Teva

The name comes from Hebrew and means “nature.” Yes, one of the best restaurants in Rio is vegetarian, a venture by Daniel Biron, who trained at the Natural Gourmet Institute and has experience in kitchens in Paris and Copenhagen. In partnership with Daniel Oelsner, founder of the famous tapas bar Venga, he created a standout concept: entirely plant-based dishes made with organic, seasonal ingredients from small producers. The vibe is laidback and cozy, with veranda seating, green walls, and wooden furniture. The idea here is to share. Start with the arancini filled with a mix of mushrooms (R$44, two pieces) or the green jackfruit tacos (R$42, two pieces), before diving into the Wellington (R$76), a pastry filled with mushrooms, black-eyed peas, lentils, smoked carrots, and nuts, one of the best main dishes. From Monday to Friday, there’s an executive menu with salad, main course, and dessert for R$74. To drink, there are cocktails with and without alcohol, kombucha (R$16), and a surprising lavender lemonade (R$18). Teva Deli just opened in Copacabana, serving as a café, bakery, restaurant, and deli.