Confeitaria Colombo, Rio de Janeiro

This is a branch of the Confeitaria Colombo. Not the beautiful building as in downtown one, but this place is great as well.

Located at the Copacabana Fort, it offers the most beautiful view of Copacabana Beach.

The following info was taken from a synopsis they provide at Colombo.

"Confeitaria Colombo was founded in 1894 by two Portuguese adventurous men, Manoel José Lebrão and Joaquim Borges de Meirelles, whose philosophy was' the customer is always right '.

All the Belle Epoque charm remains in full bloom at Confeitaria Colombo in the heart of Old Rio. Part of the city's cultural heritage, it's also one of the favorite downtown attraction for tourist from all over the world.

The magnificent salons are lined with ornate jacaranda-framed mirrors imported from Belgium at the turn of the century. The art nouveau decor is found throughout its showcase, furniture and fitting, ceiling light and floor dating back to this delightful past.

Confeitaria Colombo benefited from the social and urban progress of the city, as well as the consequent business development. Soon it became well-known as the place where politicians, journalists, poets, writers and artists went to attend business meetings or simply to have fun.

Eminent visitors, as Queen Elizabeth, from England, and King Albert, from Belgium, had the opportunity to taste its delicious specialties.

Almost all Brazilian presidents were Colombo's customers. The afternoon tea was an elegant occasion and the ladies of society and their families enjoyed it after shopping. Later at night, the cheerful cocottes filled the salons with their fashionable and colorful clothes. Confeitaria Colombo introduced not only new fashions but also new tecnologies as the elevator.

Since the begining of the century the lively carnival dances at Colombo inspired musicians to write songs that became great hits.

The tradition and effective participation in our society confirm the importance of Confeitaria Colombo in the history of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil"

Confeitaria Colombo is a real must see when you are experiencing downtown in Rio.
Not only a beautiful place indeed, but there you can spend some time enjoying the pastries, have lunch at the lovely Cristovao Restaurant - where you can also have a lovely "five o'clock tea".

A confeitaria mais antiga e mais charmosa do Rio, com mais de 100 de existencia, é um lugar fantastico com seus saloes imponentes, e ate hoje serve o melhor cha das 5 do Rio

The Confeitaria Colombo, it´s the oldest and most charming, restaurant in Rio, it has over 100 years old, and it´s salloons, are very beautifull and imponent you just can´t miss it, and it´s still servs the 5 o´clock tea

Favorite Dish: Cha das 5
5 o´clock tea

This is my favorite restaurant in Rio, especially for the atmosphere and also the good food. The picture does not do it justice.

Built in 1894 and renovated in 1912 this landmark building has preserved the charm of Old Rio with its huge Belgian crystal mirrors, straw chairs and wood engravings. Go to the lunch buffet upstairs on weekdays, the food is excellent! Even if you don't eat here, you can stop downstairs for coffee...you have to see this place (it's a city landmark)!

CLOSED on WEEKENDS!!!!

Favorite Dish: It's a buffet. My favorite was the desserts!!

The Colombo Bakery is a real living portrait of the Belle Époque in the Downtown Business Center of Rio de Janeiro.
It keeps an art nouveau style of the beginning of the century.
The cakes (and besides there are also other salty dishes available) are delicious and the atmosphere is wonderful!

Address :
Rua Gonçalves Dias, 32, Centro
Telephone: (21) 2232- 2300
E Mail: contato@confeitariacolombo.com.br
http://www.confeitariacolombo.com.br

Founded in 1894, on Rua Gonçalves Dias, the Confeitaria Colombo is in downtown Rio, so it will be off the beaten path for most visitors. Take a cab, it's Rio's world famous historical cafe and bakery. The traditional gathering place for artists, intellectuals, and politicians.

The walls are covered by huge Belgian mirrors, the floors are Italian marble. The counters, bar, and the rest of the restaurant are made of Brazil's finest Jacaranda wood (Rosewood). All impossible to find in today's world.

Coffee, pastries, baked foods, sandwiches, you name it. You can't go wrong. It is ancient Rio Antigo at its best and most authentic. It's like stepping back in time. A bit or ancient Rio set in modern and very busy downtown. It gives you a glimpse of real life every day Rio outside of the tourist southern zone. See a day in the life of the working Brazilians.

Favorite Dish: I can't even remember what I had. My wife said we had some "pao de queixo" - cheesebread and coffee. Pao de queixo - if you never had it, it's going to ruin your diet!

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Legacy of imperial Brazil, Confeitaria Colombo preserves the elegance of a bygone era. The Belle Époque tearoom opened its doors in 1894 and immediately attracted Rio's high society and intellectuals, and became the rendez-vous place of choice. In a city that has replaced much of the old with less attractive modern construction, Confeitaria Colombo is a welcomed surprise. Its art nouveau elegance is as vibrant as it was a century ago, albeit with a more modern clientele. The café serves full meals as well as alcohol, but its greatest treat is the wide selection of desserts: the Brazilians seem to have inherited the Portuguese love of pastries. Stop here for lunch or for an afternoon espresso and dessert while touring Centro.

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This historical place is not only worth checking out for it's decor, but also for it's delicious pastries. When you fist walk in you're overwhelmed by the high ceilings, enormous Jacaranda-framed mirrors, stained glass and tiles. They have thousands different deserts and chocolates. You must try!
They also have sandwiches and salads, but I deserts is what Confeitaria Colombo is known for. If you're not big on sweets, you have to at least check out the decor.

Favorite Dish: I had a chocolate hazelnut tartlet that just melts in your mouth.

First time I went to Rio, I had a great lunch in a very nice place. The chocolat cake was awesome (I love chocolat) and the pastel de nata was excellent. Unfortunately, the next time the owners had changed, so had the food :-(
A nice restaurant to go to is Confeitaria Colombo in the Centro. The building is beautiful and the food is decent ! Anyway it's worth the visit.
The building is absolutely beautiful. The 'salon de thé' is downstairs and the restaurant up-stairs.

Favorite Dish: It's a buffet so you can eat lots of different food. Check the brazilian food (cus hey ! you're in Rio !).