The Best Pizzarias in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

Stravaganze Pizzaria is among one of the most upscale restaurants in Ipanema with its wooden decor, low-lighting, and attentive service. The pizza is as tasty as the decor is fancy with a mix of traditional toppings and more innovative choices, such as the Arte which comes with buffalo mozzarella, shitake mushrooms, poached eggs, and truffle oil. The dessert pizzas with toppings such as caramelized bananas are worth saving room for.

Alessandro & Frederico Café is an upscale bistro in Ipanema that plays the role of a cafe, restaurant, and bar all in one. It’s a great spot to go for a sophisticated lunch and settle down to people-watch the chic Brazilians that dine there. One of the highlights on the menu is its rustic pizzas that are handmade and covered with fresh toppings. Enjoy with a bottle of wine for a boozy brunch or head there in the evening and make the most of the outdoor bar area.

The charming Capriciosa in the heart of Ipanema serves up traditional Napoletana-style pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven in an upscale environment. Like most places in Ipanema, the prices edge towards the pricey side yet with quality pizza, attentive service, and a good wine selection, the cost matches the value. The pizzas come with a thin yet doughy base and with classic as well as more creative topping choices.

Located between the beach and the subway, Papa Gui is ideal for a post-beach meal and drink in a casual setting. The pizza is delicious with a thin base and plenty of toppings with pepperoni among one of the most-ordered from the menu. There is also an extensive drinks menu with wine and cocktails yet the best bet is to order a cold beer and make the most of the outdoor seating. If your schedule is flexible, head there between Monday and Wednesday when pizza is ‘buy one, get one free’.

A newbie on the Ipanema scene, Joana Pizza & Bar is still working to get itself noticed. Yet thanks to its delicious homemade pizzas with a chunky, soft base and heaps of fresh ingredients piled on, it won’t take long before its a well-established player. The best drinks pairing for these pizzas are the venue’s cocktails which are big, potent, and flawlessly smooth.

One of the few restaurants in Rio de Janeiro that makes gluten-free pizzas is Restaurante Alekrim in Ipanema. And it’s not just gluten-free either; many of their pizzas are vegan and lactose-free. The main focus of the restaurant is to deliver healthy, fresh food that can be enjoyed by everyone. The fruit juices use locally-sourced fruit and the pizza is delicious.

This laid-back venue serves up New York-style pizzas by the slice with a varied choice of toppings from classic mozzarella and pepperoni to a more popular Brazilian topping of shredded chicken with cream cheese. It’s a great spot to indulge in a couple of slices of pizza and try the local artisanal beer that they serve there. If you have a sweet tooth, save room for their chocolate and strawberry pizzas.