Brazil, renowned for its stunning beaches and famous Carnaval celebrations, has an equally rich and exciting culinary scene. With an abundance of delicious fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, the options for those seeking plant-based delights are endless, especially in bigger cities across the country. Our Youth Board member, Brunna Sachs, shares her top recommendations for places to eat in Rio de Janeiro. Whether you’re unwinding after a swim, recovering from a night out in vibey Lapa, or need fuel for visiting sights such as the Contemporary Arts Museum, Canoas House, and the iconic Christ the Redeemer, there is a delicious option for every occasion! Don’t forget to apply your SPF and enjoy the endless options Rio offers!
.Org Bistro
Located in Barra da Tijuca, on the west side of Rio, this charming bistro offers organic plant-based food influenced by Mediterranean and Brazilian flavors. Their mission is to be an example of sustainability, honoring the earth and valuing biodiversity, while serving vibrant, flavourful meals. The lunch specials, available from Monday to Friday, include traditional Brazilian dishes such as ‘escondidinho de aipim, baroa e cogumelos’, a cassava and parsley root ‘cottage pie’ with a mushroom filling, as well as organic salads, bowls, burgers, and pizzas. Don’t forget to try the ‘peixinho da horta’ with tartar sauce, a breaded, deep-fried leaf that mimics the taste and texture of deep-fried fish!
Pura Rio
Surrounded by nature with easy access to the stunning Pedra da Gávea mountain, this plant-based restaurant serves flavourful and healthy meals. They also offer yoga classes, workshops, and boat rides, all focused on reconnecting with nature for physical and mental well-being. Their weekend brunch options include an organic açaí smoothie with bananas and strawberries, avocado toast, and homemade ‘tapioca’, a naturally gluten-free pancake made from cassava flour and filled with cashew cream and Italian tomatoes. For lunch, try the popular ‘bobó de palmito pupunha’, a coconut stew made with palm hearts and served with potato chips and rice. Their fresh fruit juices are also highly recommended!
Refugio Veg
Refúgio Veg is a plant-based burger joint in Copacabana founded by two vegans passionate about real food. The restaurant offers delicious burger meals, including a cheeseburger consisting of a pea-protein patty, breaded cheddar-style cheese, and mustard-and-molasses sauce, all packed into a homemade chili bread bun. They also offer special side dishes, such as their famous maxi cheese sticks with chili jam, fries, nuggets, onion rings, and breaded tofu pieces with homemade tartar sauce. It’s the perfect place to visit after a stroll along the famous Copacabana Beach promenade!
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Só Verde
If you’re looking for comforting, homemade Brazilian food, this place is for you! Their menu includes snacks, quick bites, sandwiches, and several classic Brazilian dishes, such as ‘feijoada’ – a black-bean stew with soy chunks and smoked sausage, served with rice, farofa (toasted cassava flour), braised kale, and sliced oranges – and the Brazilian version of ‘strogonoff’, made with palm hearts or chickpeas, almond cream sauce, and mushrooms, garnished with rice and shoestring potatoes. Quick bites, such as jackfruit ‘coxinha’ (vegan chicken croquette), and ‘pastel’ (crispy fried dough with various fillings), are also available for those on the go.
Teva
A few steps from Ipanema Beach, made famous by the ‘Girl from Ipanema’ song, you’ll find the elegant Teva restaurant. Here, chef Daniel Biron has created a contemporary menu that focuses on fresh, organic, and seasonal ingredients. Highlights include the Portobello carpaccio made with roasted mushrooms, a caper-and-herb dressing, vegan Parmesan cheese, red-onion pickle, arugula, and rosemary crackers; the famous Brazilian delight ‘acarajé’ – black-eyed-pea fritters with a creamy peanut sauce, grilled okra, spicy palm hearts, tomato salsa, red palm oil, and cilantro; and the Piamontese cutlets – breaded seitan with a demi-glace sauce, Piamontese risotto, mushrooms, cashew cream, mozzarella, and potato wedges. The menu is carefully labeled for those with allergies or intolerances, and alternatives are offered. A tip: don’t forget to try one of their delicious desserts!
Lemi
Also located in Ipanema, Lemí is reportedly Brazil’s first 100% plant-based Middle Eastern restaurant. Their vibrant menu features traditional dishes, such as hummus and baba ganoush served with pita bread, kibbeh (vegan ground meat with bulgur wheat), ‘esfiha’ (savory pastry with cheese and leek, or garlic sauce and onions), and falafel wraps for a quick snack. If you want a more substantial meal, you can try the ‘mjadra’ – rice with lentils and caramelized onions – or the oven-baked pea kibbeh filled with almond cream and accompanied by Lebanese fattoush salad. Lemí is definitely a go-to if you appreciate Middle Eastern flavors and spices.
Reino Vegetal
If you’re after budget-friendly vegan options in Rio, Reino Vegetal is the place to go. Located in a charming old house in the city center, this restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat buffet with delicious dishes from various cuisines. Their menu changes weekly and includes a variety of fresh salads with homemade dressings, traditional Brazilian rice and beans, vegetable soups, quiches, soufflés, and even sushi! Special themed days feature regional cuisines, such as Asian, Mediterranean, and dishes from other parts of Brazil. Most of their dishes are naturally gluten-free, making Reino Vegetal a great choice for people with diverse dietary needs. If variety is what you are looking for, this is the restaurant for you!
Paixão Vegan
Originally starting as a catering service for events, Paixão Vegan quickly created a reputation for its 100% vegan take on traditional ‘salgados’, the beloved finger foods for children’s parties! Their roaring success led them to open a restaurant in Tijuca in 2023, followed by a new space in Botafogo in 2024. At Paixão Vegan, you’ll find much more thanthose famous ‘salgados’ – a delicious brunch featuring ‘pão de queijo’ (cheeseballs), kibbeh, jackfruit ‘coxinha’, sausage rolls, sandwiches, and cakes to name a few. They are renowned for providing incredible buffets for events and even celebrity parties, including one for Anitta (the global superstar from Brazil)! Beyond dine-in and brunch, Paixão Vegan offers delivery and hosts plant-based food workshops with renowned Brazilian chefs.
Zui Sushi
Zui Sushi is an innovative Japanese restaurant located in Botafogo, in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. While not entirely plant-based, this restaurant offers a fantastic 100% vegan all-you-can-eat sushi buffet with a great selection of fresh ingredients and creative combinations. On Mondays and Tuesdays (with a few seasonal exceptions), there are “Veg Days”, where the buffet has a promotional price. This is an incredible option for those looking for delicious Japanese food options at a great price and impeccable quality.
Rio: an international mix of deliciously vibrant flavors
Besides its breath-taking views and natural beauty, Rio de Janeiro has a rich culinary scene that offers a wide variety of plant-based foods from different regions and cuisines. From traditional Brazilian to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, the city is a top destination for foodies from around the world! If you’re thinking about booking a trip to Brazil soon, be sure to include Rio in your itinerary to explore their plant-based restaurants!
For more plant-based travel recommendations, check out our guides to Prague, Paris, Berlin, Budapest, London, Madrid, New York, Cape Town, Chiang Mai and Amsterdam.
Giovanna Diniz
Communications Assistant
