Empório Bocaiúva
Empório Bocaiúva has anchored Rua Bocaiúva since 1992, running as a hybrid deli, wine bar, and bistro across a deep storefront with sidewalk tables, an indoor wine cellar, and a back dining room. The wine list runs to several hundred labels with a strong showing of Brazilian and Argentine options alongside European imports. Six craft beer taps rotate seasonally with a focus on Santa Catarina brewers. The dinner menu leans Mediterranean with charcuterie boards, pasta dishes, and grilled meats, and the kitchen runs until 11 PM most nights. The crowd is the closest Florianópolis has to a regulars bar for the city's professional class: lawyers, government workers, business owners, and the older expat community. Pricing sits at the upper end of the Bocaiúva strip but matches the quality. The pace is slow and conversational, which makes it useful as a dinner-into-drinks venue before moving to louder spots later.
Where to stay near Empório Bocaiúva
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A long, narrow space with the deli counter and wine display at the front, sidewalk tables outside, and a more intimate dining room at the back. The pace is slow, the lighting is warm, and the conversation level stays moderate even on busy weekend nights.
Polished, low-key, and rooted. The kind of place locals bring out-of-town family for dinner.
Background jazz, bossa nova, and instrumental Brazilian music kept at conversation volume
Smart casual. Most patrons come straight from work, so business casual reads fine, but jeans and a clean shirt also work.
Dinner before moving elsewhere, longer evenings centered on wine and conversation, and quieter date nights.
Cards (all major), cash (Brazilian Real), Pix all accepted
Price Range
Wine by glass R$28-65, draft craft beer R$18-30, mains R$60-160, charcuterie boards R$80-180
Wine glass ~$5.50-13/~5-12 EUR, mains ~$12-32/~10-29 EUR
Hours
Mon-Sat 11 AM to midnight, kitchen until 11 PM
Insider Tip
The wine flights are a cost-effective way to sample regional Brazilian labels. Sit at the bar to chat with the sommelier if you have questions about Catarinense wines. The charcuterie board with regional cheeses pairs well with the rotating tap selection.
Full Review
Empório occupies a long storefront on Rua Bocaiúva that has shifted slowly over three decades from a wine and deli shop into a full bar and bistro. The current layout puts the deli counter and wine cellar visible from the entrance, with tables along both walls leading back to a slightly larger dining room. The sidewalk seating is part of the appeal in good weather, with about 12 tables arranged under awnings against the building. The interior tile work and dark wood read older than the food and wine list.
The wine program is the strongest feature. The list runs to several hundred labels with the depth in Brazilian and Argentine wines that most Florianópolis restaurants don't bother with. Regional Catarinense and Rio Grande do Sul producers feature prominently, with verticals from established names like Miolo, Casa Valduga, and Lidio Carraro. European wines run heavily toward Italy and Portugal. The by-the-glass program is reasonable for the city, with 15-20 options usually open and pours in the 28-65 BRL range.
Compared to the cocktail-focused venues nearby like Duplex 48 or Black Sheep, Empório is older, slower, and built for longer evenings. The crowd is also distinctly older and more professional, which is either an attraction or a deterrent depending on what you're after. The food matters here in a way it doesn't at most Florianópolis bars; the kitchen is serious about ingredient sourcing and the seasonal menu actually changes.
The staff knows their wine. Sommelier-level recommendations are available if you ask. Tab pacing is relaxed and you won't get pushed out. Service slows during peak dinner hours (8-10 PM) but recovers quickly afterward. Pix and cards both process without issues.
The Neighborhood
Empório anchors the southern end of the Bocaiúva strip, with the more cocktail-focused venues clustered further north toward Beiramar Shopping. The historic Praça XV is a 10-minute walk southeast. The waterfront on Beira-Mar Norte sits a few blocks east. Most surrounding businesses are restaurants and offices rather than nightlife venues.
Getting There
Uber from anywhere in Centro takes 5-10 minutes and costs R$10-15. From Lagoa, 20-25 minutes at R$25-40. From Jurerê, 35-50 minutes at R$50-80. Walking from the Beira-Mar rooftops takes about 10 minutes. Public parking is limited on Bocaiúva; valet at the larger restaurants down the street will sometimes accept Empório patrons for a small fee.
Address
Rua Bocaiúva, 2050, Centro
Staying connected in Brazil
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Browse Brazil eSIM plansOther Venues in Centro
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Bugio Centro Bar
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UNIKA Cervejaria
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