Best Pizza in Rio and other Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: La Mole's Pizzaria

Generations of Cariocas have casually dined at the sidewalk cafe style restaurant in the stylish Leblon district of Rio since 1958. View real Carioca families at leisure at any time of the day in search of good food and a great urban neighborhood setting. Generations of ex-pats and others have enjoyed the surroundings, aware they are at La Mole's and just basking in the knowledge they are in one of Rio's favorite places.

Business was so good, La Mole's have sprung up in other neighborhoods, too. Photo was taken before breakfast as I walked down "Bonde Street " (Rua Dias Ferreira) where it nears Avenida Ataulfo de Paiva.

Favorite Dish: The old fashioned Brazilian style mozzarella pizza, and all of the Guarana and Coke you can drink.

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Theme: Pizza
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 2294-0699 or 2294-0668
Address: Rua Dias Ferreira, 147 in Leblon
Directions: Go to end of Leblon Beach, turn right along the canal, past bus stop, past canal gate. Turn right at the large Wedding Cake Building (round), go up slight hill, and make immediate left about a block. May be one way street against traffic flow now.
Website: http://www.lamole.com.br/lamole/default.asp

Restaurant Name: Miramar Palace Hotel Restaurant

I actually lived at the Miramar Palace Hotel for about four months. Life was good then, and a great deal of it was due to the fine food served on the third floor of the hotel.

The Miramar, like all upscale Rio hotels, knows how to treat you. But there is something about the tradition of fine dining that comes over decades of service that makes the Miramar a great place to be and eat. I am getting hungry now, just thinking about it.

Favorite Dish: Filet Mignon, soups, and the home made breads.

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Miramar Palace Hotel
Directions: Miramar Palace Hotel
Av. Atlântica, 3668 Copacabana
22070-001 Rio de Janeiro - RJ
Phone: (55) (21) 2525-0303
Fax: (55) (21) 2521-3294
Website: http://windsorhoteis.com/miramar/english/fr-gastronomy.html

Restaurant Name: Marius in Leme

Anything and everything you can imagine is before you for the taking. Once you made the mistake of gorging on the lobster, crab, and other assorted dishes, the Churrasco starts coming and flows non-stop until you cry, "uncle!"

The place is awesome, the ambience is unlike anything you've probably encountered outside of Rio, and you'll never forget it.

Favorite Dish: I am a meat lover. I do not do well with the lobster and crab. My wife loved them, but I wanted the beef. When it was all over, I felt like a glutton. Hmmmm . . . . Can't quite remember what I paid. I think it was about $80.00 for three of us.

Check out their web site:

http://www.marius.com.br

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 2542-2393
Address: Av. Atlântica, 290 - Leme Beach
Website: http://www.marius.com.br

Restaurant Name: Any restaurant in Rio

Pao de queijo (cheese bread) is available at most local restaurants in Rio. Best described as a "creme puff with cheese," or as "cheesy creme puff like bread," when hot, there is nothing finer for the pallate. I am feeling the saudades right now.

If the price at the restaurant is too much, look for a local bakery outlet along the main shopping streets that specialize in Pao de Queijo. Almost like a visit to your local Krispy Kreme donut shop, but better.

You'll want to learn to make these at home! Atkins dieters, beware the super carbs! Worth falling out of ketosis for! Thanks to Alless, for correcting my spelling of "queijo." Muito obrigado.


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Theme: Local
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter

Restaurant Name: Confeitaria Colombo

Founded in 1894, on Rua Gonçalves Dias, the Confeitaria Colombo is in downtown Rio, so it will be off the beaten path for most visitors. Take a cab, it's Rio's world famous historical cafe and bakery. The traditional gathering place for artists, intellectuals, and politicians.

The walls are covered by huge Belgian mirrors, the floors are Italian marble. The counters, bar, and the rest of the restaurant are made of Brazil's finest Jacaranda wood (Rosewood). All impossible to find in today's world.

Coffee, pastries, baked foods, sandwiches, you name it. You can't go wrong. It is ancient Rio Antigo at its best and most authentic. It's like stepping back in time. A bit or ancient Rio set in modern and very busy downtown. It gives you a glimpse of real life every day Rio outside of the tourist southern zone. See a day in the life of the working Brazilians.

Favorite Dish: I can't even remember what I had. My wife said we had some "pao de queixo" - cheesebread and coffee. Pao de queixo - if you never had it, it's going to ruin your diet!

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Downtown Rio - Rua Gonçalves Dias
Directions: Just tell the taxi driver, "Confeitaria Colombo" or "Cafe Colombo." "Confeitaria" in Portuguese is pronounced "cone-fay-tah-ree-ah" - got it?
Website: http://www.confeitariacolombo.com.br/