In the heart of Carnival, Rio’s bars and restaurants expect a revenue bump; here are smart pit stops to eat well Feb 14–17.
Rio runs on an all-day schedule this time of year—sunrise street parades on one end, samba school shows deep into the night on the other. With visitors everywhere, quick, reliable food becomes part of the survival kit.
According to a survey by Abrasel (Brazil’s Bar and Restaurant Association), 73% of business owners expect higher revenue during Carnival. Forecasts range from 5% to 20% growth, and in some cases reach 50%.
Pit stops along the party route
From Feb 14 to 17, these spots are positioned for fast refuels between events. That way, you can eat properly and still make it back to the music.
Sushi Rão leans into value with shareable promotional sets. A 38-piece combo with six salmon hot Philadelphia rolls plus a 1.5-liter soda costs R$ 89.90, while 18 hot Philadelphia rolls with a banana “harumaki banana nevada” comes in at R$ 29.90.
Pizza do Rão, known for its rectangular pies, goes practical with combo deals. A medium calabresa pizza plus a banana slice “banana nevada” costs R$ 49.90; a large pizza with up to three flavors (calabresa, margherita, and mozzarella) plus a chocolate slice is R$ 66.90.
Copacabana: stay on the waterfront
Boteco Mané’s kiosk in Copacabana is built for a quick bite and a cold drink before you jump back into the crowd. The Tá Enrolado (R$ 59) brings six crispy pastry “straws” filled with Catupiry, and Só Frutos (R$ 94) features seafood sautéed in butter with vegetables and a delicate sauce, alongside beers, draft, and cocktails.
Also on the beachfront, Espetto Carioca is a strategic stop for skewers that solve hunger fast. Options include beef (R$ 21) and chicken with bacon (R$ 21), served with farofa and vinaigrette; if you want a bigger break, the filet board with fries and cheese (R$ 109) is the go-to, with draft beer “tulipa” starting at R$ 13.
Burgers and bigger refuels
Madero Steak House, a national chain known for its burgers, offers the Cheeseburger do Madero (R$ 56) with a 180g patty and fries. To round it out, Madero Sodas (440 ml) cost R$ 15 in diet peach, green apple, tangerine, and cranberry flavors.
Usina Burger runs day-of-the-week promos. On “Segunda do Reforço,” any burger can become a full combo for R$ 9.90 more; “Terça da Molezinha” offers buy one, get the same burger for R$ 14.97; and on “Especial de Quarta,” you buy a “quarteirão” and get the second for R$ 10.00.
For Botafogo crowds, Meatz Burger highlights the Bacon Z (170g – R$ 38), with the house special sauce, double cheddar, crispy bacon, and an Australian-style bun—built to restore energy fast.
Light bites, sweets, and caffeine
At malls, Baurucas sells popcorn colored with natural annatto (urucum): the big salty bag costs R$24.90. Sweet versions include Morango Drizzle, Chocolate Driezzle, Churros, and “leite ninho,” and the brand is present in 40 kiosks across Rio shopping centers.
For a lighter pause, Porto do Sabor suggests fruit mixes and build-your-own sandwiches with spreads. The “Sanduíche Montado” comes in sizes P (R$ 23.90), M (R$ 29.90), and G (R$ 39.90), with one spread (tuna, ricotta, eggs, chicken, or chicken curry) plus up to 18 add-ons, and extras like Minas cheese and “blanquet”; the fruit mix (R$ 14.90) includes three seasonal fruits.
If you want a Carnival classic, Vizinhando spotlights its house feijoada in an individual portion (R$ 52.90) or a shareable for two (R$ 99.90), served with rice, farofa, sautéed collard greens, orange, and a balanced mix of flavors.
Justo Café targets anyone chasing an extra caffeine lift with iced coffee options. Espresso Tônica starts at R$ 14.90, and Cappuccino Justo starts at R$ 20.90 with an iced version featuring cinnamon and a Nutella or dulce de leche rim plus whipped cream; the menu also includes frappuccinos, sodas, juices, mate, and chocolate drinks.
Vegan Vegan offers a leafy outdoor garden and a shower area to cool off, with organic choices like vegan queijo coalho (R$ 29) and “Feijoada Light” (R$ 64), plus drinks to keep your pace. The restaurant notes it will not open on Carnival Tuesday.
In Urca, Que Doce! is a comfort-bakery stop for quick recharging, with pão de queijo starting at R$ 14 and the house bottled mate for R$ 14. For something portable, buttery cookies start at R$ 19 in flavors like vanilla and four chocolates.
Service
Sushi Rão
Locations: Araruama, Barra da Tijuca, Cachambi, Campos dos Goytacazes, Caxias, Centro, Flamengo, Freguesia, Friburgo, Grajaú, Ilha do Governador, Itaguaí, Macaé, Madureira, Maricá, Méier, Nilópolis, Niterói, Olaria, Petrópolis, Realengo, Recreio, Região Oceânica, Santa Cruz, São Gonçalo, Taquara, Teresópolis, Tijuca, Vista Alegre, and Zona Sul
Delivery: Mundo Rão
Pizza do Rão
Locations: Araruama, Barra da Tijuca, Belford Roxo, Cabo Frio, Campos dos Goytacazes, Caxias, Centro, Copacabana, Freguesia, Friburgo, Ilha do Governador, Jardim Primavera, Itaguaí, Itaipuaçu, Macaé, Madureira, Méier, Nilópolis, Niterói, Nova Iguaçu, Parque Fluminense, Penha, Realengo, Recreio, Região Oceânica, Santa Cruz, São Gonçalo, Taquara, Teresópolis, Tijuca, and Vista Alegre
Delivery: Mundo Rão
Boteco Mané Copacabana
Address: Av. Atlântica, s/n – Kiosk 04 (across from No. 1424)
Hours: Daily, 9am to 1am
Instagram: @boteco.mane
Espetto Carioca
Address: Avenida Atlântica, 0 – Kiosk 11 – across from Rua República do Peru
Hours: Sun–Thu 9am to 12am | Fri–Sat 9am to 1am
Madero Steak House
Address: Rua Lauro Muller, 116 – Botafogo – Shopping Rio Sul
Hours: Sun–Thu 11:45am to 10:30pm | Fri–Sat 11:45am to 11pm
Phone: (21) 3512-0024
Usina Burger
Dine-in and delivery: Freguesia, Tijuca, Nova Iguaçu, Nilópolis, Campo Grande
Delivery only: Botafogo, Recreio, Vila Valqueire
Baurucas
Available at 40 kiosks across multiple Rio de Janeiro shopping malls
Porto do Sabor (Barra da Tijuca)
Address: Shopping Via Parque – Av. Ayrton Senna, 3000 – Store 1009 i – First Floor – Barra da Tijuca
Phone: (21) 3411-7805
Hours: Mon–Sat 10am to 10pm | Sun 12pm to 9pm
Instagram: @portodosabor_oficial
Vizinhando Uptown
Address: Av. Ayrton Senna, 5500 – Block 12 Store 105
Phone: (21) 3400-7770
Hours: Daily, 11am to 12am
Justo Café
Locations: São Gonçalo, Alcântara, Itaboraí, Maricá, and Niterói
Addresses: check Instagram @justocafe
Vegan Vegan
Address: Rua Hans Staden, 30 – Botafogo (near Rua Real Grandeza)
Hours: Tue–Wed 12pm to 4pm | Thu–Sat 12pm to 10:30pm | Sun and holidays 12pm to 6pm
Phone: (21) 2286-7078
Instagram: @veganveganoficial
Note: Closed on Carnival Tuesday
Que Doce!
Address: Rua Odilio Bacelar, 30 – Urca/RJ
Website: www.quedoce.com
Hours: Mon–Fri 9:30am to 7pm | Sat–Sun 9am to 6:30pm
Instagram: @quedoce
Meatz Burger (Botafogo)
Address: Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 25 – Store A – Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro
Hours: Sun–Thu 11am to 11pm | Fri–Sat 11am to 1am
Instagram: @meatzburger
Photo: Handout
