No, this is not a section about "dining at the Y." There's real food to be had in Rio. I've heard many a hobbyist complain about the food in Rio and, upon further questioning, learned that their culinary explorations had been limited to MacDonalds', Bob's, and a couple of Avenida Atlantica tourist trap restaurants. This is sad, because good food is readily available and relatively cheap in Rio.

Recommending restaurants can be like recommending women: one man's "9' is another's '6.' With that caveat in mind, these are some I've visited and enjoyed.

Bwana's Top Ten (in no particular order):
Quadrifoglio (Rua JJ Seabra, 19, Jardim Botanico, tel: 2294-1433). Killer Italian; this upscale restaurant is a place to take a special garota. They feature wonderful fresh filled pastas and an array of marvelous sauces. Located just up the street from Termas Solarium.
Porcao Rio's (Av. Infante Dom Henrique, Flamengo, 2554-8862). My favorite churrascaria (Brasilian BBQ) featuring great meats and a fabulous salad buffet. All-you-can-eat rodizio-style dining in a beautiful setting overlooking Sugarloaf. Another restaurant the garotas love.
Antiquarius (Rua Astrides Espinola, 19, Leblon, 2294-1049). Elegant (and pricey) Portuguese and exotic Brasilian cuisine; one of the best restaurants in the city in which to get a sense of Brasil's culinary heritage.
Felice Café (Rua Gomes Carneiro, 30, Ipanema, 2579-3030). A more modest entry, this comfy café serves great pasta and meat dishes (try the Penne Gorgonzola), good sandwiches, and some of the best ice cream in Rio. This is probably my favorite non-upscale restaurant in Rio.
Marius (Av. Atlantica, 290A, 2542-2393, Leme). This is my other favorite churrascaria, where the food keeps coming until you plead "Nao mais!" This is another spot the garotas appreciate coming.
Siri Mole e Cia (Rua Francisco Otaviano, 50, Arpoador, 2267-0894). This wonderful restaurant features the cuisine of Bahia (fish, fish, and more fish). Try the spicy shrimp moqueca.
Celeiro (Rua Dias Ferreira, 199, Leblon, 2274-7843). Conde Nast magazine raved about this salad and veggie restaurant, and I have to agree with their enthusiastic recommendation. The place to go the day after you've ODed on meat at a churrascaria.
Garota de Ipanema (Rua Vinicius de Moraes, 49A,Ipanema, 2523-3787). Best known as the location where Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim wrote the lyrics to "The Girl from Ipanema," the food is both excellent and reasonable.
Confeitaria Colombo ( Rua Goncalves Dias, 32, Centro, 2232-2300). Open only for lunch, this classic European-style patisserie serves a great buffet-style lunch in an elegant setting. No need to dress up despite the beautiful setting. This is a nice place to have lunch on the way to Termas 4X4.
Marius Crustaceos (Av. Atlantica, 290, Leme, 2542-2393). Apply the rodizio style to seafood and this is what you get. Seafood, shellfish, stews, and a great salad buffet, all in a typically "Marius" classy setting.

More good eating options:

Along the Beach:
Don Camillo (Av. Atlantica, 3056, Copacabana) Decent Italian.
Alcazar (Av. Atlantica, 3530, Copacabana). Don's office; good cheap comida Brasileira.
Barril 1800 (Av. Vieira Souto, 110, Ipanema). Nice selection of typical Brasilian food.

Feijoada--Brasil's National Dish:
Casa da Feijoada (Rua Prudente de Moraes, 10, Ipanema). Served every day.
Confeitaria Colombo (see above). A great version served for lunch on Saturdays.

Bars with Great Snacks:
Bracarense (Rua Jose Linhares, 85B, Leblon). Voted best in Rio repeatedly.
Cervantes (Av. Prado Junior, 335, Loja B, Copa). Great food, and open until 4 a.m.

Salads and Light Meals:
Alface's (Rua Visconde do Graca, 51, Jardim Botanico). Great selection of salads.
Gula-Gula (Rua Anibal de Mendonca, 132, Ipanema). A great choice for a light meal.
Celeiro (see above). When you're craving salad and vegetables, this is the place to go.

Juices:
Polis Sucos (Rua Maria Quiteria, 70, Ipanema). Killer juices from Amazonian fruits.

Sweets and Baked Goods:
The Bakers (Rua Santa Clara, 86, Copa). Great pastries, cakes, and light meals.
Cafeina (NS de Copacabana & R. Constante Ramos, Copa) Pastries and great breakfasts.
Traiteurs de France (NS de Copacabana, 386, Copa). French-style baked goods.

Ice Cream:
Felice Café (see above). Ice cream to die for.
Sorveteria Mil Frutas (Rua Barao da Torre, 510B, Ipanema). Specializes in exotic fruit flavors, some mixed with chocolate. Worth a trip.
Sorveteria Mil Frutas (Rua JJ Seabra, Jardim Botanico). Ditto; up the street from Termas Solarium.