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Spanish Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro

Brazil's colonial history means that dishes from Portugal are much more prevalent than those of neighboring Spain on Rio's dining scene, but the city is gradually starting to offer its visitors a little Spanish flavor. Tapas became visible as a culinary trend in 2010, with a string of openings including our number one pick, the classy tapas restaurant Ene, as well as the lively Venga! bar-restaurant and the popular, informal Entretapas in Humaita, near Botafogo. There are opportunities to try the classic Paella seafood dish at several spots in the city, with the coastal location making this a natural favorite among the Spanish dishes to arrive on the Brazilian culinary scene. Real Astoria offers an excellent paella, with a sea view that is every bit as delicious as the dish itself. Meanwhile, the city is packed with restaurants offering traditional Portuguese food, which is similar enough to Spanish cuisine to interest those with a hankering for the latter. Adega Flor de Coimbra and Antiquarias are both good places to start your culinary journey, while Alba Mar has fantastic seafood and is housed in a quirky round building with excellent sea views.