coffee is extremely popular in rio de janeiro - called 'cafezinho' (small coffee), it represents one of the most popular items of carioca culture, both as a pleasure in itself, and as an excuse to socialize at any time of the day.

in fact, not only did coffee play an extremely important part in the history of the city and of brazil, but today offering a coffee to someone is a typically carioca courtesy to be equally expected and extended - just about anywhere someone is made to wait for a meeting or for a service, a small coffee is offered - from offices to barber shops, coffee machines are virtually omnipresent.

in part due to its small size and fast consumption, coffee should be enjoyed standing still, at a bar or at a table, and not walking around or in the subway.