Rio de Janeiro · RIO FOOD AND DRINK TOURS
Churrasco, feijoada on a Saturday and cachaça you would never pick off a shelf. These 15 are priced and timed, and clear about how hungry to arrive and how much of the tasting is drinking.
Join Caipi Tours in Lapa for four cachaça samples, a free caipirinha, the Arcos da Lapa, Selarón Steps, live samba, and a nightclub finish. Guides such as Andressa, Raffa, Marcos, Nayara, and Rafael keep the group together in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
“I’ve tried pub crawls in many other cities, honestly this one was the best one I’ve done!!”
Start at Pura Vida Hostel in Copacabana with a caipirinha workshop, then learn samba from a professional teacher such as Camilo, Nati, or Bruno. The two-hour evening includes two drinks and a shot of Gabriela, with optional nightlife afterward.
“We enjoyed the Samba class with Bruno. It was very relaxed and way more fun than we imagined. Sadly, we did not stay for the Caipirpirinha workshop. This was because in the information given, the start time of the event was stated as 7.15pm. However, the Samba didn't start until 8pm. We had to leave just as the Caipirpirinha workshop was starting. This was very disappointing especially as we had enjoyed the Samba class and the venue so much.”
Meet at 10:00 a.m. in Ipanema for a 2.5-hour market walk and tasting led by a local fruit expert such as Hay Za, Caterina, or Erica. You will sample 15 to 20 Brazilian fruits, juices, nuts, and native ingredients while learning how açaí, jabuticaba, cashew, and other foods fit daily life.
“Hay Za was an AMAZING guide!!! Very sweet and knowledgeable. Some fruits we knew, some we did not. Got to taste so many!!!!”
Spend about nine hours touring Rio in an air-conditioned vehicle, riding the Corcovado train to Christ the Redeemer, taking Sugarloaf’s cable cars, and eating at a churrascaria rodízio. You’ll also see Selarón Steps, the cathedral, Copacabana, and the Sambadrome from outside.
“An excellent way to visit the key sights in Rio. Lots of time both at top of Sugar Loaf and at Christ the Redeemer with our excellent guide Aldo. Lunch was superb - a huge and varied salad bar plus endless portions of meat brought to the table. Small group and very friendly.”
Start at Museu do Amanhã with guide Isabella or Jaíse, then visit MAR, IPN, Cais do Valongo, Pedra do Sal, and Largo de São Francisco da Prainha. You’ll taste Afro-Brazilian and Yoruba dishes and join a percussion workshop led by an African drummer.
“This is a wonderful experience that makes learning about Brazil's African heritage engaging and enlightening. Isabella is the perfect tour guide as she's personable, knowledgeable, and gives explanations that are easy to understand. I am so glad that I got to experience this tour and I highly recommend it to people who are curious, critical thinkers, and care about upholding the legacy and heritage of Black people.”
Start at Pura Vida Hostel in Copacabana with a caipirinha workshop led in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Prepare and drink two caipirinhas, then join a professional teacher for an hour of Rio funk. Roberta is praised for welcoming people into the party mood. Lapa afterward is optional.
“Amazing! We loved making the caipi's, and the funk class was LEGIT!!! Note the hostel is at the base of a favela (we weren't aware), but it added to the excitement & thrill.”
Follow an English-speaking guide, often Eduardo, through Barra da Tijuca’s Jardim Oceânico, Olegário Maciel Avenue, and Gigóia Island. Expect Brazilian snacks, main dishes, desserts, beers, caipirinhas, and shots. Bring cash for the ferry and guide contribution, plus extra money for food and drinks.
“I didn’t get to do it as tje crowds at the metro prevented me from getting to the tour on time”
Spend four hours tasting regional Brazilian dishes with a local guide in Rio’s Little Africa. Try tacacá, açaí, angu, coxinha, pastries, cachaça, and more, then follow the food and music toward Pedra do Sal. Guides speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
“We had a great experience with Jurema! She was incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the tour really fun and easy to enjoy. She gave us loads of interesting information along the way and was always happy to help, not just during the tour but with tips for the rest of our trip too. The whole experience we really enjoyed trying the different types of food. Highly recommend her tour if you’re looking for something informative, relaxed, and full of good vibes!”
Join Bruno for a four-hour evening walk through Rio’s Little Africa, including Cais do Valongo and Pedra do Sal. Learn how African culture shaped Rio, then hear live samba on Monday night with one complimentary caipirinha. Tours run in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
“Bruno, el guía es un chico muy amable, habla perfecto español y fué muy atento al coordinar conmigo ya que compré una hora antes de que comience el tour. Disfruté mucho de Pedra du Sal... que es para mi la mejor fiesta local.”
At Cave Nacional in Botafogo, a sommelier guides you through Brazilian winemaking before serving a sparkling wine, three 60 ml pours, and three chef-selected bruschettas. Karina has led sessions praised for her clear, lively approach. Allow one hour, and come ready for an adults-only tasting.
“It was AMAZING!! Karina is super knowledgeable and fun! I learned so much and drank so much delicious wine. Her restaurant is beautiful and the food is super yummy. When I go back to Rio i will definitely be coming back to Cave Nacional!”
Spend Carnival night at Rio’s Sambadrome in a private VIP box with premium views, buffet food, self-service beer, spirits, live shows, and a local guide. Hotel pickup runs around 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., with returns at 1:30 or 5 a.m. Camilla is one guide praised for making the night memorable.
“Camilla was amazing and made the carnival experience extremely memorable.”
Spend 6 to 9 hours seeing Rio’s biggest sights with hotel pickup, a live guide, Corcovado train, Sugarloaf cable car and a Brazilian steakhouse lunch. Guides may be Marcelo or Marcio, and the route includes Maracanã, the Sambadrome, the cathedral and Selarón Steps.
“Deben poner de guía a personas empatices y con don de gentes realmente nuestro guía Marcio dejó mucho que desear con su comportamiento y no podíamos hacer consultas porque no las respondía !!! Río de Janeiro es una ciudad hermosa lastimosamente el guía no hizo que la disfrutáramos.”
Spend four hours in a Copacabana kitchen with a local chef such as Carina or Simone. Choose feijoada or seafood moqueca, prepare Brazilian sides and drinks, then eat what you make. Hotel pickup and return cover most central Rio neighborhoods and the cruise port.
“Chef Simone was phenomenal! She explained the cultural significance behind the dishes before we began the cooking process. She was thoughtful, engaging and patient during the class. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone traveling in the area.”
Join Chef Simone in Copacabana for a small Brazilian cooking class in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Prepare seven recipes, including moqueca on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays or feijoada on Saturdays, then share the meal with two drinks.
“Chef Simone is one of the most incredible people we met in Rio! Her knowledge of the city and country as a whole is enviable, and her passion for all things Brazilian, particularly cooking, is infectious. She created such a safe environment for us to get to know each other during our class, and even afterwards she was available to be contacted. Highly recommend the fejioada (pork and beans) but everything was amazing! 12/10 experience, book now!!!”
Join Nico Santana for an 8-hour private Rio tour in English, Portuguese or Spanish. Shape the route around your interests as you visit Dona Marta, Lapa, Selarón Steps, Olympic Boulevard, Tijuca Forest, Sugarloaf and Urca, with food and nightlife add-ons available.
“Niko was very nice and he showed us all around rio ♥️♥️”
Pick a summit, a hillside, a beach or a bar.
