Piraja

The traditional Brazilian boteco (bar) is usually a relaxed place with a black-and-white-tiled floor, bow-tied waiters, vintage photos of cityscapes and a menu of classic snacks. Pirajá improves on the formula by using excellent ingredients to make dishes like bobo de camarão (shrimp cooked with manioc and coconut milk). Guests order the food mainly to accompany drinks such as the Brahma Black Chopp, a creamy, medium-bodied local beer available on tap here.

We loved: Zé do pi (batter-fried shrimp with cream cheese) at Pirajá; fried-zucchini pizza at Pizzeria Braz.

Insider tip: Pirajás owners also run the city's terrific Pizzeria Braz.