A Guide To Botecos: The Top 7 Must-Visit Botecos In Rio De Janeiro
A boteco is a small bar that tends to be low-key and basic, with a rustic-pub feel at the ‘top-end’ and spreads to a few plastic chairs and tables scattered out onto the street at the other. They’re a key fibre of the cultural fabric in Rio and nothing is better than a cold beer and some petiscos (Brazilian bar snacks) at your favourite boteco. We check out some of the best ones in Rio.
1. Bar Macaense, better known as Bode Cheiroso, Maracanã
Bar, Brazilian, Wine, Beer, Cocktails
2. Art Chopp, Taquara
Bar, Brazilian, Wine, Beer, Cocktails, Seafood
3. Bar do Mineiro, Santa Teresa
5. Pavão Azul, Copacabana
Bar, Restaurant, Brazilian, Wine, Beer, Cocktails, Fast Food
As expected from a traditional boteco, it’s simple, basic yet gets everything else right with attentive service, icy cold beers straight from the bottle and moorish snacks. Not one night of the week is immune to the large crowds that gather there after work and getting a table is something to be celebrated. Yet the friendly, lively atmosphere makes standing up bearable, more so with a plateful of pastel de camarão (prawn pastel).
Bracarense, Leblon
Located in upmarket Leblon, this boteco almost seems out-of-place with its simple design and basic amenities. Yet it gets full marks for service, cold beers and top boteco snacks which gives it its iconic status. Typically people spill out onto the pavement as tables fill up quickly from the people who swing by after work or after the beach. Try the bolinhos de aipim (fried cassava) and one of their icy cold chopps.
Boteco da Garrafa, Lapa
This is one of the more upscale botecos that manages to keep the traditional charm of a boteco yet in a more modern and furnished environment. Centered in Lapa‘s busiest street, this boteco gets crowded on the weekends, yet that’s all part of the fun of it. From excellent cold beers to delicious snacks (try the carne seca empanada, a dried meat little pie) and quick, friendly service, this is one of the better botecos in Rio.
Avenida Mem de Sá, 77, Lapa, Centro, RJ, +55 (21) 2507 1976
By Sarah Brown
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