One of the coolest things about the beaches in Rio (and most of Brazil) are the many merchants that…read morestop by your blanket to offer you everything from shrimp snacks to nuts and sandwiches. The barracas, however, are like mini beach bars that also happen to rent you the umbrella and chairs (for pretty cheap). Every time I've visited Ipanema beach I station myself in between Posto 8 and 9 at Barraca Da Ana. There, I'll rent 2 chairs and an umbrella and throughout the course of my morning or afternoon there, I'll order a medley of beverages from coconut water (still in it's coconut) to juices, beer, and caipirinhas. Ana or her colleague, also named Ana, frequently walk around making sure to take care of their sunbathing clientele. It's a no frills kind of experience and that's precisely what I love about it.

Didn't get to go to the restaurant itself to be able to see the service, decor and other aspects of…read morethe place that you only get to know once you step foot into the location. We got our food by phone order. We got 3 meals for 4 people and it was delivered right to our door. They charge a $5,95 (reais)delivery charge so be aware of that. Also the meal cost overall was $74 reais We ordered a meat plate combo with black beans, fries, one fried egg, the meat and crazy rice. Now I need to explain a little more about 2 items here, however first as a disclaimer be aware that most of the food here have little to no salt, I am not completely sure why but yes almost no salt. Now here are the 2 items I wanna elaborate on: CRAZY RICE- this thing is pretty good. It is white rice with a bunch of stuff mixed into it, onions, peas, carrots, raisings and seasoning, but keep in kind that you can request to have any of these items removed from the rice during the prep time for your order. THE MEAT- we asked for it to be cooked medium well to well. It can very over cooked and to cut it was difficult as it was very rubbery. I was not greatly impressed with their meal overall. Sadly the food is all that I have from this place to make my impression and in the end the food foes not make me wanna come visit the actual restaurant.

The place has the looks of a great local bar with a long counter (and regular tables overlooking…read morethe avenue) for seating and a lively clientele. The staff was friendly and the beer cold, but I left totally unimpressed with the food. I tried a carne seca acebolada with fried mandioca, but a) the meat was way too salt, b) the mandioca was of the processed variety, and c) the onions had been cut and briefly heated but not been given any time at all to soften. Meh meh meh.