Once a humble fishing village, it is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rio and Brazil. Búzios has over 20 incredible beaches spread across a resort that attracts all types of travelers.
With so much to explore and so many beautiful things to see, one thing is certain: THE CUISINE IS EXCEPTIONAL.

 

There are enough restaurants to make sure you have all your meals in different places throughout your stay in the city.
It may sound like an exaggeration to say this, but if we tried, we could eat in different places for an entire year.

The most popular place to eat is undoubtedly Rua das Pedras. There are many options, with various styles, catering to all types of customers.
Further along, Orla Bardot offers restaurants with a unique style and a charming atmosphere with a view of the sea.

In this article, however, we will focus on another part of Búzios that offers excellent experiences and a super photogenic view: Porto da Barra.

 

15 minutes from Bamboo Hostel on Rua das Pedras, Porto da Barra is nothing more than the gastronomic and cultural hub of Búzios. Manguinhos is home to bars, restaurants, art galleries, and decoration and fashion stores.

There are traditional establishments there, such as Bar dos Pescadores, the contemporary Zuza, Donna Jô and Octopus, the Portuguese Cais de Gaia and the popular Anexo Praia.

In addition to the good food, the landscaping and scenery of the space are worth a visit. The 14,000 square meter area of ​​greenery and the seafront transforms throughout the day. The peak is during sunset.

So let’s point out the best names

 

Bar dos Pescadores

With tables by the sea under a leafy almond tree, Bar dos Pescadores already existed when the Porto da Barra gastronomic complex opened in 2006.
The restaurant is informal, with colorful cushions and waiters wearing shorts and flowery shirts, as well as paintings with photos of old fishermen on the walls, in memory of the earliest times in Búzios.

The menu remains the same, with highlights including Moqueca do Pescador, with fish, squid and shrimp, which shares the spotlight with pink conger eel fillet and whole fried anchovy.
The restaurant is also famous for its snacks, such as shrimp and crab pastries – which have been joined by lobster ones – perfect to accompany a cold beer.

 

Zuza

Opened in Búzios in 2007, Zuza is named after the nickname of its owner and chef Cristopher Cabicieri. The restaurant’s menu is inspired by the chef’s experiences and travels, offering delicacies that combine flavors and recipes that are sure to catch your attention, such as the spring roll with dried beef in a honey and pepper sauce, and starters such as the oxtail and watercress roll and the shrimp breaded in tapioca flour.

This mix is ​​also present in the main dishes – it’s hard to decide between the salmon in oyster and mango sauce, the filet mignon in a wild berry sauce, and the stone-grilled seafood. Or, who knows, the caramelized shrimp, the most popular on Zuza’s extensive menu?

 

Donna Jô

The cozy Donna Jô combines a bar, lounge with low tables, glass dining room and a top balcony with a wooden deck, overlooking Manguinhos beach and perfect lounge chairs for enjoying the sunset.

The menu features dishes inspired by contemporary cuisine. The handmade pastas are made in the resort. To start off your meal with a good meal, we recommend the leek pastries with catupiry cheese, chili pepper and orange sauce.

The main dishes include the lobster risotto, grilled octopus, snapper with panko breadcrumbs and moquecas. For those who don’t want to give up meat, there are lamb chops, mignon medallions and filet stuffed with brie.

 

Octopous

The name of the restaurant is Octopus for obvious reasons: the menu focuses on the Greek delicacy of the sea, the Kraken, or rather, Octopus.

Among the most popular options is the Octopus with black olive cream, pistachio pesto and potato mille-feuille.

Also worth trying are the starters, such as the octopus with purple potato mousseline and crispy Sicilian lemon and herbs; salmon tartar with guacamole and fish croquettes with spicy jelly.

The menu also includes spaghetti with shrimp and octopus and cherry tomatoes, black lasagna with seafood and pesto, fish of the day in an almond and orange crust with colorful couscous and a filet mignon with mushrooms, red fruits and sautéed vegetables.

And the desserts? Also octopus-based!

No. Just kidding.
The dessert menu highlights include the Belgian chocolate and Cointreau mousse with brownie crumbs and the trio of lemon, crème anglaise and pineapple profiteroles.

 

Cais de Gaia

The first Portuguese restaurant in Búzios, Cais de Gaia, opened at the end of 2013.

To whet your appetite, we start with the codfish fritters, with the best Portuguese touch!

The menu, run by the brothers Joana and Joel Alves, straight from the land that took our gold, includes the traditional Codfish and Octopus à Lagareiro, as well as Chicken from Gaia and Seafood Rice.

But what you can’t miss is the exclusive Bacalhau à Gaia, which combines fish with mussels and boiled potatoes, among other little things that are the house’s secret.

 

Anexo Praia

An absolute hit on Orla Bardot nights, Anexo Bar has opened a branch in Porto da Barra for those who don’t want to miss out on a beautiful sunset.

Its menu specializes in a variety of snacks, seafood and drinks. But it also stands out with dishes such as leek risotto with tomatoes and filet mignon with gorgonzola sauce.

The bar is very comfortable with Balinese furniture spread out on the sand, with sofas and armchairs covered in colorful cushions. In addition to a very special chill-house soundtrack.

 

Where to stay to enjoy all this?

Porto da Barra is located at Avenida José Bento Ribeiro Dantas, 2900 – Loja 37 in Manguinhos and very close to it, on Rua das Pedras, is our hostel that looks like a guesthouse, Bamboo Búzios.

It’s less than 15 minutes away and you can combine the best of both worlds: an incredible and original gastronomic experience and comfortable accommodation right on the sand. Have you ever imagined waking up every morning to the sound of the waves at Praia do Canto and an incredible view of the sea from your window?

Make your reservation now and take advantage of the special conditions that we always offer to people who want to stay with us here. By booking directly on our website, you can get accommodation with up to 25% OFF compared to other booking portals.

 

Written by Rafa Bonfim