Foodies consider Rio de Janeiro to be a veritable paradise. All kinds of food options are available here. The city is somewhat expensive, particularly in matters of food. However, if you are traveling on a budget you just needn’t worry. The city has many restaurants where you can surely look out for good and cheap options or as the locals say 'bom e barato', offering excellent value for money.
But before you actually visit one of the restaurants in the city offering cheaply-priced food, it is important to know some of the valuable tips that would make your dining cost-effective and enjoyable. This information is especially for those tourists visiting the key Brazilian city from different parts of the world. If you want to savor the moderately-priced traditional Brazilian delicacies, try to avoid going to those restaurants aiming to target the tourists. These may be tourist traps. Try to find eating joints that are quite popular with the locals. This is also one of the best ways to know about their lifestyle and culture closely.
The main meals served in the restaurants of the city are most meant to serve two people. You need to be cautious and check out the facts before ordering your food. This is important for those who don’t want to spend double the amount of money unnecessarily. There are some restaurants where even meals for one person can just be huge. So, you need to visit only those restaurants who serve according to your wishes.
The budget tourists will also be happy to know that there are ‘por kilo’ restaurants existing in this most frequented destination in the world. These types of restaurants are highly affordable. The diners here get opportunity to pick their food choices from a buffet and make their payments depending on the weight of their plate. The food offered can range from sushi to steak and colorful salads for a set price per 100 grams.
The street food is undoubtedly one of the most popular options for all those who are really tight on budget. This is also the best way to experience and enjoy the local flavors at quite cheap rates. The street food such as ‘acaraje’ and ‘tapioca’ are great favorites with the locals as well as the tourists. The ‘acaraje’ is spicy, messy-to-eat Northeastern delicacy that is highly delicious. The ‘tapioca’, which is essentially manioc pancakes stuffed with sweet or savory fillings, is a great rage among the locals.
Here are some of the best restaurants in Rio de Janeiro that are quite popular for offering 'bom e barato' options. These include Porcao Rio's, Feira Nordestina de Sao Cristovao, Acaraje da Nega Teresa, Kilograma, Bar do Bonde, Cafecito, Cultivar Brazil, Vegetariano Social Clube, Graca da Vila, and Bar do Arnaudo. Let’s know about some of these famous eateries and savor the delectable offerings here.
Porcao Rio's
Porcao is the place for meat lovers. This popular chain of meat grills or Brazilian ' churrascarias' works on a simple all-you-can-eat principle. Procao has various branches in Barra da Tijuca and Ipanema. However, the branch at Flamengo, well-known as Porcao Rio's is the most famous among them all. It is quite reputed and known for its service and quality. The 'rodizio' system or all-you-can-eat principle is applicable here, just like many other meat restaurants in Rio de Janeiro. The waiters will keep on bringing glistening slab of meat one after another until you give yourself up and finally say no. Apart from grilled meat, you can also pay a visit for the heft buffet which comprises of olives, cheeses, seafood, sushi, salads and other kinds of treats.
Kilograma
The downtown lunch restaurant ‘Kilograma’ offers all kinds of treats to feast on for the budget tourists. The self-service buffet here is cheaply priced and includes chicken and fish dishes, hot meat dishes, rice noodles and sushi, along with staples like fries, beans and rice, and also local specialties such as aipim and pao de queijo. The Kilograma restaurant chain has several branches across the city. However, the branch at Centro is quite cheaper in comparison to those in Copacabana and Ipanema. The dishes are priced at ‘per 100 grams’.
Graca da Vila
The Graca da Vila is a small buffet restaurant situated near the Catete Palace and the Museum of the Republic. The restaurant offers some of the best 'comida a kilo' food in the area. The food served here is based on weight. Various kinds of food offered here include a meat grill, hot dishes, marinated artichoke hearts, quail eggs and colorful salads. The restaurant starts offering pizza after 6 pm. The all-you-can-eat feasts of pizza, fries and chicken served for a set price is great favored by the families.
These are just among the few top restaurants where you can look for local delicacies that are cheaply priced. There are many more to be discovered. Whenever you visit Rio de Janeiro on your next vacation, don’t forget to visit some of these many restaurants and enjoy their varied delicious cuisines.
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