Café do Alto

Anyone visiting Rio should jump on a cab and drive up to Santa Teresa, the bohemian neighborhood par excellence, with dramatic views and lots of character. A nice option for some local flavors is Café do Alto, specialized in food from the Northeast of Brazil (Bahia and further North). Breakfast, served buffet-style on weekends and holidays, is a great way to try specialties like tapioca pancakes with fillings like curdled cheese and honey or shredded sun-dried meat, and delicious cake Souza Leao, with manioc flour, coconut milk and eggs. The place is laid back and no frills, but charming like its neighbors. Closed Monday.