Confeitairia Colombo (Colombo Café) is an exceptionally beautiful Victorian café, inaugurated in 1894. Inspired by the magnificent European cafés, it was the place to be in the early 20th Century.
This is one of the must-visit sites in Rio de Janeiro, and you should definitely include it in your itinerary when touring around Rio. It is located in downtown (Rua Gonçalves Dias, 32), close to others attractions such as the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Opening Hours of Colombo Café
Mon. through Fri., 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sat. and holidays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sun.
Best time to visit Colombo Café
Well before closing (otherwise there may be few pastry/savory selections left). Avoid visiting the café when one or more large cruise ships is in port, as selections may be cleaned out. (See the cruise ship port schedule in the Appendix of My Rio Travel Guide PDF e-book.)
Annoyances when visiting Colombo
You may have to wait for a table on peak days and extreme peak days, and when it is busy, the service (on the ground floor) can be slow and inattentive.
How to visit on weekdays
Option 1) Take a few photos and return to your taxi.
Option 2) Take quick photos, buy some pastries to go, and return to your taxi.
Both are good choices if you want to keep the same cab driver. However, it can be hard for a cab to wait near Colombo, so either option requires you to move very quickly!
Option 3) Be seated at a table and order from the menu.
Option 4) Take the elevator and have lunch at the restaurant on the upper level (very fine buffet, R$70; US$35; €28, served from noon to 4 p.m.).
Read more important information on how to visit Colombo and other attractions in Rio by getting a copy of My Rio Travel Guide – THE most updated, practical and concise PDF e-book on visiting Rio de Janeiro.
