Foodcrawling: Rio’s Best Churrascarias

The Brazilian steakhouse, known as a churrascaria, is my favorite type of restaurant in Rio. A churrascaria marries a self-serve buffet of hot foods and prepared salads with waiters slicing lush cuts of meat like filet mignon encrusted with cheese and chicken breasts wrapped in thick slices of bacon from their massive, sword-like skewers. And diners choose which way they’ll enjoy their dinner, a kilo, where you pay by the weight of your filled plate, or rodizio, where you’re charged a fixed price for an unlimited quantity of food. 

Nowadays, chic spaces and a dizzying array of meats defy the humble beginnings of this traditional-style of barbecue preparation, which is inspired by the cowboy cuisine that originated with gaúchos (natives of Rio Grande do Sul) in the southern part of the nation. And although churrascarias are becoming easier to find than ever in the U.S., don’t miss the chance to taste the subtle difference of authenticity at the South American source – mineral coal used in Brazil lends a distinct, smoky layer of flavor you simply can’t replicate with rotisserie-style stateside cooking.

Churrascaria Gaúcha. Rua das Laranjeiras, 114, Laranjeiras, +55 (21) 2558-2558.

According to Carioca (Rio natives) and culinary aficionado Verne Provenzano, with 73 years in business, Churrascaria Gaúcha is the longest-operating churrascaria in the city. The a kilo eatery is open daily for lunch and dinner and features more than 100 hot and cold items on its buffet in addition to favorites like coraçãozinhos (chicken hearts) and pork loin. Be sure to stick around for live music acts, dance parties or DJ entertainment nightly.

Churrascaria Palace. R. Rodolfo Dantas, 16, Copacabana, +55 (21) 2541-5898.

Although Churrascaria Palace is among the mid- to higher-priced rodizio picks, you can drive down the cost of dining there by taking advantage of the restaurant’s promotions and printable online coupons. Among more traditional cuts of beef, pork, and poultry, you’ll find delicacies like lamb chops, Argentine shoulder steak, butterflied top sirloin called picanha and beef ribs in a prime location just steps from Copacabana beach.

Estrela do Sul. Multiple locations.

With a rodizio that costs around $15 USD and four locations in the Rio metro area, Estrela do Sul delivers on both value and convenience. You’ll notice the flash factor is dialed down in the dining room décor when compared to the chain’s more costly competitors. However, there’s no skimping where it matters – the menu. In fact, you’ll even get to load up on a selection of sweet treats at the buffet, an added bonus since desserts are often charged with beverages in addition to the fixed dining price.

Fogo de Chão. Av. Repórter Nestor Moreira, s/n, Botafogo, + 55 21-2279-7117.

For familiarity’s sake, the most Gringo-friendly rodizio is Fogo de Chão, which got its start in Porto Alegre back in 1979, but now operates in more U.S. cities than in the chain’s native South America. The grand, 400-seat restaurant is located in Botafogo and overlooks the cable cars of the Sugar Loaf mountain. If you prefer to enjoy your meal al fresco, dig into the ample salad bar and savor 15 varieties of meat on the sprawling outdoor patio.

Pampa. Av. das Américas, 5150, Barra da Tijuca, + 55 (21) 3325-0861.

My personal favorite for upscale all-you-can-eat dining is Pampa, in Barra da Tijuca near the future site of the 2016 Olympic village. The sweeping buffet features common crowd-pleasers like Caprese salad and tropically-infused creations like black rice with diced mango. In addition to an assortment of meats served tableside by roving waiters, you’ll enjoy a variety of hand-rolled sushi selections on the salad bar.

Porcão. Multiple locations.

With three locations in the city, Porcão (that’s “the big pig” in English) is one of the more popular upscale options. The crown jewel of the chain is the Rio’s location in Aterro do Flamengo with sweeping views of the Guanabara Bay. What the Barra location lacks in view is made up for in a posh outdoor reception area and finger foods to bide your time if there’s a line. You’ll be tempted to nosh but don’t go overboard – the best awaits you in the main dining room.