This entry takes us to Annapoorna | Vegetarian & Vegan Cuisine, a cozy restaurant located in Rio de Janeiro’s West Zone, where food, culture, and spirituality meet.

The name Annapoorna comes from the Hindu goddess of nourishment, an incarnation of Parvati, who symbolizes fertility, union, and the act of feeding life on Earth. This mythology inspired Chef Soyan Ferrer, a lifelong vegetarian, to start her project back in 2015 from her own home. What began as a small personal initiative soon grew, and in 2020 the Annapoorna restaurant officially opened its doors.

Sharing the same space with a yoga studio, Annapoorna goes beyond the idea of a restaurant: it embodies the concept of health as both physical and spiritual balance.

The food is colorful, rich in nutrients, beautifully plated, and above all, delicious. The staff is kind and welcoming, and the atmosphere invites you to slow down and truly enjoy your meal. And it’s not only for vegans or vegetarians I, for instance, am not vegan myself, yet I was completely drawn in by the flavors, textures, and creativity of the dishes.

Here’s my visual diary of this experience: food that nourishes the body, stories that nourish the mind, and a space that welcomes everyone.