Here are the top 5 street food in Rio de Janeiro. For a full and updated guide, which lists Brazilian food you can eat when visiting Rio, get your copy of My Rio Travel Guide, the insider’s guide to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio Street food # 1 – Pastel
Pastel is a deep-fried crispy thin pastry with assorted fillings — probably the most popular street food in Rio de Janeiro.
The most famous one is found in the fruit markets, where locals usually eat it along with a glass of cold sugar cane juice (extremely sweet for most foreigners taste). Otherwise, you can eat it in most cafes in Rio de Janeiro (although much smaller in size than those sold in the fruit markets).
Rio Street food # 2 – Globo Cookie
Biscoito Globo is the most popular street food/snack on Rio de Janeiro beaches, especially in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leme, and Leblon Beaches.
If there is one single street food you should try on the beach, Globo Cookie is the one.
This crispy cookie does not have much taste though — its popularity probably lies on the noise you hear in each bite. There are two different types: sweet and salted. Try both!
Rio Street food # 3 – Empada
Here is another street food you can try when visiting Rio de Janeiro: empada. It is basically a round small baked savory with assorted fillings.
Among the most popular are camarao com catupiry (shrimps with catupiry cheese), frango (chicken), and queijo (white cheese).
It can be bought also on the beach, or at some cafes such as the popular Belmonte in Copacabana, Ipanema, Flamengo, Leblon, and Urca.
Rio Street food # 4 – Codfish Balls
Bolinho de Bacalhau is a deep-fried potato and codfish ball. The best ones should have way more codfish than potatoes.
They are originally from Portugal, but were incorporated into Rio de Janeiro finger-food culinary. It can be found in many local restaurants in Rio.
Rio Street food # 5 – Esfiha
There are basically two types of esfihas in Rio de Janeiro. An open top round one and a triangular closed one — both baked savories with an assorted filling. Esfihas are very popular in Rio and are originally from Syria and Lebanon.
They can be bought from strolling beach vendors as well as at popular Arabic restaurants in Rio such as Stambul and Arabe.
There are many other street food typically found in Rio de Janeiro. For a complete guide of street food, locals dishes, and beverages, and where to try them, get a copy of My Rio Travel Guide, the comprehensive guidebook to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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In My Rio Travel Guide you can find other key information on safety, transportation, tours, Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf Hill, nightlife, best-located hotels in Rio de Janeiro, and more.