BRAZIL’S BEST RESTAURANTS
words by ANOUK WOUDT
Next time you’re thinking of planning a trip to Brazil, a dining experience in any of these fifteen stellar restaurants should definitely be on your radar. Ranging from Brazilian all the way to Asian influences, these fine-dining experiences include some of the most experimentally delicious menu items that soar beyond the realms of your imagination, guaranteeing they will leave your tastebuds satisfied.
LASAI, RIO
Starting in the vibrant city of Rio, Lasai is the perfect introduction to Brazil. Co-owned by chef Rafa Costa e Silva and his wife Malena Cardiel, it’s a cosmopolitan eatery with its roots in Brazilian culture and a clear emphasis on fresh produce. Holding Michelin Star recognition since 2015 and a place in the top 100 restaurants of the world, its reputation obviously invites intrigue, but rest assured, it is unquestionably deserved. With two gardens serving as the basis of the menu’s rotating dishes, each meal is brightened by the implementation of vibrant and fresh vegetables. Through their sophisticated tasting menu, you are sure be immersed in a delightfully diverse dining experience.
OTEQUE, RIO
Developed by Chef Alberto Landgraaf, Oteque serves as a love letter to Rio’s culture and the innate purity of nature. Their refined tasting menu holds presentation to the highest degree with locally sourced ingredients that all combine to form the perfect bite. Each dish is infused with a joyful beauty inspired by Brazil’s natural landscapes, complete with vivid colors and eccentric flavors. Their dedication to ethical farming practices also enhance the experience, allowing you to feel at peace that your meal is not putting any natural forces at risk.
MEE, RIO
Located near the iconic Copacabana Beach, Mee offers pan-Asian fusion that takes you on a delectable journey from East to Southern Asia, all while staying in the heart of Brazil. Chef Alberto Morisawa leads the kitchen, imbuing his Japanese heritage into his gastronomical identity. With an omakase experience serving up a selection of sophisticated morsels, two tasting menus, and à la carte sashimi, you are offered all the options to satiate every type of hunger.
ORO, RIO
Often regarded as one of the best restaurants in Rio, Oro easily earns its place in our list. The team, led by the highly acclaimed Chef Felipe Bronze, is central to the restaurant’s success. Through their collaborative efforts, Oro’s gastronomic vision comes to life. Their tasting menus elevate Brazilian staples to create a brand-new experience, marked by a distinctly innovative approach to fine dining.
MALTA, RIO
If you’ve got a craving for a perfectly-seared steak, look no further than Rio’s Malta Beef Club. Founded by two prime meat suppliers, sourcing quality cuts of beef is at the center of this restaurant’s focus. From steak tartare to succulent beef ribs, meat is in full celebration, offering every range of forms. Accompanied by deliciously Brazilian sides, you are ensured the full steakhouse experience, all housed within an intimate atmosphere.
Y RESTAURANT, FOZ DO IGUAÇU
Tucked within the Hotel das Cataratas, Y combines techniques from various regions of Brazil to create something refreshingly unique. Inspired by the nearby waterways of the Iguaçu National Park, each dish flows elegantly into the next to submerge you into the rich Brazilian gastronomic culture. With indigenous influences and modern craftsmanship, you can strap in and enjoy the fascinating culinary journey.
TUJU, SÃO PAULO
In between all the noise of São Paolo, Tuju offers you a moment of serenity, paired, of course, with mouthwatering nibbles. Situated throughout an elegant three-story building, you are faced with a range of escapades. The ground floor is dedicated to smaller appetizers along with a beautiful inner garden and wine cellar, with the second floor opening up to a full-on dining room, complete with a centred open kitchen. Once your tastebuds are satisfied, you can head upstairs and end your night off with a drink and a view.
KANOE, SÃO PAULO
In an intimate 8-person setting, Kanoe provides a curated omakase menu that grants you a exclusive experience more akin to that a of a private dining club. Led by Chef Tadashi Shiraishi, the restaurant highlights his perfectly prepared sushi rice with pairings of a selection of dry-aged fish that bring you that unmistakably Japanese flair. Grounded in values passed on from his grandmother, Chef Shiraishi hails a menu that sticks to the simplicity of tradition all while elevating it into an immersive affair. The night feels almost ceremonial, as you are guided through each phase of the omakase, starting with a freshly-prepared ‘shari’ or vinegar rice on its own, before it is incorporated with a myriad of seafood. With a minimalist but modern interior, the setting feels highly sophisticated, while allowing the dishes to truly pop
CEPA, SÃO PAULO
Located in the heart of the Pinheiros district, Cepa has cemented itself as a must-visit in the São Paolo restaurant scene. With a contemporary menu conceived by Chef Lucas Dante and an extensively diverse organic wine list curated by Gabrielli Flenning, their collaboration makes for a stunning harmony of punchy flavors. With a Bib-Gourmand awarded to them in 2025, you can definitely expect an experience that is a step up from the ordinary. Known for experimenting with maturing and fermentation techniques, a dinner here is unpredictable in the best way. A menu must-try is the Wagyu tongue with chicken broth which surprisingly makes for a great appetizer.
D.O.M. , SÃO PAULO
As the first establishment in the region to receive two Michelin stars, D.O.M. has made its distinct mark on São Paulo’s dining scene since its opening in 1999. Conceived by chef Alex Atala, the restaurant’s mission has always been to exude the richness of Brazilian biodiversity through the use of uniquely native ingredients that remain unknown to foreigners. These include priprioca roots, jambu, tucupi (which is a fermented cassava broth) and many other ingredients that we had never experienced before. They host flavors that you may have never experienced, especially not in Western cuisine. Creativity is imperative to this team with dishes that are truly like no other, especially those that are marked with their iconic Amazonian ant. A dish that you cannot miss out on is the Purê de Inhame (yam purée) with sea‑urchin cream and spirulina, whose interesting textures and flavors will compliment each other beautifully.
TARAZ, SÃO PAULO
Inside a historic converted hospital complex, you will find Rosewood Hotel’s Taraz, a certified gem of South American cuisine. Latin music swarms among the centuries-old olive trees, creating a culturally-rich atmosphere that hooks you the moment you enter. With a kitchen championed again by the famed chef Felipe Bronze, wood-fire cooking takes center stage in spotlighting favorite dishes from across the continent, with a sneaky Japanese influence. With a menu ranging from ceviches to tiraditos, fresh seafood is definitely key in their gastro-identity.
JACÓ, SÃO PAULO
Considered a top innovator in the São Paulo gastronomic scene, Jaco is definitely a restaurant to look out for on your next visit. Inspired by the concept of ‘bistronomy’, the celebrated Chef Iago Jacomussi's juxtapositions of flavors are wrapped in a sophisticated package to ensure the most elevated experience. Housed in a renovated 1970s residence with large windows, the environment perfectly complements the food, making sure you are in for a delicately pleasant evening.
EVVAI, SAO PAULO
In addition to their new tasting menu, EVVAI’s identity is constantly evolving, while consistently maintaining its position as one of the most rigorous fine-dining projects in Latin America. With Italian immigrant roots paired with Brazilian ingredients and techniques, you are immersed in a culturally-rich explosion. Every dish comes out exceptionally ornate, so that you almost feel bad ruining the artistry with a bite, but the flavors absolutely make it worth it.
BOIA, SALVADOR
image via @boiarestaurante
Taking us up north to Salvador, we cannot help but talk about Boia: where fish is king. Serving up seafood delicacies in all kinds of unique forms, you are transported into a fish-lover’s dream. Each bite is refreshingly light, pairing perfectly with exceptionally crafted cocktails and an equally refreshing wine list. In a tastefully modern ambiance complete with an open kitchen and terrace seating, you are sure to enjoy your time here.
MANGA, SALVADOR
With ocean-front views paired with a scrumptious tasting menu, a dinner at Manga is hard to beat. Here you’ll find some of the most unique flavor combinations, creating a quiet harmony among striking contrasts. Established within a renovated mansion, the restaurant’s ambiance is unmatched, stuck somewhere between mid-century modern and contemporary glam. Started as a couple, Dante and Katrin’s familiar values still ring true with an authentic coziness that follows every meal, despite the classy pairings that make up their tasting menu.
