Whether you prefer a full English, sandwiches or a smoothie – a good hearty breakfast is a must when travelling. One must fuel up properly before a long day of sightseeing and discovering new places. Our Rio local and passionate foodie Marina shares her top five favourite breakfast spots.
1. Apetite Café
This small family-run coffee shop has managed to remain fairly unknown among travellers despite its reasonable prices and location just off the beach. Try one of their breakfast combos, otherwise go for a typical Brazilian-style breakfast: espresso and toasted French bread with butter! Just remember to leave some room for their mouth-watering cakes.
2. Bibi Sucos
If you’re vegan/vegetarian or simply looking for a healthier breakfast option, Bibi is the place to go! They serve all kinds of natural and healthy food: fresh juices, smoothies, crêpes, sandwiches, salads… They’re actually famous for their açaí, which is supposedly the best in town.
3. Prima Bruschetteria
Bruschetta is basically a fancier and better version of a sandwich. Even though it’s usually served as antipasto, here they’ve made it into a main course. With over 20 different toppings, even the fussiest eaters should find something to please their taste buds. As it opens at 12 pm on weekdays and 10 am on weekends, it’s more suitable for brunch (or for night owls who enjoy sleeping in).
4. Da Casa da Táta
Don’t expect anything fancy at “The Home of Táta”. Here, you’ll get simple homemade dishes, warm service and a cosy atmosphere. Their orange cake and homemade bread are legendary across the city.
5. Big Polis
Located in the Leblon district, this traditional juice bar offers a big variety of tropical fruit juices and smoothies, all made with fresh ingredients. Rio has hundreds of juice bars, but this one is especially loved by locals as it has been around for over 40 years. It’s a perfect spot for a quick and healthy breakfast on the go.
For more local recommendations read:
What locals like to do in Rio de Janeiro
Where locals like to eat in Rio de Janeiro
Where locals like to party in Rio de Janeiro
Special tip:
For a more authentic Rio de Janeiro experience, get the Like A Local mobile app