Beyond the realm of many tourists and even a fair few cariocas, this restaurant deserves a mention for the historic setting as much as the cooking. The huge windows in the former palace in Sao Cristovão bring the park to your table, though there are some available outside too if the weather permits. The food is as fresh as it is tasty, with the straightforward, unfussy main dishes sufficient for two people. Only open at lunchtime, it is nevertheless an ideal stop for visitors to the nearby zoo and the National Museum.