La Veronese Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Before my trip to Rio de Janeiro, I did a ton of research on must-eat spots. I believe I first saw La Veronese on YouTube, and I made sure to add it to my “must-visit” list. While Google labels it as an Italian “restaurant,” it’s actually more of a traditional standing-room/takeout spot—typical of the classic lanchonetes you find throughout the city.

Located in the heart of the Ipanema neighborhood, the shop is open and inviting; you can see the entire interior from the sidewalk. The space is essentially one long counter filled with an incredible variety of savory dishes and pastries. You simply place your order with a staff member, tell them you’re eating “here,” and they’ll bring the food to wherever you’re posted up at the counter.

The main reason I stopped by was for the Margherita Pizza. It’s a personal-sized pie, not a slice, and the aroma of fresh baking hits you the moment it arrives. From the very first bite, I could taste how fresh the tomatoes were. The dough was incredibly soft, and the cheese… well, the cheese was on another level. I started out eating it with a plastic fork and knife (I know, I know!), but the cheese pull was so intense that I eventually had to just pick it up. It was beautiful.

I also tried the lasagna after chatting with a customer in his late 40s who told me he’s been eating here since he was 12 years old. With a recommendation like that, I had to give it a shot! Even though I asked for a small portion, it was incredibly hearty. It featured layers of goodness topped with a generous amount of melted cheese and a solid bolognese-style beef mixture. It was great, but the pizza is still the undisputed star of the show.

The place stays busy, with locals constantly flowing in and out. While I was eating, I noticed that the pizza and the various pastries seemed to be the most popular items—especially the sweets!

A Note on the Staff (and my embarrassing mishap): The staff here were incredibly kind. I actually had a bit of a disaster: while I was recording a video of my meal, I tried to use my can of Coca-Cola as a phone stand. I moved the wrong way and knocked the whole thing over! The soda and a container of forks went flying all over the floor behind the counter. I felt so embarrassed and apologized profusely, even offering to buy the staff coffee, but they just smiled and told me it was no problem at all. Their kindness definitely made me feel better about the whole situation.

I had planned on coming back at least once more before heading home, but unfortunately, I didn’t realize they were closed on Mondays. Whomp whomp..! At least I got to try it once and have the photos and videos to relive the memory. If you find yourself in Rio, you absolutely have to stop by La Veronese for that pizza!