Top 10 Must-Visit Restaurants In Ipanema Brazil

Ipanema is one of the fantastic neighborhoods of Rio with its beautiful beach and vibrant vibe. Whilst it has all the buzz of a city, it also has the coziness of a small town so its easy to fall into the local lifestyle. It has plenty of good food joints to choose from; we round-up the best 10 restaurants in Ipanema that are a must-visit.

1. Fazendola

Restaurant, Japanese, Brazilian, Fast Food

Fazendola offers both inside and outside seating in abundance so you’ve got plenty of options for all weather conditions and preferences. A solidly good restaurant with consistently good food, this place has a wide selection on offer for all tastes. One of its best foods is made for sharing: the fondue. Fazendola has three types of fondue which can be ordered separately or together; the classic chocolate, the cheese and finally the meat. All of them are highly recommended but come with the following advice: go with an empty stomach and a big appetite, you will need it.

2. Garota de Ipanema

Bar, Restaurant, Steakhouse, Brazilian, Fast Food

Garota de Ipanema is the most famous restaurant in Ipanema. Named after the famous song by Vinicius de Moraes, this restaurant is a must-go for checklist purposes due to its popularity and historical significance in the area, but also for its delicious food choices and good drinks. One of the most popular dishes on the menu is the picanha, a cut of tender steak, that comes served on a hot grill so it cooks at the table, allowing you to decide how well, or how rare, to cook the meat.

3. Delirio Tropical

Delirio Tropical

For a healthy, organic alternative, Delirio Tropical is the best option in Ipanema, arguably in Rio. The food is fresh, tasty and offers a wide selection to give diners exactly what they want. There are always queues lining up outside but that is not only from popularity, it’s from the style of the service. It’s not table service but a pass-the-counter and select what you want, hence the queue moves quickly. Drinking options include a variety of organic juices for the ultimate health kick.

Rua Garcia d’Avila, 48, Ipanema, RJ, Brazil, +55 21 3624 8164

Salad |© Takeaway/WikiCommons

5. Frontera

Restaurant, Brazilian, Contemporary, Healthy, Sushi, British, Argentina

A large restaurant which offers two options of foods; self-service or buffet style with one fixed price yet all you can eat. The food selection is widely varied and of high quality including various salads, rices, potatoes, fish, chicken, and meats. You can also get freshly cooked meats from the barbecue which includes one of Brazil’s finest cuts, picanha, as well as a huge variety of other choices. The sophisticated environment contrasts the casual attire of beach-goers dropping in to fill up after a day of sun, sand and surf.

6. Bar do Beto

Bar, Restaurant, Cocktail Bar, Brazilian, Beer, Wine, Fast Food, Cocktails

The most popular spot on the gay scene of Rua Farme, this bar-restaurant serves good food all day that is both satisfying and delicious. At night it moves into a drinking spot, popular for the younger crowd for pre-club drinks or just all night drinking. During the afternoon and evening it is a great place to sit down and people watch over a light lunch or a wholesome dinner. The seafood broth is divine with generous chunks of fish, heaps of muscles and plenty of squid rings, accompanied with crusty bread.

Zaza Bistro

This is a large bistro that serves Asian and Moroccan food, giving a novel experience away from typically Brazilian food. The space is bright and laid back with a buzzing vibe, making the atmosphere just as good as the food. Each dish is spicy and delicious and offers great alternatives for vegetarians, something that is hard to find in Rio de Janeiro. It is a place for romance with hot and cold starters to share and delicious cocktails so makes for a fantastic date; likewise, it is casual enough for a meetup with friends.

Rua Joana Angélica, 40, Ipa nema, RJ, Brazil, +55 21 2247 9101

7. Fasano

Restaurant, Bar, Pub Grub, Brazilian, Fast Food

Restaurant to the rich, famous and classy, this place exudes elegance and sophistication like no other restaurant nearby. The interior is classically decorated with every last detail taken care of and is guaranteed to make diners feel special and transported to a night of pampering. The service is phenomenal and the food is five-star quality. Of course the prices are not cheap and will require a slightly deeper pocket but for a holiday treat it’s worth it.

8. Polis Sucos

Juice Bar, Restaurant, Brazilian, Fast Food

Not quite a restaurant but definitely one of the most popular places to eat in Ipanema, Polis Sucos is the drop-in spot for both pre- and post-beach food. With a huge selection of typical Brazilian snacks and light lunches, it provides the necessary fuel to spend the whole day on the beach and gives a boast for those feeling sleepy after a day of sun. Some of the best snacks include the classic pão de queijo (cheese bread) or açai, a purple fruit mixed with ice and sweetened with sugar: a must-try in Brazil.

9. Satyricon

Satyricon

This upscale joint has an indoor garden and a fish counter to provide the best and freshest seafood in Ipanema. Whilst on the pricey side, the food is top quality with delicious seafood dishes and an extensive wine menu. The desserts are well worth saving room for, with the creamy and smooth Tiramisu one of the most popular sweets on the menu.

Rua Barão da Torre, 192, Ipanema, RJ, Brazil, +55 21 2521 0627

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.