Fodor's Expert Review Carmo

Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options abound at this self-proclaimed "tropical café," which playfully references the cuisines of Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. Fresh, local, and organic produce are used to create dishes like acarajé, a black-eyed-pea fritter stuffed with vatapá (a cashew, peanut, and coconut paste) or the Rico sandwich, a breadless creation of grilled plantains, melted cheese, vegan meat, avocado, salsa fresca, and a tangy secret sauce. Try one of the unusual fresh fruit juices: options like cupuaçu (a nutrient-packed fruit with flavors of pineapple, passion fruit, pear, banana, and chocolate), acerola (Amazon cherry), and graviola (also known as soursop, tastes like brown sugar and pears) are nearly impossible to find this side of the Amazon.