Looking to find a vegan option for Brazil’s most popular dish? In this post, we’ll go over exactly where to get vegan feijoada in Rio de Janeiro so you don’t miss out on the local cuisine!
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I think you’ll agree with me when I say that trying local foods is one of the most memorable parts of traveling. Unfortunately, sometimes this means missing out on a huge portion of the food if you’re vegetarian or vegan.
Luckily, in recent years, many countries have adapted to these dietary restrictions and have begun to offer vegan-friendly alternatives. Fortunately, Rio de Janeiro is one of these places.
Whether you are a vegan or a vegetarian looking to try the famous national dish of Brazil, I’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find out where you can find some delicious vegan feijoada in Rio!
Brazil’s National Dish: Feijoada
Feijoada (fay-jwah-dah) is a popular and typical dish that can be found throughout Brazil, but especially in Rio. The dish is a hearty black bean stew filled with pork and beef, typically accompanied by rice, collard greens, farofa, and sliced oranges.
Farofa is toasted cassava flour or manioc flour. Cassava is also known as yuca, a root vegetable commonly consumed in South America. To give you a better idea, cassava is sometimes compared to a potato although it is quite different.
Traditionally, feijoada also included pig’s ears, feet, and tails. I know what you’re thinking! This is probably the least vegan dish ever… but somehow they managed to replicate a plant-based version for us vegans to be able to enjoy as well!
Where To Find Vegan Feijoada
The restaurant is called Só Verde located in Botafogo.
Okay, now to where you can find this yummy vegan plate! It’s a quaint little shop right next to the Fiat dealership called Só Verde in the Botafogo neighborhood. Botafogo is an up-and-coming area of Rio known for its quirky bars and alternative vibe.
Vegan Feijoada
Só Verde‘s feijoada is made with soy meat and plant-based sausage. It is served with your choice of white or wholegrain rice, kale, orange slices, and farofa. Luckily the side dishes that are served with the stew are naturally vegan so it’s really just the stew that has been altered.
While I haven’t tried the original dish, this vegan one was full of flavor and spices. I really enjoyed mixing it all together and enjoying it that way. The farofa took a few bites to get used to but added a unique touch and flavor that I was not used to.
The feijoada at Só Verde was my favorite out of all the vegan ones I tried (and I tried a few!) It was also the most authentic. Some of the others used red beans and tofu instead. They were still good, however, this one seemed the most like the typical meal to me.
Feijoada is typically only served on Saturdays and Sundays during lunchtime. So whether you are looking to try this vegan alternative or the traditional kind, keep in mind it’s not usually served daily.
Although the menu at Só Verde states it’s only served on the weekends, I was able to order it during the week. I wonder if because it’s become a popular dish for tourists, perhaps it’s easier to find more often.
The dish costs about 45 Reais (9 USD) for one portion or 80 Reais (16 USD) for two portions. One portion was more than enough for me but this way, it’s a great option to share with someone else.
Other Vegan Dishes
Só Verde is a completely plant-based kitchen offering great alternatives to popular dishes. If you have the time and means, I would recommend going back to try some other great meals. The Steak with Madeira sauce was a delicious one to try!
Here are just some of the vegan options from their menu:
- Steak with Madeira Sauce
- Steak Parm
- Veggie Nuggets
- Sausage Croquettes
- Hot Dogs and Hamburgers
They also serve a ton of fresh juices, kombuchas, and even have a bar if you haven’t yet indulged in a Caipirinha – Brazil’s national cocktail.
Other Vegan Restaurants
Fortunately, there are quite a few other restaurants that offer vegan feijoada in Rio de Janeiro. These are just a few of the other places I tried as well as some I didn’t but I still wanted to list them here just in case!
- Vegan Vegan Espaço Vegetariano
- Gaia Art & Café
- Vegetariano Social Clube
- Spazziano
- Restaurante Bardana Cozinha Natural
These restaurants are pretty spread out all across the city so no matter where you are, there’s a chance you will be near at least one of these.
Truthfully one of my favorite parts about traveling is getting to experience the culture by tasting new and delicious foods. While I often miss out on some of the best dishes because they’re so meat-centric, it makes me feel so included that more and more countries are offering vegetarian/vegan alternatives.
So if you are a vegetarian or vegan traveling to Rio de Janeiro, don’t worry – there are plenty of places for you to try the national dish of feijoada. I hope this post and list of restaurants will help you find a tasty vegan meal while in Rio!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national dish of Rio de Janeiro?
The national dish of Brazil, as a whole, but especially in Rio de Janeiro is feijoada. Feijoada (fay-jwah-dah) is a hearty black bean stew filled with pork and beef, typically accompanied by rice, collard greens, farofa (toasted cassava flour), and sliced oranges.
Why is feijoada served with oranges?
Orange slices are typically served with feijoada to help balance the heavy, rich flavors of the stew as well as to aid in the digestion of the meats. The oranges are usually eaten after the meal.
What time is feijoada eaten?
Feijoada is typically consumed around midday on Saturdays and Sundays. This heavy meal is usually consumed leisurely with friends and family on the weekends. Wednesdays are also known as ‘feijoada day’ as many restaurants tend to serve the dish that day.
What is Farofa in Brazil?
Farofa is toasted cassava flour or manioc flour. Cassava is also known as yuca, a root vegetable commonly consumed in South America. Farofa is always served with feijoada, the national dish of Brazil.
For more helpful posts on Brazil, you may also like:
- 5 Stunning Reasons You Need To Do a Helicopter Tour in Rio de Janeiro
- Uber in Rio de Janeiro: Everything You Need To Know + Why It’s Safe
- The BEST Hostel in Rio: Jo&Joe Largo do Boticario
