There are several places to eat in Leblon, Rio de Janeiro. Either for breakfast, lunch or dinner you can find a large choice of restaurants offering traditional Brazilian cuisine as well as some international ones.
Find below a finely selected list of good mid-range restaurants where Cariocas (natives of Rio de Janeiro) go eating:
Brazilian cuisine in Leblon:
1. Balada Mix (sandwiches and fresh juices)
Perfect for a light and healthy meal, from 8 a.m. Tasty sandwiches and fresh juices. Avenida Ataufo de Paiva, 620 – Leblon – Rio de Janeiro.
(Also recommended is Frontera next door [great ‘pay per kilo’ restaurant] and Bracarense [for beer and appetizers] around the corner.)
2. Jobi (Brazilian cuisine)
Popular for lunch, dinner, or appetizers and beer anytime. Rua Ataulfo de Paiva, 1166 – Leblon – Rio de Janeiro.
(Next door is Japanese Koni Store, or a bit further away, Pizzaria Guanabara, an extremely popular very-late-night/early morning hangout. Right next is Foccacia for excellent sandwiches, and Toca do Siri for authentic Bahian-style [Brazilian-cuisine] seafood dishes and appetizers).
3. Academia da Cachaça (Brazilian cuisine)
Very popular and casual restaurant. Great exotic caipirinhas and authentic Brazilian cuisine. Rua Conde de Bernadote, 26 – Leblon – Rio de Janeiro.
(Alternatively, Botequim Informal is next door. Both are great choices before or after the Plataforma folk show [one minute away on foot]).
4. Vezpa (pizzeria)
One of the best. Order a full pizza or by-the-slice. Try “Frango com Catupiry” (chicken with Brazilian Catupiry cream cheese). Av. Ataulfo de Paiva, 1063 – Leblon – Rio de Janeiro.
(As an alternative, the excellent Italian Fratelli, for pasta or pizza one block away towards the beach at Avenida General San Martin, 983.)
International Cuisines in Leblon:
1. La Mole (Italian)
Excellent value. Rua Dias Ferreira, 147 – Leblon – Rio de Janeiro. (The Spanish tapas bar ¡Venga! is next door.)
2. Laffa (kebab restaurant and take-out)
Sabichs, kaftas, falafels, and shawarmas. Rua Cupertino Durão, 96 – Leblon – Rio de Janeiro.
(Also recommended: Tropeço [Brazilian cuisine], opposite corner across Rua Visconde de Pirajá. As an alternative, French bistrô St . Bastien at # 313, the latter street.)
3. Nam Thai (Thai Cuisine)
Thai restaurant, quite good. Rua Rainha Guillermina, 95 – Leblon – Ipanema.
Read related article: Map of Rio de Janeiro Neighborhoods
Have instant access to an updated listing of restaurants in Leblon and in other neighborhoods by getting a copy of My Rio Travel Guide – The Essential How-To Visitor’s Guide to Rio de Janeiro.