Smack in the middle of Copacabana is the unusual, endearing and downright delicious bar Adega Perola, as unassuming as they come and all the better for it. What at first glance might appear to be a no-nonsense deli is in fact one of the neighbourhood's best-loved botecos (bars), the long glass counter laden with all manner of traditional Portuguese fancies, from exquisite lamb sausages and incredibly juicy olives to fresh octopus and marinated sardines. I like to ignore the menu and adopt the ‘peruse and point’ ordering technique, having seen what looks best.

Opened in 1957 by Portuguese from Madeira Island, this little spot has been a hit for decades with its variety of snacks offered at the glass counter. You can spend hours trying and sharing some of the over 50 snacks, from classics like sardines in escabeche (R$9 each) to garlic preserves (R$36) and fried provolone (R$58) to more sophisticated choices like the "pérolas do mar" (R$48), with scallops, shrimp, octopus, and mussels. To wash it all down, a Brahma chopp costs R$10, and there’s a good selection of bottled beers and assorted wines.

One of the most authentic botequim (traditional bar) experiences in Rio is this hole-in-the-wall kitchen serving up tasty Portuguese-style tapas to shared tables and a long deli-bar where regulars crowd after dark. While the staff's English is limited, the service and general atmosphere—vintage prints and liters of wine lining the walls—is so warm and welcoming that you will barely notice; be prepared for a wait in the evenings if you want a table, or head to the bar and order directly from the counter.

Adega Pérola opened 60 years ago in the heart of Copacabana, and today the place is the same as always: The long bar is laden with Iberian-style tapas, here called tira-gostos. The octopus in vinaigrette is the most celebrated dish, but there are pickled vegetables, codfish, cold cuts and cheeses, meats, olives—in fact, some 100 options are served on trays and sold by weight. The bar is short on glamour, but the quality is nonetheless spectacular—and nothing could be more authentic.

Frequentar o Adega Pérola é como viajar no tempo – mais precisamente para 1957, quando o bar foi inaugurado em Copacabana: o balcão toma destaque com os diferentes petiscos à mostra, bem em frente às mesas, enquanto cartazes amarelos espalhados pelas paredes indicam especialidades da casa. Para beber, há chope (9 reais), cerveja de garrafa, doses e caipirinhas (26 reais). Rua Siqueira Campos, 138, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

Frequentar o Adega Pérola é como viajar no tempo – mais precisamente para 1957, quando o bar foi inaugurado em Copacabana: o balcão toma destaque com os diferentes petiscos à mostra, bem em frente às mesas, enquanto cartazes amarelos espalhados pelas paredes indicam especialidades da casa. Para beber, há chope, cerveja de garrafa, doses e caipirinhas. Serviço: Rua Siqueira Campos, 138, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.

The giant vitrine that runs the length of this popular Copacabana bar displays dozens of enticing dishes and snacks which are served on small plates as a form of Portuguese tapas. Highlights from the huge range of items on offer are the various seafood escabeches and whole cured garlic cloves. Search through the massive menu to pick out popular local treats such as rã à milanesa (frog fried in breadcrumbs).

Established in 1957 by Portuguese immigrants, this beloved bar offers a nostalgic journey to Madeira Island with its authentic flavors and inviting atmosphere. Enjoy over 50 snacks displayed at the counter, from sardines in escabeche (R$9 each) to fried provolone (R$58). Delight in sophisticated choices like “pérolas do mar” (R$48), a seafood platter with scallops, shrimp, octopus, and mussels.

Adega Pérola is one of the most typical interpretations of the “boteco.” Opened in Copacabana in 1957, it has preserved a rustic ambiance—the walls are filled with old pictures and newspaper reviews about the place. From the appetizers counter, order a dish like squid vinaigrette, olives and Portuguese tremoço paired perhaps with a bottle of Noi Amara Imperial IPA.

In the back streets of Copacabana, across an interesting antiques shopping mall (shopping dos antiquarios), you’ll find Adega Pérola. Small, authentic and a great vibe make this place, a great location for drinks and eating tapas. Originally founded by a Portuguese family from the isle of Madeira in 1957, the owners made sure the Iberian atmosphere is inescapable.

With a huge delicatessen counter that runs the length of the restaurant stocked with delicious Portuguese specialities such as morcella (Portuguese blood sausage), sardines, marinated garlic, olives, and octopus in vinaigrette, to name but a few, Adega Perola allows customers to choose from a dizzying array of options that are then cooked, fried or served fresh.

An extremely traditional botequim awaits you, brimming with rare Portuguese bar foods and tapas. You’ll also quickly notice their old-school charm, where nothing is sugar-coated. They serve delights such as squid and fish ceviche, anti-pasti, and other intriguing preserves.

Best Tapas-Style SnacksRua Siqueira Campos, 138 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22031-010, Brazil. (Photo courtesy of Adega Perola). You’ll likely be standing during your meal, but the tapas-style snacks at this Rio institution are worth it.