Downtown Jewel and other Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Confeitaria Colombo

Confeitaria Colombo is a real must see when you are experiencing downtown in Rio.
Not only a beautiful place indeed, but there you can spend some time enjoying the pastries, have lunch at the lovely Cristovao Restaurant - where you can also have a lovely "five o'clock tea".


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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average

Address: Rua Gonçalves Dias 32 - downtown
Directions: Nearest Metro station - CARIOCA
Website: http://www.confeitariacolombo.com.br/

Restaurant Name: Confeitaria Colombo

The following info was taken from a synopsis they provide at Colombo.

"Confeitaria Colombo was founded in 1894 by two Portuguese adventurous men, Manoel José Lebrão and Joaquim Borges de Meirelles, whose philosophy was' the customer is always right '.

All the Belle Epoque charm remains in full bloom at Confeitaria Colombo in the heart of Old Rio. Part of the city's cultural heritage, it's also one of the favorite downtown attraction for tourist from all over the world.

The magnificent salons are lined with ornate jacaranda-framed mirrors imported from Belgium at the turn of the century. The art nouveau decor is found throughout its showcase, furniture and fitting, ceiling light and floor dating back to this delightful past.

Confeitaria Colombo benefited from the social and urban progress of the city, as well as the consequent business development. Soon it became well-known as the place where politicians, journalists, poets, writers and artists went to attend business meetings or simply to have fun.

Eminent visitors, as Queen Elizabeth, from England, and King Albert, from Belgium, had the opportunity to taste its delicious specialties.

Almost all Brazilian presidents were Colombo's customers. The afternoon tea was an elegant occasion and the ladies of society and their families enjoyed it after shopping. Later at night, the cheerful cocottes filled the salons with their fashionable and colorful clothes. Confeitaria Colombo introduced not only new fashions but also new tecnologies as the elevator.

Since the begining of the century the lively carnival dances at Colombo inspired musicians to write songs that became great hits.

The tradition and effective participation in our society confirm the importance of Confeitaria Colombo in the history of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil"


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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average

Address: Rua Gonçalves Dias 32 - downtown
Directions: Nearest Metro station - CARIOCA
Website: http://www.confeitariacolombo.com.br/

Restaurant Name: Marius Carnes - Marius Crustáceos

For those who crave a juicy steak, grilled to perfection, Marius Carnes is a typical Brazilian, good quality churrascaria, which translates as the perfect place if you are a meat lover. With an exquisite and interesting decor, the restaurant overlooks the Leme Beach and offers more than 30 different grilled meat dishes. There is also a superb salad bar with colorful, tasty vegetable combinations.

After many years of success of this all-you-can-eat rodízio system for meat, the owner just start thinking.... why wouldn't it work for seafood? And thus was Marius Crustáceos born, a must-eat stop for every seafood lover. Located right next door to its carnivorous cousin. You can start off with a trip to the buffet, helping yourself to the feast of antipasto, cold seafood such as prawns, oysters, and crab, as well as warm seafood favorites such as paella, pasta with seafood, and popular dishes from Bahia including moqueca and vatapá. But save your appetite for the prime catch the waiters will bring to your table: lobster, prawns, tuna steaks, salmon or crab.


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

Restaurant Name: D'Amici

This restaurant is a pleasant surprise, a small place almost hidden in a inner small street of Leme, not far from the Hotel Meridien. Formed from the collaboration of two maître d's, Antonio Salustiano and Candido Alves, and a sommelier, Walmir Pereira. None of the three is Italian; in fact, they all come from the northeast of Brazil.
It is considered indeed the 3rd best Italian restaurant in Rio.

I do not go there as much as I would like to because it is kind of expensive if you live under Reai$ rule$... :-))

At lunch time, mostly a meeting point for businessmen - a discrete and quiet place for business meetings.
At night, the small place is really taken by couples or groups of friends interested in enjoying the quietness and the great food.
So... reservation is required.


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Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 2541-4477or 2543-1303
Address: Rua Antonio Vieira, 18
Directions: Leme

Restaurant Name: La Fiorentina

La Fiorentina is a very special place to the history of Rio's bohemian life.

From the 50's to the 70's, it was the meeting point of intelectuals, artists, soccer players, journalists, international movie stars like Brigitte Bardot...
It was known as the Carioca "La Coupole".

Some of its main characteristics were to be open throughout the night and the custom of people signing their autographs on the columns.

In 1987 a fire destroyed the place ( and all the autographs, as well... ). They re-opened the place some months later, but it ended up closing its doors in 1992.

In 2001 it came back to life thanks to one of the former owners son and although it is not as "flamboyant" as it used to be in the past, still is a meeting point for artists and the tradition of the autographs on the columns remains, along with a gallery of photos from the 60's..

Favorite Dish: Pasta and Pizza are still the main dishes, but there are lots of choices on meat. Not to mention a good beer.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average

Phone: 2543-8395
Address: Av. Atlantica 458, Leme
Directions: Leme

Restaurant Name: Da Bambrini

It is a small, very pleasant and popular place with family portraits on the walls Although the tables stand close together, it has a calm atmosphere.

Reservation could help !


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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average

Phone: 2275-4346
Address: Av. Atlantica 514
Directions: Leme

Restaurant Name: La Trattoria

For more than 25 years this Trattoria has been a great place to have a good pasta without emptying your pockets.

It has the "spirit" of Copacabana. A meeting point to all kind of "tribes" from families to artists and nearby located tourists.

As a good italian family, all the owner's family is there.
Welcoming you at the door or just all together having a meal. Talking to the customers --- so much of them just become friends as the years go by...

The only thing is that they do not accept credit cards....

Favorite Dish: A good garlic bread as a starter...
Every year there is a "truffles season" festival.
Signore Mario, the owner goes to Italy and bring them.
I like the agnolotti filled with cheese topped with truffles oil. The shrimps are also good.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: 2255-3319
Address: Rua Fernando Mendes, 7/Lj. A - Copacabana
Directions: This street is near the Copacabana Palace
Metro station - Cardeal Arcoverde

Restaurant Name: Don Camillo

Pleasant trattoria with tables also on the sidewalk of Copacabana and live Italian music.
Not much to say about it ... better to see those links:

Menu

Wines

Drinks and beverages


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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average

Phone: 2549-9958
Address: Av. Atlântica, 3056 - Copacabana

Restaurant Name: Confeitaria Colombo

This is a branch of the Confeitaria Colombo. Not the beautiful building as in downtown one, but this place is great as well.

Located at the Copacabana Fort, it offers the most beautiful view of Copacabana Beach.


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Theme: Coffeehouse

Address: Forte de Copacabana
Website: http://www.confeitariacolombo.com.br/

Restaurant Name: Alfaia

This restaurant has excellent cod fish dishes that are served in abundant portions - - serving 2 people without having to starve... on the contrary - - ...which do not deny its Portuguese roots.


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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 2236-1222
Address: Rua Inhangá, 30 B - Copacabana
Directions: Reallly really near to Metro Station Cardeal Arcoverde