Chic and Cheerful

Hungry shoppers, prepare yourself for an avalanche of oranges.

One of the most popular lunch spots in the downtown maze of bargain basement establishments that is Saara,  Pasteleria Chic’s (map) takes kitsch kookiness to a whole new level.

Open for business since 1970, the budget-friendly snack bar is something of a shrine to oranges – the walls are covered with white tiles decorated with oranges, while a 1950s style painting depicts a happy family picnicking in an orange grove. Meanwhile, a bright orange spiral staircase winds its way from behind the counter to the staff only area upstairs.

Hordes of hungry shoppers and workers flock here each day, and it’s not just the cute decor that keeps them coming here. The menu is almost beautiful in its simplicity – the food consists of pasteis (pastries stuffed with various fillings and then fried), while the drinks ’selection’ is limited to one thing. Yes, you guessed it:  orange juice.

The juice comes with or without sugar (there’s the option of adding artificial sweetener if you find the sugar-free version a little bland), and is served in various sizes in cute paper cups that feature the very same orange motif that dots the wall

The pasteis themselves, meanwhile, come filled with your choice of cheese, meat, chicken, cod or palmito (palm heart), and while the filling itself is not overly generous, the quality of the ingredients is high and the pastry is crisp and tasty.

Clocking in at around R$2.50 for a juice and pastel combo, this is one of the cheapest and most cheerful spots refuel in the middle of a bargain-hunting expedition to Saara (The name translates as Sahara, and is a reference to the vast number of Arab-owned shops and cafes here).

1 places are mentioned in this post!

1. R. dos Andradas, 36 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20051-002

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