Situated in the verdant hills of Rio de Janeiro’s Santa Teresa district, Abrazivel restaurant is nestled within a tropical garden surrounded by exotic rainforest vegetation and with beautiful views overlooking Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more idyllic and romantic restaurant than this: open air tree-houses, gazebos, and wooden tables and chairs are scattered intimately underneath a canopy of leafy trees. Diners are treated to the fine work of chef Ana Castilha, who brings masterful French technique to Brazilian traditional recipes. Chef Castilha opened the restaurant out of her house 15 years ago, and is still cooking four days a week to pleasure seekers who pass through. Expect flavours such as a flavoursome heart of palm salad, and tender white cod with tart sun-dried tomatoes and olives. Be sure to try the favorite grilled lamb chop au jus with couscous, or the cream pumpkin soup with prawns, tart apple and cream. The polished waitstaff shuttles between the intimate thatched roofs dining spaces, and live chorinho music shows are scheduled every Thursday. Bookings essential.
