Mee

If you’re looking for an Asian dining experience close to Copacabana beach, make sure you book a table at Mee, an excellent option within the walls of the “Copa” (Copacabana Palace hotel). In this elegant restaurant where modernity and exoticism combine together harmoniously, the focus is on pan-Asian fusion cuisine that takes the tastebuds on a gastronomic journey to discover the flavours of Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Japan, Singapore etc. Chef Alberto Morisawa was born in São Paulo but his family origins are in Madara Shima (Nagasaki, Japan), hence the dominant influence of Japanese cooking in his highly sophisticated dishes, many of which are served raw. The à la carte, teeming with nigiris, temakis, sashimi and dumplings, is complemented by interesting tasting menus (these include an Omakase option as well as a vegetarian menu). The paintings on the walls by Belgian artist Christian Develter, inspired by the tattooed faces of women from the Chin ethnic group in Myanmar, are truly spectacular!

What sets it apart:

• A dedicated sushi bar for 16 or 19-step omakase, alongside tasting menus and an a la carte card in the main room.
• A pan-Asian scope anchored in Japanese technique, using Thai, Malaysian and Singaporean flavour notes without losing precision.
• A serious sake focus, with a pairing option designed to run in parallel with the tasting formats.

Signature ingredients and anchors of the kitchen:

• Raw fish and rice, built into nigiri, sashimi and temaki, especially in the omakase at the sushi bar.
• Dashi, soy, citrus and chilli-driven seasonings that move the menu between Japanese and South East Asian profiles.
• Wagyu, used in richer hot dishes such as sukiyaki-style preparations.
• Dumplings and crisp-fried snacks, including xiao long bao-style fillings and tempura.
• Sake, a core pairing thread alongside cocktails and wine.

Inside the Copacabana Palace, Mee runs a pan-Asian menu that leans Japanese at the sushi bar, with Thai and South East Asian flavours elsewhere on the card. Dinner formats include two omakase options at the counter, 16 steps (R$535) or 19 steps (R$635), plus two tasting menus served in the dining room, traditional (R$480) and vegetarian (R$415). A sake pairing is offered as an add-on (R$550).