Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Coxinha is a teardrop of dough around shredded chicken, breaded and fried; in Rio's botequins it is a petisco, with a rabada version at Bar do Momo and a coxinha fondue at Bar da Frente.
Food historians place the coxinha's origin in greater São Paulo in the 19th century, developed as a cheaper, longer-lasting stand-in for the chicken thighs sold at factory gates; by the 1950s it was already popular in Rio de Janeiro and Paraná, and the first variations appeared. In May 2025 Time Out Rio listed ten coxinhas worth seeking out in the city, among them the Bar do Momo and Bar da Frente entries.
2 editor picks for Coxinha in Rio de Janeiro, ranked by editorial score. All Rio de Janeiro signature dishes · Coxinha across every city.
Also in: São Paulo.
Bar da Frente serves Porquinho no Quimono and Fondue de Coxinha at its Praça da Bandeira house in Rio de Janeiro; it placed fifth in Botecar 2025.
OrderPorquinho no Quimono, a harumaki with pork rib and herb requeijão, and the Fondue de Coxinha.
TipThis is the Praça da Bandeira house; the Copacabana branch keeps its own hours, daily 11:00 to 23:00. This one is shut Monday and Tuesday.
Bar do Momo, a Tijuca botequim on Rua General Espírito Santo Cardoso in Rio de Janeiro, is known for its bolinho de arroz with calabresa and cheese.
OrderBolinho de arroz with calabresa and cheese, or the 'entre o torresmo e a moela' on sweet-potato purée.
TipFeijoada runs from Friday to Sunday; the bar is shut on Tuesdays, and Sunday service ends at 18:00.
Coxinha makes more sense with someone from Rio de Janeiro explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 9 hours
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Discover the icons of Rio de Janeiro and relax on the beaches of Búzios on this unique sightseeing tour. Includes visits to Christ the Redeemer, Maracanã, Sambódromo, ...
