The Best Restaurants Near Pão de Açúcar, Rio de Janeiro

Few places can provide both fine dining and a low-key hangout, but Bar Urca somehow manages to. If it’s a top-notch meal you fancy, then head upstairs for a sophisticated environment, impeccable service from smartly dressed waiters, and Brazilian food that tastes as delicious as it looks. If you want something more casual, head to the tiny bar downstairs, buy a cold beer and some prawn pastels (their best snack on the menu) and cross the street to sit on the wall and take in the views across the bay.

Enjoy lunch with a view at Terra Brasilis which, with its prime location, has Praia Vermelha beach and the Pão de Açúcar as a backdrop. Choose between the buffet option – which comes with a large selection of different types of salads and vegetables, as well as rice, pasta, and meat – or from the set menu of classic Brazilian dishes such as tender steak with rice and chips. Try one of their flawless caipirinhas to give you a bit of dutch courage before taking the cable car up to the Pão de Açúcar.

After watching the sunset at Pão de Açúcar, Julíus Brasseríe is a great dinner option, especially for those looking for a romantic dinner for two. The minimal decor creates a sophisticated environment and the French cuisine couples immaculate presentation with generous portions, so here you get both quality and quantity. The view across the bay is the cherry on the cake and sets the scene for a memorable dining experience.

For casual dining with a great view over the bay, you can’t go far wrong with Garota da Urca. The restaurant has a wide choice of food including Brazilian snacks to share and main courses that include plenty of vegetarian options. One of the stars on the menu is the sizzling meat platter with slices of tender meat served on a hot plate. After eating, order one of their sweet and potent caipirinhas to take outside to enjoy the view and the pleasant sea breeze.

The liveliest bar in Urca, Boteco Belmonte is ideal for a traditional Brazilian lunch in a setting with a buzzing atmosphere. Lunch options include classic meat dishes with rice and chips or deep-fried cassava wedges, feijoada, and hearty sandwiches. If you arrive later on in the evening, it’s the ideal moment to get a cold beer and some Brazilian pastels and pies before settling down for a casual yet animated night.

Urca Grill is a casual dining place that is more than just a simple restaurant. The best way to enjoy the venue is to buy a few cold beers and ordered some food – grilled and roasted meats, chunky pastels, and bulging pies are just a few of the options available – and sit on the wall opposite for the best spot in Urca to see the sunset. Beers are sold in 600ml bottles and come with small glasses so your drink stays cold. With a police station right in front of the place, it is one of the safest spots in Rio.

This bright, modern cafe with a view of the bay is a great spot to drop in for a light, Italian-style lunch. Opt for the thin-crust pizza with fresh toppings or the perfectly cooked pasta in a homemade tomato sauce. The lemon ricotta cheesecake is definitely worth saving a bit of room for before wrapping the lunch up with a hot, strong espresso.