Rio has restaurants for every taste and budget. The quintessential Brazilian meal is churrasco -- slow-grilled meats brought to your table on skewers in an endless parade. Rodizio-style churrascarias charge a fixed price and keep the meat coming until you flip your card to red. For something more traditionally Carioca, try feijoada -- a rich black bean stew with pork, served with rice, farofa and orange slices. Casa da Feijoada in Ipanema serves it every day, not just the traditional Saturday.
The seafood is excellent, particularly in Santa Teresa where Sobrenatural serves Amazonian-influenced fish dishes in a colonial house. Ipanema and Leblon have the highest concentration of upscale restaurants -- Zuka on Rua Dias Ferreira is a standout for contemporary Brazilian cuisine. For vegetarians, Semente in Lapa has a solid vegan menu with a juice bar.
Eating out in Rio is generally affordable by European or North American standards, and portions are generous. Many restaurants offer prato feito (fixed plate) lunches for very reasonable prices.