Maria e o Boi

The Best Value-for-Money Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro

"The menu offers generous portions and bold flavors, such as the creamy vatapá croquette with fish and shrimp, the “pato apaixonado”—pairing duck heart with banana-da-terra purée—and an homage to the famous Oswaldo Aranha steak, a hallmark of Rio de Janeiro gastronomy. Well-executed cuts of meat, recipes with diverse influences, and thoughtful combinations make Maria e o Boi a gastronomic journey worth taking." - Guia MICHELIN

"If you’re keen to try a restaurant serving authentic Brazilian cuisine prepared with ingredients from across Brazil, this rustically inspired house with a plethora of wood and a pleasant outdoor terrace on a charming corner of the Ipanema neighbourhood could be the perfect place. Here, chef Vanessa Rocha conjures up cuisine that brings a smile to your face and warms the heart thanks to superb cuts of meat accompanied by harmonious and balanced combinations of ingredients. The menu offers a range of generously portioned and affordably prices dishes, making it difficult to choose between the attractive creamy vatapá fish and shrimp croquette and the “pato apaixonado” with duck heart and creamy mashed plantain. Follow this, perhaps, with the absolutely perfect coconut and mango pudding!" - Michelin Inspector

Maria e o Boi

"This is a pleasant and informal restaurant that specialises in meat and is located in the charming Ipanema district. Here, you can enjoy Brazilian and international cooking with an Italian flair, which is always attractively priced and accompanied by copious sides. It is renowned for its grilled items (no fewer than seven different cuts of meat) and several signatures, including the ten hour-roasted beef rib (costela minga) as well as the surprisingly delicious duck heart with garlic bread and Grana Padano." - Michelin Inspector