If you are coming to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and you are vegetarian/vegan, you may have some hard time to find a variety of choices to eat in most restaurants around town. Yep, you will find something to eat here and there but not many options. Having said that, there are a few vegan/vegetarian restaurants that you can and should try (even if you are not vegan/vegetarian) and those are my two favorite ones:
Vegetariano Social Clube:
Photo: Vegetariano Social Clube
This tiny restaurant is located in one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Rio, Leblon. It is a cozy, understated place and the food is kind of homemade organic vegan, simple but delicious. The menu has tones of options to choose from: soups, salads, starters, pasta... They even have pizza with vegan cheese, with or without gluten. If you decide to go there Fridays and Saturdays after 19 o'clock you can order Comidinhas de Boteco (Brazilian Bar Food). BTW: the Brown Rice Cake is amazing.
Feijoada - Photo: Vegetariano Social Clube
If you want to try a vegan version of one of the typical Brazilian dishes I suggest that you go for the Feijoada (rice, black beans with smoked tofu and tempeh, minced kale and manioc flour served only Wednesdays and Sundays for lunch) or the Bobó (manioc cream with coconut milk and shiitake with broccoli, carrot and rice only available for dinner), my favorite. And for dessert, any given day, a Coconut Flan. You won't regret it.
Address: Rua Conde Bernadotte, 26 shop L, Leblon - A plus: they have an English version menu. Affordable pricing.
Org Bistrô:
Photo: Org Bistrô
My current favorite vegetarian restaurant in Rio, located near the Barra da Tijuca beach, a popular spot in Rio as well. It is also tiny but it has a more appealing, rustic, colorful atmosphere. The menu is beautifully handwritten and the food is beyond delicious. Tati Lund, the chef, came up with a vegetarian gourmet-ish menu with a bistro vibe that is always changing. The best way to describe? Great vegetarian food with an explosion of flavors. You can order anything and you will have a pleasant tasty surprise, I promise. The last time I ate there I ordered one of the lunch specials: mushrooms crepe with pesto sauce and brown rice with Brazilian nuts that came with a refreshing salad on the side. All served in rustic plates. Very charming. And beyond delicious.
Quinoa Cakes - This photo of Org Bistro is courtesy of TripAdvisor
I am a big fan of quinoa and their Quinoa Cakes with Apricot and Ginger Sauce are one of my favorites quinoa dishes ever. A must order for a quick bite. Although it faces serious competition from the Bruschettas Trio. For dessert, give it a shot at the Raw Lemon Pie or the Vegan Ice Cream.
Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream - Photo: Org Bistrô
Address: Avenida Olegário Maciel 175, loja G, Barra da Tijuca. Not that expensive but not that cheap either.
Both are perfect to eat in just after a day or a few hours on the beach. Or whenever you feel like you want to eat a good vegan/vegetarian meal.