authentic italian restaurants and bistros can be found all over the city, but typical dishes are present across many carioca menus even if the establishment's main cuisine is not italian - pastas and risottos are quiet common, so much so that there is a successfyl fast-food chain serving specifically these dishes called spoleto. 

additionally here is a selection of some of the many italian establishment's that can be found in the marvelous city.

gabbiano al mare is a superb italian fine dining establishment offering authentic italian food, with a seaside twist brought to one of the most exotic locations in rio de janeiro - as a sister restaurant to the world renowned gabbiano, in the barra da tijuca neighborhood.  ● more ●

quadrifoglio is a lovely italian restaurant with a charming, cozy, and romantic decor - there are exposed brick walls, intimate lighting, tables covered with thick white table clothes, and the food served is italian with a slight brazilian flair - the restaurant has two locations, one being in the lovely lagoa neighborhood, and the other in the village mall of barra da tijuca.  ● more ●