Anywhere to get kaffir lime leaves in BR?

say what?

Try the freezer section of a large Asian grocery--sometimes you can find 'em near the frozen banana leaves. Or call your favorite Thai restaurant and ask where the resto sources kaffir lime leaves; they might even offer to sell you some. I have a kaffir lime tree in my backyard, if I were closer to BR I'd happily give you some. The young leaves are best for cooking.

Lemongrass will give you a similar flavor, but not exactly the same...its key essential oil is citral, whereas kaffir lime's big flavor component is citronellal (which smells like cleaning supplies, as it is used in lysol, etc).

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Yeah, I realize that's an obscure question, and (I think) an obscure ingredient. Anywhere in BR have them? Would anything work as a substitute?

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these can be pretty hard to find in nola, so im imagining more difficult in BR. Buying a potted tree is the best option...

Whole foods will sometimes have the kaffir limes, i've only seen the leaves at the hong kong market on the west bank here.

Aside from buying the tree, asking restaurants might be the best way. And I don't think it's uncommon for thai ones to have a tree for themselves.

kaffir limes and their leaves are awesome, they are more fragrant than regular limes, so adding a ton of zest if you dont have kaffir would be an option, but really it's a different flavor.

whole foods has them from time to time

I think I saw them either at Fresh Market 2 Sundays ago. Might be worth giving them a call.