Eating & Drinking in Rio

We get a lot of questions at Casa 579 about where to eat good or cheap (or good and cheap) in Rio de Janeiro, so we’ve decided to begin what will be a regular series of posts in answer to just that question.

Brazil’s rich cultural mix over the centuries means that it’s been influenced by the cooking styles and flavours of Africa, Japan, Germany, Portugal, the Middle East and beyond, and though Rio doesn’t have its own distinctive cuisine it picks some of the best from around the country and serves them up via its many bars, restaurants and street and beach vendors across the city. We’re going to pick some of our favourite places and bites and share them with you here - first up some of our favourite spots for coffee and cake.

Cafecito Bar & Cafe

Just down the road from the pousada in Largo Guimaraes (the centre of Santa Teresa) Cafecito has a great covered terrace and is a good spot for watching people stroll by on a weekend afternoon. They serve up hefty portions of cake, especially good are the chocolate options served with vanilla ice cream, and decent coffee. They also have a good selection of interesting ciabatta sandwiches with meats and cheeses, and a nice range of drinks, including beers and some pretty good caipis. The atmosphere is laidback but lively with an international waiting staff and clientele. The decor too is interesting with wooden tables, artwork from the next door shop and plenty of greenery. With free Wi-Fi as well it’s one of our all round favourites for wiling away a few hours, both with friends or solo.

Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno, 121. www.elcafecitocafeebar.blogspot.com

Moviola Livraria

The winning combination of good coffee and good books puts this bistro-cum-book shop high on our list. Located down the hill from the pousada in Larenjeiras, an authentic Rio neighbourhood less visited by tourists, it’s a good option if you feel like browsing an eclectic selection of book, DVDs, music and magazines. Nicely laid out and well-lit with wooden floors and free Wi-Fi it’s an excellent place to hang-out of an afternoon. The bistro serves gourmet sandwiches, soups, salads, beers and wines and some seriously good desserts.

Rua das Laranjeiras 280, Lojas B e C. www.moviolalivraria.com.br

Cafeina

Cafeina is the place to go if you’re in need of a high quality sugar hit, and with five or six branches dotted around Zona Sul, you’ll luckily never be too far away from one. The branch in Ipanema is handily located just a few blocks from the beach and the main square (General Osorio). It’s on a busy street with outdoor seating and is great for watching the bikini and speedo clad world go by. More importantly, the cakes, coffees, breakfasts, snacks and sandwiches are all top-notch. We recommend you get up from your table and go and have a look in the glass-fronted cake cabinet – guaranteed you won’t come back empty handed. The Petit Gateaux deserves a special mention – a perfectly cooked chocolate sponge, with an oozing warm chocolate filling served with ice cream - but then you can’t really go wrong here.

Rua Farme de Amoedo, 43 (Ipanema branch). Check this link for details for other branches: www.cafeina.biz/paginas_conteudo/nossas_lojas.aspx