The best places to shop in Rio de Janeiro

In partnership with the Rio de Janeiro City Hall, this center for indigenous arts has found a new home in the Centro. Recently opened, it focuses on artisanal craftsmanship and sustainable design. The store inside offers stunning decor pieces, all 100% Brazilian. Through partnerships and concrete actions, the center supports over 50 communities, helping preserve ancestral knowledge and strengthen cultural identities. It also serves as a gallery for resident artists and hosts cultural programs, like film clubs. Definitely worth a visit.

A delightful and enchanting stop, the Centro SEBRAE de Referência do Artesanato Brasileiro spans three historic buildings showcasing products from artisans across Brazil. If you fall in love with something and want a keepsake, there’s a little shop with a separate entrance. Highlights include indigenous benches from Alto Xingu communities, leather goods from Ceará’s master Espedito Seleiro, fashion accessories made from tire rubber by artisan Edy Ferreira, and bags crafted from recycled fabrics by Rio artist Sandra Portela. Pro tip: there’s a terrace space perfect for a chat with a view of Praça Tiradentes.

Founded in 1985, this gallery works with artisans deeply connected to Brazilian culture, honing their craft in their daily lives. Minas Gerais and Alagoas serve as major production hubs, with store owner Ana Maria Chindler frequently traveling there to discover new pieces. Specialties include wooden and ceramic sculptures, as well as indigenous-influenced prints and straw items. Housed in a two-story 19th-century mansion, this Laranjeiras address is a showcase for master artisans of popular culture.

For over 20 years, this store in Santa Teresa has dazzled with its stylish items. Featuring hundreds of pieces from small artisans across the country – clothing, accessories, tapestries, decor objects, reclaimed wood furniture, chandeliers, ceramics, paintings, and more – you’ll find something for every taste and budget. If you’re looking for a Rio-themed memento, choose from high-resolution old photographs or miniatures of city landmarks, like the tram or various favelas. Make sure to include this stop in your Santa Teresa tour.

This spot at CCBB is a mix of art gallery, bookstore, and all things Brazilian. With over 6,000 items celebrating Brazil’s natural and cultural heritage, including pieces from indigenous and quilombola collectives, it’s a treasure trove of unique and exclusive finds. Curated by researcher Luiz Fernando Pontes, you’ll find works by J. Borges, Gilvan Samico, and Mestre Vitalino. After shopping, check out the fantastic exhibitions at the cultural center, and grab a bite at Lilia Bistrô or Confeitaria Colombo.

Since 1965, the nonprofit Obra Social Leste-Um has believed in the power of crafts for empowerment and transformation. Now led by Padre Omar, the rector of the Christ the Redeemer Sanctuary, the NGO trains over 300 professionals each year, showcasing their work in this charming space in Jardim Botânico. You’ll find ceramics, woodwork, porcelain, basketry, and tapestries here.