With influences hailing from Africa, Europe, and everywhere in between - Rio de Janeiro is a true melting pot of cultures and cuisines. Rio de Janeiro is truly a foodie's dream come true, with succulent barbecue dishes and addictive street snacks guaranteed to entice even the most jaded of gourmands.
Seeing how big the city is, it might feel overwhelming trying to find the best foods - let alone choosing the best restaurants and street vendors! That's why we recommend hiring one of our Rio de Janeiro private tour guides to take you on a mouthwatering private tour of the city’s culinary scene. To help you plan your excursion, here are the 7 most popular foods you simply must try when in Rio de Janeiro!
Feijoada
Feijoada is one of the most popular Brazilian foods in existence. So much so that it is often called the country’s national dish. This is a hearty bean stew that usually also includes either pork or beef. The name comes from the Portuguese word ‘feijão’ which literally means ‘bean’. While some Brazilian dishes are tied to a specific region of this vast country, feijoada is popular throughout the nation, though the type of bean that is used to make it varies from area to area. In Rio de Janeiro, the dish is usually made with black beans. Feijoada is typically served with rice and can be found in restaurants throughout the city. Ask your Rio de Janeiro tour guide for their personal recommendation for finding the best feijoada in Rio!
Churrascaria
Brazil as a nation is famous for its high-quality meats. The best place to sample these famous exports in Rio is by visiting a churrascaria - a local steakhouse which serves meats cooked the churrasco way. This essentially means barbecue in Portuguese. In a churrascaria, food is typically served in rodizio style, which means waiters will serve barbecued meats straight from the grill to your plate. There is usually a wide variety of different meats to choose from, ranging from prime sirloin to sausages and chicken cuts. In churrascarias, the meat is cooked over charcoal, typically until it is medium rare or medium.
Pão de queijo
Pão de queijo is a traditional Brazilian snack that's hard to resist. The name of this popular treat literally means "cheese bread", and that is exactly what you get: a small, delicious roll stuffed with cheese. While there are different variations of this popular snack, all of them use cassava starch and cheese as the main ingredients. The use of cassava starch gives pão de queijo its uniquely elastic texture and also makes these incredible treats naturally gluten-free. Pão de queijo originates from the State of Minas Gerais (which is located just west of the State of Rio de Janeiro), but they are widely available in bakeries throughout the country. After all, who doesn't love cheese and bread?
Coxinha
Coxinha is a very popular street food that you're bound to come across when exploring the busy streets of this South American metropolis. Coxinha is essentially a type of croquette, a popular snack food that's prevalent in a variety of cuisines all over the world. A Brazilian coxinha typically features shredded chicken and catupiry (a type of Brazilian soft cheese) rolled in potato dough. This roll is then battered and fried until golden for mouthwatering results. The name coxinha literally translates as ‘little thigh’ or ‘drumstick’, and originally the shape of each snack was meant to resemble a chicken thigh. In its more modern form, a coxinha is typically shaped in a form that more closely resembles a teardrop.
Acai
In recent years, acai has become a popular ingredient that's used in smoothies all over the world. The acai berry (which grows in super tall acai palm trees) originates from the Amazon Rainforest, and has been a staple of regional cuisine long before it became an international phenomenon during the 1990s. Touted as a superfood, the berry is very high in antioxidants and is thought to have countless health benefits, including lowering blood sugar and bolstering the immune system. In Brazil, acai has long been used in a fresh sorbet that's commonly sold by street vendors. Acai sorbet is also a popular beachside snack, as it is perfect for fueling up after a day spent in the sun.
Tapioca
While many culinary styles make use of tapioca, be that in puddings or in trendy teas, few places do it quite like Brazil. While exploring the streets and markets of Rio de Janeiro, you are bound to come across street vendors selling tapioca crêpes, a very popular local snack. The crêpes are made using tapioca flour and water, and has a very mild taste, allowing the toppings to make all the difference. You can usually choose from a wide variety of extras, including cheese, coconut, guava, Nutella, or even strawberries. As the crêpes are made using tapioca flour, they are also gluten-free.
Brigadeiro
If you have a sweet tooth, you will love brigadeiro! This is a traditional Brazilian dessert that's actually thought to have originated in the city of Rio de Janeiro. These delicious treats are made using condensed milk, butter, and cocoa butter. The chocolate sprinkles that are used to decorate the confections are also a key ingredient, and nowadays brigadeiros are available with a variety of flavors and toppings. Having been around for more than 70 years, brigadeiro continues to be a very popular dessert in Brazil, and can commonly be found fresh in bakeries as well as made at home.