Guidebook for Santa Teresa
Drinks & Nightlife
This Santa Teresa bar-restaurant was opened by a family of Spanish settlers in Brazil in 1919, when it doubled as a grocery store. The official name, Armazem Sao Thiago references this, but for decades this most inviting of watering holes has been affectionately known as Bar do Gomez in honor of the affable owner. Visually, little has changed here over the years, and it maintains a historic charm that makes it one of the best-loved botecos (bar-restaurants) in Rio. Along with an extensive list of bar snacks and nibbles, there are some good sandwiches. Wash it down with a cold draught beer or our favorite, a bottle of Original beer. 60 types of cachaca available by “shot” or by the bottle!!!
125 personas locales recomiendan
Armazém São Thiago
26 R. ÁureaThis Santa Teresa bar-restaurant was opened by a family of Spanish settlers in Brazil in 1919, when it doubled as a grocery store. The official name, Armazem Sao Thiago references this, but for decades this most inviting of watering holes has been affectionately known as Bar do Gomez in honor of the affable owner. Visually, little has changed here over the years, and it maintains a historic charm that makes it one of the best-loved botecos (bar-restaurants) in Rio. Along with an extensive list of bar snacks and nibbles, there are some good sandwiches. Wash it down with a cold draught beer or our favorite, a bottle of Original beer. 60 types of cachaca available by “shot” or by the bottle!!!
Food Scene
The Hotel Santa Teresa’s exclusive hillside restaurant, Térèze, is comfortably the neighborhood’s most upscale dining experience. This being Rio, that doesn’t mean it isn’t also elegantly casual, the interior resplendent in burnt cement floors and reclaimed wood galore. Arrive at sunset for a drink on the terrace with a palm tree-framed view out towards Guanabara Bay, the heaving city below seemingly a million miles away. Portions are small, but that, along with a sturdy wallet, merely allows for more courses to be devoured. The tiger prawn cocktail, perfectly cooked lamb and some beautifully presented desserts dazzle the senses, all backed up with charming, friendly & well-informed service.
46 personas locales recomiendan
Térèze
15 R. Felício dos SantosThe Hotel Santa Teresa’s exclusive hillside restaurant, Térèze, is comfortably the neighborhood’s most upscale dining experience. This being Rio, that doesn’t mean it isn’t also elegantly casual, the interior resplendent in burnt cement floors and reclaimed wood galore. Arrive at sunset for a drink on the terrace with a palm tree-framed view out towards Guanabara Bay, the heaving city below seemingly a million miles away. Portions are small, but that, along with a sturdy wallet, merely allows for more courses to be devoured. The tiger prawn cocktail, perfectly cooked lamb and some beautifully presented desserts dazzle the senses, all backed up with charming, friendly & well-informed service.
Aprazível Restaurante
High up on the Santa Teresa hillside, Aprazível spreads out across a wonderfully rustic terrace offering couples romantic nooks and larger groups a crowd-pleasing and original setting to dine in. On a balmy evening, request one of the tables outside or call ahead and hope that the group table, set in what can best be described as a tree house, is available. Order carefully, for while the lamb shank is excellent, the chicken ‘galinhada’ is less enticing, but there are several good fish options, not least the seasonal ‘moqueca’ stew and 'carnival' octopus, that rarely disappoint. Like the food, the wine list is almost entirely Brazilian! DAZZLING!!!!
293 personas locales recomiendan
Aprazível
62 R. AprazívelAprazível Restaurante
High up on the Santa Teresa hillside, Aprazível spreads out across a wonderfully rustic terrace offering couples romantic nooks and larger groups a crowd-pleasing and original setting to dine in. On a balmy evening, request one of the tables outside or call ahead and hope that the group table, set in what can best be described as a tree house, is available. Order carefully, for while the lamb shank is excellent, the chicken ‘galinhada’ is less enticing, but there are several good fish options, not least the seasonal ‘moqueca’ stew and 'carnival' octopus, that rarely disappoint. Like the food, the wine list is almost entirely Brazilian! DAZZLING!!!!
Santa Teresa is known for it’s more classic Brazilian restaurants, making the Amazonian-flavored Espírito Santa, complete with its views across the hillside, all the more enjoyable. Be sure to grab a table on the terrace outside and give the sizeable menu the time it deserves. I always start with one of the unusual cocktails (the various fruit flavored caipirinhas are delicious) and the trouxinhas de axé, a thick, rich Bahian shrimp paste steamed in collard green leaves. Keep to the seafood, as the steaks can be disappointing. Freshwater crab rice with pumpkin is a substantial plateful, and the Namorado da Cunha – fish served with Brazil nuts, coconut and banana rice – is out of this world!
78 personas locales recomiendan
Espírito Santa
264 R. Alm. AlexandrinoSanta Teresa is known for it’s more classic Brazilian restaurants, making the Amazonian-flavored Espírito Santa, complete with its views across the hillside, all the more enjoyable. Be sure to grab a table on the terrace outside and give the sizeable menu the time it deserves. I always start with one of the unusual cocktails (the various fruit flavored caipirinhas are delicious) and the trouxinhas de axé, a thick, rich Bahian shrimp paste steamed in collard green leaves. Keep to the seafood, as the steaks can be disappointing. Freshwater crab rice with pumpkin is a substantial plateful, and the Namorado da Cunha – fish served with Brazil nuts, coconut and banana rice – is out of this world!
This little gem of a lunch spot at the heart of Santa Teresa (across the street from Cafecito) is a real treasure trove of tastiness for anybody with an aversion to gluten or a preference for natural, organic ingredients. Alongside a range of whole-meal sweet and savory tarts and pies and some yummy sandwiches, there are gluten-free cakes, tarts (try the palm-heart and yogurt) and a mini-store stocked with a range of pastas, biscuits and other goodies to take away (yum, brownies!). In addition, Cultivar Brazil serves unarguably the best Pao de Queijo (little cheese breads made with manioc flour), here made with organic ingredients. It’s worth waiting until a batch comes fresh out of the oven
64 personas locales recomiendan
Cultivar
124 Rua Paschoal Carlos MagnoThis little gem of a lunch spot at the heart of Santa Teresa (across the street from Cafecito) is a real treasure trove of tastiness for anybody with an aversion to gluten or a preference for natural, organic ingredients. Alongside a range of whole-meal sweet and savory tarts and pies and some yummy sandwiches, there are gluten-free cakes, tarts (try the palm-heart and yogurt) and a mini-store stocked with a range of pastas, biscuits and other goodies to take away (yum, brownies!). In addition, Cultivar Brazil serves unarguably the best Pao de Queijo (little cheese breads made with manioc flour), here made with organic ingredients. It’s worth waiting until a batch comes fresh out of the oven
Located right next door to Bar do Gomez, this family-run restaurant features 6-8 inexpensive, home-style dishes per day. Each dish comes with rice, salad…the best black beans in RIO! Our favorite is the grilled salmon with capers and onions….YUM!!!
14 personas locales recomiendan
Nega Tereza Bar
24 R. ÁureaLocated right next door to Bar do Gomez, this family-run restaurant features 6-8 inexpensive, home-style dishes per day. Each dish comes with rice, salad…the best black beans in RIO! Our favorite is the grilled salmon with capers and onions….YUM!!!
With a prime location on the main drinking and dining strip in leafy, artsy Santa Teresa, Bar do Mineiro is the focal point for the neighborhood's famously lively social scene. As the name suggests, the menu bears the culinary influences of the owner, a 'Mineiro' (native of Minas Gerais) who over the years has built up a loyal fan base drawn to his hearty plates of meaty dishes. For a lighter snack, the portions of 'pasteis' (small, deep fried pastries filled with cheese, meat, beans or shrimp) are widely considered to be among the best in the city, as is their version of the national dish of Brazil, feijoada, a bean stew with beef and pork typically served on the weekends-hence the crowds
289 personas locales recomiendan
Bar do Mineiro
99 Rua Paschoal Carlos MagnoWith a prime location on the main drinking and dining strip in leafy, artsy Santa Teresa, Bar do Mineiro is the focal point for the neighborhood's famously lively social scene. As the name suggests, the menu bears the culinary influences of the owner, a 'Mineiro' (native of Minas Gerais) who over the years has built up a loyal fan base drawn to his hearty plates of meaty dishes. For a lighter snack, the portions of 'pasteis' (small, deep fried pastries filled with cheese, meat, beans or shrimp) are widely considered to be among the best in the city, as is their version of the national dish of Brazil, feijoada, a bean stew with beef and pork typically served on the weekends-hence the crowds
Seafood fans should make a beeline for this popular spot in leafy Santa Teresa. Located right in the middle of the main drinking, dining and shopping strip in this artsy neighborhood, Sobrenatural specializes in fish and seafood dishes- served grilled, baked and made into traditional moquecas (seafood stews). Vegetarians have a reasonable choice too, thanks to some colorful salads and tasty side dishes (try the broccoli cooked in oil and garlic, and the bread rolls with rosemary) that make an ample light meal in themselves. Live music and colorful artworks from local artists lend a festive atmosphere to the proceedings, and the place is always buzzing on weekends. We love the shrimp risotto
87 personas locales recomiendan
Restaurante Sobrenatural
432 R. Alm. AlexandrinoSeafood fans should make a beeline for this popular spot in leafy Santa Teresa. Located right in the middle of the main drinking, dining and shopping strip in this artsy neighborhood, Sobrenatural specializes in fish and seafood dishes- served grilled, baked and made into traditional moquecas (seafood stews). Vegetarians have a reasonable choice too, thanks to some colorful salads and tasty side dishes (try the broccoli cooked in oil and garlic, and the bread rolls with rosemary) that make an ample light meal in themselves. Live music and colorful artworks from local artists lend a festive atmosphere to the proceedings, and the place is always buzzing on weekends. We love the shrimp risotto
Amid the artistic and gastronomic buzz of this Rio neighborhood, the Café do Alto cuisine combines the tradition of Northeast Brazil with a contemporary flare, without forgetting a touch of boldness. The menu features the classic tapioca with mouthwatering fillings as well as the better-known escondidinhos and equally good but not so known Rubacão (made with red rice of Paraiba, bean rope, diced corned beef and grilled haloumi) and house rice (coconut rice, smoked shrimp sauce and shredded dried beef). Also serving a typical breakfast buffet every Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Otherwise, the Alto Cafe environment is inviting, attentive and friendly service. Cozy interior! LOVE IT!!!
88 personas locales recomiendan
Café do Alto
143 Rua Paschoal Carlos MagnoAmid the artistic and gastronomic buzz of this Rio neighborhood, the Café do Alto cuisine combines the tradition of Northeast Brazil with a contemporary flare, without forgetting a touch of boldness. The menu features the classic tapioca with mouthwatering fillings as well as the better-known escondidinhos and equally good but not so known Rubacão (made with red rice of Paraiba, bean rope, diced corned beef and grilled haloumi) and house rice (coconut rice, smoked shrimp sauce and shredded dried beef). Also serving a typical breakfast buffet every Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Otherwise, the Alto Cafe environment is inviting, attentive and friendly service. Cozy interior! LOVE IT!!!