New York City has had a substantial Brazilian presence since the 1980s immigration wave, and the city's Brazilian restaurant scene reflects this deep-rooted community. Little Brazil Street (West 46th Street) was once the epicenter, and while the neighborhood has shifted, the food scene has grown and diversified across all five boroughs.
The NYC Churrascaria Experience
New York is home to some of the world's most famous Brazilian churrascarias ā massive, dramatic restaurant experiences where the service, portions, and atmosphere are all scaled up to New York proportions. Expect extensive salad bars stacked with hot sides, cold antipasti, sushi, and dozens of cuts of meat carved tableside.
Queens and the Boroughs
Some of NYC's most authentic Brazilian food is found in Astoria and Long Island City in Queens, where Brazilian immigrants have established grocery stores, bakeries, and no-frills restaurants serving weekday lunch plates and Saturday Feijoada.
Must-Order Dishes
- Picanha ā the gold standard test of any NYC churrascaria
- PĆ£o de Queijo ā order extras, you will want them
- Caipirinha ā NYC bartenders have gotten very good at these
- AƧaĆ ā numerous Brazilian-owned aƧaĆ chains have expanded across Manhattan