Those that cook know very well that handling octopus is no easy task. All it takes is one minor oversight for this flavoursome seafood meat to go from being succulent and tender to rubbery and chewy. For this very reason the simplest solution when the desire for seafood hits is to get in the car and head to a restaurant,leaving the hard work to the professionals. Grilled, steamed, whole or in pieces, octopus is often the star in a delicious culinary creation. To make your life easier, Top5 has selected five restaurants where octopus is the highlight of the menu. And have no fear.
This steak house, originally from São Paulo, is known for serving only the highest quality of meat, it even has its own livestock. But you can also find excellent seafood here, so after making yourself comfortable in the spacious dining room, which has a gorgeous view over the Jockey Club, order one of the house’s seafood classics. The Caixote Marinho combines scallops, shrimp, squid, cavaquinha lobster, fish and of course octopus (R$143), served with aromatic saffron rice. But if you prefer octopus on its own, you can have it grilled and served with baked potatoes (R$127).
As the name suggests, this restaurant, whose flagship is in São Paulo, is very Portuguese. Naturally, the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to Portuguese cuisine is cod, the favourite dish of the seafaring nation. But among the entrées on the restaurant is one of the best dishes you are likely to try here. The Polvo à Provençal is a delicious mix of chunks of octopus and crunchy pieces of bacon tastefully seasoned with fresh herbs (R$76). Shifting attention to the mains, you’ll also find octopus here too. The Polvo à lagareira is served accompanied by the classic Carioca combination of potato and broccoli drizzled in oil and garlic (R$129).
This pleasant locale in Jardim Botânico is fortunate to call on the creativity of chef Pedro Siqueira. A seat on the veranda provides the perfect setting to sample his creations. Before coming to the main course, make sure you try the house’s delicious pães de queijo (cheese‐bread) filled with slices of pork shoulder (R$28). But the main event here is the octopus, served up crispy accompanied by a sumptuous baked potato salad, strips of smoked pork belly and a fresh capiscum vinaigrette (R$82). Be sure to take advantage of the great cocktail list also.
Address
: Rua Visconde de Carandaí, 43, Jardim Botânico
Phone
: +55 (21) 3284-5377
Schedule:
Sun 12:00 às 17:00, Sun 19:30 às 00:00, Mon 12:00 às 17:00, Mon 19:30 às 00:00, Tue 12:00 às 17:00, Tue 19:30 às 00:00, Wed 12:00 às 17:00, Wed 19:30 às 00:00, Thu 12:00 às 17:00, Thu 19:30 às 00:00, Fri 12:00 às 17:00, Sat 12:30 às 17:00, Sat 19:30 às 01:00
From 9:30am onwards this house is open, functioning as a wine shop. Here you can find rarities among the bottle labels, just as much wine from the old world as from the new world. But from midday the second floor functions as a restaurant. Choose a good bottle of white wine, grab a glass and then ask for the delicate Carpaccio de polvo (Octopus carpaccio, R$49). Fine slices of octopus are served with a fresh vinaigrette that marries perfectly with a good white wine.
A pioneer in the Rio gastrobar scene, Meza Bar was opened in 2008 betting its success on a creative cocktail menu, defying those that think that the only cocktail around is the caipirinha. With a modern décor and a vibe that suits couples just as much as a group of friends, the house continues to be one of the highlights of the Botafogo neighbourhood. After ordering your drinks, ask for one of the delicious octopus skewers with potato, red bell peppers and thyme (R$32), truly delicious.
