Known as the “muse of the pots and pans,” chef Luiza Souza runs Bar da Gema alongside partner Leandro Amaral. Since opening on Barão de Mesquita Street in 2009, the restaurant has become a beloved institution in the Tijuca neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro.
The menu continues to highlight the dishes that built its reputation. Favorites include the famous coxinha (served on Wednesdays) and the comforting polenta with oxtail, alongside heartier plates such as Parmegiana da Gema, available with chicken or beef. Traditional Brazilian specialties are also served throughout the week: feijoada is served on Fridays and Saturdays, while Sundays feature dishes like oxtail with watercress and shrimp bobó.
The restaurant also offers thoughtful options for vegan diners, including stuffed eggplant with vinaigrette and creamy polenta with shiitake mushrooms. To accompany the meal, guests often enjoy ice-cold Brahma draft beer or finish with a small batida shot in flavors such as dulce de leche, peanut brittle, coconut, or passion fruit—an indulgent and cheerful ending to the experience.
