The 10 Most Outstanding Restaurants In Leblon Rio De Janeiro

Being Rio de Janeiro‘s most luxurious neighborhood has led Leblon to becoming a main hub for some of Rio’s most incredible and fancy restaurants. The cost for a meal out in Leblon comes much higher than other places, yet the quality of the food matches the price tag, making it quite worth it. Here, we reveal ten of Leblon’s most outstanding restaurants.

Zuka

Restaurant, Brazilian, Contemporary

Rua Dias Ferreira is one of Leblon’s most liveliest streets teeming with excellent restaurants and bars, and it just so happens to be that it’s on this street where Zuka is. Zuka is the type of restaurant that has lines for both lunch and dinner; with Chef Ludmila Soerio as a partner, it attracts people who want to enjoy exceptionally good food at all hours of the day. The updated menu includes notable items such as the prawn risotto, raw tuna with tagliatelle, gazpacho served with a scoop of lemon sorbet, and finally the chocolate cake served with caramel and fleur de sel.

Vizta

Restaurant, Brazilian, Italian

Vizta is a restaurant in Hotel Marina Palace that is open to the public and offers wide ocean views and international cuisine. For starters, the crispy squid with mushroom sauce is a great option that can be followed nicely with the prawn and coconut rice or the meaty risotto with dried meat, sausage, cherry tomatoes and fried onions. On Friday and Saturday nights, there is a live band that plays bossa nova and jazz.

Stuzzi

Bar, Italian, Beer

With its low lounge lighting and sidewalk tables, the ambiance and look alone of Stuzzi is enough to draw in those passing by. The food served here is outstanding and innovative with a wide selection of Italian tapas-styled choices with the whole menu being worth a try. However, some of the stars of the show are the smoked chicken ravioli with raisins and ginger, the rack of lamb with a hazelnut crust and rosemary and red wine sauce and the crispy squid with peeled tomatoes, basil and garlic. Stop by on Monday nights when there is live entertainment and a jazz band.

Giuseppe Grill

Giuseppe Grill serves typical and authentic Brazilian barbecue as well as other international meat cuts, such as the English prime rib that is large and full of flavor. One of the best Brazilian cuts to look out for is the picanha, a Brazilian classic known for its tenderness and soft, juicy rim of fat. The meats come served with a variety of sides, most notably the zucchini farofa, the potato souffle and the grilled vegetables. The appetizer of sausages is a great choice, too.

Brigite's

Restaurant, Italian

This contemporary Italian restaurant with a Brazilian touch is perhaps one of the most beautiful in Leblon and has a wonderfully creative menu. The steak tartare starter at Brigite’s is popular and the carbonaro main course is unofficially considered one of the best in the city. The dessert, though, is heavenly; one of the best on the menu is a chocolate and hazelnut souffle with vanilla ice cream. Every bite is like eating a light, rich, fluffy spoonful of Nutella!

CT Boucherie

Restaurant, Bistro, Brazilian, French, Steakhouse, South American

CT Boucherie is a French bistro that comes with a high reputation of serving some of the best meat in the city. Various options to choose from include T-bones, black angus, and filet mignon cuts. The customer chooses their desired cut of meat and then chooses accompaniments from waiters that walk around with various types, resembling a walking, moving buffet. Some of the best options are the roasted banana, the crispy potatoes, the gratin with Gruyère cheese, the ‘crazy’ rice (rice mixed with various ingredients) and the stuffed tomatoes.

Bar D'hotel

Bar, Bistro

With both excellent food and cocktail menus, Bar D’hotel is a great place to both eat and drink. The cocktails are extremely inventive and creative, with any one on the menu being dangerously delicious. For starters, the steak tartare is a popular choice, as is the squid and prawns in a crispy cashew crust. For the main course, the filet au chocolat is a surprising hit — the chocolate only adds to the intensity of the flavor of the meat. This restaurant is sophisticated, making it a great option for a fancy night out.

Manekineko

Manekineko, a Japanese restaurant, serves an extensive selection of sushi and authentic Japanese dishes. The tuna sashimi with mushrooms and macadamia is delicious, as is the hot gourmet option that is rolled rice with cream cheese and both smoked and fresh salmon. The rodizio is the most successful and popular service on the menu; it’s an all you can eat Japanese food dinner where you select what you want from a list of numerous delicious items.

Manekineko, Rua Dias Ferreira, 410 – Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil +55 21 2540 7746

Sushi Leblon

The lines and reservation waits don’t lie; this is one of the best sushi joints in Rio. In addition to the usual sushi and sashimi on the menu, there is also king crab, salmon with quinoa crust and white marlin with a truffle sauce. The dessert is exotic and instantly ties with the whole Japanese ambiance; one of the most notable options is a green tea cake with white chocolate sauce.

Vegetariano Social Clube

Restaurant, Vegan

This restaurant is perfect for vegetarians since all of its meals are free of animal products. The best items on the menu include palmetto stroganoff with brown rice, vegetarian feijoada and quinoa risotto with vegetables and tofu cream. All products are organic and fresh, which makes a big difference in taste and quality. The desserts are sweetened with brown sugar or malt, and there are gluten-free options, too.

About the author

Sarah Brown

Sarah is a British freelance journalist and writer based in Rio de Janeiro. Her favourite travel experiences so far include swimming with whale sharks in Mexico, trekking through Rio's urban forest and enjoying the city life in Madrid. Find her on Instagram @sbgrio