Flamengo District is definitely a Gourmet district. Some of the finest restaurants in town can also be found in this charming Rio neighborhood. We selected a few of these Gourmet restaurants in Flamengo District that you can´t miss. In this lovely neighborhood, there are restaurants serving many tastes, flavors, and pockets. Most of them are well rated by prestigious dining guides like Frommer´s and The New York Times. You can chose between five-star meat, romantic settings, French bistros, wine bars, and even top of class “kilo” restaurants. Below is a small summary we prepared of Porcao Rio, Alcaparras, and other delicious dining settings in Flamengo area .



PORCÃO RIO´S FLAMENGO

A mass carnivorous orgy, Porcao Rio´s is where you go not to sample or taste or nibble, but to munch and stuff and gorge yourself on some of the best beef the world has to offer -- in this case served up with some of the best views in the world.

Porcão is a “churrascaria” (a chain, in fact; there are several in Rio, but this one has the best view) operating on the rodízio system. It's one price for all you can eat (dessert and drinks are extra), and once you sit down, onslaught of waiters comes bearing all manner and variety of meat (steak cuts, roast cuts, filet mignon, chicken breast, chicken hearts, sausage of diverse kinds, and much more) which they slice to perfection on your plate. The "stop sign" card you receive is supposed to regulate this serving army -- green means go ahead, and red says no more -- but considering how little respect Cariocas have for red lights in general, it's hardly surprising that waiters keep coming no matter how abjectly you wave your little red surrender sign.

Oh, and don't forget the nonmeat dishes: Included in your meal is a buffet with dozens of antipasto items, hot and cold seafood dishes, and at least 15 different kinds of salads and cheeses.

Additional Information on Porcão Rios: ● Address: Avenida Infante Dom Henrique s/n, Flamengo Park . ● Open Hours: Daily 11:30am-1am ● Phone: (21) 2554-8535 ● Prices: R$58 (US$24) per person all-you-can-eat meat and buffet. 50% discount for children 6-9, free for children under 6 ● Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V ● How to get there: by cab, since you can´t reach it through bus.



Emporio Santa Fé

This lovely two-story restaurant overlooking the Flamengo Park is one of the best restaurants at this charming Rio district. The ground floor has a small wine bar and a few tables but you really want to head upstairs and, if possible, grab one of the window tables in the elegant L-shaped dining room. The chef's forte is pasta; all dishes are made fresh and combine some creative flavors. We loved the ravioli with prawns in a leek sauce with mushrooms as well as the Tortele Tricolor, pasta rounds stuffed with smoked ricotta, figs, and Parma ham. Steak lovers have plenty to choose from, including filet mignon medallions with grilled Brie and potatoes, or grilled tournedos in a balsamic jus, served with rice and mushrooms. Empório Santa Fé´s wine list is probably one of the largest in Rio, and has over 400 options covering most of the world's regions, many reasonably priced (under R$60/US$25.)


Additional Information on Empório Santa Fé: Address: Praia do Flamengo 2, ● Phone: (21) 2551-1278 ● Prices: R$30-R$60 (US$13-US$25) per person ● Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V ● How to get there: any bus that rides through Flamengo Beach – “Praia do Flamngo”

Julieta de Serpa at Flamnego District in Rio-de-Janeiro




Casa de Arte e Cultura Julieta de Serpa

One of the most elegant venues in the city, this lovely neoclassical mansion has just been converted into a fabulous cultural complex. The Salon d'Or, one of the former grand salons, is now used as a tearoom, serving a deluxe high tea (R$49/US$21) that is more like a full meal (forget about dinner plans). Tea includes cheesecake, Black forest cake, a variety of breads, savory mil-feuilles with prawns, mushrooms, or palm heart and many other treats.

The main dining room, Blason, is open for lunch and dinner. On weekdays it serves a great executive lunch which includes a choice of an appetizer, a main course (fish or meat) and a dessert for R$59 (US$25). A la Carte main courses include more elaborate dishes such as rabbit with a black olive risotto or duck with apples and red cabbage. For lighter meals and a more intimate setting, there's the Provence Bistro; open for lunch and dinner on most days, the menu includes sandwiches, salads, pastas, risottos, and omelets. In the afternoons, a fabulous spread of sweets and savory treats is served here as well25.

The J-Club (pronounced Jay-Club) has recently started hosting jazz and bossa nova concerts. Check the website or call for updated programming; cover R$25 (US$11), shows usually start around 9pm.

Additional Information on Julieta de Serpa: Address: Praia do Flamengo, 340 ● Phone: (55-21) 2551-1278 ● Cuisine: Bistro, French, Tea Salon ● Work Hours: Lunch Tues-Sun 12:00-4pm; dinner 7pm-midnight ● Prices: Main courses R$ 30-R$60 (U$13-U$25) per person ● Credit Cards: AE. DC, MC V ● How to get there: any bus that rides through Flamengo Beach – “Praia do Flamngo”


ALCAPARRA

Alcaparra is considered one of the most romantic restaurants in town. Usually it is pretty full but there's always room at the bar to wait for a table. The waiting is not usually long. It has a nice view over the park and the decoration is done with pearl color fabrics on the ceiling and on the couches and chairs. Ivy and flowers seem to crawl up the roman columns. The meal is perfectly served with great care in the presentation. They are proud of having very good wine cellar and the waiters are marvelous. There are plenty of them and eager to serve you. The chef usually comes to ask if you are enjoying the meal. It is an expensive meal, but due to the serving, the food and the atmosphere it is definitely worth it!

Below. Alcaparra Restaurant



Additional Information on Alcaparra´s: Cuisine: Eclectic/International ● Address: Praia do Flamengo District, 150 ● Phone: (21) 2557-7236 ● Open Hours: Monday to Sunday from noon to the last client ● Price Range: US$21-30 per person ● Credit Cards: Cash, Visa, Amex, MasterCard, Diners

Estação da República

The Estação is top of the heap in that unique Brazilian category, the kilo restaurant. It offers a daily selection of at least 20 salads, a range of pastas, and many Brazilian favorites such as feijoada (bean stew), vatapá (seafood stew), and bóbó (shrimp stew). Fancier dishes include carpaccio and sushi. The pièce de résistance is the grill in the back of the restaurant where skilled chefs serve you a choice of beef, Chicken, and a wide assortment of fish. It's a great place for children; they can see the food and try as much or as little as they like. Make your selection, weigh your plate, and find yourself a seat; drinks are served at your table. If the ground floor looks packed, take the escalator up to the second floor for more tables.

Additional Information on Estação da República Restaurant: Address: Rua do Catete 104 International ● Phone: 21 - 2225-2650 International ● Open Hours: Daily 11am-midnight International ● Price Range: per kilo style; R$30 (US$13) per kilo International ● Credit Cards: Cash, Visa, Amex, MasterCard, Diners International ● How to get there: Subway stop at Catete Station.

Belmonte Bar

Last but not least, lets talk now about the editors favorite neighborhood food pick: Belmonte Bar. An old-fashioned botequim with the bright lights, dark wood furniture and tile floors, the Belmonte serves up great beer, sandwiches, and snacks at almost any time of the day, but in the evenings and on weekend afternoons things get really hopping: Patrons spill out on the sidewalk, making do with improvised tables made out of barrels. Although now a local chain with brand-new old-fashioned Belmonte's in Lagoa, Ipanema, and Copacabana, this Belmonte unit remains as the best one, miles away from other one. Originally, Belmonte was a street bar used by taxi drivers serving cachaça and quick meals. It was bought and renovated in the nineties and became a huge success. My favorite snack is the "bolinho de bacalhau" or codfish cake, sold for US$ 2,00. The draft beer served there is simply incomparable. Thursday is the best day to go to Belmonte, where all neighborhood locals gather. Take cash or debit cards since they don´t accept credit cards. Belmonte is located at Praia do Flamengo,300 ● How to get there: any bus that rides through Flamengo Beach – “Praia do Flamngo”



So what are you waiting?? Come visit this lovely charming district in Rio - Flamengo Area!