Leblon

Leblon (named after a French plantation owner, "Le Blond", who owned this area) is an affluent neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, just west of Ipanema, another neighborhood in that city. In the north it is bordered by Gávea, and in the west by a towering hill called "Dois Irmãos", which translates as "two brothers", because of its split peak.

It's very much like Ipanema but even more exclusive, being the home of very rich and affluent people. The beach is a bit more quiet and relaxed than the hip and trendy beach of Ipanema. The neighborhood has the highest land prices of Brazil and Latin America.

Commercial Renaissance

In the past few years Leblon has gone through a subtle, however significant commercial renaissance. The once quiet neighborhood has seen an uprise in property values, as well as the arrival of many small upscale stores (boutiques) and eateries.

Rua Dias Ferreira is a clear example of this commercial rebirth, hosting a large amount of sophisticated cafés, bookstores and a slew of Japanese restaurants such as Sushi Leblon and the cozy Mirai.