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Our Rio Recommendations

Here is our selection and recommendations of places for you to go and explore Rio during your free time!

To have in mind:


📍Do What Cariocas Do (By Bernardo)

  • Juice Bars: Stop at Polis Sucos for a very typical juice or açaí experience.

  • Ice Cream: Grab a gelato at Bacio di Latte, located right in front of your hotel.

  • Don’t eat shrimp at the beach: All other beach snacks are usually safe, but avoid the shrimp skewers. 

  • The "Gringo" term: Don't find it weird if you are called a "Gringo". In Brazil, it simply means "foreigner"—it's not an insult!


🍽️Restaurants Rio People Love

Brazilian & Steakhouses

  • Casa da Feijoada: Best place to eat the traditional bean stew called Feijoada.

  • Assador Rio’s: Premium steakhouse with views of Guanabara Bay.

  • Braseiro da Gávea: Very local steakhouse — expect long lines.

  • Pura Brasa: Excellent meat, one of the best and super casual. By Bernardo 

  • Paz e Amor: Simple, traditional, and perfect for a quick, cheap bite. By Bernardo

Japanese & Asian Fusion

  • Gurumê / San Omakase: High-level, innovative Japanese dining. By Bernardo

  • Jappa da Quitanda: Another great and popular sushi option. By Bernardo

Italian (Fancier Options)

  • Babbo, Nino, Posí, or Pici: All excellent Italian choices in the Ipanema/Leblon area. By Bernardo

Healthy & Vegan

  • Teva: The best vegan restaurant in Rio — highly recommended for everyone! By Bernardo

  • Delírio Tropical: Great spot for fresh, healthy food. By Bernardo

  • Nusa Café: Excellent for a healthy breakfast or brunch. By Bernardo

Other Must-Trys

  • La Carioca: Known for great ceviche (same vibe as our Welcome Event). By Bernardo

  • Oro: 2-Michelin-star restaurant blending Brazilian roots with cutting-edge technique.

  • TT Burger: Rio’s most famous gourmet burger.


🍻Classic Bars Cariocas Always Go To

  • Boteco Belmonte (Ipanema): A classic Rio bar — cold draft beer and traditional snacks. By Bernardo

  • Boteco Boa Praça (Ipanema): Another famous Rio bar, often with live music.

  • Spirit Copa (Copacabana): Fancy and pricey venue with great food and impressive views of Copacabana.

  • Bafo da Prainha (Center): Very local, roots bar near Pedra do Sal.

  • VuVu Lounge (Botafogo): Innovative bar-lounge with Japanese–Peruvian fusion food, special gin-based cocktails, and live shows. Famous for forró on Tuesdays and parties on Fridays.

  • Beco Das Garrafas: Entitled as the Bossa Nova birth place, live shows everyday


Streets with Many Good Bars (Very Local)

  • Dias Ferreira Street (Leblon): Packed with bars and people; most popular at night.

  • Rua do Senado (Center): Voted one of the “coolest streets in the world” by Time Out; best on Saturdays and Sundays.

  • Arnaldo Quintela Street (Botafogo): One of the liveliest bar streets in the city.

  • Nelson Mandela Street (Botafogo): Casual bars, football on TV, and a very local vibe.


🛍️General Shopping

  • Shopping Leblon: A sophisticated mall within walking distance. Great for well-known Brazilian brands. By Bernardo

  • Zona Sul Supermarket: Excellent grocery store. There are two very close to the hotel—perfect for buying water and snacks. By Bernardo


✨Taking the Time to Relax: Spas & Massage


🏛️Touristing On Your Own

Great places you can visit without a guide.

  • Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico do Rio): A calm escape with towering imperial palms, orchids, and shaded paths — perfect for a mid-afternoon walk before evening plans.

  • Museum of Tomorrow (Praça Mauá): A striking, future-focused science museum on the waterfront, with immersive exhibitions about the planet, sustainability, and our choices ahead.

  • Parque Lage: Historic park at the foot of Corcovado with gardens, a mansion, and access to Tijuca Forest trails — great for photos, coffee, and an easy stroll.

  • Parque das Ruínas (Santa Teresa): Open-air ruins with panoramic views over downtown Rio and Guanabara Bay, often hosting cultural events and exhibitions.

  • Forte de Copacabana: Historic fort at the edge of Copacabana Beach with ocean views, small museums, and one of the best spots in the city for breakfast or coffee by the sea.

  • Walking Ipanema & Leblon Beaches: Walk the beachfront, explore side streets, stop for coconut water or coffee, and soak in everyday carioca life.


Where to Go Each Day of the Week

(Always double-check Instagram — schedules and locations can change)

Monday

  • Pedra do Sal: One of Rio’s most traditional samba gatherings, outdoors and very local.

  • Beco do Rato: Classic samba bar, usually packed.

Tuesday

  • Pagode da Garagem: Laid-back pagode with a strong local crowd.

  • Beco do Rato: Reliable option almost every night.

  • VuVu (Botafogo): Live forró night, very popular and easy to join.

Wednesday

  • Beco do Rato: Samba-focused midweek energy.

  • Forró do Pôr do Sol (Leme): Dancing at sunset by the ocean.

  • Forrozinho do BG (Dumont Art Bar): Small, cozy forró night.

  • Street Fair – Praça Nicaragua (Flamengo): Good daytime stop.

Thursday

  • Bar do Omar: Crowded, loud, and famous for samba.

  • SIBC: Samba gathering with a strong local following.

  • Beco do Rato: Always a solid backup.

  • Forró do Pife or Forró da Josi (Botafogo): Dance-focused nights, often with a short intro class.

  • Street Fair – Prado Júnior (Copacabana): Easy daytime option.

Friday

  • Forró at Praça São Salvador (around 7 PM): Very social; you can sit at nearby bars and dance in the square.

  • Capiberibe – Sambótica (twice a month): Check the schedule.

  • Pé de Tereza (twice a month, Praça Tiradentes): Traditional samba.

  • Beco do Rato or VuVu (Botafogo): Parties and live music.

Saturday

  • Quadra do Cardosão: Afternoon into early evening samba (ends early due to neighbors).

  • Chorinho at Feira de Laranjeiras (Rua General Glicério): Live choro during the street fair.

  • Espaço Corcovado: Check the agenda — often hosts roda de samba gatherings.

  • Beco do Rato: Night option.

Sunday

  • Samba da Feira da Glória: One of the most classic Sunday sambas in Rio.

  • Capiberibe: Relaxed Sunday samba energy.

  • Feira de São Cristóvão: Northeastern Brazilian culture, food, and music.

  • Glorioso Cultural or TLT Bar (Botafogo): Chill end-of-week options.

Good Accounts to Follow (Samba & Forró)

  • @ondetemsambarj

  • @ondetemsamba

  • @forronorio

  • @forroderuarj

  • @forronazonasul


What to do in Rio on a rainy day ☔️🌴

1. Visit the Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã) 

🎟 Tickets: https://bileto.sympla.com.br/event/114011/d/353321


2. Go shopping at Shopping Leblon 🛍️

 📍 : https://maps.app.goo.gl/UxBivJMr54yfhZdL9


3. Take shelter at a classic Rio bar 🍻 Like Belmonte or Boa Praça (both in Ipanema).

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