Brazilian steakhouses, known as churrascarias, offer a meat lover’s paradise where servers roam with skewers of flame-grilled delicacies. Beyond the endless parade of meats, these restaurants showcase Brazil’s rich culinary heritage through sides, salads, and desserts.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned churrasco enthusiast, these 16 must-try dishes will guide you through the ultimate Brazilian steakhouse experience.
1. Picanha
Holy smokes, you haven’t lived until you’ve tasted picanha! This triangular cut from the top sirloin cap sports a distinctive fat layer that transforms into liquid gold when grilled.
Brazilian gauchos consider this their signature cut, cooking it simply with coarse salt over open flames. The outside develops a crackling crust while the inside remains tender and juicy.
2. Fraldinha
Forget what you think you know about flank steak! Fraldinha (pronounced fral-JEEN-ya) might look unassuming, but this bottom sirloin cut delivers a knockout punch of beefy intensity that will make your taste buds stand at attention.
What makes this cut magical is how the abundant marbling melts during cooking, creating pockets of juiciness throughout. The slightly chewy texture actually works in its favor, giving you more time to savor each bite.
3. Alcatra
Meat lovers, prepare for romance! Alcatra will seduce you with its perfect balance of tenderness and robust flavor. This top sirloin cut comes from the cow’s rear, where muscles develop more character than a Netflix drama series.
Brazilian chefs masterfully grill alcatra with minimal seasoning—usually just rock salt—allowing its natural beefiness to shine through. Each slice boasts a gorgeous caramelized exterior that gives way to a rosy interior.
4. Costela De Boi
Sweet mother of meat! Costela de boi will redefine your understanding of beef ribs. These massive bones carry meat that’s been slow-roasted for hours until it barely clings to the bone, threatening to collapse under the weight of its own tenderness.
Unlike American-style ribs, the Brazilian version embraces simplicity with minimal seasoning. The magic happens during the long, slow cooking process when collagen breaks down into gelatin, creating that unforgettable melt-in-your-mouth quality.
5. Linguiça
Boom! Your taste buds just got ambushed by flavor! Linguiça isn’t just any sausage—it’s Brazil’s answer to boring meat options, packing garlic, paprika, and sometimes a hint of heat into every juicy bite.
These plump pork links develop an irresistible snap when flame-grilled, releasing a symphony of aromatic spices. The exterior crackles between your teeth while the interior remains surprisingly juicy.
6. Filet Mignon With Bacon
Whoever first wrapped bacon around filet mignon deserves a Nobel Prize in Deliciousness! This heavenly marriage combines the most tender cut of beef with crispy, smoky bacon that infuses the lean meat with rich flavor.
Each morsel arrives at your table as a perfect two-bite portion—a medallion of buttery-soft beef hugged by a crispy bacon jacket. The contrast between the delicate filet and the bold bacon creates textural magic few other dishes can match.
7. Cordeiro
“I don’t usually like lamb, but THIS is incredible!” That’s the typical reaction when lamb skeptics taste cordeiro at a Brazilian steakhouse. Forget everything you know about gamey, overpowering lamb—this version will change your mind forever.
Brazilian chefs work magic with lamb legs and chops, marinating them in herbs and wine before slow-roasting to juicy perfection. The result? Meat that’s surprisingly mild yet deeply satisfying, with a hint of rosemary and garlic complementing the natural flavors.
8. Frango Com Bacon
Chicken at a steakhouse? Absolutely, when it’s frango com bacon! This isn’t your sad, dry chicken breast—it’s juicy chunks of thigh meat wrapped in crispy bacon that transforms an ordinary protein into something extraordinary.
The magic happens when the chicken absorbs the bacon’s smoky fat while cooking, creating meat that’s impossibly moist. A light dusting of spices adds complexity without overwhelming the natural flavors.
9. Pão De Queijo
These innocent-looking cheese puffs are actually dangerous—no one can eat just one! Pão de queijo are golf ball-sized bread bombs made with tapioca flour that creates an addictively chewy, stretchy texture unlike anything in American baking.
The exterior forms a slight crust while the interior remains airy and elastic with pockets of melted cheese. Being naturally gluten-free (thanks to the tapioca flour) makes them even more magical—everyone can indulge!
10. Feijoada
Brazil’s national dish makes a spectacular appearance on steakhouse buffets! Feijoada is basically a hug in food form—a rich, velvety black bean stew studded with various pork cuts that have slowly surrendered their flavor during hours of simmering.
Each spoonful delivers complex layers of smokiness from cured meats, earthiness from beans, and brightness from the traditional orange slices served alongside. The contrast between the hearty stew and fresh garnishes creates perfect balance.
11. Farofa
Farofa might look unimpressive—just a pile of toasted crumbs—but this side dish is Brazil’s secret weapon for taking meat to the next level! Made from cassava flour toasted with butter, garlic, and sometimes bacon, it adds textural magic to everything it touches.
Sprinkle this crunchy, savory mixture over meats and watch the transformation. It soaks up juices while adding a nutty flavor and satisfying texture that contrasts beautifully with tender proteins.
12. Coxinha
Shaped like teardrops but guaranteed to bring smiles, coxinhas are Brazil’s ultimate comfort food snack! These golden-fried croquettes feature a crispy shell surrounding shredded chicken mixed with cream cheese and herbs, all shaped to resemble a chicken drumstick.
The contrast between the crunchy exterior and creamy interior creates textural fireworks in your mouth. Each bite delivers savory chicken, tangy cream cheese, and the satisfying crunch of the breaded coating.
13. Hearts Of Palm Salad
Amid the meat marathon, this elegant salad offers a much-needed moment of refreshment! Tender hearts of palm—harvested from the inner core of certain palm trees—star in this simple yet sophisticated dish that balances the meal’s richness.
The delicate, artichoke-like flavor of hearts of palm pairs beautifully with light vinaigrette, cherry tomatoes, and fresh greens. Each bite delivers a clean, slightly tangy taste that resets your palate between protein courses.
14. Grilled Pineapple
Just when you think you couldn’t possibly eat another bite, along comes a skewer of caramelized pineapple that somehow creates new space in your stomach! This isn’t ordinary pineapple—it’s been coated in cinnamon sugar and slowly roasted over open flames until transformed into candy-like perfection.
The heat caramelizes the sugars while the fruit’s natural enzymes break down, creating an intensely sweet-tart flavor bomb with hints of smokiness. The contrast between the caramelized exterior and juicy interior creates an unforgettable texture.
15. Polenta Frita
Forget french fries—polenta frita is the side dish you never knew you needed! These golden cornmeal batons feature a magically contradictory texture: shatteringly crisp exteriors giving way to creamy, corn-sweet centers that perfectly complement the savory meats.
Brazilian chefs prepare these by cooking cornmeal until thick, cooling it, cutting into sticks, then frying until golden. The simple preparation lets the natural sweetness of corn shine through while providing substantial textural contrast to tender meats.
16. Brigadeiro
Chocolate lovers, prepare to meet your new obsession! Brigadeiros are Brazil’s gift to dessert—fudgy chocolate truffles rolled in chocolate sprinkles that somehow manage to be both sophisticated and childishly fun at the same time.
Made by cooking condensed milk with cocoa powder until thick, these little balls of happiness deliver an intense chocolate experience that’s richer than a tech billionaire. The texture falls somewhere between fudge and ganache—firm enough to hold its shape but melting the moment it hits your tongue.