Restaurant
Rancho Português
An Ipanema Portuguese restaurant opened in 2014, known for 17 salt-cod dishes in sharing portions and named the city's best Portuguese restaurant in 2026.
Ferro e Farinha
An award-winning pizzeria that began in 2013 with an oven in the boot of a Fiat Uno, now known for slow-fermented pizzas with Japanese touches.
At a glance
- Type
- Pizzeria
- Area
- Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- ferroefarinha.com.br
Good to know
- Wood-fired oven
- Slow-fermented dough
- Signature cocktails
- Delivery
Why we recommend it
Ferro e Farinha is one of Rio's most decorated pizzerias. It was ranked number 31 in the 50 Top Pizza list for 2025, the only pizzeria from Rio on that list, won best pizza at the Rio Gastronomia festival in 2024 and 2025, and has won Veja Rio's Comer e Beber award five times, including the 2026 award for best pizzeria.
Its story is part of the appeal. Founder Sei Shiroma, a New Yorker of Japanese and Chinese descent who moved to Rio, began in 2013 by fitting an iron oven in the boot of a Fiat Uno and selling artisanal pizza in squares around the city, including in Botafogo and Rio Comprido. A year later he opened a first fixed space in Catete with about ten seats and no formal service. Today the brand has restaurants in Botafogo, Leblon, Ipanema and Barra da Tijuca, and a newer outlet at Shopping Leblon. This listing gives the Botafogo address on Rua Arnaldo Quintela.
The pizzas have thin crusts made with naturally fermented, slow-proved dough and are baked in a wood-fired oven. The toppings mix Japanese and Brazilian influences, with ingredients such as shoyu, kimchi and chilli. Two well-known pizzas are the Adobo Verde, with couve greens marinated in shoyu and ginger, tomato sauce, grana padano, spicy honey and confit garlic, and the Picnic Apimentada, with ricotta, fior di latte, grana padano, gorgonzola and spicy honey. The menu also includes starters such as mushrooms and a bread basket, a chocolate mousse for dessert and a list of signature cocktails.
Reviews on the official site advise arriving before 20:00 on Sundays, when tables fill up. Delivery is available through iFood from several branches.
Ferro e Farinha suits groups, families and anyone wanting a good-value meal after a day of sightseeing. Its Ipanema branch on Rua Maria Quitéria and Leblon branch on Rua Dias Ferreira are handy for visitors staying near the beaches, while the Botafogo branch is the closest to the city centre.
Opening hours and phone numbers vary by branch and are best checked through the official website or delivery apps before you go.
Ferro e Farinha FAQs
What awards has Ferro e Farinha won?
No. 31 in 50 Top Pizza 2025, best pizza at Rio Gastronomia in 2024 and 2025, and five Veja Rio Comer e Beber awards.
What style of pizza is it?
Thin-crust pizza with slow-fermented dough, baked in a wood-fired oven, with Japanese and Brazilian flavours.
What should you order?
The Adobo Verde or the Picnic Apimentada are two of the best-known pizzas.
Where are the branches?
Botafogo, Leblon, Ipanema, Barra da Tijuca and Shopping Leblon.
Who founded it?
Sei Shiroma, who started selling pizza from an oven in the boot of a Fiat Uno in 2013.
Is it busy?
Yes. Reviews on the official site suggest arriving before 20:00 on Sundays.
Does it deliver?
Yes, through iFood from several branches.
Are there drinks beyond wine and beer?
Yes. The menu includes signature cocktails.