These are just a few of the many delicious and diverse Brazilian main dishes that you can try when visiting Rio de Janeiro. From hearty stews to grilled meats, these dishes offer a range of flavors and textures that are sure to satisfy your appetite. Be sure to visit a variety of restaurants and eateries to experience the full range of Brazilian cuisine. And don’t forget to try some of the local drinks, such as caipirinhas and cold beers, to complement your meal. So come hungry and ready to explore the rich and delicious food culture of Brazil!
Arroz de Pato – A duck and rice dish cooked with various vegetables and spices. Originating from Portugal, it’s best eaten for dinner. Served with red wine. Found at Antiquarius in Leblon.
Arroz com Camarão – A rice and shrimp dish made with various spices. Originating from Northeastern Brazil, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with farofa and hot sauce. Found at Casa de Tereza in Santa Teresa.
Picadinho – A beef stew made with potatoes, onions, and peppers. Originating from Rio de Janeiro, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with rice, farofa, and beans. Recommended at Adega Pérola in Copacabana.
Cozido – A hearty stew made with various meats and vegetables. Originating from Portugal, it’s best eaten for dinner. Served with rice, farofa, and hot sauce. Try it at Bar Lagoa in Lagoa.
Estrogonofe de Frango – A creamy chicken dish made with mushrooms and served with rice. Originating from Russia, it’s best eaten for dinner. Served with white wine. Found at Strogonoff do Russe in Copacabana.
Peixe à Belle Meunière – A fish dish served with a creamy sauce made from butter and lemon. Originating from France, it’s best eaten for dinner. Served with white wine. Found at Cervantes in Copacabana.
Frango com Quiabo – A chicken and okra stew made with various spices. Originating from Minas Gerais, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with rice and beans. Best tried at Casa do Sardo in Copacabana.
Caldinho de Feijão – A hearty bean soup. Originating from Rio de Janeiro, it’s best eaten as a late-night snack. Served with bread and hot sauce. Try it at Bar do Adão in Lapa.
Dobradinha de Bucho – Another variation of the tripe stew made with beans and spices. Originating from the Northeast, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with rice and farofa. Found at Bar do Momo in Lapa.
Mocotó – A soup made with cow’s feet, beans, and vegetables. Originating from Pernambuco, it’s best eaten for dinner. Served with rice and hot sauce. Found at Mocotó in Santo Cristo.
Ensopado de Carne – A beef stew made with potatoes, carrots, and onions. Originating from São Paulo, it’s best eaten for dinner. Served with rice and farofa. Best found at Bar do Mineiro in Santa Teresa.
Dobradinha – A tripe stew made with beans and various spices. Originating from the Northeast, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with rice, couve mineira, and hot sauce. Try it at Bar da Gema in Tijuca.
Escondidinho – Similar to a shepherd’s pie, made with mashed cassava, cheese, and various meats. Originating from the Northeast, it’s best eaten for dinner. Served with rice and beans. Find it at Bar da Gema in Tijuca.
Carne-Seca com Abóbora – A dish made with dried beef and pumpkin. Originating from Minas Gerais, it’s best eaten for dinner. Served with rice and couve mineira. Try it at Bar do Mineiro in Santa Teresa.
Acarajé – A deep-fried bean fritter stuffed with shrimp, hot sauce, and vegetables. Originating from Bahia, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with ice-cold beer. Try it at Mãe Joana in Lapa.
Churrasco
A Brazilian barbecue with various cuts of meat grilled on skewers. Originating from Rio Grande do Sul, it’s best eaten for dinner. Served with rice, beans, and farofa. Recommended at Braseiro da Gávea in Gávea.
Galinhada
A chicken and rice dish cooked in a flavorful broth with saffron and vegetables. Popular in Minas Gerais cuisine, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with couve mineira and tutu de feijão. Try it at Aconchego Carioca in Leblon.
Vatapá
A Bahian specialty made with fish, bread crumbs, coconut milk, and peanuts. Originating from Bahia, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with rice and farofa. Found at Casa de Tereza in Santa Teresa.
Arrumadinho – A salad made with beans, cassava flour, and various vegetables. Originating from Bahia, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with farofa and hot sauce. Try it at Mãe Joana in Lapa.
Risoto de Camarão – A shrimp risotto made with various spices. Originating from Italy, it’s best eaten for dinner. Served with white wine. Try it at La Trattoria in Ipanema.
Angu – A dish made with mashed corn, cheese, and various meats. Originating from Minas Gerais, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with farofa and hot sauce. Found at Bar da Gema in Tijuca.
Bife a Cavalo – A beef dish served with a fried egg and various sides. Originating from Rio de Janeiro, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with rice and beans. Best tried at Bar do Mineiro in Santa Teresa.
Frango à Passarinho – Fried chicken wings served with various sides. Originating from Minas Gerais, it’s best eaten as a late-night snack. Served with hot sauce. Found at Bar da Gema in Tijuca.
Maminha na Brasa – A grilled beef cut served with various sides. Originating from Rio Grande do Sul, it’s best eaten for dinner. Served with rice, beans, and farofa. Best tried at Braseiro da Gávea in Gávea.
Tutano com Pão – A dish made with beef bone marrow and bread. Originating from Rio de Janeiro, it’s best eaten as a late-night snack. Served with hot sauce. Try it at Bar do Adão in Lapa.
Strogonoff – A creamy beef or chicken dish made with mushrooms and served with rice. Originating from Russia, it’s best eaten for dinner. Found at Strogonoff do Russe in Copacabana.
Linguiça com Feijão Tropeiro – A sausage and bean dish made with various spices. Originating from Minas Gerais, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with farofa and hot sauce. Best tried at Adega Pérola in Copacabana.
Galinha ao Molho Pardo – A chicken dish made with a sauce made from blood, vegetables, and spices. Originating from Minas Gerais, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with rice and farofa. Found at Casa do Sardo in Copacabana.
Sarapatel – A pork dish made with various spices and served with rice. Originating from the Northeast, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with farofa and hot sauce. Try it at Bar do Momo in Lapa.
Escondidinho de Carne Seca – Similar to a shepherd’s pie, made with mashed cassava, cheese, and dried beef. Originating from the Northeast, it’s best eaten for dinner. Served with rice and beans. Found at Bar da Gema in Tijuca.
Baião de Dois – A rice and beans dish made with various meats and spices. Originating from the Northeast, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with farofa and hot sauce. Found at Bar da Gema in Tijuca.
Arroz Carreteiro – Another variation of the beef and rice dish, but with a twist of beans and vegetables. Originating from Rio Grande do Sul, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with farofa and hot sauce. Found at Bar da Pracinha in Gávea.
Pato no Tucupi – A duck stew made with a tangy sauce made from tucupi, a type of cassava broth. Originating from the Amazon, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with rice and farofa. Try it at Tacacá do Norte in Copacabana.
Carne de Sol – A popular Brazilian dish made with sun-dried beef. Originating from the Northeast, it’s best eaten for dinner. Served with rice, beans, and farofa. Best tried at Bar da Gema in Tijuca.
Tutu de Feijão – A dish made with mashed beans, pork, and spices. Originating from Minas Gerais, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with rice, collard greens, and farofa. Found at Bar do Mineiro in Santa Teresa.
Picadinho de Filé – A beef stew made with potatoes, onions, and peppers. Originating from Rio de Janeiro, it’s best eaten for lunch. Served with rice, farofa, and beans. Try it at Adega Pérola in Copacabana.