Rio Guide

Category: Downtown

  • Armazēm Café: Take a break with a good Brazilian coffee

    Armazēm Café: Take a break with a good Brazilian coffee

    In Portuguese “armazém” means grocery store, and this chain of grocery stores is entirely dedicated to Brazilian Arabica coffee. With stores in Ipanema, Leblon and Centro, Armazēm Café wants to transform the typical Carioca habit of cafesinho in a sophisticated tasting (the slogan is “Coffee tasting of coffee”). Ask for an Italian-style espresso at the counter (it is served with a delicious pastry) or buy pure Brazilian coffee in its many versions. Enjoy an Irish coffee, a cappuccino or a coffee milkshake, and think to the broad Brazilian coffee plantations where all began.

    Armazēm Café Ipanema
    Rua Jangadeiros 28, Ipanema
    Phone: +55 21 2521 9610

    Armazēm Café Leblon
    Rua Ataulfo de Paiva 375, Leblon
    Phone: +55 21 3874 5923

    Armazēm Café Centro
    Rua do Ouvidor 77, Centro
    Phone: +55 21 2292 6985

    Website: www.armazemdocafe.com.br

  • Livraria da Travessa: Photo books & culture

    Livraria da Travessa: Photo books & culture

    It was 1975 when the Cariocas get this bookstore whose name appeared to be a curious vague allusion to the Cold War, Sartre, or the military dictatorship: Wall (Travessa). Right in the middle of Ipanema, the stronghold memory of bossa nova (with Vinicius and Tom still present), the scene of political activism, fashion, avant-garde art and counterculture, was there, and Travessa was elected as meeting place for the political discussion. The poets of the so called ‘poesia marginal’ made it their special place for recitals and performances. Their handmade books circulated only there (pure rarities nowdays). The Travessa libraries are spread all over the city; the one located in Ipanema and Leblon also feature an extremely pleasant café, with some good cold dish (the carpaccio is pretty good).

    Location:

    Centro – CCBB
    Rua Primeiro de Março, 66 térreo
    cep. 20.010-000 .t. (21) 3808-2066
    Opening hours:
    From Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 21h pm.

    Centro – Ouvidor
    Travessa do Ouvidor, 17
    cep. 20040-040 .t. (21) 2505-0400
    Opening hours:
    From Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 19 pm.

    Centro – Rio Branco
    Av. Rio Branco, 44
    cep. 20090-004 .t. (21)2519-9000
    Opening hours:
    From Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 19 pm.

    Centro – 7 de Setembro
    Rua 7 de Setembro, n. 54
    cep. 20.050-009 .t. (21) 3231-8015
    Opening hours:
    From Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 20 pm.
    Saturday from 9 am to 14 pm.

    Ipanema
    Rua Visconde de Pirajá, 572
    cep. 22410-002 .t. (21) 3205-9002
    Opening hours:
    From Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 24 pm.
    Sunday and holidays from 10 am to 24 pm.

    Shopping Leblon
    Av. Afrânio de Melo Franco, 290 – loja 205 A
    cep. 22430-060 .t. (21) 3138-9600
    Opening hours:
    From Monday to Thursday 10 am to 23 pm.
    Friday and Saturday, from 10 am to 24 pm.
    Sunday and Holidays from 12 am to 23 pm.

    Shopping Barra

    Av. das Américas, 4.666 – nível américas loja 220
    cep. 22640-102 .t. (21) 2430-8100
    Opening hours:
    From Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 23 pm.
    Sunday and Holidays from 12 am to 22 pm.

  • Confeitaria Colombo

    Confeitaria Colombo

    The “belle époque” symbol of the city: Confeitaria Colombo, founded in 1894 at the time of Dom Pedro II, is nowadays a sumptuous tea room in the heart of Centro. Huge lavish halls, belgian mirrors, Italian marbles and traditional Portuguese sweets (whose recipes are older than 100 years) create a timeless atmosphere. Taste the handmade cookies, cakes, tropical juices and imagine King Albert of Belgium doing the same (he was here in 1920). Try the small sandwiches, the shrimp pastry or the Norwegian codfish balls and imagine Queen Elizabeth of England walking in the these saloons (as it happened in 1968).

    Opening Hours
    Monday to Friday: 9.00 am to 8.00 pm
    Saturdays and holidays: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm

    Confeitaria Colombo
    Rua Gonçalves Dias 32, Centro (Rio de Janeiro)
    Phone: +55 21 2505 1500
    Email: contato@confeitariacolombo.com.br
    Website: www.confeitariacolombo.com.br/site

  • Have a walk in Centro (Downtown) among skyscrapers and colonial buildings

    Have a walk in Centro (Downtown) among skyscrapers and colonial buildings

    Inhabited since 1567, the historic center of Rio is today the business district of the city, a tropical New York with skyscrapers and period buildings, such as the Belle Époque Municipal Theatre and National Library, the National Museum of Fine Arts, Tiradentes Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral and Pedro Ernesto Palace. During the week this area is full of life, with good restaurants and shops. We suggest an immersive walk in the life of Downtown Rio, among deco buildings, historic churches and busy people.

    Safety tip: avoid Centro in weekends and at night, when offices are closed.