Santa Teresa is the neighbourhood that Rio dreamed up when it wanted somewhere to put its artists, its anarchists, and its most spectacular hillside views. Aprazível — the word translates loosely as "pleasant" or "agreeable" — sits at the top of this bohemian district inside a rambling colonial house wrapped in tropical vegetation. The terrace looks out over the city, and on a clear evening the view takes in the bay, the distant outline of Sugarloaf, and the favelas climbing the hillsides below.
This is a bar and restaurant, and the kitchen is excellent — the moqueca and the slow-roasted pork have been destination dishes for years. But it functions just as well as a bar stop: caipirinhas made with house-aged cachaça, craft beers from Rio's better small breweries, and a wine list that shows real thought. The crowd is creative professionals from Rio who know this city is full of beautiful places and have chosen this as their favourite. Reserve for weekends. Arrive before sunset. Stay longer than you planned.
What to Order
Caipirinha de Cachaça Envelhecida
House-aged cachaça, lime, raw cane sugar. Made with more care than most bars in Rio.
Moqueca de Camarão
Brazilian prawn stew with coconut milk. Order it if you plan to stay for dinner. The kitchen runs late.
Craft Beer from Local Brewery
Rotating selection from Rio's emerging craft scene. Ask the server what's on.
Passionfruit Spritz
A house variation on the aperitivo hour ritual, tropical and not too sweet.
