Brazilian restaurants in South America
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A
Churrascaria Búfalo
There’s no better place in Manaus for rodizio, an all-you-can-eat meat extravaganza in which a cadre of tuxedoed waiters bring skewer after skewer of sizzling meat right to your table, accompanied by a full salad and pasta bar. There’s no chance of leaving here hungry.
reviewed
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B
Casa da Feijoada
At this longstanding institution, any day is fine to sample the rich, black bean and salted pork dish. The feijoada is served with the requisite orange slices, farofa and grated kale, all of which pair nicely with a caipirinha.
reviewed
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C
Brasileirinho
This rustically decorated restaurant serves good, traditional Mineiro cuisine. Favorites include tutu a mineira (mashed black beans with manioc), carne seca (dried and salted beef) and picanha (rump steak).
reviewed
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D
Ponto Chic
A São Paulo tradition, Ponto Chic is famous for its efficient, bow-tied staff and the extravagant bauru - a sandwich of beef, tomato, pickle and melted cheeses on French bread.
reviewed
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Sabor da Vila
One of the top Bahian restaurants in town, Sabor da Vila serves excellent moquecas, picanha (tender seirloin steak), grilled fish and other mouthwatering dishes.
reviewed
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E
Cafeteria do Largo
This unassuming boutique eatery specializes in all-natural tapas-style appetizers, and they may well be the most creative and well-prepared edibles anywhere in Manaus. Most are distinctly Amazonian, like smoked pirarucú pâté with açaí (berry-like fruit) rolls or a miniature log cabin made of tender palm hearts. The caipirinhas are stellar, and the setting – a scattering of outdoor stainless-steel tables opposite Teatro Amazonas – is hard to beat.
reviewed
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Coco Bambu
This huge and festive eatery is one of those ridiculous Brazilian restaurants that does a whole lot of everything and – one would think – not a whole lot well. Oh no, not here. The 14-page menu covers pizza, tapioca, crêpes, sushi and regional mains (as well as por-kilo for lunch) but here’s the rub: everything is excellent, including the clientele, which is always a bit raucous with Fortaleza’s finest.
reviewed
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Restaurante Giratório
She’s starting to creak and groan a bit, but the revolving restaurant atop the Taj Majal hotel still offers unbeatable views and better-than-average meals. Snag a table just upstream from the view of Teatro Amazonas so you’re sure to get at least two passes. The menu is a bit pricey, but not outrageously so; try the filet mignon or tucanaré in cupuaçu (a tart, tropical fruit) sauce.
reviewed
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G
Ernesto
With high ceilings and exposed brick walls, there’s an old-time feel to this restaurant and drinking spot just a short stroll from the samba clubs in Lapa. Ernesto has an extensive menu, though its grilled meats, codfish dishes and German-inspired plates (white sausage with lentils) are standouts. There’s live music – MPB or samba – on Wednesday (from 8pm; R$8) and Saturday (from 9:30pm; R$15).
reviewed
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H
Pontinho
Tucked away on a peaceful corner of Copacabana, Pontinho is a traditional open-sided boteco (small neighborhood bar) serving sizzling platters of picanha (thin cut of rump steak), grilled chicken, omelets and other satisfying dishes to a neighborhood crowd. On your way to this untouristy spot, be sure to take a stroll past the leafy Praça Edmundo Bittencourt.
reviewed
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Marius Carnes
In addition to the breathtaking array of delicious roast meats carried from table to table, this Leme churrascaria (all-you-can-eat barbecued-meat restaurant) features a lavish buffet table. Oysters in the half shell, sushi, grilled vegetables with herbs; it all seems almost too lovely to eat. Next door is Marius Crustáceas, the restaurant's seafood equivalent.
reviewed
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J
Galeto do Leblon
One of the pioneers on this street, Galeto do Leblon has been around for over 35 years. Although a recent renovation has created an airy, modern feel, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, Galeto still serves the traditional Brazilian dishes that have made it such a neighborhood favorite over the years. On Saturday, stop in for excellent feijoada (R$46 for two).
reviewed
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K
O Passo
In a lovely 18th-century building, this restaurant has intimate candlelit rooms with marbled walls; outside, the relaxed terrace overlooking the Casa de Contos is ideal for an after-dinner drink. Everything’s superb – pizza, pasta, salads and the wine list! On Tuesday nights, don’t miss the rodizio de pizzas (all-you-can-eat pizza, R$21.90).
reviewed
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L
Eclipse
One of the only 24-hour restaurants in town, Eclipse is equal parts juice bar, pizzeria and traditional Brazilian restaurant, with outdoor seating, a stand-up counter and a sit-down air-conditioned restaurant for escaping the heat. It can be a great (and lively!) destination when hunger strikes in the madrugada (the wee hours of the night).
reviewed
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O Paraíba
Indigenous art lines the walls at this upscale tapiocaria where quesadilla-like dishes are made from tapioca, a specialty of the Northeast. Try the signature dish, queijo coahlo (cured white cheese) and carne de sol (salted and grilled meat with beans, rice and vegetables) served with homemade butter from the countryside.
reviewed
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N
Cantinho do Senado
This nondescript restaurant on antique row serves an excellent feijoada (R$31), which is enough to feed two. The chalkboard menu in front lists other daily specials, usually grilled plates of steak, trout, chicken or filet of salmon, You can dine in the casual open-sided bar on the ground floor or upstairs amid air-conditioning.
reviewed
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ZUU a.Z.d.Z
The city’s hottest contemporary table honors the slow food tradition in an exotic atmosphere that highlights fresh produce from Amazonas and Pará. Chef Mara Alcamim, who trained in New York and Italy, is Brasília’s chef du moment. Her grilled shrimp in apricot chutney, served alongside Brie risotto, is cause for genuflecting.
reviewed
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Taberna da Glória
On a small plaza in the heart of Glória, this large outdoor eatery serves decent Brazilian staples, and in abundance – most dishes here serve two. The feijoada on Friday and Saturday still draws crowds, and if you’re not up for a big meal, appetizers and ice-cold chope are a good way to enjoy the open-air ambience.
reviewed
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Q
Senac Bistrô
On the bottom floor of an old mansion built 100 or so years ago, Senac serves tasty plates of seared tuna, shrimp moqueca and other Brazilian specialties. In spite of the splendid exterior, the decor inside is a bit lacking. The chocolate cake, however, makes up for any ambience issues. It comes warm and oozing decadence.
reviewed
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Saborella
Daily specials make ordering easy at this small restaurant, one of few genuinely agreeable places in town. Options are same-old, same-old – chicken, beef, sometimes fish, served with rice and beans – but are well prepared and usually served with a smile. Half-a-block from the bus station, and about 300m from the internet café.
reviewed
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R
Casa do Ouvidor
Just downhill from Praça Tiradentes, Ouvidor has garnered numerous awards for its comida mineira (typical cuisine of Minas Gerais) main meals. The ancient upstairs dining room is especially appealing at night, when low lighting enhances its rustic charm. Definitely come with an empty stomach – portions are immense.
reviewed
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S
Yorubá
Candlelit Yorubá looks as if it’s always ready for the arrival of an orixá (deity of Candomblé). And if the goddess Iemanjá were to pay a surprise visit, she’d find heavenly plump shrimp and rich coconut milk blended to perfection in babão de camarão, and outstanding moqueca (Bahian fish stew).
reviewed
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T
Siri Mole & Cia
Rated one of Rio’s best Bahian restaurants, Siri Mole & Cia serves outstanding vatapa (manioc paste with coconut and seafood), moqueca de camarão (shrimp stew) and ensopada de peixe (fish and coconut milk stew). Stop in on Saturday (before 5pm) for the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet (R$58).
reviewed
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Atrium
A stately dining room in the Paço Imperial, Atrium serves power-lunching business execs and those simply wanting a taste of decadence. The lamb with rosemary and mushroom risotto would have brought a smile to the face of Dom Pedro I (who once gazed out these same windows a little less than 200 years ago).
reviewed
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Xapuri
This local institution features fabulous Mineiro food served at picnic tables under a thatched roof, with hammocks close at hand for premeal children’s entertainment or postmeal relaxation. The traditional wood stove blazes up front, while colorful Mineiro desserts are attractively displayed in two long cases.
reviewed
