While in Rome do as the Romans, and while in Rio... There's nothing better than going to the same restaurants that locals do, away from the tourist scene. It's a way of getting to know the habits and culture of a city.

If get the munchies and you're in a hurry, try the fresh-squeezed grape juice and the tuna salad sandwich of BB Lanches, in the heart of Baixo Leblon. It's open until very late at night, and if you have some time for people-watching, there are always groups of friends standing and chatting. Cervantes, in Copacabana's Lido, is another favorite with the night owls. Their hearty sandwiches like the roast-beef or pernil served on a crusty, fresh-toasted bun will make your mouth water.

And then there are the right spots for that special mood or delicacy. Relax and have a good chat while enjoying the appetizers and a cold draft at Bracarense, Botequim Informal or Jobi, in Leblon. Don't miss the local beer at Devassa. These are favorite meeting spots after the beach, perfect if you want to mingle. For a touch of class and atmosphere, do not miss the dishes at Margutta, or Sitio Lounge. When it's delicious homemade food you're looking for, try Gula Gula, Doce Delícia or Da Silva.

If you have a sweet tooth and you leave Rio without tasting the fudge-like brigadeiros and casadinhos at Colher de Pau, cakes at Café Hum and Da Casa da Tata you have no idea of what you're missing... A burger fan? Joe & Leo's built a reputation on them! Bar Lagoa, on the ground floor of a listed art-deco building, is another experience to look forward to. In addition to the hearty dishes, including some German specialties, the grumpy waiters have become a sort of a local legend.

You may think of us as being partial, but most of our favorites are located in Ipanema and Leblon. Of course it's more than worth to take a side trip to Copacabana or Leme, even crossing the tunnel to São Conrado. Here are some suggestions that are favorites with our staffers, with tips about each one of them.

Atelier Culinario	Ipanema	Rua Dias Ferreira, 45	2259-7844
Capricciosa	Ipanema	Rua Vinicius de Morais, 134	2523-3394
Colher de Pau	Ipanema	Rua Farme de Amoedo, 39	2523-3018
Cafe Hum	Ipanema	Rua Visconde de Piraja, 303/109	2523-6499
Da Silva	Ipanema	Rua Barao da Torre, 340	2521-1289
Doce Delicia	Ipanema	Rua Anibal de Mendonca, 55C	2259-0239
Gula Gula	Ipanema	Rua Anibal de Mendonca, 132	2259-3084
Margutta	Ipanema	Rua Henrique Dumont, 62	2259-3887
Pecado	Ipanema	Rua Barao da Torre, 673	2529-2232
Satyricon	Ipanema	Rua Barao da Torre, 192	2521-0955
Alvaro's	Leblon	Rua Ataulfo de Paiva, 500	2294-2148
Bar da Praia	Leblon	Rua Joao Lira, 5	2540-5212
BB Lanches	Leblon	Rua Aristides Espinola, 64	2294-1397
Bracarense	Leblon	Rua Jose Linhares, 85B	2294-3549
Cafe Severino	Leblon	Rua Dias Ferreira, 417	2259-9398
Degrau	Leblon	Rua Ataulfo de Paiva, 517B	2259-3648
Devassa	Leblon	Rua Gal. San Martin, 1241	2540-6887
Botequim Informal	Leblon	Rua Conde Bernadote, 26	2540-7561
Sushi Leblon	Leblon	Rua Dias Ferreira, 256	2512-7830
Caranguejo	Copa	Rua Barata Ribeiro, 771	2235-1249
Cervantes	Copa	Rua Barata Ribeiro, 7	2275-6147
Da brambini	Leme	Av. Atlantica, 514	2275-4346
Marius	Leme	Av. Atlantica, 290B	2104-9000
Mistura Fina	Lagoa	Av. Borges de Medeiro, 3207	2537-2844
Bar Lagoa	Lagoa	Av. Epitacio Pessoa, 1674	2523-1135
Joe e Leo's	S. Conr.	Sao Conrado Fashion Mall, 203	2422-0775
Da Casa da Tata	Gavea	Rua Prof. Manoel Ferreira, 89	2511-0947
Batata Inglesa	Gavea	Shopping da Gavea, 165	2259-5313
Sitio Lounge	Gavea	Rua Marques de Sao Vicente, 10	2274-2226
Sushi Mar	Gavea	Rua do Oitis, 6	2274-3999
Bacalhau do Rei	Gavea	Rua Marques de S. Vicente, 11A	2239-8945