Bem Brasil has been a popular go-to when looking for an authentic Brazilian steakhouse experience. Aside from having a branch in the Northern Quarter (where we went), they also have another in Deansgate. 

What we liked about Bem Brasil was how they had different cuts of meat ready for us to try, along with other Brazilian dishes offered on the menu. From beef to pork to chicken and even lamb, Bem Brasil had a type of meat ready to suit what you’re in the mood for.

Additionally, we were pleased to see that certain types of meat were halal. We were delighted to see that despite being a steakhouse, the establishment also had vegan, and gluten-free main courses–inclusivity is always a good thing!

Another positive thing about Bem Brasil was how the staff truly went above and beyond to give diners a good experience. We really appreciated that the employees were very attentive, hardworking, and eager to help in any way they could. 

While it isn’t necessary, it was also incredibly helpful that some employees could speak Portuguese to assist Brazilian and even Portuguese foreigners.

We liked that the skewers from the all-you-can-eat would arrive fairly quickly. We did notice, however, that the a la carte dishes took a little while longer to be served.

As for the ambience, we found it very pleasant, as it had a simple but still chic interior design. We thought that the use of soft lights made the atmosphere feel more relaxed, and was generally comfortable while being nothing too fancy.

Bem Brasil’s meats were definitely the star of the show; every bite was full of flavour, and the meats themselves were soft and juicy. We also thought that their sides–particularly the rice and black bean–matched well with the meat selection! 

We noticed that lunch and dinner prices were different, and spent around £22 or more per head which might be pricey to some. However, considering that it was all-you-can-eat, we think that it would still be very much possible to get your money’s worth!

Overall, Bem Brasil was a fairly good experience and a must-try for a good Brazilian steakhouse experience!

Next on our list is Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill, an establishment that specialises in both Argentinian and Brazilian cuisine.

We noticed that their menu was fairly large, with sections dedicated to Brazilian and Argentinian meals. 

We liked that the meats for their rodizio are also included, as well as alternative meals for vegans, vegetarians, pescetarians, and those who eat halal meats.

But, what really stood out to us throughout this experience was their service. We liked that the staff was not only attentive but also helpful enough to suggest which meats to order next.

We found that the serving time for the skewers was not too slow, but not exactly too fast either–but just right! We didn’t mind having to wait for the skewers just a little, as pacing yourself in Brazilian steakhouses is an essential part of the experience.

We were pleased with the ambience of the restaurant, its modern but mildly rustic decorations bringing charm and elegance. It’s dimly lit in the evening, and has an air of fine dining to it.

We do think that Fazenda’s prices are definitely along the more expensive side of things. We were surprised that their all-you-can-eat can reach up to £61 for the premium meals, not even inclusive of drinks and desserts.

Still, despite their prices, we thought their food still tasted amazing (their sweet pork belly is a must!) and very much enjoyed our stay.

Next on our list is Jardim Rodizio Grill, a lesser-known but still very quaint Brazilian steakhouse located in Altrincham.

We saw that their menu was quite limited but still offered a decent selection of meats for their rodizio. We appreciate the variety here since the meats they serve during lunch are different from those being offered for dinner.

Moreover, we liked that they have halal and kosher meats available, which are cooked and served separately from the others. They also have a small selection of vegetarian and vegan mains!

On the downside, we thought their service was quite inconsistent. 

During our visit, the staff was patient and helpful enough to explain how a Brazilian steakhouse worked to newcomers. However, tables other than ours were overlooked more times than we would have liked.

It was good that their restaurant had a pleasant ambience to keep us patient despite the wait. The walls themselves may be dark in colour, but the large windows and soft lights made for a wonderfully elegant look.

Considering that this restaurant is also all-you-can-eat, we like that their prices were fairly reasonable. 

Their rodizio lunches start at £24, which we think is not that bad. We thought that the food was very delicious, even the mains that contained no meat.

Overall, Jardim offers a cosier, more relaxed space to enjoy your lunch or evening meals rodizio style. While their service was not exactly the best, their flavourful meats and the pleasant ambience made up for the wait.

Over at Deansgate is Las Iguanas, a restaurant that specialises in Latin American cuisine.

What we liked about Las Iguanas was its large menu, as it had multiple sections for different South American countries–Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Cuba. In addition to this, we also liked how they offered many vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free meals!

The service in the restaurant was generally alright, although not consistent. 

We appreciated that the staff would keep an upbeat and friendly attitude. On the other hand, we were slightly disappointed at how slow or how long it took to catch a waiter’s attention.

The same also goes for the time it took to serve our complete orders. While we did like that we didn’t have to wait very long for our food, we didn’t like that it took a lot longer for our drinks to be served.

We were amused by how bright and colourful the establishment was, at least. Its rustic look combined with the vibrant colours give us the same vibrance seen in the ever-so-popular Rio Carnivals.

Still, we enjoyed the food and thought the portions were fairly large. Their prices were reasonable, even more so with the amount of discounts the restaurant offers–student and blue light discounts, as well as a defence discount service.

Overall, we think Las Iguanas is a quaint restaurant that can give Mancunians a glimpse of the colourful spirit of South American cuisine.

Over at Prestwich is Gorge Restaurant & Bar, a humble little establishment run by a husband and wife serving Brazilian-inspired dishes.

Considering that their dishes are Brazilian-inspired, it was no surprise that their menu was not true and authentic Brazilian cuisine. Still, we were excited to try their food in the hopes of tasting Brazilian flavours used differently.

It was also not surprising to see that there were also few vegan and vegetarian options. Nonetheless, we appreciate that they had options in the first place.

We noticed that their service was kind of a hit or miss. The staff were friendly and immediately seated us, but it was a nuisance that asking for extra napkins or cutlery took more effort than ordering the food.

In addition to this, it did also take a while before our meals were actually served. Overall, we were disappointed that the majority of our experience of this restaurant so far consisted of waiting for things.

While waiting, though, we did have a chance to get a good look at the establishment. The place itself was bright,well lit, and looked very trendy, as avocado coloured walls and chairs decorated the restaurant. 

We thought that the food tasted pretty average, but we were glad that at least portions were fairly large. Although we did note that familiar Brazilian flavours were there, we felt that other Brazilian restaurants could have done it better for cheaper.

Ultimately, although Gorge Bar & Restaurant was somewhat lacklustre, we think it’s worth a shot anyway. The food wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t also great, its service was so-so, and while the ambiance was nice, it was nothing too special.