Food is a treasured part of Carioca life. With roots in African, Amerindian and European epicurean traditions, the tastes of Rio de Janeiro range from meat-centric churrascarias, hearty feijoadas, vibrant street food and upscale, gourmet selections - all best accompanied by Brazil's national cocktail, the tangy caipirinha.
All-you-can-eat meat: experience churrascaria
No visit to Rio de Janeiro is complete without a true churrascaria (traditional barbecue restaurant) experience, which is generally offered as a set menu that includes a selection of side dishes and salads - and, of course, the perfectly char-grilled, all-you-can-eat meat.
Rio has some of the finest churrascarias in Brazil. The most popular in the city include Porcão in Flamengo, Fogo do Chāo in Botafogo, and local favorite, the 63-year-old family restaurant Churrascaria Palace in Copacobana.
In its sleek, modern interior, the black and white photographs that hang on the walls are the only hint to Churrascaria Palace's historic past. Every night, elegant bossa nova piano notes fill the space as the sushi chef slices sashimi and expert waiters skim from table to table, serving up succulent pieces of meat to eager patrons. The peixe pintado (a meaty Amazonian fish) and sizzling butterflied picanha (beef top sirloin with a thin layer of fat) are some of the most remarkable options to try here. There is an impressive wine list with over 200 bottles, including a rare selection of the best Brazilian varietals. And for those who manage to save room for dessert, the Juliet and Romeo is an ambrosial pairing of creamy white cheese sorbet and a tangy goiaba (guava) sauce.