Best Burgers in Rio de Janeiro: Where to Go

The best burgers in Rio de Janeiro are in the Zona Sul, from Botafogo and Copacabana to Ipanema and Leblon, with Barra da Tijuca to the west and the bars of Centro and Lapa for late nights. Two styles share the city: gourmet hamburguerias with thick patties, and the X-tudo of the lanchonetes, eaten standing at the counter with a fresh fruit juice.

Rio holds a place in burger history. In 1952, the American tennis player Bob Falkenburg, Wimbledon champion in 1948, opened Bob’s in Copacabana, Brazil’s first fast-food chain, because he could not find a decent hamburger or milkshake in the city. Today the burger competes with the botequim: cold chope, grilled snacks and a table on the pavement, often a few steps from a juice bar.

Burgers in Rio de Janeiro: key facts

• Neighbourhoods to explore: Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Barra da Tijuca, Centro and Lapa.
• Burger history: Bob’s, founded in 1952 on Rua Domingos Ferreira in Copacabana.
• Local style: the X-tudo, a lanchonete burger piled with egg, ham, bacon and cheese.
• How locals eat: at the counter, with a juice, or as a late snack after the botequim.
• Getting around: Metro Line 1 links Centro, Botafogo, Copacabana and Ipanema; Line 4 continues to Barra da Tijuca.
• Currency: Brazilian real (BRL).

Every guide we publish on Rio de Janeiro is dated and lists only venues, addresses, prices and ratings we could verify. Explore all our burger restaurant guides by city.