The Absolute 11 Best Brazilian Steakhouses In The U.S.

Americans tend to assume that our homegrown steakhouses can't be beaten, but folks over in Brazil are sure to have a beef with that assessment. Brazilian steakhouses, also known as churrascarias, are renowned for their commitment to quality, not to mention excess. Are they superior to Peter Luger, Ruth's Chris Steak House, or The Palm? We might not be willing to go that far, but some of the best Brazilian steakhouses certainly give those institutions a run for their money.  

Generally, churrascarias follow the all-you-can-eat model with servers parading oversized skewers of rotisserie grilled meats around a massive dining room. You can expect multiple preparations of beef, lamb, chicken, and pork, but the star attraction is, more often than not, picanha, the signature steak cut of Brazil. Taken from the sirloin cap, the impressive slab of beef sports a thick layer of fat which ensures the meat is juicy and flavorful as it cooks in the fire.

Beyond the magnificent meatopia, meals also tend to include a sizeable salad bar stocked with plenty of vegetables, sides, and other assorted traditional Brazilian dishes. All these options are bound to be overwhelming to first-timers, so make sure to do your homework as far as what you should and should not pile on your plate before embarking on this culinary adventure. 

Thankfully, you don't have to travel to South America to get your fill of churrasco. Below you'll find some of the best Brazilian steakhouses that can be found in the United States.

You'll be in good hands at this popular Brazilian-based churrascaria with dozens of locations coast-to-coast and some international locations as far as the Middle East. Since arriving in the U.S. in 1997, Fogo de Chão has firmly established itself as a well-oiled meat grilling and slicing machine.  "The chain has the meat-and-service thing down pat," The Washington Post reports, noting that a card before you on the table sends a clear signal to waiters. The red side means that you need a bit of a break, while the green side is a green light to keep the meats coming. 

If you happen to prefer surf to turf, Fogo de Chão recently expanded its seafood menu which includes upscale fare such as Chilean sea bass and a chilled seafood tower which is highlighted by a frankly staggering selection of lobster tails, lobster claws, jumbo shrimp, a crab cluster, crab claws, and green lipped mussels. And if you want something green to offset the seafood and land-based meats, you also don't want to neglect the salad bar, known here as the Market Table, which offers a wide range of charcuterie, antipasti, and seasonal specialties such as smoked salmon, candied bacon, and feijoada, a traditional Brazilian black bean stew.

Massachusetts is home to a sizeable Brazilian population (via Brown University), so it's no surprise you can find stellar churrasco in Boston. Alma Gaúcha (which translates to "the soul of the gaucho") happens to be among the best churrascarias in the city. A recent addition to the trendy Seaport District, it traffics exclusively in USDA Prime meats which are aged up to 45 days, and you can definitely taste the quality. Choose from picanha (of course), ribeye, filet mignon, and New Zealand lamb leg marinated with lemon and fresh mint. If you're avoiding red meat, Alma Gaúcha has you covered, too. You can choose from pork ribs, traditional parmesan pork, and slow-cooked chicken marinated overnight in beer and cognac. There's also a seafood option, with some open fire-grilled salmon that's served with a tangy passionfruit sauce.  

"All of the meats are delicious," noted Kelly T. on Yelp. "I would go here every weekend if my metabolism could handle it." There are plenty of raves for the salad bar and side dishes, too, with a honey-drizzled grilled cheese among the popular picks. You can even order a cup of chunky clam chowder. Hey, this is still Boston, after all.

Oenophiles are sure to appreciate the extensive wine list at Alma Gaúcha, which is over 150 bottles deep and, naturally enough, highlights several South American varietals.

If you're going to open a steakhouse in traditional bastions of beef like Chicago, Houston, and San Antonio, then you better bring the goods. Chama Gaúcha definitely delivers on that front, serving up a dozen meat options including multiple cuts of steak. But according to San Antonio Express-News, the beef ribs are where it's really at here. Beyond the cow, chicken, pork, and lamb (both leg and rack) round out the meat feast. The salad bar, with over 30 items, also impresses diners who need yet more sustenance. So does the wine selection, which is stored in a temperature-controlled cellar and includes several award-winning labels.

Though it may seem like an impossible task after all of that grub, try to budget some stomach real estate for dessert. The slate includes Latin favorites such as tres leches and flan, as well as the classic Brazilian papaya cream, a tropical ice cream and fruit combo topped with Crème de Cassis blackberry liqueur. But the real showstopper on the sweet side here is the Fireball Cheesecake, which is set aflame tableside and caramelized thanks to a liberal dousing of the Spanish favorite, Liquor 43.  

The San Antonio Current recommends heading here for special occasions when you've got plenty of room, and plenty of others agree that this is destination dining. The San Antonio location of Chama Gaúcha took the 24th spot on Yelp's 2019 list of the Top 100 Places to Treat Yourself.  

Miami has its fair share of Latin American dining destinations and Steak Brasil Churrascaria is definitely up there with the best of them, especially if you've got a hankering for some delicious meats. Eater Miami notes that this is a popular downtown spot with exceptionally good prices, especially compared to some other Miami restaurants. It's also got a highly extensive menu of meats, cheese, and sides. 

The dining room may not be as large as some of its competitors, sure, and we must admit that the selection is relatively limited with a mere nine meat options. But let's face it: that is still plenty to choose from with your pick of tasty prime sirloin, picanha, pork loin, leg of lamb, beef ribs, chicken hearts and drumsticks, sausage, and tender flap meat. If for some reason that's not enough food to satiate your cravings, the salad bar is plenty ample. What's more, all of the non-barbecued hot dishes are freshly cooked and brought directly to your table.

Steak Brasil is ideal for group gatherings, too, so be sure to consider it for your next party or special occasion.

Carrying on the time-honored Las Vegas tradition of all-you-can-eat feasting, Galpão Gaucho is several cuts above your run-of-the-mill Las Vegas Strip buffet. The expanding mini-chain also has three locations in Northern California (Napa, Walnut Creek, and Cupertino), plus additional outlets in Charleston, South Carolina, and San Antonio, Texas.

You surely know the Brazilian steakhouse drill by now: a parade of meats (in Galpão Gaucho's case, that would be 16 cuts plus a grilled salmon option), a salad bar that's nearly 40 items deep, and even a few sides that are served at your table. To wash it all down there are potent potables aplenty. Las Vegas Magazine is especially fond of the restaurant's cocktails, as well as its selection of high-end whiskey.

Overall, the dining experience is sure to satisfy any cowgirl or cowboy. "Worth every penny spent," a Tripadvisor reviewer wrote in a five-star rave of the Cupertino location. "Great for any occasion whether you are there to dine casually or celebrate."