Bar do Gilson is a brazilian restaurant in Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro.
Editorially verified October 1, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: A Vila Isabel boteco in shop B on Rua Sousa Franco; its Comida di Buteco 2026 dish, Vaca Atrevida, reworked vaca atolada with blue cheese.
Tip: It stops at 15:00 from Monday to Wednesday and runs to 21:00 on Thursday and Sunday and 22:00 on Friday and Saturday.
Guided tour · 3 hours
A unique food tour through the authentic local bars in Copacabana, where you will immerse yourself in the Carioca bar culture with engaging conversations with your loc...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Join us on our 3-hour Food Walking Tour of Rio de Janeiro. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you'll explore the bustling streets of the city while satisfying yoursel...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Embark on a food-tasting tour of Rio de Janeiro and savor 33 different Brazilian foods. Enjoy a variety of Brazilian meats, snacks, and street food, and sip on tropica...
Address: Rua Sousa Franco 386, Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro - RJ
Leiteria Mineira, on Rua da Ajuda in Centro, Rio de Janeiro, is the last working leiteria in the city, serving mingau, coalhada and arroz doce.
Why locals goThe last leiteria still working in Rio sits on Rua da Ajuda near Carioca metro; it serves weekdays only, 08:00 to 18:00, with a lunch plate that changes daily.
TipOrder the mingau, coalhada or arroz doce, or the day's lunch plate; it is closed at weekends, so plan the visit for a weekday.
Bar da Portuguesa, on Rua Custódio Nunes in Ramos, Rio de Janeiro, is a family botequim known for bolinho de bacalhau and aipim fritters with shrimp.
Why locals goIn Ramos, away from the tourist zones; the small inner room is the owner's family living room, and chilli plants grow in the street beds outside.
TipThursday broth is usually siri and Friday's mocotó; ask for the aipim fritters stuffed with shrimp and the house chilli.
Rotisseria Sírio Libaneza has sold esfihas and kibbeh from Galeria Condor at Largo do Machado, Rio de Janeiro, since 1972, from a tight counter.
Why locals goThe original shop is a counter with fixed stools inside Galeria Condor at Largo do Machado, with a larger sit-down room in another corridor; closed Sundays.
TipThe meat esfiha is the standard order; for a sit-down meal use the larger room in the next corridor of the gallery.
Casa Porto serves petiscos and a daily plate on the second floor of a sobrado at Largo da Prainha in Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, with shelves of books.
Why locals goIt sits on the upper floor of a sobrado at Largo da Prainha, laid out like a living room with bookshelves and framed pictures on yellow walls.
TipPetiscos lead the menu, such as the sliced onion beef and the jiló chips; the daily plates include a picadinho carioca.
Velho Adonis is a Portuguese bar in Benfica, in Rio de Janeiro's Zona Norte, pouring chope with a head beside bolinho de bacalhau and empadas.
Why locals goA Portuguese bar in Benfica, in the Zona Norte, recognised as Carioca Cultural Heritage in 2013; it opens Tuesday to Sunday and closes Mondays.
TipOrder the chope with a head beside the bolinho de bacalhau, fried alheiras or jiló à milanesa; a weekly menu adds one special plate a day.
Casa Omolokum cooks terreiro food and acarajé beside Pedra do Sal in Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, under chef Leila Leão, open Friday to Sunday afternoons.
Why locals goA weekend-only kitchen on Rua Tia Ciata beside Pedra do Sal in old Pequena África; it opens Friday to Sunday afternoons and is closed the rest of the week.
TipThe acarajé is the signature: a black-eyed pea fritter fried in dendê and filled with vatapá, vinagrete and dried shrimp, with pepper added to taste.
