Santa Teresa is a charming and old neighborhood with several authentic restaurants where you can eat. No matter where you stay in Rio de Janeiro, it is worth taking an afternoon to go have lunch in Santa Teresa as well as to take a stroll on its cobble-stones streets and visit its artsy shops.
Although you can go there for any meal, Santa Teresa is more popular for lunch than dinner (in fact, lunch is the main meal in Rio de Janeiro), with great vibe on weekends.
Find below a listing of recommended places to eat in Santa Teresa.
1. Aprazível (Brazilian cuisine; high end)
Exotic setting with great food, but pricey. Touristy and busy in high season, but still a must-visit (reservation recommended on those days: landline 2508-9174, [email protected], or get there off the peak lunch/dinner time). Closed Sunday nights and Mondays. Rua Aprazível, 62 – Santa Teresa – Rio de Janeiro.
2. Armazém São Thiago/Bar do Gomez (beer and appetizers)
Old-time bohemian bar. The famous train robber Ronald Biggs used to go there to eat and drink. Not to be missed. Rua Áurea, 26 – Santa Teresa – Rio de Janeiro.
3. Bar do Mineiro (Brazilian cuisine from Minas Gerais State)
Extremely popular restaurant for lunch on weekends and holidays. Put your name on the lista de espera (waiting list), get a drink, and join the crowd of locals standing on the sidewalk and waiting (long) to be called to sit, and finally eat. Closed Mondays. Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno, 99 – Santa Teresa – Rio de Janeiro.
(A few steps away, at # 121 is the open-air 53 Cafecito, known for great sandwiches – and slow service when crowded).
4. Bar do Marcô (Brazilian cuisine)
Limited menu, with typical Brazilian dishes. Great acoustic music on Fri. (3 – 7 p.m.), Sat., Sun. and holidays (2 – 5 p.m.). Rua Almirante Alexandrino, 412 – Santa Teresa – Rio de Janeiro. Mondays closed.
(At # 432 is 55 Sobrenatural, offering typical Brazilian seafood dishes.)
5. Bar do Arnaldo (Northeastern Brazilian cuisine)
Inexpensive, with huge portions of tasty Northeastern Brazilian cooking. Rua Almirante Alexandrino, 316. At # 264 is 57 Espírito Santa, offering Amazonian cuisine (closed Tuesdays).
Read related article:
Map of Rio de Janeiro Neighborhoods
Santa Teresa Neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro
Read about other restaurants, cafes and places to eat in other neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro by getting a copy of My Rio Travel Guide – The Essential How-To Visitor’s Guide to Rio de Janeiro.