The 10 Best Restaurants In Copacabana, Brazil

Barbecue, along with samba and soccer, is an institution all of its own in Brazil. In the true rodízio style, which features table service from servers carrying skewers of fresh cut meat, Churrascaria Carretão Lido is Copacabana’s finest restaurant for all things from the grill. With a salad bar of only the freshest vegetables and pastas, and with a very polite wait staff, the only thing needed for this restaurant is a serious appetite.

The charming atmosphere of Le Ble Noir, Copacabana’s best crêperie, attracts diners by the dozen. With its quirky yet modern decor and dim, red lighting at night, Le Ble Noir is a favorite place to stop for a sweet buckwheat crêpe or a Breton-style gallete on a nighttime tour of Copacabana’s streets.

Le Ble Noir, Loja A, Copacabana R. Xavier da Silveira, 19 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, +55 21-2267-6969

With its bustling nightlife, Copacabana’s best meals are those that are shared with friends, and accompanied with great cold beer. Devassa Cervejaria is one such place, where the variety of small plates and cold, Devassa beer are enough to sustain a night on the town. From its batatosa cheddar and bacon fries to its devassadão barbecued ribs and onion rings, Devassa presents a great mix of traditional Brazilian pub food at very reasonable prices.

Amir offers some of the best Middle Eastern food in Copacabana. Despite Rio’s typical restaurant prices, Amir continues to draw in locals with its delicious buffet, shawarma, and delicious combo platters. For Brazilians, lunch is meant to be the biggest meal of the day, so expect a wait at this restaurant during a midday visit.

Known in the Lido neighborhood as a truly fine venue, Os Imortais is famed for its delicious tapas and lively atmosphere. Everyone and their grandmother comes for their selection of beers and petiscos, the Brazilian version of Spanish tapas. With a traditional selection of pastels, fried rice balls and kebabs, the patrons of Os Imortais always walk away happy.

Os Imortais, R. Ronalso de Carvalho, 147 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, +55 21-3563-8959

For 60 years and counting, Cervantes has been serving mouthwatering sandwiches from its store front in Copacabana. The Cervantes Especial (the special here) is only the beginning at this restaurant, which also has a full lunch and dinner menu, complete with salads and appetizers, entrées, and drinks. Open until 2am, Cervantes makes for a great late night stop after an evening of partying around town.

Cervantes, R. Barata Ribeiro, 7 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, +55 21-2275-6147

Beef Sandwhich © Steven Depolo /Flickr

Adega Perola is a Copacabana classic known for dishing up some of the best seafood tapas in the entire city. In complete carioca style, reminiscent of Copacabana’s bohemian past, Adega Perola operates in a tight yet very lively space, where friends and strangers alike get together and share good spirits. There are more than 80 offerings of appetizers and the octopus and sausage with bacon come highly recommended, as does the shrimp, with a cold chope, or draught beer, to complement.

Adega Perola, R. Siqueira Campos, 138 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, +55 21-2255-9425

Although the outside of this restaurant could use a touch of love, the interior of Adega do Cesare is bustling with local customers in pursuit of their favorite Copacabana dishes. Serving enormous portions of seasonal Brazilian classics at great prices, Adega do Cesare is a beacon among Rio’s restaurant industry, especially for Copacabana’s international travelers. The mixed grill plate comes highly recommended. It includes various cuts of pork, sausage, chicken, and beef.

Standing elegantly on Avenida Atlântica is the Copacabana Palace, perhaps the neighborhood’s most legendary luxury hotel. Pérgula, one of the two hotel restaurants, offers poolside dining with a menu that reflects the international clientele they entertain. It also plays host to a Saturday lunch that draws many local admirers of the restaurant’s rendition of feijoada, a black bean soup with various added meats.