On our trips to Rio de Janeiro, the one restaurant that we have started to think of as "our living room" is Garota. Mauricio is from Rio — a true carioca. This was a place he would frequent before moving to the United States.
Situated in the tranquil neighborhood of Urca, Garota has an extensive menu and a beautiful view of the Enseada de Botafogo and Cristo Redentor. The waiters still wear button-down shirts and dress pants. As a tourist, Urca is the one neighborhood where I always feel safe — you see local residents with their families out for dinner, and in the early afternoon, the neighborhood children walking home from school.
The view from Garota — Guanabara Bay and Cristo Redentor in the distance
If you read reviews online, it seems Garota is popular with tourists as a pizzeria. Yes, the sign outside says Restaurante, Bar, Pizzaria — but I have never eaten pizza there. Anyone who has gone to Garota and has not experienced the authentic Brazilian food has wasted a trip. Or more correctly — should go again.
Before the Steak
The paper tablecloth — tracking the chopp count
When you arrive and select a table, one of the waiters will place a paper tablecloth over it. While this may make you think less of the place, there is a purpose. You see, there is a drink in Rio called chopp — pronounced show-pee. It is a light beer served very cold, usually in small cups. You can order large or half chopp.
Using this paper, you and your party can keep track of how many chopp you have consumed. Yes, there are times when we have to add numbers depending on how many hours we have spent there and how many people have stopped by. This is a fun way to keep tabs on your tab.
After a few hours — the chopp count grows
The paper serves a practical purpose beyond the tally. In the Rio heat, condensation from the cold chopp glasses soaks into the paper rather than pooling on the table. And when the picana arrives on its gas-powered iron, the paper catches the inevitable grease. It is, in its own way, the perfect tablecloth.
The menu has an English translation and offers a great deal. All dishes come with several large sides. But if you love steak, here is all you need to know:
Note: When we returned in 2026, Garota had done away with the pre-drawn chopp tally on the tablecloth. We were both a little heartbroken. When we asked our waiter about it, he shrugged, handed us a pen, and said — you can still keep count. The paper tablecloths remain. Some things you do not know you will miss until they are gone.
The Steak
The Picana Carioca — brought to the table on a gas-powered flat iron
They bring a gas-powered flat iron to your table loaded with meat. If you like it rare, pull everything off and then put the pieces back individually to cook to your preference. Just look at how beautiful that is. You will pay a fraction of the price you would pay at one of those touristy churrascarias.
"There is nothing quite like a Brazilian picana. Any steak lover should experience this."
The waiters — button-down shirts, dress pants, old Rio
After you have eaten your fill and are ready to sit back with your chopp, ask the bartender if you can take your drink over to the wall. Sit down and join the dozens of cariocas who have arrived at dusk to meet up with their amigos and have a few drinks at the water's edge. Then you will have experienced the real, authentic Urca.
Inside Garota — a neighbourhood institution since before anyone can remember
What starts as dinner for a few — by the end of the night, the whole family has shown up. That's Urca.
Explore more of our steak journey across Central & South America — or follow the full trip on ReviewTrip