16 December 2025
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Rio de Janeiro is a rising star in the global dining landscape. Excellent restaurants are popping up across the city, joining the ranks of innovative projects by acclaimed chefs, creating an ever-more vibrant culinary scene in Brazil's capital. Amidst high-end dining and avant-garde establishments, Rio also has numerous restaurants dedicated to excellent value-for-money meals, serving delicious dishes that hit the spot without breaking the bank.
In Rio, seven restaurants have earned MICHELIN's Bib Gourmand designation, awarded to restaurants with exceptional cuisine at attractive prices. It's a guarantee of quality that encourages frequent visits.
Below, discover the eateries in Rio recognized in this category.
Artigiano: Northern Italy “Fatto a Mano”
Inspired by the culinary traditions of Northern Italy, known for its artisanal pasta, this restaurant run by siblings Ana and João Carlos Aleixo has been a staple in the Rio de Janeiro scene for nearly three decades. Situated between Ipanema and Leblon, the establishment was one of the pioneers of fine Italian cuisine in Rio and continues to uphold its commitment to “fatto a mano,” or handmade: pasta, pizzas, sauces, breads, and desserts are prepared daily and completed only upon order.The result is a kitchen that blends expert technique with authenticity, embracing the hallmarks of Italian trattorias, always at inviting prices. With dishes like mozzarella-stuffed zucchini flowers or anchovies over garganelli with lamb ragù, Artigiano maintains the enduring consistency that has defined its legacy.
Brota: A Vegetarian Haven in Botafogo
This Bib Gourmand vegetarian restaurant, located in a historic mansion on Conde de Irajá—now a gastronomic hub of the city—proves that vegetarian cuisine can be creative, delicious, and inclusive. The restaurant features a stylish dining room, highlighting natural materials like wood and lush plants, and a warm atmosphere that extends into the outdoor garden.Leading the kitchen is Roberta Ciasca, from the acclaimed Miam Miam, who crafts a shareable menu filled with refreshing combinations and plenty of textures. From breaded tofu with fresh coriander salad and ponzu sauce to risoni with mushrooms and delightful desserts, options abound. Even carnivores will find something to savor.
Didier: Classic French Cuisine Reimagined
After many successful years in Jardim Botânico, French chef Didier Labbé relocated his restaurant to a luminous mansion in Ipanema, just a few blocks from the beach. The space, divided into two floors and bathed in natural light, showcases a contemporary bistro ambiance with a delightful veranda. While this Bib Gourmand restaurant retains its French essence, it embraces Brazilian influences—as seen in the French-style moqueca combining dorado fillet, pupunha heart of palm, crème fraîche, and cashew nuts.There are, of course, plenty of French bistro classics—think escargots, steak tartare, and magret de canard—but also more adventurous creations like grilled octopus à la puttanesca.
Maria e o Boi: Brazilian Cuisine with a Rio de Janeiro Twist
Situated on Rua Maria Quitéria, which lends the restaurant its name, this Bib Gourmand spot combines a rustic spirit with contemporary Brazilian cuisine. Abundant wood, soft lighting, and an outdoor terrace provide a cozy backdrop for chef Vanessa Rocha, an avid researcher of regional cuisines who expands her repertoire with ingredients and techniques from across the country.The menu offers generous portions and bold flavors, such as the creamy vatapá croquette with fish and shrimp, the “pato apaixonado”—pairing duck heart with banana-da-terra purée—and an homage to the famous Oswaldo Aranha steak, a hallmark of Rio de Janeiro gastronomy. Well-executed cuts of meat, recipes with diverse influences, and thoughtful combinations make Maria e o Boi a gastronomic journey worth taking.
Miam Miam: Two Decades of Comfort Cooking
Nestled for two decades in a charming Botafogo mansion once owned by chef Roberta Ciasca's grandmother, Miam Miam embodies the concept of comfort, both in ambiance and on the plate. Trained in France, the chef drew upon personal memories and culinary experiences to create a welcoming parlor, featuring retro furniture and vibrant colors that exude a familial yet distinctive vibe.The cuisine at this Bib Gourmand spot follows this heartfelt narrative without ever falling into the predictable. Dishes begin with well-known Brazilian recipes but make their way to the table with new textures, readings, and a delicacy that reveals the chef's touch. Between classics that have won a loyal following and creations that vary with the seasons, the restaurant transitions from tasting menus to executive menus, accommodating all tastes and budgets.
Pici Trattoria: Pioneering Italian Cuisine for All
A decade since its inception and recently reopened after a renovation hiatus, Pici retains its mission: to serve classic Italian dishes in contemporary, well-executed, and always generous versions.On Barão da Torre street in Ipanema, its large windows offer hints about its inspirations: a wink to historic Italian houses in the attention to detail; and jazz, present in photos on the walls and in the speakers that set the ambiance. From meat with truffle sauce and Grana Padano to Wagyu polpetone stuffed with mozzarella di bufala and tagliolini in sage butter, this Bib Gourmand venue reaffirms a democratic Italian cuisine, as it should be.
Sult: From Italy to Brazil, Unassuming and Astonishing
Sult combines unassuming charm with a kitchen that continually surprises. Located in the Botafogo neighborhood, the restaurant offers a modern and sleek setting, complete with an open kitchen and a subtle industrial touch. Here, chef Julia Lottus shines, naturally and deliciously melding Italian references with Brazilian ingredients.The menu spans from pirarucu fillet served with creamy tucupi risotto and jambu to dishes offering creative reinterpretations of Italian classics, such as mushrooms with cacio e pepe sauce or fresh cavatelli with crab and green pepper pickles. The selection of natural, organic, and biodynamic wines rounds off the experience, keeping Sult well within the 'effortlessly cool' domain—a refuge from the city's most touristy spots, where eating well (at affordable prices) is always a given. A true Bib Gourmand restaurant.
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Hero image: Generous portions, well-executed cuts of meat, and recipes from different parts of Brazil at the restaurant Maria e o Boi. © Tomás Rangel/Maria e o Boi
