Welcome to Rio de Janeiro
Spread between forest-covered mountain peaks and golden beaches, Rio is one of the worlds most captivating cities. You can spend your days frolicking in the surf or strolling through rainforest, followed by nights sipping tropical cocktails or dancing to the addictive rhythms of samba. With so much going for them, its no wonder locals claim Deus brasileiro (God is Brazilian).
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Rio de JaneiroTop Sights
The famed beachfront.
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Rio de Janeiro Top Sights
Jaw-dropping views over the city.
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Rio de Janeiro Top Sights
Rios most captivating shoreline.
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Rio de Janeiro Top Sights
The magnificent open-armed savior.
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Rio de Janeiro Top Sights
Rios sparkling, mountain-fringed lagoon.
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Rio de Janeiro Top Sights
Rios most important history museum.
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Rio de Janeiro Top Sights
A magnificently tiled staircase.
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Rio de Janeiro Top Sights
The hallowed football arena.
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Eating
Despite top-notch chefs, ethnically diverse cuisine and a rich bounty from farm, forest and sea, Rio hasnt earned much of a culinary reputation abroad. Within Brazil, however, its a different story, with cariocas (residents of Rio) convinced that theres no place quite like home for sitting down to a first-rate meal.
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Regional Diversity
Variety comes in many forms in Rio, where an outstanding selection of restaurants showcase Brazils regional variety.
Diners can sample rich, shrimp-filled moqueca (seafood stew cooked in coconut milk) from Bahia or tender carne seca (jerked meat) covered in farofa (manioc flour), a staple in Minas Gerais. Daring palates can venture north into Amazonia, enjoying savory tacac (a lip-numbing soup with dried shrimp) or tambaqui (a large Amazonian fish). Cowboys and gachos (natives of Rio Grande do Sul) from the south bring the city its churrascarias, Brazils famous all-the-meat-you-can-eat barbecue restaurants.
Per-Kilo Restaurants
At lunchtime locals favor pay-by-weight restaurants, which range from simple, working-class affairs to sumptuous buffets lined with fresh salads, grilled meats, pastas, seafood and copious desserts.
Best Fine Dining
Meals are always memorable at this Leblon icon.
An imaginative fusion of Brazilian and French cooking.
Handsomely converted Ipanema mansion with contemporary Asian-inspired fare.
Best Seafood
Superb Amazonian dishes and creative cocktails in Santa Teresa.
Mouthwatering ceviche and other Peruvian fare.
Famous for its inventive dishes and delectable sashimi.
High-end seafood in a historic building overlooking the bay.
Best Views
Asian jewel with mesmerizing views over the bay.
Sit on the sea wall, nibble great snacks and admire the view, or head upstairs to the classy dining room.
Top-floor restaurant overlooking Ipanema Beach, with amazing brunches.
A lush Santa Teresa setting with magical views over the city.
Best Atmosphere
Outdoor dining in an elegant courtyard with views of Corcovado.
Wonderful pizza in an atmospheric but hard-to-find space in Catete.
An old-fashioned favorite for traditional Brazilian cooking and lively ambience.
Best Vegetarian
The top vegetarian cooking in town.
Beautifully prepared vegetarian dishes served by Hare Krishnas.
A small, elegant favorite.
Juice Bars
Most cariocas start their morning at the local juice bar, where they can choose from three dozen varieties of vitamin-filled elixirs, including the very popular aa (made from an Amazonian berry and whipped to a thick consistency its eaten with a spoon).
Drinking
Any night of the week youll find plenty of ways to experience Rios electrifying nightlife: open-air bars by the lake; festive outdoor drinking spots on the colonial streets of Centro; beachfront kiosks; stylish lounges and nightclubs; and warm and welcoming botecos (small open-air bars) that are scattered all across the city.