Top 10 culinary specialities in Rio de Janeiro

The cultural richness of Rio de Janeiro is explored through its local flavours. In the programme, you will discover surprising eating habits, a deep love for street food and dishes to share.

Rio will awaken your senses and taste buds in the best possible way. It will also be an opportunity to detect culinary influences from around the world. Brazilian gastronomy owes its unique character to the various waves of immigration from Africa, Europe and Asia. This skilful cultural mix has given rise to some of the most emblematic dishes of Brazil, and of Rio de Janeiro.

The city’s typical dishes will give you a taste of the raw and little-known flavours of our land. Among them, cassava, exotic fruits and new explosive spices for the palate. These unprecedented flavours are the very essence of the hearty, gourmet dishes you’ll taste on your trip to Rio de Janeiro… So what else to say, except: to your plates, comrades!

What to eat in Rio de Janeiro Our selection of 10 Rio de Janeiro specialities

Rio de Janeiro’s cuisine is a concentration of simple ingredients: exotic vegetables, freshly caught fish and meat. The city also offers a wide selection of sweets, from divinely sweet exotic fruits to increasingly chocolatey delights. To find out more, take a look at our selection of colourful dishes to try in Rio.

1. Empadas

The tantalising smell of these miniature tartlets will have you craving a snack. Empadas have their origins in Portuguese cuisine and are now popular in every country. In Rio de Janeiro, more than anywhere else, Cariocas and tourists love them. Traditionally, the empanadas are filled with tender meat or prawns. Otherwise, the cook adds vegetables and herbs according to his or her mood at the time. The empanadas are best eaten hot, between two walks, to appease cravings.

2. Cassava chips

These Brazilian fries could win over more than one sweet tooth. Cassava is an essential ingredient in Brazilian cuisine. From street food to gourmet dishes, cassava is in every dish. Like the potato, it is the root. This product offers great versatility of preparation and is increasingly popular because it is gluten-free. In Rio, you will often have the opportunity to eat it in the form of chips, to accompany your dish. Simple and effective, even on the beach.

3. Cake

An emblematic appetizer of Portuguese cuisine. From Lisbon to Rio, via Cape Verde, pastel is everywhere. Pasteles are small crispy pastries filled with fish – cod, tuna or sardines, among others – or meat. In Rio’s street version, the filling is topped with palm hearts, tomato and sometimes cheese. You’ll soon be hooked on this tasty treat, available on every street corner.

4. Tapioca

Rediscover the benefits of cassava with this sweet and savoury speciality. Tapioca is made from a thick cassava starch pancake, topped with a variety of ingredients. The sweet version has chocolate, coconut and fresh fruit. Savoury tapioca can be served with shredded meat or, occasionally, vegetables and cheese.

5. Feijoada

A mainstay of popular Portuguese cuisine, Feijoada is deeply rooted in the eating habits of Brazilians. A trip to Rio de Janeiro will allow you to taste it in the most typical way. This speciality combines less noble cuts of pork – ears, tail, feet, etc. – stewed and then simmered with a large quantity of black beans, rice and vegetables. Traditionally, there is no meal dedicated to feijoada. Being of (very) popular origin, modest households used to prepare it in large quantities and eat it from breakfast to dinner. Nowadays, some canteens have ennobled the contents of the casserole to attract more gourmets. In particular, by adding sliced sausages and other more popular cuts of meat.

6. Churrasco

For all grilled meat lovers, this is the speciality to try in Rio. Churrasco is an XXL skewer of braised meat served in traditional restaurants. This speciality is the epitome of Brazilian barbecue. It’s often served all you can eat – yes, really – and you’ll be amazed by the parade of waiters who come non-stop to supply the customers.

7. Pernil assado and farofa

Enjoy this complete dish of slices of roast ham with farofa. Farofa is made from fried manioc 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. Attention backpackers!

8. Galletto al primo

This is a typical Carioca family dish. To describe this popular speciality, it is a braised rooster, deliciously cooked in white wine and palm oil. This dish is a great opportunity to gather around a warm table and discover the Sunday culinary traditions of the Cariocas.

9. Brigadeiro

In the mood for a tender, chocolatey treat? Brigadeiros are one of Rio’s must-have sweets. They are shaped like little balls of chocolate, butter and condensed milk. A bit like truffles, after all. Anecdotally, these sweets pay homage to Brigadier Eduardo Gomes, an outgoing presidential candidate in the 1940s.

10. Hot chocolate

Cariocas love hot comfort food. Throughout Brazil, and in Rio’s cafés in particular, hot chocolate is a popular drink. The special feature of Carioca hot chocolate is that it contains strong coffee. Sometimes, the drink also has a pleasant hint of vanilla. Dive into it and you are sure to love it.