Where do chefs eat? With Pedro Coronha, from Koral, in Rio de Janeiro

Pedro Coronha He is only 26 years old, but has spent time at renowned houses both in Brazil and abroad. Graduated in gastronomy from Alain Ducasse's former school in Rio, the young man started as a cook in restaurants such as Eleven Rio and the Eleven Lisbon .

In 2019, he was an intern at name , in Copenhagen, recognized as one of the best restaurants in the world. Back on national soil in 2021, he was at the forefront of Mäska and caught the attention of specialized critics.

The young chef now runs his own business, the recently opened Koral , in Ipanema, where it serves modern food with influences from South American, Nordic and Asian cuisine. The two-story mansion has 500 m², 97 seats and an open kitchen, where the menu focuses on local ingredients from land and sea.

Outside his restaurant, Pedro tries other bites in search of different flavors and Share below your favorite places to eat and drink well in Rio de Janeiro :

• Clan BBQ

See this photo on Instagram

A post shared by CLAN (@clanbbq)

In Leblon, Clan BBQ is a place for those who like everything that passes through the fire. The restaurant serves a great burger (R$62), which includes a charcoal-toasted brioche bun, flank steak blend, cheddar cheese and homemade sauce.

The meat options are also a good choice, as the menu features premium cuts such as ancho steak, skirt steak and even wagyu.

Clan BBQ: Rua Dias Ferreira, 233 – Leblon, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / Tel.: (21) 96713-6746 (WhatsApp) / Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 12pm to midnight; Sunday, from 12pm to 7pm.

• Grado Restaurant

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Grado :: Nello Garaventa (@gradorestaurante)

For me, Grado serves the best Italian food in Rio de Janeiro. The restaurant operates under a closed menu system with three stages: starter, main course and dessert (R$ 198). The person behind the pans is the chef Nello Garaventa which is also the name behind its younger brother Padella Trattoria, in Botafogo.

In addition to the food, I would like to highlight the welcoming atmosphere at Grado, which occupies a charming mansion in the Jardim Botânico.

Grado Restaurant: Rua Visconde de Carandaí, 31 – Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / Tel.: (21) 99435-8386 / Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, from 7pm to 11pm; Saturday, from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm; Sunday, from 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

• NAGA River

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NAGA Rio (@restaurantenaga)

Inside the Village Mall, in Barra da Tijuca, Naga is a contemporary Japanese restaurant that always delivers an excellent standard of quality.

The sushibar has a variety of items, including combos, tartare, ceviche, hot dishes and some special orders. In addition to the food, the drinks are created by the mixologist Alex Mesquita and the environment extends onto the balcony and into a lounge with recurring musical programming.

NAGA River: (inside the Village Mall) Avenida das Américas, 3900 – store 302, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / Tel.: (21) 99994-5649 / Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 12pm to 11pm; Sunday and holidays, from 12pm to 10pm.

• Pope Ipanema

With an Italian, Mediterranean feel, Pope is a gastrobar that serves great pizzas and has good signature and classic drinks, all in a relaxed atmosphere in Ipanema. Among the round ones there are flavors such as truffled mushroom, margherita, pepperoni and four cheeses.

From the menu, my highlight is also the ossobuco lasagna (R$88), which is baked over wood with ossobuco ragu, grana padano fonduta and rôti sauce.

Pope Ipanema: Rua Joana Angélica, 47 – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / No telephone / Opening hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, from 6pm to midnight; Thursday, from 12pm to midnight; Friday and Saturday, from 12pm to 1am; Sunday, from 12pm to 11pm.

• Princess Bar

Princesa delivers good bar food and has interesting options on the executive menu. Among the bar's delights, think of octopus with vinaigrette, broths, pastries, pies and fish and steaks to share, as well as draft beer, of course.

The executive menu (R$72) is served from Monday to Thursday, from 11:30 am to 4 pm, and entitles us to a starter, main dish and dessert of the day. Stroganoff, minced meat, roast beef with spaghetti and ham are among the main options.

Princess Bar: Rua João Líra, 148 – Leblon, Rio de Janeiro – RJ / No telephone / Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday, from 11:30 am to 11 pm; Thursday to Saturday, from 11:30 am to 1 am / Unit also in Barra da Tijuca, at the Rio Design Barra shopping mall.