Top 10 culinary specialties of Rio de Janeiro

What to eat in Rio de Janeiro? Our selection of 10 Carioca specialties

Rio de Janeiro's gastronomy is a concentrate of simple ingredients: exotic vegetables, meats and freshly caught fish. The city also offers a wide selection of sweets, ranging from divinely sweet exotic fruits and always more chocolatey treats. To learn more, discover our selection of colorful dishes to taste without delay in Rio.

1. Empadas

The enticing smell of these miniature pies will give you snacking cravings. Empadas originate from Portuguese gastronomy and are now very popular in all countries. In Rio de Janeiro, more than anywhere else, locals and tourists love them! The pies are traditionally filled with tender meat or shrimp stuffing. For the rest, the cook will add vegetables and aromatics according to their mood of the moment. Empadas are enjoyed hot, between two walks to calm small hungers.

2. Cassava fries

These Brazilian fries could well conquer more than one salty beak! Cassava is an essential element of Brazilian cuisine. Consumed both as street food and as a gourmet dish, cassava is in all plates. As with potatoes, everything happens at the root level. This product offers great versatility in preparation and sees its popularity rating grow more and more because it contains no gluten. In Rio, you'll often have the opportunity to consume it as fries, to accompany your dish. Simple and effective, even to enjoy on the beach.

3. Pastel

Here's an emblematic appetizer of Portuguese cuisine. From Lisbon to Rio, passing through Cape Verde, pastel is everywhere! These are small crispy turnovers, filled with fish - cod, tuna or sardine among others - or meat. In Rio's street food version, the filling is enhanced with palm hearts, tomato and occasionally, cheese. You'll quickly be hooked on this savory treat, offered on every street corner.

4. Tapioca

Discover the benefits of cassava with this specialty available in both savory and sweet versions. Tapioca is based on a thick crepe made from cassava starch, garnished with various ingredients. In the sweet version, tapioca is topped with chocolate, coconut and fresh fruit. In the savory version, it can be enhanced with shredded meat or occasionally, vegetables with cheese.

5. Feijoada

Here's a pillar of Portuguese popular cuisine, deeply rooted in Brazilians' eating habits. A trip to Rio de Janeiro will be an opportunity to taste it in the most typical way possible. This specialty combines less noble pork pieces - ears, tail, feet... - cooked slowly then simmered with a good quantity of black beans, rice and vegetables. Traditionally, there's no dedicated meal for feijoada. Being of (very) popular origin, modest households used to prepare it in large quantities and eat it from breakfast until dinner. Today, some canteens have ennobled the pot's content to seduce more gourmets. Notably, by adding sliced sausages and other more appreciated meat pieces.

6. Churrasco

To all grilled meat lovers, here's the specialty not to miss in Rio. Churrasco is an XXL skewer of braised meat, served in traditional restaurants. This specialty embodies Brazilian-style barbecue! Often served all-you-can-eat - yes, for real - you'll be surprised by the parade of servers continuously supplying customers.

7. Pernil assado and farofa

Enjoy this complete dish composed of sliced fresh ham roast, accompanied by farofa. The latter is prepared with fried cassava semolina mixed with meat, beans and eggs. Pernil assado and farofa is the ideal dish to eat when you have a busy day ahead of you. Fair warning for backpackers!

8. Galletto al primo

Here's a typical family dish in Rio! To describe this popular specialty, it's a braised rooster, deliciously cooked in white wine and palm oil. This dish to share is an opportunity to gather around a warm table, to discover the Sunday culinary traditions of Cariocas.

9. Brigadeiro

Craving a tender and infinitely chocolatey sweetness? Brigadeiros are sweet essentials in Rio. These take the form of small balls of chocolate, butter and condensed milk. A bit like truffles actually! For the anecdote, these treats pay homage to Brigadier Eduardo Gomes, an outgoing candidate for president in the 40s.

10. Hot chocolate

Cariocas love hot and comforting food. Throughout Brazil and in Rio's cafes in particular, hot chocolate is a very appreciated drink! The particularity of Carioca hot chocolate is that it contains strong coffee. Sometimes, the drink also features a pleasant touch of vanilla. Dip your lips in it, you'll surely love it!