World Cuisine and Fine Dining Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro

The fine dining scene in Rio is influenced by culinary experiences around the world. The famous chefs blend the international cuisines with Brazilian flavors. For instance, Chef Claude Troisgras from the French Michelin starred Troisgras family, prepares delectable dishes at Olympe as he mixes French cuisine with local Brazilian ingredients. Sushi Leblon serves excellent sushi while the restaurants at the glitzy beachfront Copacabana Palace Hotel make for a delightful culinary experience.

For a wonderful treat to the eyes which will cost you a pretty penny, visit Aprazivel in Santa Teresa. It serves French-Brazilian cuisine in a tropical garden setting. The garden twinkles with fairy lights while the diners eat under the straw-roofed gazebos and enjoy spectacular views of Guanabara Bay and downtown.
 
Aprazivel, Santa Teresa
Aprazivel located on the hillside of Santa Teresa is a perfect spot for couples and large groups as they enjoy the food on a rustic terrace. The diners sit on the outside tables or the group tables placed in a tree house look alike, on pleasant evenings. The chicken galinhada and lamb shank are delightful along with several fish based dishes. The Brazilian wines offer scrumptious flavors of Brazilian fruits.
 
Azumi, Copacabana
Azumi is truly a Japanese restaurant located on the Copacabana Street. It serves excellent sushi dishes. The combo dishes offer simple and delightful sea food while the main course includes ika sautée which combines soft and spicy squid with stir-fried veggies and mushrooms. The appetizers feature edamame beans and ice-cold sake. Large groups can also pre-book two screened-off tables with floor cushion seating.
 
Le Pré Catalan, Copacabana
Prize-winning Chef Roland Villard prepares delectable Brazilian cuisine inspired from French cuisine. The wild mushrooms and foie gras-stuffed rigatoni makes for a great appetizer. The popular Trilogies serve three exquisite types of shellfish and snails. The specialty of the restaurant is seafood. The tasting menus put the Chef’s imagination on display. One can always choose to sit at the tables next to the window and enjoy panoramic views of the Copacabana Beach.
 
Olympe, Lagoa
Olympe offers the best European culinary experience in the city. This flagship restaurant of Carioca chef Claude Troisgros’ from the Michelin starred Troisgras family offers French cuisine, European classic dishes with Brazilian flavors. The chef’s sampling menu is delightful and it is worth waiting for five special dishes of the day served at your table with excellent wine. The menu is great too. The specialties include lamb cannelloni with truffle consommé, organic eggs with caviar, raw salmon with ginger, and various foie gras, beef and seafood options. This internationally recognized restaurant offers the best of French cuisine with a Brazilian twist including fresh vegetables, fruits and seasonings. It is the perfect spot for special occasions and business meetings. The dégustation menu is a treat for the eyes and the taste buds.
 
Pérgula, Copacabana
It is a poolside restaurant with the famous Copacabana Hotel’s swimming pool in the backdrop. The seating around the sun recliners, the high stacked club sandwiches by the pool side makes this a comfortable and laid-back restaurant. The starters include salads, shrimp tempura, nachos and oysters. The restaurant organizes special brunch on Sundays with buffet of salads, breads, pasta, seafood and caviars with Prosecco in bottomless glasses.

Sushi Leblon, Leblon
This is a modern and stylish Japanese restaurant in the city. It is among the best of Japanese restaurants in Rio with long queues of well-dressed diners. The food is delicious with starters featuring edamame beans with chilled Bohemia beer. The Portuguese and English menu offers a wide range of Japanese dishes, the best of which is salmon sashimi. Exotic dishes of snook, sea urchin and eel are also available.

Zuka, Leblon
Rua Dias Ferreira has seen numerous restaurants opening and folding, but Zuka is one restaurant which is not going anywhere with its famed charcoal grill. The restaurant specialties include Thai fish covered in banana leaf, meaty namorado served with foie gras sauce, calamari risotto and octopus salad. A Lamb specialty and house burger are also served. The restaurant offers special dish of the day. Zuka has a long wine list with the rarest Brazilian and few California wines for the diners to savor. Many lunching ladies frequently visit this place. At night, the restaurant dazzles with crowds coming here for social dinners. The staff is professional and friendly and attends to the long queues of customers patiently.