Rua Dias Ferreira is the dining heart of Leblon, a short run of blocks at the western edge of the neighbourhood that packs in a remarkable concentration of Rio's best restaurants and bars. The mix runs from contemporary Brazilian fine dining to seafood, sushi, and lively botecos, and the street fills up late as Cariocas move from dinner to drinks along the same pavement.
It is more polished and pricier than the city's average, reflecting affluent Leblon, but it is the place to come for a serious meal in the Zona Sul. Book ahead for the marquee names, or simply wander the strip and pick somewhere with a buzz — the quality stays high from end to end.