Carioca Samantha Aquim is Rio’s best chocolatier. After extensive research of the cocoa bean an numerous travels to Bahia cocoa farms, she has established partnerships with the best cacao producers (and has influenced their way of producing it too), to make the best local chocolate possible – probably ranging among the best in the world. Closed Sunday.

The Municipal Market of Rio is all business, busy and filled with a wide variety of flowers, fruits, vegetables and cooking equipment. The action peaks between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m., when virtual forests of tropical foliage are moved from trucks to the waiting stands (where the flowers are sold at cut-rate prices). But CADEG is also loaded with very good restaurants, such as Barsa (Rua Capitão Félix, 110, rua 4, lojas 4 e 6,55 (21) 2585-3743), a casual and cool place serving great lamb and codfish. Open from 1 a.m. to mid-afternoon, Monday through Saturday, and until 2 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. Most stalls close by lunch time.

A fine deli and grocery store in a nice atmosphere, with wooden shelves filled with Brazilian and international delicacies. Closed Sunday.

One of the most sophisticated and nicest malls in Rio, Fashion Mall in São Conrado is the best option for buying Brazilian bathing suits: Rosa Chá, Lenny and Salinas are all here. Other brands include sophisticated Bo.Bô and Cris Barros (top fashion), luxury department store Daslu, funky Farm and charming Le Lis Blanc. For gifts, head for Granado – beautiful bath and beauty products. Children will love the Happy Kids playroom. There are also a number of restaurants (for Argentinian meat, choose Pobre Juan, or CT Brasserie for more eclectic fare). The mall is bathed in natural light and filled with internal gardens. Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Sundays and holidays 3 p.m.–9 p.m.

This is where locals go for authentic Brazilian heartland cuisine, plus arts and crafts. The fifty-five-year-old institution started as an informal gathering place of migrants from the arid northeastern states who traveled south in search of work. Made official by the city in the late ’90s, this huge open-air market is a fantastic sample of rootsy Brazilian food, music and arts and crafts. Open Tuesday–Thursday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday all day and night and Sunday till 10 p.m.

Tip: Try to go during the week, as on weekends the place can get pretty hectic.

This market which takes place on Saturday mornings is part of the Organic market circuit and has booths of local producers (Maniwa's has great tapioca and spicy pepper!). Next to Sao Jose Church in the Lagoa district.

Surf/skate shops sit side by side with boutiques featuring Brazil’s hot new designers at this semi-hidden mall. Stop to grab a bite in new Hare Burger (55 (21) 3518 4968), a veggie burger and healthy snacks joint, beloved by beach boys.