I stumbled upon Café Gaúcho while researching must-eat spots in Rio de Janeiro on YouTube. It’s located in the Centro district, which is home to many major attractions like Lapa, the Royal Portuguese Reading Room, and Escadaria Selarón, so I added it to my list as the perfect pit stop while exploring the area.
I decided to kick off a long day of sightseeing with a quick meal at Café Gaúcho. Even though it was a rainy day, the trip there was easy. Much like La Veronese, this place is a classic lanchonete (a standing-room/takeout spot), but it’s specifically well-known as a bar that serves incredible food and snacks.
I ordered their most popular item: the Sausage Sandwich. It comes on a roll that is perfectly crusty on the outside but soft in the middle, packed with savory sausage and grilled onions and peppers. The meat-and-veggie ratio was excellent—definitely more filling than bread—which is always a great sign. I also added some of their house hot sauce; it wasn’t overly spicy, but it provided a nice, flavorful kick to the sandwich.
I can totally see why this spot is such a hit with the locals. With cold draft beer and affordable, tasty snacks, this would be my go-to neighborhood spot if I lived here.
If you’re exploring Centro, make sure you stop by Café Gaúcho and try their specialty sausage sandwich!
Service
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Sit down
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Takeout
Restroom info
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Gender-Neutral
Pro Tips
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Get the sausage sandwich