🍽️">
Countries Cities Topics Payability Score
Brazil Rio de Janeiro — food delivery guide for travelers
🇧🇷

Food Delivery Apps in Brazil

From the energy of Sao Paulo to the beaches of Rio — your complete guide to navigating Brazil's delivery scene as a tourist.

3 Major Apps Best for Tourists: Rappi Foreign Cards: Rappi Best Brazilian SIM Helpful

Quick Facts for Tourists

🍔
Best Tourist App
Rappi
💳
Foreign Cards
Rappi Better Than iFood
📱
Phone Required
Brazilian SIM Very Helpful
🌐
Language
Portuguese Dominant; Limited English

Food Delivery Apps in Brazil

Brazil's food delivery market is dominated by the homegrown giant iFood. However, for tourists, the landscape is more nuanced. Here is every major app you need to know about, with honest tourist-focused ratings.

iFood
Absolutely dominant — Brazil's #1 delivery app
Foreign Cards
Difficult
Coverage
Massive — nationwide
Language
Portuguese only
Cash Payment
Yes
Payability: 55
Rappi
Best for tourists — accepts foreign cards
Foreign Cards
Yes
Coverage
Good — major cities
Language
Some English
Cash Payment
Yes
Payability: 72
Uber Eats
Reduced presence — still available in some cities
Foreign Cards
Sometimes
Coverage
Limited — select cities
Language
English available
Cash Payment
Yes
Payability: 65

Grocery Delivery in Brazil

Need groceries, snacks, or essentials? Brazil has several grocery delivery options, though many are geared toward locals with Brazilian payment methods.

iFood Market
Grocery section within iFood app
Rappi Grocery
Grocery delivery — tourist-friendly option
Pao de Acucar Online
Premium Brazilian supermarket chain
Mercado Livre
E-commerce marketplace with grocery options

Tourist Reality Check

Here is what it is actually like to use food delivery apps in Brazil as a tourist. The honest truth.

⚠️

iFood dominates but is hard for tourists. iFood is absolutely massive in Brazil — it is the country's most-used delivery app by far. However, it is entirely in Portuguese, often requires a CPF (Brazilian tax number) for registration, and foreign credit cards frequently do not work. If you can get past these hurdles, iFood has the most restaurants and best prices. Most tourists cannot.

✅

Rappi is your best bet as a tourist. Rappi accepts foreign credit cards more reliably than iFood, has some English interface elements, and works across Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, and other major cities. It is a super-app that also offers grocery, pharmacy, and convenience store delivery.

💡

The CPF problem is real. Brazil's CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Fisicas) is a tax identification number that many services require. iFood may ask for one during registration. Rappi is generally more flexible. Some tourists report using a friend's CPF or finding workarounds, but the cleanest solution is to stick with Rappi or use cash on delivery.

💰

Brazilian payment system is unique. Brazil uses PIX (instant payment system), boleto (bank slips), and local debit cards extensively. Foreign Visa and Mastercard may face additional verification. Currency charges may apply. Cash on delivery is a reliable backup when digital payment fails.

🍴

Incredible value for food delivery. Brazilian food delivery is amazingly affordable. A full meal delivered in Sao Paulo or Rio can cost 15-40 BRL ($3-8 USD). The variety is outstanding — from traditional Brazilian dishes like feijoada and acai bowls to Japanese food (Sao Paulo has the largest Japanese community outside Japan) and pizza (Brazil is the second-largest pizza market in the world).

🌎

Sao Paulo and Rio have incredible coverage. Both cities are massive delivery markets with thousands of restaurant options. Coverage extends to neighborhoods throughout the metro areas. Smaller cities like Florianopolis, Salvador, and Recife also have good delivery infrastructure. Beach towns may have limited coverage.

Tipping Delivery Drivers

Tipping delivery drivers in Brazil is appreciated but not as culturally entrenched as in Mexico or the US. Here is what to know:

  • Typical tip: 2-5 BRL ($0.40-$1 USD) — small but appreciated
  • Tipping culture for delivery is growing in Brazil, especially in big cities
  • iFood and Rappi both have in-app tipping options
  • Cash tips directly to the driver are always welcome
  • During rain or for long-distance deliveries, a larger tip is a kind gesture
  • Brazilian delivery drivers (entregadores) often work long hours for low base pay

Hotel & Accommodation Delivery

Getting food delivered to your accommodation in Brazil works well in most situations, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

🏨

Hotels allow delivery. Most hotels in Brazil, especially in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and other major cities, are accustomed to food delivery. Drivers will meet you in the lobby or at the front desk. Leave clear instructions in the delivery notes.

🏖

Favela and hillside addresses can be challenging. Some neighborhoods in Rio and other cities have complex access that delivery drivers may find difficult. Stick to well-known addresses and provide detailed directions. Beach-area hotels in Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon work perfectly.

🏝

Beach hotels work well. Beachfront hotels and apartments in popular tourist zones have excellent delivery access. Drivers know these areas well. Ordering food to enjoy on your balcony overlooking the beach is a Brazilian tourist classic.

Brazil Download Pack

Download these apps before you land in Brazil. We recommend installing them over Wi-Fi before your trip and testing registration.

Apps to Download

  • ✅ Rappi — Best for tourists (MUST HAVE)
  • 🔶 iFood — Brazil's biggest (hard for tourists)
  • 🔶 Uber Eats — If available in your city

Frequently Asked Questions

iFood is Brazil's dominant food delivery app, but it presents significant challenges for tourists. The app is entirely in Portuguese with no English option. Registration often requires a CPF (Brazilian tax identification number), and foreign credit cards frequently fail or are rejected. If you manage to get past these hurdles, iFood offers the largest restaurant selection and best prices. For most tourists, Rappi is a much smoother experience.
Rappi is the most reliable option for foreign credit cards in Brazil. iFood has inconsistent foreign card support and often requires Brazilian payment methods like PIX or local bank cards. Uber Eats, where still available, may accept some foreign cards. The Brazilian payment ecosystem is unique and can frustrate international visitors. Cash on delivery is available as a reliable fallback on most platforms.
Rappi is the best food delivery app for tourists in Rio de Janeiro. It accepts foreign credit cards more reliably than iFood, has some English interface elements, and covers popular tourist neighborhoods like Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Botafogo, and the Centro area. iFood has significantly more restaurant options but is much harder for foreigners to use. Both apps have excellent coverage across Rio's main neighborhoods.
A CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Fisicas) is Brazil's individual taxpayer number. iFood frequently requires one for account creation. Rappi and Uber Eats are generally more flexible and may not require a CPF. If you need to bypass the CPF requirement, cash on delivery is a good workaround. Foreigners can technically obtain a CPF, but the bureaucratic process is not practical for a short tourist visit. Stick with Rappi for the smoothest experience.
Yes, cash on delivery is available on iFood and Rappi in Brazil. While digital payments (especially PIX) have grown enormously, cash delivery remains an option in most areas. Have small bills in Brazilian Reais ready, as drivers may not carry change for large notes. Cash delivery can be a smart workaround when foreign card payments fail — which happens more often in Brazil than in many other countries.
Rappi in Brazil has partial English interface support, making it noticeably more tourist-friendly than iFood. The app menus and navigation can display in English, though restaurant names, menu items, and dish descriptions are typically in Portuguese. Food photos help bridge the language gap. The ordering flow is visual and intuitive enough for most English speakers to navigate without difficulty.

Heading to Another Country?

We cover food delivery apps in 40+ countries. Find your next destination.

Explore All Countries