Away from Rio de Janeiro’s busiest tourist districts, Lareira Original has served neighborhood diners in Tijuca for more than half a century. The steakhouse, at Rua Major Ávila 185 and about a 15-minute walk from Maracanã Stadium, is known for grilled meats and hand-cut fries. It receives three stars, rated “Good.”
The restaurant’s portions are generous, and its fries are a highlight. They come in several cuts and can be ordered as a side or on their own for R$41. The menu says they arrive without salt, leaving diners to season them themselves. The house vinaigrette is also made simply with tomatoes and onions, while oil and vinegar are brought separately on request.
The meal began less successfully with a grilled pork sausage, priced at R$12, which the reviewer found overcooked. The vinaigrette lacked the liquid needed to moisten it, so oil and vinegar had to be requested separately.
A signature dish, the R$322 filet mignon à Don Ramiro, is large enough for three or four people. The meat was cooked as requested and carried a smoky flavor. Its mozzarella-and-Parmesan sauce, enriched with cream and topped with fried garlic, was described as flavorful and balanced.
The French-style side dish, priced at R$69, also stood out. It combines peas, ham, translucent onions and a generous amount of shoestring fries, in a portion substantial enough to serve as a meal.
Dessert was a weaker finish. The R$39 churros cup with dulce de leche was overly sweet, with a slight bitter aftertaste and soft dough lacking crispness.
Sources: Folha Ilustrada.