Looking to satisfy your appetite for Brazilian fare?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best high-end Brazilian restaurants around San Antonio, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to satisfy your cravings.
1. Chama Gaucha
Topping the list is Chama Gaucha. Located at 18318 Sonterra Place, the steakhouse is the highest-rated upscale Brazilian restaurant in San Antonio, boasting 4.5 stars out of 810 reviews on Yelp.
Offering a dozen cuts of meat alongside a salad bar, the meats are brought to you on large skewers, which the waiter slices tableside. Meats include the house specialty picanha (prime-cut sirloin), the porco (rack of pork ribs or loins dusted in Parmesan) and the filet mignon e frango (chicken breast or filet wrapped in bacon). (See the full menu here.) You can pair your meal with a cocktail or bottle of wine.
Yelper Jennifer B., who reviewed it on Aug. 4, wrote, "I am a huge fan of these Brazilian steakhouse restaurants and this is the best one I've experienced! Bring your appetite as the food is phenomenal! The service here sets this place apart from the rest. Everyone is attentive and friendly and makes sure you have the best experience possible."
2. Galpao Gaucho
Next up is Galpao Gaucho, situated at 2318 N. Loop 1604 West. With 4.5 stars out of 206 reviews on Yelp, the Brazilian steakhouse has proven to be a local favorite for those looking to indulge.
Like other Brazilian steakhouses, you have access to unlimited meats and an open salad bar. Meats include the beef tenderloin, pork sausages, chicken legs cooked with cognac and beer, lamb chops and grilled salmon. The salad bar offers sides and appetizers like salami, deviled eggs, asparagus and more. Finish your meal with a flan.
Yelp reviewer Kathy H. said, "Amazing service, attentive staff and food to rave about. The salad bar alone is meal worthy. Fresh produce, multiple salad choices and a charcuterie board that would make an Italian cry. ... The minute we flipped our cards to green, we were encircled by handsomely dressed gauchos carrying skewers of meat. The meats were all fresh and prepared wonderfully."
3. Fogo de Chão
Downtown's Fogo de Chão, located at 849 E. Commerce St., Suite 393, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the fancy Brazilian steakhouse four stars out of 479 reviews.
The menu offers cuts of meat like the alcatra (thinly sliced top sirloin), the costela (beef ribs rubbed with rock salt) and the lombo (pork loin medallions coated with Parmesan cheese). Sides include caramelized bananas, farofa (yuca flour sautéed with bacon, sausage and light seasonings) and garlic mashed potatoes. It also serves lunch and brunch menus.
Anna F. wrote, "Great dining experience! The salad bar was full of delectable cheeses, meats and vegetables. The grilled peppers were my favorite. The filet mignon was so tender! Our waitress was exceptional."
4. Texas De Brazil
Then there's Texas De Brazil, another Brazilian steakhouse downtown, which has earned four stars out of 312 Yelp reviews. Head over to 313 E. Houston St. to see for yourself.
Meats at this steakhouse include the herb-marinated pork loin, the leg of lamb, Brazilian sausages, chicken breast wrapped in bacon, barbecued pork ribs and flank steak. Similar to other Brazilian steakhouses, it offers an open salad bar with sides and appetizers to complement your meats. You can also take advantage of its bar, which offers cocktails, wines and spirits. Finish your meal with flan or carrot cake. (See the full menu here.)
Yelper Trinaty W., who reviewed it on Aug. 20, said, "You really get your money's worth and will honestly have dreams about the mouthwatering cuts of meat later on. The salad bar is one of the best I've seen at any steakhouse, catering to those who don't eat meat or are just not planning to get their eat on that day."
