until 9pm. Parking available

Casa de Arte e Cultura Julieta de Serpa

Class, beauty, elegance and art at Julieta de Serpa

What else could you want in such a beautiful setting
The neoclassical mansion houses a tearoom, a dining room, a bistro and a club featuring jazz and bossa nova.
Here you can have the loveliest afternoon tea, in grand style
Take your granddaughter to an experience she won´t forget, nor would your friends.
Later join the husbands in the elegant bar
Lunch Tues-Sun noon-4pm; dinner Tues-Sat 7pm-midnight. Afternoon tea Tues-Sun 4-7pm

Praia de Botafogo 340
Flamengo
Tel: 2551-1278

Braz

I was not going to include Braz here because it is already well known, it may even be in tourist guides
But it is well loved by cariocas as well for its excellent pizza,
the waiting room out front around the tree (where beer is also served)
the pretty garden out back
and in particular, the excellent chopp with a creamy head.
For those of you beer drinkers, who are not used to enjoying a wide white band on top of your draft, I suggest you give it a try. Well worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There may be quite a wait unless you get there before 9pm

Rua Maria Angélica 129
Jardim Botânico
TEL: 2535-0687

Majórica

Super tradicional Churrascaria (a restaurant where the main dish is based on :churrasco:, anything prepared on an open grill), founded in 1962

You can choose your own piece of beef, pork or fish and request it cooked to your liking.

It will be perfection.

The building dates from the beginning of the 20th century.

The waiters too have been around for a while. The service is attentive and friendly.

R. Senador Vergueiro, 11 Flamengo
2205-6820

Prainha

Where can you eat a grilled fish while sitting in your bathing suit right by the ocean?

Only at the Prainha, and of course they have a lot more tempting offerings, this just happens to be my favorite. The Prainha is a fairly small beach, about 1 hour south-west of Rio, well worth the time spent in the car. Just don’t attempt it on the week-end in the summer, the time may triple and you’ll have to park your car about 2 miles from that wonderful grilled fish.

One end of the beach is very popular with surfers but mostly the sea is calm and family-friendly.

To get there point your car in direction Barra, go either thru the tunnel or the Av. Niemeyer. After passing thru Sao Conrado, you will go thru another tunnel after which you should follow the signs which say Praia and that will take you to the beach. Follow the beach all the way to the end and keep on going.

Cafe Colombo

A Victorian tearoom and restaurant that has been open since 1894. It's the perfect place to kick back with some coffee and pastries after touring Centro or taking your lady friend/s for a lovely lunch.

For a few years now Café Colombo has an offspring in Copacabana, right by the ocean in the military fort. It provides a lovely view over Copacabana Beach and the Sugarloaf.

Rua Gonçalves Dias, 32
Centro

Manolo

Simple and good
Ask for a chopp half and half (meio meio)
Rua Bambina at the corner with Marques de Olinda
From there you can easily get to Laranjeiras by going up the hill, where there is a lovely view over the Sugarloaf

Quick Galeto

The best galeto (spring chicken) in the city
Only R$8.90 (2007) for the simple dish, of course, though the fries are also delicious
Open since 1972
It sells an average of 500 galetos a day (they must be doing something right, right?)

Rua Duvivier 25, Copacabana