
Mee
Asian Influences · Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Restaurant in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Read
Pan-Asian Precision, Copacabana
Price
$$$$
Chef
Alberto Morisawa
Dress
Formal
Why go
Mee holds consecutive Michelin stars (2024 and 2025) for its Asian-influenced menu along Copacabana's Avenida Atlântica. Under chef Alberto Morisawa, the kitchen operates in a register distinct from Rio's Brazilian-focused fine dining tier, drawing from pan-Asian culinary traditions at a $$$$ price point.
About Mee
Should You Book Mee for a Special Night Out in Rio?
Yes; if you want a Michelin-starred meal in Copacabana with a distinct Asian-influenced identity that sets it apart from the Brazilian-forward fine dining rooms dominating the city's top-table scene. Mee has held a Michelin Star in both 2024 and 2025, which places it in a small club of consistently recognised restaurants in Rio de Janeiro. For a first-timer to the city's fine dining circuit, it offers a clear point of difference: this is not a churrascaria, not a seafood palace, not a modern-Brazilian tasting menu. It is a polished, high-format restaurant built around Asian culinary influences, operating at the $$$$ price tier. Book it with intention.
What to Expect When You Walk In
Mee sits at Av. Atlântica, 1702 in Copacabana, placing it in one of the most recognisable addresses in South America. The energy here reads formal without being stiff; this is a room that expects a certain register from its guests, the ambient feel reflects that. Noise levels stay low enough for conversation, which makes it a better choice for a dinner with someone you actually want to talk to than for a group celebrating loudly. The atmosphere is controlled, composed, measured, closer to the cadence of a Tokyo kaiseki room than a buzzy Zona Sul bistro. If you are arriving from the beach or from a daytime tour of the city, plan time to change; the room's mood calls for it.
His presence signals that this is a kitchen operating with serious technical ambition, the Asian Influences designation is not decorative. The menu takes that direction seriously, which means first-timers should arrive without expecting Brazilian classics. You are here for something structurally different from what most of Rio's fine dining rooms offer.
How Hard Is It to Book?
Booking difficulty is rated Hard. With two consecutive Michelin Stars and a location at one of Copacabana's most prominent hotel-adjacent addresses, demand is consistent. Do not expect a same-week table during high season or around Carnival. If you are travelling to Rio with a fixed date in mind, secure your reservation as early as possible, several weeks in advance is a conservative minimum. No booking method or phone number is listed in data, so your leading approach is to contact the venue directly through the hotel or property it is associated, or to check availability through a concierge service if you are staying nearby.
Practical Details
Reservations: Required; book as far in advance as possible, especially during peak travel periods. Budget: $$$$ price tier, plan for a high-spend evening per head consistent with Michelin-starred fine dining in Brazil. Dress: No dress code is listed in data, but the room's atmosphere strongly implies smart attire; treat it as you would any formal Michelin-starred restaurant. Location: Av. Atlântica, 1702, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. Hours: Not confirmed in data, check directly before arriving. Groups: The formal tone of the room makes large, celebratory groups a poor fit; smaller parties of two to four will get more from the experience.
On Delivery and Takeout
Mee is not a venue you should approach with takeout or delivery in mind. The entire proposition here is the room: the controlled atmosphere, the service register, the pacing of a multi-course format. Asian-influenced fine dining at this level depends on sequence, temperature precision, presentation, none of which survive a delivery journey. If you are looking for Asian-influenced food in Rio that travels well, this is the wrong address. Mee is a destination you visit, not an order you place. The value of the $$$$ spend is inseparable from the in-room experience. For comparable Asian culinary ambition in a different Brazilian city context, Kazuo in São Paulo is worth noting, as is MAIN TOWER Restaurant & Lounge in Frankfurt for international comparison of the Asian-influences fine dining format.
How It Compares to Rio's Other $$$$ Rooms
Rio's top-tier restaurant set includes Oteque, Lasai, Oro, Casa 201, and Mee, all operating at $$$$. The choice between them comes down to what kind of meal you want, not which is objectively better. See the full comparison below.
Beyond This Meal
If Mee is your anchor booking for a Rio trip, the city's dining scene around it rewards exploration. Mr. Lam offers a different register of Asian-influenced cooking in the city if you want a second point of comparison. For a broader picture of where to eat, drink, stay, the Pearl Rio de Janeiro restaurants guide is the most useful next step. You can also explore bars, hotels, wineries, and experiences across the city. For context on Brazil's broader fine dining circuit, D.O.M. in São Paulo, Origem in Salvador, Birosca S2 in Belo Horizonte, Orixás North Restaurant in Itacaré, State of Espírito Santo in Rio Bananal, and Mina in Campos do Jordão all represent the range of what serious dining looks like across the country.
Part of
Belmond53 locations on PearlLocated inside
HotelCopacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de JaneiroFull hotel guidePlanning details
- Location
- Av. Atlântica, 1702 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22021-001, Brazil
- Website
- belmond.com/hotels/south-america/brazil/rio-de-janeiro/belmond-copacabana-palace/dining
- Phone
- +55 21 2548-7070
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Mee leans on its Copacabana address to set the tone: the ocean-facing Avenida Atlântica becomes an extension of the dining room, and the changing light at dusk creates a scenic, quietly dramatic backdrop. The kitchen’s pan‑Asian tasting idiom matches that mood, asking diners to slow down and attend to each dish. Consecutive Michelin recognition underscores the room’s fine‑dining ambitions without relying on local Brazilian technique; instead Mee cultivates an intimate, cinematic evening where salt air, horizon views and carefully paced courses combine into a memorable, romantic tasting experience.
Best For
This is a dinner destination built for deliberate evenings — date nights, special occasions and celebrations fit naturally here. The kitchen presents pan‑Asian tasting sequences and omakase alongside signature plates like sushi and sashimi, Crispy Sichuan Tea Smoked Duck, Shrimp Tempura and a Dim Sum Sampler, so guests come expecting multi‑course, attentive service. The waterfront setting and Michelin recognition make it especially suitable for moments when the view and the meal both matter; it’s a place to linger through courses rather than rush a late‑night bite.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the tasting rhythm: the house’s omakase and multi‑course approach are presented as the intended way to experience the kitchen, so choosing a tasting or letting the kitchen sequence courses will reveal the restaurant’s pacing and pairings. Highlighted dishes — sushi and sashimi, the Sichuan tea‑smoked duck, shrimp tempura and the dim sum sampler — read as signature stops within that progression. Because the meal is framed around the waterfront setting and slow service, plan to sit and savor rather than order à la carte for speed.
Venue details
Ambiance
Modern and elegant with harmonious blend of modernity and exoticism; intimate 92-seat dining room with artistic wall installations by Belgian artist Christian Develter; refined lighting and sophisticated bar area.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Formal
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Formal
- Meal Pacing
- Extended Experience
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Omakase
- Sushi and Sashimi
- Crispy Sichuan Tea Smoked Duck
- Shrimp Tempura
- Dim Sum Sampler
Planning details
Location
Av. Atlântica, 1702 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22021-001, Brazil · Directions
belmond.com/hotels/south-america/brazil/rio-de-janeiro/belmond-copacabana-palace/dining
Recognition and awards
Restaurant context
Among Rio's $$$$ fine dining rooms, the choice comes down to what kind of experience you are optimising for. If you want the most technically focused take on modern Brazilian cuisine, Oteque is the strongest argument; it is consistently cited alongside Mee as one of the city's most serious kitchens, its Brazilian identity is explicit and rooted. Lasai operates in a similar register with a regional Brazilian and sustainability-driven focus; it is a better choice if the provenance of ingredients matters as much as the cooking. Both are equally difficult to book at peak periods.
For something with a different architectural ambition, Oro brings a contemporary Italian and Brazilian hybrid that feels more relaxed in register than Mee, despite the same price bracket. Casa 201 is the French-leaning option for diners who want a more classically European framework. Neither carries Mee's back-to-back Michelin recognition, which matters if external validation is part of what you are paying for.
The only meaningfully lower price point in the comparison set is Lilia at $$, which operates in an entirely different category and is not a direct substitute. For the $$$$ tier, Mee is the right booking if Asian culinary influences are specifically what you want; no other restaurant in this peer group covers that ground. If Brazilian identity is important to your night, Oteque or Lasai will serve you better.
Explore Rio de Janeiro
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Mee guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Mee
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mee | Rio de Janeiro | Asian Influences | Michelin Guide Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo 20262025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star | $$$$ |
| Oteque | Rio de Janeiro | Modern Brazilian, Modern Cuisine | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #14Michelin Guide Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo 20262026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #122025 Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants · #382025 World's 50 Best Restaurants · #812025 The Best Chef Two Knives2025 Michelin 1 Star2025 La Liste Top Restaurants | $$$$ |
| Lasai | Rio de Janeiro | Regional Brazilian, Modern Cuisine | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #12Michelin Guide Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo 20262026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #72025 Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants · #132025 World's 50 Best Restaurants · #282025 Michelin 2 Stars2025 The Best Chef Two Knives2025 La Liste Top Restaurants | $$$$ |
| Oro | Rio de Janeiro | Contemporary Italian, Brazilian, Modern Italian | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #63Michelin Guide Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo 20262026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 The Best Chef One Knife2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in South America2025 Michelin 2 Stars2024 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #442024 Michelin 2 Stars | $$$$ |
| Lilia | Rio de Janeiro | Italian, Brazilian | 2026 Eater NY 38 Best Restaurants in New York City · #262026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #362026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #672025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1022025 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #272023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Ranked · #252023 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #39 | $$ |
| Casa 201 | Rio de Janeiro | French | Michelin Guide Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo 20262025 Michelin 1 Star | $$$$ |
How Mee Rio de Janeiro compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mee good for a special occasion?
Yes; Mee is well-suited for high-stakes nights. Two consecutive Michelin Stars (2024 and 2025) give it the credibility to anchor a celebration, the Av. Atlântica address in Copacabana adds a sense of occasion before you even walk in. At $$$$ pricing, expect to spend accordingly. If your group wants a Brazilian-forward experience instead, Oteque or Lasai are the stronger alternatives.
What should I order at Mee?
Specific menu details are not published in available documentation, so call ahead or check with the venue directly to confirm current formats and seasonal offerings before booking.
Can Mee accommodate groups?
Groups are possible but require advance planning. Mee is a $$$$ Michelin-starred room with high demand, so larger parties should book as far ahead as possible and confirm group minimums or private dining options directly with the venue. Parties expecting a relaxed, flexible format will find the formal setting less accommodating than a bistro or casual Asian restaurant in Rio.
What should a first-timer know about Mee?
Book well in advance; this is a hard reservation with two Michelin Stars and a prominent Copacabana location. Budget for a $$$$ spend and expect a formal, structured dining experience rather than a casual or sharing-plates setup.
Is the tasting menu worth it at Mee?
At $$$$ pricing with back-to-back Michelin Stars in 2024 and 2025, Mee justifies the spend if you want Asian-influenced fine dining in Rio; a format no other restaurant at this level in the city offers. If you're primarily drawn to Brazilian cuisine, the same budget at Oteque or Lasai delivers more direct local relevance. Mee earns its price for the specificity of its culinary identity, not just the credential.
What should I wear to Mee?
A $$$$ Michelin-starred address on Av. Atlântica points clearly toward formal or smart-formal dress. While specific dress code policies are not published, arriving underdressed at a two-Star room in Rio's most prominent hotel corridor is a risk not worth taking. Err toward a dinner jacket for men and equivalent for women; confirm with the venue if you have specific concerns.
































