CNNGo.com

CNNGo in Rio de Janeiro: Beaches, caipirinhas and ... sushi

Posted: 13 May 2014 07:00 PM PDT

Our monthly TV show visits the host city for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and discovers plenty to keep your feet moving

From Sugar Loaf Mountain to Ipanema, CNNGo shows you how to do Rio de Janeiro right.

We hit Grumari Beach for some surf time, as well as Instituto Reacao, a Brazilian jiu jitsu studio built for Rio's youth.

Hotel owner Bruno Nadkarni gives us a lesson on the Brazilian liquor, cachaca; mother and daughter team and restaurateurs, Carolina and Bianca Gayoso, take us on a food tour.

For those into ink, DJ Tucho brings us along to his favorite tattoo studio in the neighborhood of Tijuca.

Tucho also take us to Leme Beach for "circuito," Rio's beach-themed workout, and shows off his DJ skills in the Vigario Geral favela.

All this and more on CNNGo!

Grumari Beach

Grumari Beach Grumari: Not every beach in Rio is packed with people.

You won't find beachfront restaurants, luxurious hotels or an overload of kiosks here.

Instead you have space to stretch out on 1.5 miles of white and red sand. Favored by sun seekers, this lovely beach is a ways away from the high-density crowds at Copacabana and Ipanema.

MORE: Samba central: Moving to the rhythms of Rio's Lapa district

Aprazivel

Aprazivel's Caipirinha Caipirinhas are a colorful pleasure everywhere.

Family-run Aprazivel showcases fabulous Brazilian food in a fun setting.

The dining tables are in tree houses in the garden of owner Ana Castilho's original home, with miraculous views of Rio.

We prefer starting with a kiwi-capim-santo caipirinha and whole grilled palm heart, followed by chef Brito's Bahian classics.

Aprazível, Rua Aprazivel 62, Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro; +55 21 2508 9174

MORE: Best day trips from Rio

The Maze Inn in Tavares Bastos favela

An alternative view of Rio from the Maze Inn.

Set in Tavares Bastos favela, the Maze Inn is a fantastic place to overnight for those looking for an alternative view of Rio.

The rooms are decorated with original artworks by English owner and Renaissance man Bob Nadkarni, while the veranda offers stunning views of the bay and Pão de Açúcar.

Bimonthly jazz parties are held the first and third Fridays of the month.

The Maze, R. Tavares Bastos (final), Catete, Rio de Janeiro; +55 21 2558 5547

MORE: Powerful flavor: Rio's incredible juice bars

Sushi Leblon

Sushi Leblon Sushi in Brazil? Deliciously, yes.

Leblon's top sushi destination has a Zen-like ambience, with a handsome dark-wood sushi counter.

In addition to sashimi and sushi, you'll find grilled namorado (a type of perch) with passionfruit farofa, sea-urchin ceviche and refreshing sake.

Sushi Leblon, Rua Dias Ferreira, 256, Leblon, Rio de Janeiro; +55 21 2512 7830

Brigite's

Clean and sleek, Brigite's is Rio's latest culinary powerhouse.

Another jewel in Rua Dias Fereira's ample culinary crown has just been unleashed by the team behind Sushi Leblon and Zuka; Ana Carolina Gayoso, Bia Stewart and Marina Hirsch's elegant Brigite's.

In keeping with its illustrious siblings, the design is clean and bright by day, more atmospheric and even a little Mediterranean by night, with a subtle bar-restaurant division making for a different eating or drinking experience depending on the mood.

Brigite's, Dias Ferreira 247-A, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro; +55 21 2274 5590