Traditional food in Rio de Janeiro Cuisine is a must try and can be found in several local restaurants in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leme, Leblon, Urca, Downtown and Santa Teresa neighborhoods. Rio’s famous and traditional food can also be eaten in many touristy restaurants in Rio de Janeiro, however the best one is the authentic cuisine, home made Brazilian food, found in places where locals eat at the price that locals pay.
What is the food like in Brazil? The Brazilian traditional food is very rich, since every region in Brazil has its own regional dishes. Basically three cultures have influenced the Brazilian cuisine to get to the flavors of what we eat today as traditional food:
Culture # 1: Native Indians
Culture # 2: African slaves
Culture # 3: Portuguese colonizers
Find below some of the traditional dishes you should try when visiting Rio de Janeiro:
- – Arroz e Feijão: Rice and beans (with meat, chicken, or fish and salad and/or French fries). [Black beans and rice combined is the basis of the Rio de Janeiro cuisine — it is the most traditional food you can try while in Rio).
- – Churrasco Rodízio: all-you-can-eat barbecue.
- – Feijoada: The national dish — black-bean stew with beef and pork (plus rice, collard greens, and manioc flour).
- – Bobó de Camarão: Shrimp in manioc and coconut milk purée (with rice and manioc flour).
- – Carne Seca com abóbora: Jerked beef with pumpkin purée (and rice).
- – Moqueca: Shrimp or fish stew enriched with coconut milk (with rice and manioc flour).
The list is extensive and includes finger food, deserts as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Find the complete list of traditional local food as well as where to eat them in Rio de Janeiro by getting a copy of My Rio Travel Guide – The Essential How-To Visitor’s Guide to Rio de Janeiro.
There is plenty of food to try in Rio de Janeiro. Eat and drink as a local, visit places only locals visit, take transportation only locals take — see Rio de Janeiro from the local’s perspective with My Rio Travel Guide, the most updated, practical and concise e-book guide to Rio de Janeiro.
Read related article: Rio de Janeiro Restaurant Guide