Laid back in Leblon

Leblon is renowned for its upscale restaurants, chic boutiques and well-heeled locals, but the beach neighborhood is also home to some cosy little watering holes where it’s possible to just kick back and relax in unpretentious surrounds.

Perhaps the most famous of these spots is Bracarense, a ‘pe-sujo’ (literally ‘dirty feet’ – a term used to apply to simple, casual bars due to the grubby feet of the clientele that traditionally drank there…) bar just two blocks back from the beach.

Dubbed ‘one of the best bars in Brazil’ by none other than the New York Times, this popular meeting spot has also picked up numerous gongs from local food and drink bibles Rio Show Gastronomia andVeja Rio Comer e Beber thanks to its delicious bar snacks.

The bar, fondly known as ‘Braca’ by regulars, is famous for finger foods such as the bolinhos de camarao com catupiry (fried balls of shrimp with catupiry – a soft, smooth and very tasty cheese) and also serves up a mean caldo do feijao (black bean soup).

The drinks menu offers well-kept draught beer, wines by the bottle or by the glass, whiskies, vodkas and of course, cachacas.

The relaxed ambience makes Bracarense an ideal spot for a post-beach drink and, unlike many of the snootier spots in Leblon, you won’t feel out of place in your flip-flops.

Bracarense is located at Rua Jose Linhares 85-B, Leblon. It’s open from 7am to midnight Monday to Friday, from 9am to midnight on Saturdays, and from 9am to 10pm on Sundays. Head here with some cash in your pocket, as the bar doesn’t accept credit cards.