The best Brazilian steakhouses in NYC

The most well-known rodizio in the city has been treating diners to bountiful plates of expertly grilled meats since 1996. This white-tablecloth Hell’s Kitchen steakhouse serves a luxurious, all-inclusive prix-fixe menu at both lunch and dinner that has the churrascaria’s passadores (expert meat-cutters) bringing all-you-can-eat portions of rich leg of lamb, pork loin and cuts of beef to your table all night long. Beyond carne, enjoy fresh Brazilian salads, casseroles and sides, like rice and beans.

It’s no coincidence that the name of this Little Brazil stalwart conjures the famously luxurious beach in Rio, as Ipanema’s menu is just as rich in seafood as in the robust grilled meats that the South American country is known for. Dig into à la carte coastal dishes such as tiger shrimp with garlicky piri-piri sauce, or delve into the meaty selection of carnes, from aged angus steak topped with fried garlic to sizzling sirloin with fresh pineapple.

Founded in Brazil in 1979, this classic rodizio boasts a long tradition of preparing smoky, fire-roasted steak, chicken, lamb and pork, as well as other well-loved Brazilian dishes such as the black-bean stew feijoada. Its New York flagship is a three-story, 16,000-square-foot marvel where hungry diners tuck into a traditional prix fixe whose star is picanha, prime top sirloin simply seasoned with rock salt, cooked medium rare and sliced thin.

This sultry West Village spot welcomes diners with exposed brick, soft lighting and warm Brazilian music that sets the scene for a fantastic meal of flavorful dishes. Meat is well represented in à la carte dishes of traditional picanha, as well as grilled skirt steak in a hearts-of-palm sauce and crisp-juicy barbecued pork ribs. Seafood lovers, too, will be more than satisfied with plates such as moqueca, a creamy seafood stew spiked with coconut, and gratinéed cod with peas and Portuguese olives.

This Little Brazil gem prepares hearty, varied meat and seafood dishes that represent all corners of the country’s immensely varied cuisine. Carnivores will gravitate towards meaty dishes such as pork porterhouse smothered in blue cheese and grilled beefsteak topped with a fried egg, but there’s also plenty of seafood to be had, like sauteed shrimp in yucca sauce. Don’t miss the restaurant’s savory pastries: its pao de queijo (bite-sized cheesy bread) is a must-order.

One of the most diverse areas in the entire world, Queens is a melting pot of cultures, and the Astoria dining scene is well served by a variety of quality Brazilian restaurants, among which Malagueta is the definitive diner favorite. Its varied menu boasts fresh salads, spicy seafood and rich grilled meats served in a relaxed but attentive setting. Meat-lovers shouldn’t miss out on the special lombo de porco, sauteed pork tenderloin in a creamy mushroom sauce, or traditional grilled sirloin picanha served over fluffy rice and beans.

Another much-loved Astoria spot, Favela specializes in rodizio-style grilled, skewered meats. Indulge in a prix-fixe mixed grill of sirloin, sausage and chicken served with rice and beans, or go à la carte for the “Costela Bam-Bam,” prime beef ribs on the bone served with fried manioc root. Soups are also excellent, like a traditional caldo verde, potato-and-collard soup studded with smoky sausage.

A Little Brazil stalwart, this handsome, hardwood-floored spot has been transporting diners since 1978. Its eminently traditional menu has changed little over the years, and that’s a good thing; its solidly delicious renditions of soups, salads, seafood and meat dishes don’t need updating. Carnivores will want to dive into the mixed-grill churrasca, featuring sausage, steak, chicken and pork, or keep it simple with an excellent rendition of picanha. For dessert, nothing beats the velvety caramel pudding.