Side Trips from Rio Restaurants

The food here is nothing if not eclectic. Expect to find sushi bars, Italian restaurants, and German biergartens sitting alongside restaurants selling typical Brazilian cuisine. Coastal towns serve a large selection of fresh seafood, and most have a local specialty that's worth trying. Beachfront restaurants, especially the ubiquitous baracas (kiosks), can be a pleasant surprise and most will bring food and drink right up to your chosen spot on the sands.

Paraty and Búzios have excellent restaurants serving international cuisine. During high season they fill up beginning at 10 pm and may not close until after sunrise. Restaurants in Petrópolis and Teresópolis serve European cuisine and comida mineira, the hearty, meaty fare from Minas Gerais. Generally, dinner starts at seven and restaurants close around midnight.

To be on the safe side, don't buy seafood from venders strolling along the beach. Be especially careful about the oysters in Búzios and Cabo Frio, which may not be as fresh as the vendor claims.

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  • 1. 74 Restaurant

    $$$$ | Centro

    A culinary playground of talented Argentine chef Gustovo Rinkevich—who also now runs Rocka Beach Lounge & Restaurant—this innovative restaurant has upped the gourmet stakes in Búzios since opening in 2016. Set on the spectacular terrace of the boutique hotel Casas Brancas with sunset views across the bay, expect Michelin-level cooking using the freshest locally sourced ingredients and a curated selection of Brazil’s leading vineyards.

    Rua Morro do Humaitá 10, Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, 28950-000, Brazil
    22-2623--1458

    Known For

    • Mushroom ravioli with raw scallops
    • Saffron-infused gin
    • Baby lobster stew
  • 2. Cigalon

    $$$$ | Centro

    Often cited as one of the best restaurants in Búzios, French-inspired Cigalon is an elegant establishment with a veranda overlooking the beach. Though the waiters are bow-tied and the tables covered with crisp linens and lighted by flickering candles, the place still has an unpretentious feel.

    Rua das Pedras 199, Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, 28950–000, Brazil
    22-2623--0932

    Known For

    • Charming atmosphere
    • Thyme-infused lamb
    • Decadent profiteroles

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 3. Rocka Beach Lounge & Restaurant

    $$$$ | Brava

    Overlooking beautiful Praia Brava, relaxed but sophisticated Rocka is one of Búzios's gastronomic highlights as it focuses on superbly fresh, locally sourced seafood that's combined with seasonal fruit, vegetables, and herbs to wonderful effect. A favorite with surfers, come well before lunch so you can spend the day lounging on sun beds or arrive just before sunset when locals stop by for cocktails.

    Praia Brava 13, Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, 28950–000, Brazil
    22-2623–6159

    Known For

    • Spectacular seafood including the freshest oysters
    • Boho-chic vibe
    • Lounging on giant white sun beds or raffia mats on the grass lawn that rolls down to the beach

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations essential
  • 4. Banana da Terra

    $$$$ | Centro Histórico

    Seafood is always excellent at this long-standing favorite on Paraty's dining scene, and it's a great place to try giant shrimp when they are in season. The bustling restaurant—usually packed with tourists—is in an elegant colonial house decorated with cachaça labels (the caipirinhas here are another strong suit) and 19th-century pictures of the city. The name of the place comes from another of its specialties: banana da terra (plantain), which is incorporated into many dishes, among them grilled fish with garlic butter, herbs, plantains, and rice.

    Rua Doutor Samuel Costa 198, Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, 23970–000, Brazil
    24-3371–1725

    Known For

    • Grilled fish with plantains
    • Giant shrimp
    • Lovely atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Wed. and Thurs. Closed Tues., Credit cards accepted
  • 5. Mistico

    $$$$ | Centro

    With dazzling views over the bay and out across the mountains, the intimate restaurant at boutique hotel Abracadabara offers impeccable service and exquisitely presented dishes. Enjoy the sunset while sipping signature cocktails and dining on gourmet salads and the freshest local seafood.

    Alto do Humaitá 13, Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    22-2623–1217

    Known For

    • The grilled octopus
    • Tropical rum cocktails
    • The tuna ceviche

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

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