Rancho Português

Rancho Português is a Portuguese restaurant on Rua Maria Quitéria in Ipanema, opened in 2014 and described by Time Out Rio as a genuine Lusitanian stronghold on carioca soil. In 2026 it won the award for best Portuguese restaurant in Veja Rio's Comer e Beber guide, one of the city's best-known annual food awards.

The dining room makes its origins clear. Panels of azulejo tiles cover the walls, Vista Alegre plates are on display and there is even a Portuguese guitar. Rio's Portuguese community also left landmarks such as the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura, founded by Portuguese immigrants in 1837, and this is one of the most enjoyable places to taste that heritage.

Bacalhau, salt cod, is the heart of the menu, with 17 different preparations served in generous portions designed for sharing. Among them are the classic bacalhau à Brás, bacalhau à lagareiro, bacalhau da Rampinha, a version hidden under seafood called Escondido por Frutos do Mar, the house bacalhau à Moda do Rancho and an almond-crusted version named after chef Luciana. Beyond cod, the kitchen serves polvo à lagareiro for two, arroz de pato (duck rice), a francesinha sandwich, fried sardines and cod croquettes, which come eight to a portion and make a good start.

Because the portions are large and many dishes are designed for two or more, the restaurant suits groups, families and couples willing to share. Time Out's 2023 listing gave a price range from around R$82 for croquettes to over R$400 for the largest cod dishes, which places it in the upper-middle bracket for the city. The same listing gave opening hours of 12:00 to 23:00 from Monday to Saturday and 12:00 to 20:00 on Sundays, but hours can change, so check on the restaurant's Instagram account before going. The phone number is +55 21 2287-0335.

Being in Ipanema, a meal here fits naturally into a beach day or a Sunday visit to the neighbourhood's Feira Hippie. The same street is home to branches of Empório Jardim and Ferro e Farinha, also in this guide.

For visitors who have already tried churrascaria and Brazilian bar food, Rancho Português is a good way to discover another strand of Rio's food culture, with deep Portuguese roots.