Cafe Ao Leu — Restaurant in Região Geográfica Imediata do Rio de Janeiro

As a specialty coffee enthusiast visiting Rio, I was genuinely excited to try this café after hearing great things, especially about their range of Brazilian coffees. I came with curiosity, asked about the beans they were using, and ordered both a doppio and a filter coffee, hoping to explore some specific profiles.

I’m a big fan of specialty coffee and was really looking forward to visiting this café while in Rio. I’d heard great things and was excited to try different Brazilian beans. I ordered a doppio and a filter, and asked a few questions about the coffees they had, since I was hoping to try something specific.

Turns out the batch filter was already filled, but I still asked nicely if it might be possible to get a V60 instead. At that point, the woman behind the counter rolled her eyes, slammed the cup back on the counter, and just started serving the next person. She could’ve just said “it’s already made” and that would’ve been totally fine, but the energy was unnecessarily cold.

I ended up taking the coffee anyway. It was good, but the interaction left a weird aftertaste. I get that people have off days, but in specialty coffee, it’s not just about the drink—it’s about how you make people feel. A little honesty and warmth would’ve gone a...

I stumbled upon Café Ao Leu in Leblon and was immediately taken by its warm, minimalist charm — a small specialty coffee spot that feels deliberately relaxed yet refined. Their beans are sourced from top Brazilian regions (think Caparaó, Chapada Diamantina, Cerrado Mineiro), and you can taste that care in each cup. The oat milk cappuccino I had was silky smooth, and the filter brew offered a crisp clarity that set it apart from typical cafe fare.

I had the brownie and the orange and almond cake, both amazing, as well as the cookie.

Fabio is kind and knowledgeable. An excellent barista with a true appreciation for coffee.

The space is intimate (expect minimal seating), which makes it ideal for a leisurely coffee break, but perhaps less so as a work from cafe hangout. The staff were friendly and welcoming — they clearly know their beans. Vegan options are modest: there was at least one vegan cake and plant milk available. On the flip side, food offerings beyond coffee are limited, so don’t plan a full brunch stop here.

In short: if you’re in Rio and want a top tier specialty coffee spot rather than big brunch vibes, Café Ao Leu is a gem. Quiet, attentive, and proudly Brazilian in its bean sourcing — highly recommended for...

Very rude and bad service for no reason. I ordered a coffee, but they served four people behind me in line before me. When I asked about my coffee, the girl was rude and said, “It’s a line here.” Then, instead of serving it in a cup as I had ordered, they gave me a latte without any art or presentation - it was messy; while everyone else around me received their drinks nicely. When I mentioned that I had ordered it in a cup, the girl yelled, “We don’t ask clients what they want.” Then the barista tried to convince me that this messy coffee was how it was supposed to be. Very disappointing. I hope the owner sees this and ensures that people like this don’t work here because rude employees will only bring the business...