Confeitaria Colombo

A Glorious Stop in Rio Visiting Confeitaria Colombo was an absolute highlight of our trip to Rio. The architecture is stunning—stepping inside feels like entering a glamorous time capsule. We treated ourselves to coffee, pastries, and some very necessary photo ops under the grand mirrors and stained glass ceiling. Everything was delicious, and the service was kind and attentive. Whether you’re into history, sweets, or just soaking up beauty, this spot is 100% worth it.

The experience was good.. and worth the wait. I had some Brazilian delicacies like the Brigadeiro and the Quindim. And a Portuguese classic, the "cod cake". All delicious. Specially the Brigadeiro (the all-time favorite in the place). Its super crowded, but the staff manage to let everyone get their seat. It's a cafetaria/restaurant/pastry place. Tabasco?! Seriously?!

This is the pre-eminent coffee house to experience when wandering the historic heart of Rio de Janeiro’s Centro district. With a legacy spanning over 130 years, it has long been the cherished gathering place of Brazil’s literary giants, visionary artists, sharp-witted intellectuals, elegant socialites, and influential politicians. Step inside and you’re instantly wrapped in old-world charm and cultural reverie - if only these walls could talk, they’d whisper secrets of revolutions, romances, and masterpieces born over a steaming cup of cappuccino and a piece of their scrumptious Pastel de Belém. In reality, it’s far less mystical, mythical, or romantic. Thanks to its fame, a queue snakes out front well before the shutters roll up at 11:00 sharp. Then comes the mad dash - some scramble upstairs for a quieter perch, others cling to the ground floor for the hustle and bustle. Orders are placed through an e-menu (hardly charming), but redemption comes in the form of crisp uniforms and waiters starched to perfection serving the food on real China and silverware. A trip to Colombo isn’t just about the food - fortunately - because when it comes to culinary excitement, it’s more middling than memorable. Go for the history, the charm, the chaos… just don’t arrive hungry for greatness.

Enjoyed a nice break on a rainy day. Waited 20 minutes to get in. Shared a ham and cheese sandwich so that we could order dessert!! Too full to finish desserts. Beautiful place!

Incredibly picturesque place from inside, but quite average food. Ordered steak sandwich and one of the cakes. The egg inside was overcooked/burnt and tasted like ashes. Meat was also quite mediocre. Can recommend to visit only for esthetic reasons as there are a lot of places with tastier places in this price range

I have heard about this place before. I have decided to visit it. The experience was good.. and worth the wait. I had tried some Brazilian delicacies named Brigadeiro and it was delicious . And tried a well known appetizer known as Pão de queijo . The prices are reasonable for such a place. Nice architecture and friendly staff. I recommend visiting this place.

Enjoyed our time and yummy treats at Confeitaria Colombo! “Founded in 1894 by two Portuguese immigrants, Joaquim Borges de Meireles and Manuel Jose Lebrao, Confeitaria Colombo soon became essential to Rio de Janeiro’s colonial lifestyle. In 1912, the interiors were renovated with art nouveau elements. In 1922, the Cafe expanded with a second floor, whose large opening allows the ceiling, decorated with stained glass, to be visible from the ground floor.”

Grand and beautifully constructed coffee shop with a great history. Enjoyable experience to bask in the historical atmosphere where historical figures have visited. Food was mediocre - I had the stuffed chicken thigh and cappuccino, which was really average. Would recommend coming in before 12pm to avoid long waits - I arrived at 11am and waited for 15 minutes only.

Def worth the drop in.. we heard how nice this place is . And told it's a must see. Upon showing up he saw a line but to their credit... the run like a well oiled machine. The line moved quickly (10 min at most) . Even our orders came out quickly. Everything was fresh , filling, and tasted great! We were all very happy with our food. At the end of our meal we echo got a dessert as that's what they are known for.. and those also tasted great! Def check em out upon ur visit to Rio.

Cool historical space with high ceilings and old school charm. However Colombo fell short where it mattered. The food was really mediocre to bad. Recommend stopping by for an expresso and photos but pass on the food. I wasted a meal here during my trip.

Great staff, great selection, great taste! Ambiance is a lovely, energetic café. Exactly what you expect while yummy coffee runs through your veins. The Colombo latte is a must try!

The interior of the building is the draw. The food was average and overpriced. The service was also average. If you are in the area this place is worth a visit to snap a picture, otherwise I would pass on a visit here. Be aware this place is located a distance from Copacabana and Ipenema. If you take an uber they will drop you off about a block from the actual location, and the same goes for the uber pickup. The surrounding area did not seem very safe. However, the confeitaria itself was very safe with guards.

Great spot for a coffee and/or pastry in Centro Rio in close proximity to other downtown attractions. Impressive architecture and good service. Second level has reopened and offers an excellent vantage point.

Iconic place in Brazil we had the best table upstairs in the house. The hamburger was good. The banana split was really good and the atmosphere is unforgettable.

This is a painful review to write because this place has been around forever and I wanted to like it. But because of that, I feel that is highly overrated, and the service is very lackluster. We became aware of this place during a walking tour. We came back the following day to enjoy a pastry and some drinks. It took forever for a waiter to even acknowledge us. The waiter who finally came looked highly annoyed. At least that is the impression he gave us. I had difficulty ordering because he didn't speak any English or Spanish, and I don't speak any Portuguese. This doesn't have any bearing on my review. Servers are not obligated to speak my language, of course, but I had to jump through hoops to place an order. He made no effort to help. There was a lot of pointing and me having to take pictures of pastries. I wanted to have some hot tea. He told they don't sell any other than iced tea. I got a cappuccino, which wasn't good. The pasries took forever to come and they were not that great. Also, I kept having to call him to bring our check and he would just ignore me. I know he saw me because he acknowledge me a couple of times but never came by. I had to literally get up and walk to him and ask him to give me a bill. I felt like a Karen but I had been waiting 20 minutes. I was extremely annoyed with this place. It is beautiful though, don't get me wrong but my experience wasn't a pleasant one.

The decor of Confeitaria Colombo is outstanding. It is worth the visit for this alone and you'll find fast and friendly service if you choose to get a table. The restaurant also offers photographs when you arrive. I enjoyed the coffee and sweets (a traditional Brazilian chocolate and a Portuguese tart) but they were not the best that I've ever had. Still worth the visit.

I think this was one of nicest cafe I've ever visited in my life. The cafe/ restaurant is massive and it has 2 levels. Once you go in you feel you're in a different era of time. Everything we ordered here was delicious. Their cafes and espressos were solid and their desserts were amazing. It's one of those places that you wish you can come here everyday and experience something different and new from their menu

Com mais de um século, a Confeitaria Colombo localizada na Rua Gonçalves Dias, no centro, é hoje patrimônio cultural e artístico do Rio de Janeiro. Apesar de ter uma filial no Forte de Copacabana, é preciso conhecer a original para entender o espirito. A Colombo é clássica e bonita e é de um tempo em que o Rio era o centro do Brasil, onde tudo acontecia. Cada vez que venho aqui fico imaginando quem pode ter sentado na mesma mesa, durante os muitos anos que este lugar funciona sem mudar nada. É um lugar deslumbrante. Sempre que posso vou no primeiro andar, para um chá, ou para relembrar os doces e salgados com gosto da minha infância. Continuam deliciosos embora haja gente que reclame da falta de tempero e do visual antiquado, uma modernidade chata que insiste em modificar o que é imodificável. Porque é justamente assim que a Colombo se tornou única

Was not super impressed. Not worth the wait in my opinion. Maybe lunch is better but we dropped in for a coffee and dessert. Our Colombo coffees were super sweet and not super strong. The menu doesn't have the different desserts listed so we had to pick based on pictures we took while waiting in the line. The chocolate cake was pretty dry. We were seated upstairs. It was hot and service was slow.

This place is famous in Rio! We knew we had to stop by. I will say it's pretty touristy here prices could be higher, but it's safe & decent. They even offer pictures aa you enter with the famous background. The place inside looks grand and magical. You line up and wait to be seated. Lots of seats as there also is a top floor to accommodate. We opted to order right when you walk in to take out. This is one of those places you maybe go to once to say you've been and go somewhere else the next time around. Great for the overall experience !

This cafe lived up to the hype. I can't tell you how many videos I've watched of this place and it was surreal finally coming here, taking the super old elevator one story up to the top floor and sit right at the circle edge, overlooking people downstairs. There are mirrors everywhere, which creates an illusion that it's bigger than it is, but it's actually quite large. Their desserts are small plated, delicious and decently priced. Also, they open at 12, despite many places saying it opens at 10.

The food is average and the service, while pleasant, is basic however you still need to go visit just for the beautiful atmosphere. It's old, iconic and feels like you're dining in the same way as people did years ago. Worth a visit but skip the meal and just get a quick drink and snack

I'm sorry; I don't normally give bad reviews, but I will not come back to this location. I've been to Confeitaria Colombo in Copacabana Fort and had a great time. At this location, my boyfriend and I finished eating our food (Simple Waffles & Caipirinhas) and were asking for the check to pay. Literally we waited for our check for longer than it took for us to eat. Completely ignored by everyone. People that were seated and finished eating way after us still got their checks before we did. Beautiful place with good food, but this was ridiculous.

Just come to take pictures and leave. Service is horrible, food is not tasty. This is a tourist trap

It's beautiful, but it's so touristy that lines and time it takes to complete eating or drinking here would be better spent on other things or parts of Rio. Severs have large sections and do a their best to get to you quickly but they just have a lot on their plate (pun intended). The pastel da Belem, which I've had everywhere from Lisbon to Shanghai, were cold and disappointing. Coffees were good but far from life-changing. The decor and history are the true draws to this place, and they are admittedly spectacular.

Love this place because of its architecture and historical background. The food is great! I don't order big meals at this place, but you do have t try the waffle with pistachio ice cream.

Serving Rio de Janeiro since 1894, Confeitaria Colombo is one of Centro's most popular Restaurants, and although high ceilings surrounded by mirrors build a divine ambiance the Portuguese Pastries fall short of what can be found at less celebrated spots such as B.LEM and Casa Mathilde in São Paulo. Founded by Joaquim Borges de Meireles and Manuel José Lebrão, and decorated Art Nouveau from floor to second story Tearoom added later, it is with crowds gathered in the entryway that one must jostle to examine Pastry cases, the collection fairly concise though a more extensive menu is offered for those who desire table service. Elegant enough to have once hosted the Queen of England, and full from open until close daily, it was with several items plated that a standing table was found empty, first bites of Colombo's Egg Custard finding center overcooked and Crust too moist while the Walnut Tart fared better thanks to unadulterated nuts juxtaposing sweetened Custard beneath. Standing near stained glass, no detail overlooked right down to tiled floors and engraved frames on the wall, Trouxinha de Ovos tasted a lot like Pastel de Nata in strands without the Crust while Viradinho de Banana eats like a laminated Éclair, but without the textural appeal that seems possible if the filling were creamy instead of chunky. Understanding the Chocolate-Hazelnut Tart to be something of a signature, the flavor as expected amidst thick Ganache, snacks concluded with a Chocolate Napoleon that once again seemed to have been sitting for a while as the Pastry was somewhat mushy compared to what is offered at other Brazilian and Portuguese bakeries.

Beautiful decor, friendly staff and great food. Portions are large. Place is very busy since it is a traditional place in downtown Rio

Vibe was fun and historical, cakes tasted a bit stale. Coxinhas were filling. They take a photo of you prior to being seated, so be ready! The area around it is not the safest, so please have caution. Nonetheless, it is great to check out if you are visiting.

Founded in 1894, this historic coffee house is often called a tourist trap, but it is well worth the trek and the wait. As lovely as the photos are, the real thing is far better. And the food measures up. This is where I discovered the Cappuccino Carioca, which has a slight hint of chocolate and cinnamon. The Portuguese pastries are delicious and plentiful. The sandwiches are huge and made to share. And the decor is worthy of every social media photoshoot. https://youtu.be/M5m_76NS5dA

Good tasting ice cream with a standard variety of options to choose from. Staff is friendly and quick with service. Busy with tourists

I was excited to come here after hearing so much about it and watching on tv. I was a bit disappointed when I came to this place. The restaurant line was absurdly busy so obviously I decided to grab the food from the counter and eat at the other side that is first come first serve. FOOD I literally ordered many things ranging from the fried chicken leg, the bolinho de bacalhau, doce de Belém, brigadeiro, orange juice and coffee. It was pricey. Big portion but pricey. They were all ok, nothing I had made me think: I must come back for this. DECOR/ AMBIANCE Very beautiful restaurant. Love that they kept the traditional look to it. Keeping it to its root. SERVICE Friendly service, not fast but at least attentive to the guest. WOW FACTOR It wasn't there. OVERALL It was a pleasant place to visit, very busy, but not overwhelming. The food was a miss for me so I don't think I wouldn't come back especially for that wait.

Impressive inside and behind the display case. I must say, having shrimp inside a pastry is very odd. The pastry is a crumbly one, not flaky nor buttery.

This place is amazing!! The architecture was gorgeous. The service was impeccable and the waiter had a great eye when taking pictures of us. We got two types of espresso, two types of eclair, they were all absolutely delicious! Incredible! Must try place! Wait time in line to get seated was a little long but totally worth it. You have to chose your dessert and snacks before you get seated. They hand you a card with a number which the waiter will take when you are seated to bring everything you chose before. Efficient! There was live music playing on the paino. We got a treat, one of the customers started singing along. It was beautiful and oh so romantic. I'll definitely come back here!

First reaction, this looks like once of the most touristy places in Rio. Later confirmed by our tour guide. It's located in Downtown Rio, through one of the shopping allies. The decor is really nice, fancy European. There's quite a long line if you want to dine-in. We opted to just order our food and eat at the counter. I got a coffee and a Portuguese egg tart, price wasn't too bad, ended up being $4 for both. They also have a lot of other pastries, both sweet and savory to try. Nice spot if you're visiting the city.

If I could give a million stars I would! This place is a MUST MUST MUST for anyone going to Brazil! The Coxhinas are out of this world and will make you never want to go back to where you came from! The decor and design of this place is so grand and such an experience. However, it is insanely busy, luckily you can just order what you want and keep on walking the streets of Rio.

This place was on my must-sees and through the Downtown & Lapa tour via Free walker tours, I was able to come here. I wanted to get the famous Brigadeirao but I felt I could get that anywhere and for a cheaper price. So I got a slice of cake. It wasn't the one I wanted so I got a white chocolate one. How did that happen? Well....they freakin' ran out! You have to pay first (at a different counter) then tell the guy what you would like. By the time I came back, the dark chocolate slice was gone! SMH. If you ask me, that's a dumb way of doing business. He didn't ask for my receipt so I could have requested more items. Also, I would have rather selected the brigadeirao over the cake because the cake was just ok. It was tasty and fluffy. A tidbit dry and a little sweeter than I would like. (Note: I bake cakes from scratch, without icing, using whole grain flour and they typically turn out very moist so my palate is different from the norm). Others said the brigadeirao was so rich. It was busy inside and looks so elegant! Would definitely like to come back and try other sweets.

Confeitaria Colombo is an absolutely beautiful venue in the Centro district of Rio de Janeiro. I just wish they had better food! As we walked in, we were immediately blown away by the decor of this high-ceiling'ed two story venue with beautiful architecture, glassware, and furniture all throughout the restaurant. We decided to go here for lunch to meet up with a friend. We were seated by an extremely friendly host named Marco. Here's what we ended up ordering: 1) Smoked salmon omelette (about $18-20 USD) 2) Ensalada Italiana (also about $18-20 USD) Both dishes were just ok - nothing mind blowing and nothing that got us super excited about the place. 3) My wife also ordered the deep-fried cream cheese filled jumbo shrimp ($10 USD). Sounds disgusting, right? Yes, but it tasted pretty good. Again... not mind blowing, but decent. 4) For dessert, we ordered the flan ($10 USD) and the Brasilian chocolate called brigadeiro ($8-10 USD). These desserts were both really good but very rich. The meal was pretty expensive, though. For the things that we ordered, plus tip our bill was almost $70 USD. Pretty pricey for just eating at a fancy cafe. We did enjoy the ambience though, so that's why I rate this place a 3 star. Would definitely come back to visit, but not for lunch. We would go there for just a couple pastries, and maybe a drink (tea or coffee). Definitely a nice place to meet up with friends and family and to hang out for an afternoon snack.

Very classy and old fashioned coffee place in downtown Rio. It´s a must while visiting the city. The pastries are really good, the service could improve a little bit. Clásico y elegante confitería en el centro de Rio. Es un must cuando estén de visita en esta ciudad. Los dulces son muy ricos pero el servicio podría mejorar un poco.

WOW, the ambiance in this place is like no other! I absolutely love the high ceilings, and the big open space reminds me of some sort of European cathedral. The coffee was absolutely delicious, so much so that I bought 2 bags of whole beans to take home. While waiting to be sat, my friends and I each ordered a pastry and did a taste test of each one. My favorite was the chicken croquette. For dinner, I got a burger and fries and it totally hit the spot. This place is an absolute GEM right inside of Rio. You must come here for lunch or dinner if you are visiting!

It's different. Kind of elegant. I don't see the appeal in it. The food is expensive and not the best. They have a sit down restaurant and then they have counters where you can order. It's nice to go see it, but it won't take you more than 5 minutes. We took an Uber to the location. He dropped us off at the end of the street and guided us towards the location.

One of my favorite places in downtown Rio de Janeiro because of its historical ambience and quality of service and food. Coming here is like stepping into a time machine. This culinary institution is the perfect place to celebrate any important event on your calendar and will not disappoint even the most jaded travelers. It is best to figure out a time to get here that avoids the rush and long lines of the tourist excursions. The second floor dining room does not seem to have this problem in general. Step back into the Bella Época of Rio and enjoy!

Loved this beautiful old fashion cafeteria in the heart of Rio's centro historico. I felt transported to another simpler and fancier era. Must do in Rio. Saudades!

When my husband insisted that we go here, I had no idea why. But the moment I stepped in through the doors I was under the spell. How beautiful is this place?! It is grand, classy, and the food is freaking fantastic. My mouth is seriously watering just thinking about it, and the coffee cannot be beat. We bought a tin of coffee to bring home and we savored every sip. We still have the tin and every time we see it, it reminds me of this magical breakfast date. The staff of course was wonderful and so attentive. I would be back in s heartbeat! Make this a must see for your vacation!!!

We had the pork shank sandwich, caipirinha tart, and an egg dessert. All tasted exceptional! The interior is amazing with floor to ceiling mirrors and intricate wood/marble carvings. Place this on your must-visit list!

This place is the perfect combination of restaurant and bakery. It is completely chaotic, but that only adds to the experience for me. There isn't a lot of English spoken, so I did most of my communicating with the pen and paper they provide you and lots of pointing. The pastries are divine. Melt in your mouth fantastic. Fruit tarts, custards, and tiny pies are some of the highlights. The savory foods are also great and I recommend getting some small options so you have plenty of room for the desserts. You will want more than one.

Confeitaria Colombo warrants 5+ stars for its beautiful and well-preserved belle-époque architecture and stunningly elegant interior, featuring large Belgian mirrors brought to Brazil by ship in 1893. It reminds me of the historic coffee houses in Vienna, time capsules of an era long gone. The pastries and baked goods are beautifully displayed and the very definition of food porn. On different occasions I purchased some salgadinhos (savory pastries): coxinha de galinha com queijo cremoso (chicken coxinha with cream cheese) and risoli de camarão (shrimp half-moon pastry made with flour and rolled in bread crumbs). As expected they were hearty and incredibly delicious. I also ordered a mil folhas de chocolate (chocolate Napolean or millefeuille). It looked beautiful, but I was disappointed by its taste. It was sweet but a bit dry, and my fork did not cut through the pastry layers (folhas) cleanly (the layers were too thick and crushed the filling below). Perhaps that's the way Brazilian Napoleons are supposed to be, but I was expecting French millefeuilles, whose layers are composed of thin puff pastry (pâte feuilletée), which can be cut without destroying the pastry. So, I rate the chocolate Napoleon a 3 out of 5.

This place has so much history - it is like taking a step back in time once you enter the place. The glass, the decor, the whole feel to the place... amazing. Food wise, i love their pastries! Price is about R$7 onwards. And there are delicious. Particular shout outs to their brownie, and the puff pastry with strawberries. I have also tried their crepe (way too much cheese) and cappuccino (too much chocolate... wayyy too much..).

This place is a must-go if you're visiting Brazil! The interior decor is a spectacular sight and the delicate pastries just add to the experience. There's usually a line after 10AM but the staff works fast and service is swift, which is always appreciated. There are a variety of traditional savory and sweet pastries and cakes and they all look delectable, you'll literally want to try everything you see. There's also an extended menu for what looked like the Portuguese version of high tea and other crepes/sandwiches/more filling selections. The sweet pastries themselves are very very rich and sweet but you can't go wrong by pairing them with some coffee or espresso. This place is definitely pricier for Rio but well worth the experience if you come with good company or even just a good read.

The 19th c. art nouveau interior decor alone did it for me! The food was reasonably priced and tasty, and the service was excellent Came twice to this memorable landmark cafe--first by accident, and the next, intentionally.

My absolute favorite place to visit in Rio. A go to local treasure with history and beautiful atmosphere. The pastries are exquisite and demonstrate a breath-taking part of history. While dining or just enjoying a cappuccino, you feel like you have stepped back in history.

Confeitaria Colombo is similar to Harrod's food court in London. It's got a fabulous assortment of pastries, cakes, and other Brazilian sweets. But, it's also got a number of restaurants and an incredible decor that includes gigantic stained glass windows. Despite it being a little bit of a tourist trap, it was certainly fun for us! We all had sandwiches, but the most exciting part was getting to eat a few of the things I saw behind the pastry case. We chose the Tortas Variadas (assorted layer cake) slice and it was delicious! Brazilians certainly love their sweets, and definitely recommend coming here for either a sweet or savory item from their cases.

An 1890 establishment inside of a very old bank which is now a historical museum worth stopping for in Rio.

It was a Tuesday morning in late May and the rain poured down in torrents. My friend and I came in to shelter from the heavy rainfall and sample the coffee. The espresso here at Confeitaria Colombo is excellent. Quality service is provided and the surroundings are glorious. I didn't indulge in desert but by all accounts they too are wonderful. This place is an institution. Long may it continue.

Harrods South. Very fancy. You go for the experience. You like the pastries, but there are better elsewhere. But you should still go.

This place is a very high ending bakery, with delicious food and a design that takes u back in time. Very fancy with delicious salgadinhos and cakes. It is very expensive but it is worthy. It is very crowded, and because of that, noisy.

1st - there are several locations in Rio. We went to the one near the beach (between copacabana & Ipanema). This location is small compared to some of the photos we saw on yelp from other locations. The wait was long about 1.5hr but it was well worth it. It was a little difficult to know our turn since the buzzers used to tell you your table is ready requires a local phone number. That meant we had to constantly check in, which seemed to be a minor nuisance to the very busy hostesses. Once seated, our waiter came promptly and our orders were entered quickly. The food came fast and everything was exceptionally tasty. The cappuccino was the best we've ever had and our group travels abroad frequently. We realized that much of the wait was because people were enjoying each other's company and taking in the ambiance of the restaurant.