The story
In Ipanema, Maria e o Boi is a steakhouse that doubles as a showcase for Brazilian regional cooking. The menu is built around quality meats and grills, from picanha and ribeye to a 12-hour roasted rib, but the kitchen also reaches deep into the country’s culinary traditions. Dishes like the Pirarucu frito do Pará – Amazonian fish with açaí pirão, banana purée, and black-eyed pea salad – or the Panelinha de Iemanjá, a seafood stew of shrimp, squid, and fish of the day with vatapá, speak to a kitchen that knows its sertão and its coast.
The dining room is relaxed, with outdoor seating and a wine bar, and the energy is convivial. The menu is divided into starters, mains, salads, a dedicated grill section, sides, and desserts. Standouts among the starters include the Steak Tártaro with fermented mango and chili peppers, and the Mandioca Show – crispy cassava with melted ribs in cheese sauce. For mains, the Peito de boi assado à Oswaldo (quase) Aranha is a slow-roasted beef brisket in its own sauce, served with rice, farofa, and fries. The X-Maria burger, glazed in molasses-balsamic with Canastra cheese sauce, is another favorite.
The grill section is extensive, with cuts like bife ancho (ribeye), bife de chorizo (sirloin), and fraldinha (skirt steak), all available in various weights. Sides range from purê queijudo trufado (truffled cheese purée) to pupunha canoa com chimichurri (grilled heart of palm). Desserts include a Manjar de coco e cocada de manga and a Mousse de doce de leite with crumble and strawberries.
Maria e o Boi has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a recognition for good quality, good value cooking that fits the restaurant’s ethos: generous, well-executed food without pretense. It’s a place for a proper meal – whether that’s a business lunch, a weekend dinner, or a late-night steak with friends.
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