Fodor's Expert Review Le Pré-Catalan

In an elegant space overlooking Copacabana Beach, this carioca version of the same-named Parisian restaurant serves some of Rio's best haute cuisine. Swarovski chandeliers illuminate the dining room, and chef Roland Villard, who's won numerous awards acknowledging his culinary skills, offers two prix-fixe menus. For the first he creates dazzling dishes using ingredients from the Amazon region; for the second he puts a chic French spin on traditional Brazilian cuisine. Each meal consists of a staggering 10 courses and costs R$290. You can also order à la carte and feast on sophisticated plates such as steak tartare with tomato and olive paste. Among some seriously tempting desserts, the dark chocolate mousse with raspberry sorbet and vanilla ice cream is a standout.