The Best Restaurants Near Jardim Botanico, Rio de Janeiro

Pizza topped with pesto and freshly chopped nuts
Pizza topped with pesto and freshly chopped nuts | © Tomas Rangel / Courtesy of Daniele Arend / Ella Pizzaria
Sarah Brown

The restaurant scene in and around Jardim Botanico remains largely unexplored by passing travelers. However, as one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Rio, it has a collection of sublime dining options that combine an aspirational environment with excellent food. Gourmet pizzas, authentic tapas, and upscale Brazilian cuisine make the Jardim Botanico region an appetizing destination for travelers searching for inspiring gastronomy.

1. Venga! Taberna

Restaurant, Tapas

Sample a selection of Rios best tapas | © Pix3853 / Pixabay
© Pix3853 / Pixabay

Venga! serves up some of Rio’s best tapas dishes, with marinated octopus, patatas bravas, and thinly diced tartare being some of the stars of the menu. The cozy, wooden interior and low lighting set the scene for a classic Spanish tavern, and the ample outdoor terrace is a fine place to enjoy a chilled Spanish wine or the special house sangria on Rio’s balmy nights.

2. Puro

Restaurant, Brazilian

Opt for the fillet of beef | © jereskok / Pixabay
© jereskok / Pixabay

With crisp, clean decor that brings a refreshing breath of modernity to Jardim Botanico, Puro offers an elegant setting for a memorable dining experience. Fresh products and ingredients from local suppliers showcase the restaurant’s culinary edge that presents a contemporary Brazilian menu. Standout dishes include the crispy red snapper, braised pancetta, and the duck leg confit.

3. Grado Restaurante

Restaurant, Italian

Mouthwatering grilled octopus | © designermikele / Pixabay
© designermikele / Pixabay

Inside an elegant white-washed house with a homey, casual interior, Grado impresses guests with its flawless Italian menu. Try the perfectly cooked octopus and follow with the cauliflower risotto. Be sure to save room for one of the best tiramisus in town. The charming decor, ample drinks menu, and reasonable prices make this an ideal option for an upscale dining experience without straining your budget.

4. Borogodo

Restaurant, Brazilian

Borogodo’s charming interior | © Borogodo
© Borogodo

Set inside a cheerful colonial building, Borogodo offers a stylish yet casual environment for a pleasant dining experience. The menu showcases the best of Brazilian seafood and meat, with highlights including crispy octopus and bife a milanesa, a steak with breadcrumbs. Located on a quiet street in Jardim Botanico, it offers a peaceful spot for a relaxing lunch to the sounds of the nearby flourishing forest.

5. Ella Pizzaria

Restaurant, Italian

Pizza topped with pesto and freshly chopped nuts | © Tomas Rangel / Courtesy of Daniele Arend / Ella Pizzaria
© Tomas Rangel / Courtesy of Daniele Arend / Ella Pizzaria

Set inside an elegant building with tall, airy ceilings, Ella is one of the newcomers on the local gastronomic scene. The pizzas are created for an upscale market and come with innovative toppings such as pesto with freshly chopped nuts and octopus with crispy smoked pancetta. Its reasonable prices, cracking cocktails, and divine pizzas set the scene for a special and inexpensive night out.

6. Bastarda

Cafe, Restaurant, Contemporary, British

Try the award-winning coffee shops matcha latte | © dungthuyvunguyen / Pixabay
© dungthuyvunguyen / Pixabay

This cozy cafe is the ideal spot for a mid-morning brunch. The warm colored stone walls and thoughtful touches, such as potted plants on the wall and a bike hung up behind the counter, all add to the charming, hipster feel of Bastarda. The modern version of the traditional English breakfast is worth the trip there, with all the classic items such as fried eggs and grilled tomato with a couple of quirky additions, including slices of avocado. Don’t leave without a coffee; Bastarda was awarded for having the best coffee in Rio.

7. Yumê

Restaurant, Japanese

Japanese sushi with a Brazilian twist | © Ilsheri1994 / Pixabay
© Ilsheri1994 / Pixabay

The candle-lit tables and low seating create an intimate atmosphere at Yumê. Extra touches such as the Buddha statue, a koi carp fish pool under the glass floor, and the warm, sunset colors add to the Asian-feel of the Japanese restaurant. The innovative menu mixes Japanese sushi with a modern Brazilian twist, with offerings such as deep-fried oysters and crispy squid. Try the caipisake, a caipirinha which uses sake instead of cachaça.

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