Hilltop streets along the tram line, with terrace restaurants such as Aprazível, small botecos, a café on the heights and Sunday brunch.
Aprazível is a family-run Brazilian restaurant in the Santa Teresa hills with terraces and a gazebo, listed in the Michelin Guide, in Rio de Janeiro.
OrderThe ceviche in tucupi sauce with plantain chips, or the free-range galinhada caipira
TipThe house seats about 250 across terraces and gardens and says the Michelin Guide has listed it three years running; booking is online.
Aprazível cooks Brazilian dishes from organic and biodynamic ingredients on Santa Teresa terraces, with natural wines on the list, in Rio de Janeiro.
OrderThe ceviche in tucupi sauce with plantain chips, then the free-range galinhada caipira
TipOnline bookings are taken up to 22:00 from Tuesday to Saturday and up to 17:00 on Sunday; the house seats about 250 guests.
Novooeste, a Santa Teresa boteco on Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno in Rio de Janeiro, entered Comida di Buteco 2026 with a bouquet of crisp cauliflower.
OrderBuquezinho de couve-flor: crisp cauliflower florets with green mayonnaise and sweet-and-sour sauce.
TipIt opens only from Wednesday to Sunday, at 16:00 on weekdays and noon at weekends; the cauliflower was a R$40 contest entry, so check it is still served.
On Rua Almirante Alexandrino in Santa Teresa, Bar do Tino is a Rio de Janeiro boteco that entered Comida di Buteco 2026 with smoked pork rib and collards.
OrderSmoked pork rib, shredded, with collards sautéed in bacon and fried cassava strips.
TipThursday to Sunday only, 11:30 to 19:00, so this is a daytime stop; the R$40 pork rib was the contest entry, so ask whether it is still on the menu.
Café do Alto serves Northeastern Brazilian breakfast, coffee and sweets in a colourful setting in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, from Wednesday to Sunday.
TipThe Brunch Porreta, a Northeastern breakfast rodízio, is served from 09:00 to 13:00, Wednesday to Sunday.
Café do Alto serves a Northeastern Brazilian breakfast rodízio, the Brunch Porreta, in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, from Wednesday to Sunday.
OrderBrunch Porreta rodízio: carne de sol, macaxeira, queijo coalho, cuscuz and tapioca
TipTime Out lists the Brunch Porreta rodízio from 09:00 to 13:00, Wednesday to Sunday, with about 30 Northeastern items.
Vila Santa Teresa serves a Sunday brunch in its Beatriz restaurant in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, from 12:00 to 16:00, with live music and a welcome mimosa.
OrderGougères and artisan breads, then the goat-cheese ravioli in sage butter or homemade gnocchi with mushrooms
TipDiário do Turismo (August 2025) names chef David Mansaud and a kitchen garden supplying the dishes; confirm the Sunday sitting when booking.
Novooeste is a Santa Teresa bar in Rio de Janeiro that Visit Rio lists among its LGBTQIAP+ spots, with petiscos, drinks, live music days and art shows.
TipOpen Wednesday to Sunday only, from 16:00 on weekdays and from midday at weekends; Visit Rio notes live-music days, so check the bar's Instagram for dates.
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