Rio Gastronomia 2026: a journey through the flavours of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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There are places where gastronomy is simply an attraction. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, it is part of the way of life. And it is precisely this combination of flavours, scenery and encounters that makes Rio Gastronomia 2026 one of the most interesting experiences in the city’s cultural calendar.

Now in its 16th edition, the food festival takes place at the Jockey Club Brasileiro, in Rio’s Gávea neighbourhood. The greenery, mountain views and elegant atmosphere of the racecourse create an experience that goes well beyond sampling a dish.

More than a gathering of restaurants, the event offers a glimpse into Rio’s dining scene. Visitors can explore different culinary approaches, from Asian flavours to sandwiches, pizzas and seafood dishes. It is an opportunity to sample food from established restaurants, discover new flavours and explore several dining destinations without travelling across the city.

This variety is one of the reasons to visit. You can choose a familiar favourite, try something unexpected and discover a restaurant you might want to return to. For those visiting with friends or family, the range of options allows everyone to follow their own tastes while sharing the experience.

But some of the charm also lies in what happens between one dish and the next.

Food as an experience

One of the spaces that caught my attention most was Granado’s. On the second floor, the Brazilian beauty and fragrance brand has created a sensory experience connecting perfumery with gastronomy: an exclusive ice cream parlour serves artisan ice creams and sorbets inspired by its iconic fragrances.

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It is a delicate and unexpected idea, turning a traditional Brazilian beauty brand into a culinary discovery. The curiosity lies in tasting how aromas associated with perfumery can find a different expression in food.

Alongside the restaurants, this is the kind of experience that makes the festival interesting: the chance to explore flavours beyond your usual choices and discover something you might not encounter during an ordinary meal out.

Brand installations and the different spaces throughout the grounds add smaller discoveries along the way.

Between flavours and scenery

Music gives the festival a relaxed rhythm, while the Ferris wheel adds a playful touch and offers a different view of the grounds. Both complement a visit whose main pleasure is exploring the food.

Late afternoon is particularly beautiful. As the light changes, the Jockey Club takes on a different atmosphere, and food, conversation and scenery become part of the same experience.

Photo Fábio Cordeiro

It is an invitation to take your time, browse the options and leave room for another discovery, or dessert.

A Rio to savour

For visitors to Rio de Janeiro, Rio Gastronomia offers an opportunity to discover the variety of the city’s dining scene in one place. For those who already know the city, the festival proposes a fresh perspective: rediscovering Rio through its flavours, encounters and experiences.

The appeal lies in being able to sample different restaurant offerings, explore varied cuisines and enjoy unexpected ideas such as Granado’s fragrance-inspired ice creams, all within the distinctive setting of the Jockey Club.

In the end, perhaps that is the essence of the event: turning a meal out into an experience that engages all the senses, with Rio as its backdrop.

Rio Gastronomia 2026

Jockey Club Brasileiro, Gávea, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Photo Márcio Ferreira