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Oteque

Rio de Janeiro

Hip seafood-led establishment with simple ingredients and sophisticated cooking

On the Pass

Alberto Landgraf

Pastry Chef

Nayara Tonani

In a nutshell: Opened in 2018 by Brazilian chef Alberto Landgraf – whose roots are Japanese and German – Oteque encompasses an open-plan kitchen and dining room, a small chef’s table seating six, plus a cocktail bar.

House of dreams: The cosy yet elegant restaurant is set in an old house built in 1938 in Rio’s hip Botafogo district. With a discreet and unassuming front door, you’d have no idea you’d be stepping into a Brazilian temple to seafood. The building was painstakingly refurbished by Landgraf to build his dream space, which mixes modern and minimalist architecture.

Back story: Landgraf uses the skills he honed in Japan and in London with Tom Aikens and Gordon Ramsay to create a technique-led menu. Book a front-row table to capture the kitchen action, tap your toes to the diverse soundtrack and let your senses be stimulated by the sublime experience that was recognised with the Art of Hospitality Award as part of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2022.

Typical dishes: The seasonal menu is a true celebration of fish and seafood, balancing texture, acidity and temperature. Landgraf lets the freshest products sing with their simplicity, creating dishes that are bursting with flavour. A star course is the beautiful pickled sardine and foie gras on brioche; while a juicy steamed oyster is served with pork skin and pork spine broth.

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