Is São Miguel Restaurant in Botafogo worth it? Our experience and what we spent
The Restaurante São Miguel in Botafogo had been on our radar since it opened. The idea of a large house surrounded by greenery, with an indoor garden, wood, glass and a cuisine centered around the grill caught our attention from the start. We finally went to see it on September 18, 2026 — and came away with an opinion much more interesting than simply saying “we liked it” or “we didn’t.”
São Miguel was not a perfect experience — and perhaps that is precisely why it is worth telling you exactly how it was.
We decided to move away from the traditional starter + main course + dessert format and put almost all our focus on starters to share. It was a great strategy: we tried six different dishes, got a better understanding of the restaurant’s cuisine and spent R$ 263,20 for two people, including the 12% service charge.
Quick summary
- Address: Rua Assunção, 33 — Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro.
- When we went: September 18, 2026.
- Total for 2 people: R$ 263,20.
- Average per person: R$ 131,60, including service.
- Our highlight: marinated salmon.
- Is it worth it? For us, yes — especially if you explore the starters and value the setting, ingredients and overall experience.
If you are planning a trip to the city, also save our complete guide to things to do in Rio de Janeiro, our guide to where to stay in Rio and our selection of restaurants in Rio de Janeiro.
What is São Miguel like in Botafogo?
Even before the food arrives, the setting is already part of the experience. São Miguel occupies a large property in Botafogo and was designed with several different spaces: a preserved historic house, a spacious dining room, plenty of wood, a glass ceiling, indoor gardens, a koi pond and vegetation that helps create the feeling of a refuge in the middle of the city.
Veja Rio itself described the restaurant as a “secret garden” in Botafogo when it opened in May 2026. The publication also highlighted the wood-fired cuisine and the unusual scale of the venue, which can accommodate around 400 people.
Personally, this combination was exactly what caught our attention most: you are in Botafogo, but in some areas it feels as though you have left the bustle of the street and entered somewhere much more secluded.
Reservations: our WhatsApp message went unanswered
Here is a point we think is important to mention because practical information is more useful than advertising: we tried contacting the restaurant through its reservations WhatsApp and received no response.
In our case, it worked better to go directly to the restaurant. This may change from one day to the next, but if you send a message and receive no reply, it does not necessarily mean that the restaurant is not taking guests. It is worth checking the official São Miguel Instagram account and, if it suits your schedule, trying to go directly.
Since opening hours and reservation policies may change, we recommend confirming the details before leaving home.
Our strategy: several starters instead of one main course
São Miguel’s menu is extensive. It includes grilled meats, handmade pasta, daily specials, fish, seafood, Brazilian classics and a long section of dishes designed for sharing.
When we saw this, we decided to use a kind of “ninja strategy”: instead of spending much of the bill on a single main course, we chose several starters. This allowed us to compare flavors, textures and techniques without leaving the restaurant uncomfortably full.
Looking back, it was the best decision of the night because some of the best dishes we tried were precisely in this section of the menu.
1. Marinated salmon — R$ 48
On the menu, the marinated salmon is served on blinis with sour cream and mujol caviar.
Without a doubt, this was the highlight of our experience.
The blini is soft, the sour cream adds creaminess and acidity, the salmon has a delicate texture and the mujol caviar completely changes the bite. It is one of those small dishes in which every element genuinely serves a purpose.
What stayed with us was the feeling that every bite brought a different layer.
Would we order it again? Absolutely.
2. Carpaccio toast — R$ 29
Next came the Petrópolis bread toast with beef carpaccio and a special sauce.
The appeal here lies mainly in the mix of textures. The toasted bread provides a crisp base, while the carpaccio is soft and delicate. It is a simple dish to understand, but it works very well.
This starter confirmed our decision to explore the restaurant’s smaller portions.
Would we order it again? Yes.
3. Picanha croquette — R$ 38
The croquette was well fried, crisp and technically sound. So our point here is not that it was bad.
It was more a matter of taste: considering everything São Miguel offers, it did not make as much of an impression as we expected.
Would we order it again? Probably not. We would rather try another starter.
4. Black Angus short-rib sausage — R$ 36 on our bill
The sausage was also well prepared, but for us it fell into the same category as the croquette: tasty and well executed, but without that “I need to order this again” effect.
The most recent version of the menu we consulted also lists a sliced Black Angus short-rib sausage for R$ 32. On our September 18, 2026 bill, however, the amount charged was R$ 36 — and that is the amount we use to show how much we actually spent.
Would we order it again? It would not be a priority.
5. Braised pork cheek — R$ 46
Here, the experience improved considerably.
The meat’s texture was the main highlight: exceptionally tender and very flavorful. It was the kind of preparation where the technique speaks for itself.
The sauce/side dish was not what caught our attention most, and we ended up leaving some of it, but that did not compromise the dish because the meat was excellent.
Would we order it again? Yes.
6. Chocolate mousse with fleur de sel — R$ 38
To finish, we ordered the chocolate mousse topped with toasted almond flakes and a touch of fleur de sel.
It was well prepared, but our expectations worked against the dish here. After such a beautiful setting and some genuinely interesting flavors, we expected a more memorable finish, both in taste and presentation.
Would we order it again? We would probably try another dessert.
How much did we spend at São Miguel?
Our bill for two people was as follows:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Picanha Croquette | R$ 38 |
| Carpaccio Toast | R$ 29 |
| Marinated Salmon | R$ 48 |
| Braised Pork Cheek | R$ 46 |
| Black Angus Short-Rib Sausage | R$ 36 |
| Chocolate Mousse with Fleur de Sel | R$ 38 |
| Subtotal | R$ 235 |
| 12% service charge | R$ 28,20 |
| Total | R$ 263,20 |
| Total per person | R$ 131,60 |
We spent about 55 minutes at the restaurant. This also shows that you can experience a meaningful part of what it offers without necessarily having a three-hour dinner or ordering expensive main courses.
Is São Miguel worth the price?
For us, yes. But with one important qualification.
You are not paying only for the amount of food. The concept encompasses the setting, ingredients, execution, location and the overall experience. Our strategy of exploring the starters also helped keep the bill more balanced.
For R$ 131,60 per person, including the 12% service charge, we tried six different dishes. There were highs and lows — and we like to tell it exactly that way.
We do not need to say that everything was perfect to conclude that the experience as a whole was worthwhile.
Our summary:
Marinated salmon → the clear highlight.
Carpaccio toast → an excellent combination of textures.
Pork cheek → excellent meat.
Croquette + sausage → well executed, but we would not order them again.
Mousse → we expected more to finish.
São Miguel menu prices in 2026
If you arrived here searching for “São Miguel Botafogo prices” or “São Miguel Botafogo menu”, some prices we found on the menu in September 2026 will give you a good idea of how much you might spend.
For sharing
- Fresh oysters (4 pieces): R$ 48
- Braised pork cheek: R$ 46
- Marinated salmon (6 pieces): R$ 48
- Catupiry shrimp: R$ 86
- Grilled heart of palm: R$ 49
- Picanha croquette: R$ 38
- Carpaccio toast: R$ 29
- Shrimp toast: R$ 42
- Sliced grilled octopus: R$ 89
- Mussels vinaigrette: R$ 56
Main courses
- Picanha picadinho: R$ 89
- Grilled steak tartare: R$ 98
- São Miguel fillet: R$ 136
- Moqueca risotto: R$ 128
- Shrimp bobó: R$ 138
- Stuffed squid: R$ 98
- Surf & Turf: R$ 264
Handmade pasta
- Tronchetti Giuseppe: R$ 78
- Baroa gnocchi: R$ 79
- Penne with burrata cream: R$ 79
- Spaghettini Mariana: R$ 136
- Spaghettini & Caviar: R$ 168
From the wood-fired grill
- Organic chicken breast: R$ 58
- Sliced flank steak: R$ 94
- Picanha skewer: R$ 118
- Salmon tranche: R$ 118
- Beef ribs: R$ 164
- Ancho steak: R$ 168
- Picanha: R$ 168
- Prime Rib: R$ 398
Desserts
- Papo de Anjo: R$ 28
- Banoffee: R$ 38
- Dulce de leche cannelloni: R$ 38
- Tiramisù French Toast: R$ 38
- Chocolate mousse with fleur de sel: R$ 38
- Soft cocada: R$ 39
- Basque cake: R$ 42
- 70% Belgian chocolate cake: R$ 42
- Rice pudding: R$ 48
Prices checked in September 2026 and subject to change. Confirm the current menu before your visit.
Is the setting worth the visit?
For us, yes. The setting is an important part of the reason to visit São Miguel.
The combination of greenery, indoor garden, wood, high ceilings and different dining rooms makes the experience more interesting than simply sitting down, eating and leaving. It is a venue that works equally well for a dinner for two, meeting friends or choosing a beautiful place for a special occasion.
Botafogo, in fact, has been gaining more and more dining and cultural options. If you are exploring the neighborhood, also see our experience at Casa Firjan in Botafogo and use our complete guide to Rio de Janeiro to plan the rest of your itinerary.
Practical information
Restaurante São Miguel
Rua Assunção, 33 — Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro
Instagram: @saomiguelrestaurante
Veja Rio listed the restaurant as open from 12 p.m. to midnight and with an approximate capacity of 400 people. Since hours may change, we recommend checking the official Instagram account before going.
Reservations: in our experience, the reservations WhatsApp did not respond. We ended up going directly to the restaurant, which worked better for us.
Is São Miguel worth adding to your itinerary?
If you enjoy restaurants where the setting matters as much as the food, yes. We also think it is a good option for anyone who wants to visit a new address in Botafogo without necessarily running up an extremely high bill: by choosing the starters carefully, you can put together a varied experience and keep spending under better control.
If you would like to continue exploring Rio’s food scene, also see:
- Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro
- Villa Rio: our experience
- Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
- Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro
Frequently asked questions about São Miguel in Botafogo
How much does it cost to eat at Restaurante São Miguel?
During our visit on September 18, 2026, we spent R$ 263,20 for two people, including six items and the 12% service charge. The total came to R$ 131,60 per person. The cost can rise considerably if you choose meat cuts, seafood or more expensive main courses.
Is São Miguel worth it?
For us, yes. The main highlights were the combination of setting, concept and menu variety. Not every dish won us over, but the marinated salmon, carpaccio toast and pork cheek made the visit worthwhile.
Do you need to reserve at São Miguel?
We tried contacting the reservations WhatsApp and received no response. In our experience, it was simpler to go directly to the restaurant. At busy times, it is worth checking the official Instagram account before leaving.
What was the best dish we tried?
The marinated salmon with blinis, sour cream and mujol caviar was our favorite. It was the most delicate and interesting dish of the night, especially because of the combination of texture, creaminess and flavor.
Where is São Miguel located?
The restaurant is at Rua Assunção, 33, in Botafogo, in Zona Sul, Rio de Janeiro.
Is São Miguel suitable for couples?
We think so. The setting is beautiful, surrounded by greenery, and includes spaces that work well for a dinner for two. It also accommodates groups and families, but the atmosphere of the gardens and historic house is especially suited to a more relaxed evening.
We paid our own way, and this review is based on our real experience. Prices and information may change after publication.
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