Brazilโs dining scene is a dynamic fusion of tradition and innovation, where world-class chefs and local flavors come together to create unforgettable experiences. From the bustling streets of Sรฃo Paulo to the serene beaches of Rio, the countryโs restaurants are redefining what it means to dine in style. Whether youโre craving the bold flavors ofย feijoadaย or the refined elegance of contemporary Brazilian cuisine, these famous restaurants offer a taste of Brazilโs rich culinary heritageโand a glimpse into its exciting future.
But trying new foods is as important as seeing it all! And there is nothing quite like Brazilian Cuisine, take it from a local who has been everywhere. Whether you are at Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro or Southern Brazil, there are many new cuisines to meet.
Also, if you would like to learn more about Brazil, later read our complete Brazil guide for travelers. Now, letโs get back into it.
So, the most famous restaurants in Brazil, which also happen to be the best restaurants, are ready to give you our very best, be them national dishes or fresh takes on international favorites you already know. So my job today is helping you add a few of the most famous restaurants in Brazil to your list of places to visit.
Yes, we’re the biggest country in South America, but our most famous restaurants are either in Sรฃo Paulo or Rio de Janeiro simply because they are huge cities. So let’s put more detail into your Brazilian adventure and find you a great place to have good food and drinks.
Famous Restaurants in Brazil
1. Sushi Leblon (Rio de Janeiro)
This famous restaurant was Rio’s South Zone’s first Japanese place to open way back in September 1986. Sushi, along with other seafood, needs to be consumed carefully to avoid getting sick.
Who wants to waste time lying in bed with food poisoning? Sushi bar Sushi Leblon is one of the ideal places for seafood lovers like me! It unites tradition with innovation, creating innovative culinary masterpieces.
Besides being one of the best restaurants in Rio, it is also one of the most famous restaurants in Brazil. To avoid waiting in long lines, there are two things you can do before arriving here!
Number one, you can place a pick-up order through their website to enjoy back in your hotel room’s peace. Your second alternative, through their website as well, you can make reservations from lunch to dinner time.
2. D.O.M. (Sao Paulo)
Now, instead of staying in your comfort zone with Japanese food, you may be looking for a relaxed atmosphere to have an authentic Brazilian dining experience. Make your stop at D.O.M..
Nestled in the Jardins neighborhood, one of the best restaurants in Brazil is run by world-famous chef Alex Atala. You can try out the flavors of Brazil in two ways! You can have the executive menu meal; meaning an appetizer, an entrรฉe, and dessert.
Your other choice is to try the tasting menu, which means more Brazilian cuisine dishes just in a smaller size. I highly recommend this even if it is more expensive, you will have a more complete experience.
However, the chef wants to create an exclusive experience for everyone who comes here so the intimate space is limited. Reservations are made through their website only!
Famous Restaurants in Brazil
3. Jamie’s Italian (Sรฃo Paulo)
Sometimes when traveling abroad, we may need the comfort of familiar food. Jamie’s Italian, a restaurant run by Chef Jamie Oliver, is the best place in Sรฃo Paulo for when your soul needs a little pick me up.
Specializing in Italian cuisine, you can find a dish for every taste. You will go to Sao Paulo’s neighborhood of Itaim and have some Italian food at one of the best restaurants in Latin America.
Jamie’s place is certainly not as fancy as others in this article, it doesn’t have a Michelin star, but it is more of an affordable perfect place to fill up during your busy days exploring South America’s largest city.
From there, you won’t be too far away from the iconic Ibirapuera Park, where people love to go to reconnect with nature. Or you could go a little further and head to ‘Beco do Batman’, an alley dedicated to art murals, it also has a restaurant with options of fresh juice and the best white wine sangria I’ve ever had.
4. Fogo de Chรฃo (Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo)
Brazilian restaurants are famous for a lot of things: northern food with heaps of coconut milk and heart of palm, rice dishes that pack a punch of flavor, and the list goes on. None of those are nearly as iconic as a good churrasco, aka barbecue.
I would say it is one of the most iconic foods in South America! Fogo de Chรฃo is already one of the best restaurants in the USA, you might be glad to know there are eight unities in Brazil for meat lovers.
Because there are several units, you can encounter slight changes to the menu. What never changes is the exceptional service! While you may not need a reservation to eat here, be prepared to wait in line for a little time in case you end up arriving during peak times.
Their great services mean you’re usually able to order some Brazilian cocktails to get started.
Famous Restaurants in Brazil
5. Rio Scenarium (Rio de Janeiro)
As we continue on our quest for the best restaurants in Brazil, we arrive at one of the most famous restaurants in Rio de Janeiro. Rio Scenarium begins by having three floors exquisitely decorated with an archive of old furniture and vintage decor.
And it never gets old, because there will be new things to discover all across the seven rooms available. It is where you should come for a hearty meal far away from European influence.
This great place at Rua do Lavradio always has the longest line when I hit the street fair on Saturdays, even more so on the first Saturday of the month, so you should always book ahead.
That is because it’s the day they serve a staple in Brazilian cuisine: Feijoada, there’s even a vegan version! In addition to that, you can also have some live music setting the mood for your Carioca weekend. Reservations can be made on their website!
6. Booze Bar (Rio de Janeiro)
Coming to Rio de Janeiro gives you the unique chance to have most of the best restaurants at your fingertips. Booze Bar, one of the best bars located in the famous Lapa region, is my top pick for Saturday nights.
It climbed to internet fame because of its unique drinks themed around famous characters and TV shows. It ain’t a Michelin-star kitchen, much less haute cuisine but it definitely should be on your itinerary.
I was there recently for lunch with my girlfriend and their creamy leek rice with steak is amazing. Brazilian cuisine is also our traditional pub food: coxinhas, pastรฉis, and other great stuff I’ve had more times than I can count.
My friends and I always stop by before nights out, concerts, or for some comfort food. Because it is a more lowkey kind of restaurant, you don’t really need reservations to come here but be mindful of peak times, there may be a queue.
Famous Restaurants in Brazil
7. Confeitaria Colombo (Rio de Janeiro)
When it comes to Brazilian cuisine, there are the savory staples of feijoada and churrasco. But there also are our sweet staples and of course, my personal favorite, coffee. So when you find yourself in Rio, make sure to stop by Confeitaria Colombo. Founded in 1894, this is where you come for a different side of Brazilian food in traditional restaurants.
My suggestion for this specific restaurant is to come here for breakfast, that way you will be ready for an entire day of exploring as soon as you hit the subway.
But, in case you have breakfast at your hotel, come over for an afternoon snack when downtown Rio is not so full of people. Just as Booze Bar, you won’t need a reservation but peak times will mean a longer wait to sit down at a table.
8. Mocotรณ Restaurant (Sรฃo Paulo)
Mocotรณ is a country food restaurant based in Sรฃo Paulo’s North Zone. It was originally founded as a sort of home for Northern Culinary in 1973 by Josรฉ de Almeida and is taken care of by his son nowadays.
His son is Chef Rodrigo Oliveira, renowned for taking northern dishes everywhere, including reality TV! He was a guest judge for Masterchef Brazil 2023, winning over several people with his talent.
What I love about Sรฃo Paulo is how you can eat dishes from the whole country because it is a diverse town. You can find Mocotรณ at Vilas Medeiros and Leopoldina, in their own building.
You can also find them at D Shopping Mall for a quick bite. If you end up there, try a rice-based dish called ‘Baiรฃo de Dois’. It is perfect for sharing with your group!
Famous Restaurants in Brazil
9. Aconchego Carioca (Rio de Janeiro)
Not many of our best restaurants can take pride in creating a dish. Aconchego Carioca, however, takes pride in having created an incredibly famous snack: the ‘Bolinho de Feijoada’.
It is a sort of small bun made with Feijoada which you can get as an appetizer before having the moquecas or bobรณ as your main dish. I recommend you do like me and my friends: get a bunch of appetizers and drinks to share!
Sure, you may be able to find these same dishes for a lesser price at other places but remember your safety measurements should include your food. So it is best to avoid places like sketchy-looking vendors, even for drinks!
As a local, I always give preference for simpler drinks or dishes at bars instead of getting them from the street.
10. Bar da Urca (Rio de Janeiro)
Traveling to Rio is as much about seeing the sights as it is about having excellent food, Restaurante e Bar da Urca will give you the best of all worlds.
You can ask anyone who’s ever spent some time in Rio, they will add this name to their list of restaurants in town. It is located close to Sugar Loaf Mountain, so you can enjoy the cable cars before stopping for some much-needed food.
Bar da Urca does have proper meals, most dishes will have some sort of seafood as its protagonist. However, the stars are always what locals call ‘petiscos’. They are small portions of food made to share, along with a mug of cold draft beer.
If you do end up finding yourself here, I recommend you try either the ‘Caldinho de Feijรฃo’ or the ‘Camafeu de Camarรฃo’!
Famous Restaurants in Brazil
11. Arturito (Sรฃo Paulo)
Wrapping up our list of the most famous and best restaurants in Brazil, we have Arturito. Created and spearheaded by the great chef Paola Carosella, the name Arutirito quickly became synonymous with great food that feels like home.
Unlike other places, Arturito works with an ร la carte menu, meaning you are able to create your own dining experience.
Chef Paola takes great care in sourcing local ingredients to turn Brazilian Cuisine into a fine dining experience. Just remember that like Chef Rodrigo Oliveira, Paola used to be a cooking show judge so people would line for a chance to catch a glimpse of her. Make your reservations beforehand to avoid lines!
I am sure that having this many options can be a little overwhelming, how will you fit this much into a short trip? But as I always tell you, planning properly will be your best friend to make every second count.
In big cities like Sรฃo Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, my number one recommendation is to take advantage of public transportation when it is available. It seems silly to mention saving money, but every penny should go towards more significant experiences.
And believe me, taking Ubers everywhere will add up quite quickly, especially taking dynamic fares into account. Take some time to get familiar with subway lines, download the mobility app, and make sure you’ve got enough mobile internet. On another hand, your safety is what matters the most so when it gets dark, give preference to ride-share apps!
Oh, don’t forget to make your reservations. Your adventure awaits!
