Best Pastel in Rio: 11 Places to Try
Written and reviewed by Lotte — Rio local, founder & editor of PlanRio · How we research · First published · Last reviewed
TL;DR
For a traditional feira snack, try the Sunday Feira da Glória or Saturday's Rua General Glicério market; for a distinctive sit-down filling, Bar do Mineiro's menu lists pastel de feijoada. Feira stalls, shop menus and prices change, so check the day-of details before making a special trip. This researched shortlist draws on current tourism listings and venue menus; it is not a claim of personal visits.
Pastel at a glance
| What | A thin pastry with savoury or sweet fillings; feira versions are commonly fried to order |
| Price | There is no dependable citywide range: size, filling, stall and branch all affect the bill. Check the current menu. |
| Classic fillings | Carne (beef) · queijo (cheese) · frango (chicken) · camarão (shrimp) |
| Local twists | Bar do Mineiro's pastel de feijoada · Ginga's Bahia-inspired vatapá-and-shrimp pastel when listed |
| Fair days | Sunday at Glória · Saturday at General Glicério; check same-day notices |
| Vegetarian | Cheese, palmito (hearts of palm) and sweet fillings may be available; ask about ingredients and shared fryers |
11 places to find pastel in Rio de Janeiro
1.Feira da Glória
Glória · Sunday food fair · Try: Pastel with caldo de cana
A Sunday street-market outing with produce, prepared food and the classic pastel-and-sugarcane-juice pairing. City notices have documented changes to the food-stall layout, so follow current signs rather than an old stall pin. Go for the market atmosphere as much as one particular vendor; stalls and menus change.
2.Feira da Rua General Glicério
Laranjeiras · Saturday neighbourhood fair · Try: Pastel, caldo de cana and choro nearby
A traditional Saturday market in a residential part of Laranjeiras. Local guides identify pastel stalls and the street's choro gathering, which makes this a good slow-food stop rather than a quick tourist detour. Vendor selection varies; arrive while the market is active and ask which pastel fillings are fresh.
3.Bar do Mineiro
Santa Teresa · Sit-down boteco · Try: Pastel de feijoada; pastel de feijão
The classic order here is a pastel filled with feijoada, not pastel de angu. The bar's own menu and Riotur both call out its feijoada pastel; Riotur also mentions a bean-filled version. Find it at Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno 99, and check the current menu for today's selection.
4.Chic's Pastelaria
Centro · Saara · Counter-service pastelaria · Try: Carne, queijo, shrimp, cod or chocolate
A long-running stop in the Saara shopping district, useful when you want a quick, made-to-order snack between shops. Visit Rio lists both savoury and chocolate fillings and the laranjada; its address is Rua dos Andradas 36. Ask which flavours are available that day.
5.Papo de Feira
Centro · Pastelaria with a feira-style menu · Try: Carne, queijo, chicken with catupiry and rotating options
A convenient stop near the Centro business district: the shop describes its pastéis as fried to order and pairs them with fresh caldo de cana. The current address published by the business is Rua São José 35, Loja B, inside Edifício Garagem Menezes Cortes. Check the shop's live menu before choosing a filling.
6.Bar do Adão
Several neighbourhoods · Pastel-focused boteco · Try: Traditional, regional and sweet flavours
The operator builds the menu around pastéis and lists many savoury and sweet variations. This is the easiest pick if you want a broad menu in a seated bar; choose a branch from the restaurant locator and check its current menu because branches and availability differ.
7.Belmonte
Several neighbourhoods · Rio boteco chain · Try: Pastéis alongside classic bar snacks
A convenient sit-down choice if pastel is part of a larger boteco meal. Visit Rio lists the chain's pastry options, but not every branch has the same menu or schedule. Pick the branch that fits your route and check its current listing before setting out.
8.BB Lanches
Leblon · Old-school snack bar · Try: Pastel assado (baked pastel), including shrimp and catupiry
A useful alternative when you want to compare the baked style with feira-fried pastry. Visit Rio's current food guide describes the pastel assado and names shrimp with catupiry among the options. Its online delivery menu may not show every counter item, so call or ask in person before making a special trip.
9.Bar Urca
Urca · Traditional bar by the waterfront · Try: Siri (crab), camarão, carne or queijo
A good pairing for a walk along the Mureta da Urca. Visit Rio's April 2026 guide lists crab and other classic fillings; at Rio Gastronomia 2026, Riotur separately listed shrimp pastel on the bar's festival menu. These are different menus, so check what is being served at the bar today. Address: Rua Cândido Gaffrée 205.
10.Botequim Itahy
Multiple Zona Sul neighbourhoods · Neighbourhood botequim · Try: Queijo with palmito, carne seca with catupiry or shrimp
A flexible option if you are staying in the Zona Sul and want a regular bar meal as well as a pastel. Visit Rio lists several savoury combinations across Itahy's locations. Use the current branch profile to find the nearest unit and confirm the menu; don't assume every address serves every filling.
11.Ginga
Leme · Beach kiosk · Try: Pastel Hum Quê da Bahia: vatapá and shrimp
A more unusual beach-side choice: VEJA Rio's 2026 profile of Ginga describes its Bahia-inspired pastel with vatapá and shrimp, and says the dish was a finalist in the 2025 Sabores da Orla pastel category. The menu and festival status are not a permanent guarantee, so check what is being served before ordering. The kiosk is by Posto 1 in Leme.
A note on two big food markets
Feira de São Cristóvão and CADEG are worth exploring for their wider regional and market food, but we could not confirm a permanent pastel vendor for every visit. CADEG's official 2025 summer-festival menu did list a cod pastel at Cantinho das Concertinas; that was a seasonal listing, not proof it is on today's menu. Check the venue or shop directly before travelling across town for one filling.
Eat your way through Rio with a local guide
This small-group Rio food crawl lists more than 15 Brazilian tastings, including fresh pastel, and runs from Ipanema toward downtown. Check the live dates, menu and route before booking; individual stops can change.
Check dates for the Rio food crawlThis page contains affiliate links. PlanRio may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Best pastel by scenario
Sunday feira ritual
Feira da Glória for a food-market atmosphere and pastel with caldo de cana; confirm the current stall layout before you go.
For an evening plan
Choose a Bar do Adão or Belmonte branch near your evening plans and check that location's current hours and menu.
Most unusual filling
Bar do Mineiro's pastel de feijoada in Santa Teresa; its current menu also highlights regional comfort food.
Saturday market outing
The Saturday Feira da Rua General Glicério in Laranjeiras; check market notices for changes and ask which stall has pastel that day.
Waterfront pastel
Bar Urca for a waterfront table or wall-side stop; check the current board for crab and other fillings.
Break between Centro walks
Papo de Feira in Centro for a seated break, a feira-style pastel and fresh caldo de cana.
How to order pastel in Portuguese
- Order with a short phrase: "Um pastel de carne, por favor" (one beef pastel, please). For cheese, say queijo; for chicken, frango.
- At a feira, ask which fillings are ready or being fried fresh. Caldo de cana (sugarcane juice) is a classic pairing, but it is optional.
- Eat it while warm if you can: pastry usually keeps its crispness better just after serving.
- Let the filling cool for a moment before biting; freshly fried pastry can be very hot inside.
- Ask the vendor which payment methods are accepted before ordering. Pix, cash and cards vary by stall.
- If you need an ingredient or allergy check, ask before paying; recipes and shared fryers vary between stalls.
Common mistakes tourists make
- Travelling to a weekly market for one specific stall without checking whether that vendor is there that day.
- Assuming every branch in a restaurant chain has the same fillings, kitchen or opening hours.
- Expecting a fixed price from an old blog post or menu photo; portion sizes and menus change.
- Assuming every pastel is deep-fried. Some Rio snack bars offer baked versions, including BB Lanches.
- Assuming “vegetarian,” “gluten-free” or an ingredient name guarantees safe preparation; ask about the dough, filling and fryer.
- Biting straight into a fresh pastel. Let the hot filling cool a little first.
On Sunday in Ipanema, the Feira Hippie at Praça General Osório is best known as an arts-and-crafts market. Go for handmade goods and the neighbourhood walk; food stalls may be around, but our sources do not confirm a dependable pastel vendor there. The GetYourGuide food crawl linked above names a tasting of fresh pastel as part of its itinerary, though stops can change.
Sources and menu updates
This is a researched shortlist, not a claim that we personally visited every counter. For the named shops and specialties, start with Visit Rio's pastel guide (updated 17 April 2026), then check the Bar do Mineiro menu, Papo de Feira's current menu and address, or the relevant branch page before setting out.
Market dates and layouts can change on holidays or for city works. The City of Rio's notice about Feira da Glória and Rolé Carioca's Laranjeiras guide document the markets and recurring days. Check the current notice or signs before travelling. We leave exact prices out because current portions and menus differ; check the posted price before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pastel?
A pastel is a thin pastry parcel with a savoury or sweet filling. The familiar feira version is fried, while some snack bars offer a baked pastel. Beef (carne), cheese (queijo), chicken (frango), shrimp (camarão), hearts of palm (palmito) and sweet fillings are common, but each menu is different.
Where can I find the best pastel in Rio?
For a market atmosphere, try the Sunday Feira da Glória or the Saturday Feira da Rua General Glicério, checking that the food stalls are running that day. For a named filling, Bar do Mineiro lists pastel de feijoada; Chic's Pastelaria and Papo de Feira are convenient Centro options. The right pick depends on your area and whether you want a street-market snack or a sit-down bar.
How much does a pastel cost in Rio?
Prices vary by portion, filling, venue and date, and old menu photos go stale quickly. We leave out exact prices unless they can be checked against current sources. Look for a posted menu or ask the vendor for the price before ordering, especially for shrimp, crab or other premium fillings.
What is Bar do Mineiro's pastel?
The bar's own current menu highlights its pastel de feijoada, a pastry filled with Brazil's black-bean-and-pork stew. Riotur also describes a pastel de feijão. That is different from pastel de angu: our earlier description of a corn-dough special was incorrect.
What pastel filling should I order first?
Start with a savoury classic such as carne (beef) or queijo (cheese), then try a place-specific recipe like Bar do Mineiro's feijoada filling. If you prefer dessert, look for chocolate, banana or Romeu e Julieta (guava paste with cheese) where the current menu offers it.
Are pastéis gluten-free or vegetarian?
Most standard wrappers use wheat, and recipes, fillings and fryers vary. A corn-based name does not guarantee a gluten-free meal, and shared oil can be a cross-contact risk. Vegetarian fillings such as cheese or hearts of palm may be available, but ask whether the pastry, seasoning and fryer are suitable for your needs. If you have coeliac disease, ask specifically about ingredients, separate utensils and a dedicated fryer; the Celiac Disease Foundation's dining guidance flags shared fryers as a cross-contact concern. If the vendor cannot confirm safe preparation, choose something else.
Which Rio street fairs have pastel?
The sources we checked point to the Feira da Glória on Sundays and the Rua General Glicério fair on Saturdays. These are recurring listings, not a guarantee that a particular stall is open on your date; check locally before making a special trip.
Feira or boteco: which style should I choose?
A feira is the classic quick snack: order at a stall, eat while hot, and see what fillings are fresh. A boteco or pastelaria is easier for a longer meal, a wider menu or a place to sit. Neither style is automatically better, and preparation varies: Rio venues also sell baked pastéis.
Can I eat pastel near the beach?
Yes. Beachfront and neighbourhood businesses serve pastéis too: Ginga in Leme has been profiled for a Bahia-inspired shrimp pastel, and BB Lanches in Leblon is known for a baked version. Check the current menu and keep food covered if you are carrying it on a hot beach day.
Does the Feira Hippie in Ipanema have pastel?
The Feira Hippie is primarily an arts-and-crafts market at Praça General Osório, held on Sundays. Food may be available around the market, but the sources we checked do not establish a dependable pastel stall there. Treat it as a craft-market visit and choose a food fair or listed pastelaria if pastel is the main reason for going.
Keep planning
Street food guide
Try more than pastel: beach snacks, market bites and everyday Carioca favourites.
Best botecos
Corner bars, chopp and petiscos.
Best por-quilo restaurants
Pay-by-weight buffets for a full lunch.
Rio food tours
Guided food walks across the city.
Cooking classes
Learn to make Brazilian dishes yourself.