Allie P.
Yelp
Wonderful spot to stop by for drinks and / or food in Santa Teresa! Bar do Mineiro was already bookmarked before I visited and was also recommended by a guide or two from previous days of exploring in RJ. I was unaware / distracted when I had walked past it one day when I was with a tour group. We had pão de queijo at the little shack across the street. When I was back in Santa Teresa on my final day in RJ, I knew I had to make it here! I was there for a late lunch / early dinner. It was not packed like it shows in some of the Yelp fotos which was actually nice for me. That meant no wait to be seated. I had a lovely view facing the outside - I love the restaurant's decor as everywhere you looked, there was something unique and interesting to see and having the giant open windows / doors at the front provide a nice outside-in atmosphere. From the tables, to the items on the tables - love the vibe.
What I ordered:
- Pastels (the ones I saw in everyone's fotos on Yelp - I wasn't sure which ones they were on the menu, but I pointed them out to my waiter. He said it usually comes in many pieces and because I was alone, he could do fewer pieces for me I think). ***these are a MUST! my favorite thing I ate here***
- Feijoada (again, because I was dining alone, the feijoada for 1 would have been too much food for me if I had that AND the pasteis - my waiter made me a smaller portion where it all came on one plata). Still sooo much food, haha. I tried my best to eat everything before I left, but eventually had to ask for a togo container (they placed my food in this lovely bag with the restaurants name and logo and I was able to enjoy this later that evening). It was good, but I think the first time I try something in Brazil it has alway been the best (this was my 2nd time trying feijoada, still really good!)
- Colorado Appia cerveja (this has to be my favorite beer in Brazil!) I found out that I had snatched the last bottle of the day.
I really would have wanted to try a lot more things but alas, one of the cons of going out alone... I guess I could have ordered another thing togo since I had a leftovers bag.
During the time I was there, I really liked my waiter as he did help me a lot with knowing what I wanted to order. He knew a little English as well so that was awesome. I ended up chatting and meeting the owner and this lady who I think was maybe his wife or really good friend unknowingly as they sat at the two-person table next to mine. The lady was very welcoming and chatted with me a little - asked me where I was from. The owner who is this really cute older man was just so humble and you can really tell a lot of friends go to visit and support his business. As I was about to head out to do more exploring, there was another solo traveler who had came in minutes before, later moved tables to sit closer to mine as it was easier to chat vs. from across the pathway. He had ordered something similar to me I think but it looked like more food... it may have been frango with a side of feijoada? Looked great!
All in all, absolute fantastic time here! Will definitely come back here and hopefully I'll have a bigger party so I can try more items off the menu, haha. On my way out, I asked the owner if I could take a foto with him and he said he was okay with it! :]
Thank you for existing, Bar do Mineiro!