Where to Find the Best Brazilian Restaurants in Atlanta

Brazilian food in Atlanta goes way beyond basic steak and rice. From all‑you‑can‑eat churrasco to cozy cafés serving pão de queijo and Brazilian‑style pizza, the city has a small but lively scene that keeps locals and visitors coming back.

This guide walks you through some of the best Brazilian restaurants in Atlanta, what they’re known for, how they work, and tips to get the most out of your meal.

What to Expect From Brazilian Restaurants in Atlanta

Before diving into specific places, it helps to know the two main Brazilian styles you’ll see around Atlanta:

• Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse)
  Rodízio‑style, all‑you‑can‑eat grilled meats carved at your table, usually at a fixed price. Often includes:

  • Large salad bar and hot side dishes
  • Gaucho servers rotating through the dining room with different cuts of meat
  • A token or card on the table (green for “more,” red for “pause/stop”)

• À la carte Brazilian & Brazilian‑inspired dining
  You order individual dishes instead of a fixed rodízio. This can include:

  • Classic Brazilian plates like feijoada, moqueca, and picanha
  • Brazilian pizza or burgers with Brazilian toppings
  • Brazilian snacks, pastries, and desserts

In Atlanta, most Brazilian options are concentrated in and around the Perimeter area (especially Sandy Springs and Buckhead), with a few scattered in other neighborhoods and suburbs.

Top Churrascarias (Brazilian Steakhouses) in the Atlanta Area

These spots focus on the rodízio experience: endless skewers of grilled meat, big salad bars, and a lively, special‑occasion atmosphere.

Fogo de Chão – Atlanta Locations

Style: Upscale Brazilian steakhouse, rodízio
Best for: Special occasions, business dinners, date nights

Fogo de Chão is one of the most recognizable Brazilian restaurants in Atlanta and has multiple locations in the metro area. The experience is built around:

• Continuous tableside service of beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and sometimes specialty cuts
• A large Market Table (salads, cheeses, cured meats, and hot sides)
• Brazilian staples like pão de queijo, farofa, rice and beans, caramelized bananas, and brigadeiro‑style desserts

General tips if you’re going to any Fogo de Chão in Atlanta:

• Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends and holidays.
• Lunch is often less expensive than dinner, with some locations offering lighter options like a Market Table‑only meal.
• You can usually request specific doneness (rare, medium, well) when gauchos arrive at your table.

Typical locations include:

• Buckhead / Lenox area – convenient if you’re near Lenox Square or Phipps Plaza
• Downtown / Midtown corridor – accessible from major hotels and attractions
• Perimeter area – handy for visitors staying near Perimeter Center or the Sandy Springs medical district

Because exact addresses and hours can change, it’s wise to confirm details directly with the specific Atlanta‑area location you plan to visit.

Brazilian‑Style Rodízio in the Suburbs

While the core of this guide stays focused on Atlanta, many locals drive a short distance outside the city for more Brazilian options:

• Churrascarias in Gwinnett County and communities along I‑85 sometimes offer:
  • Slightly more casual atmospheres
  • Lower per‑person prices compared to the most upscale intown steakhouses
  • More Brazilian‑expat clientele and sometimes Portuguese‑language menus

If you’re based in Atlanta but willing to drive 20–40 minutes, it’s worth exploring suburban Brazilian spots, especially around Norcross, Duluth, and other I‑85 exits, where Latin American restaurants are common.

Casual & À La Carte Brazilian Dining Around Atlanta

Atlanta doesn’t have a huge number of dedicated Brazilian cafés or diners, but you’ll find Brazilian influences in several places:

Brazilian Dishes at Mixed Latin Restaurants

Some Latin American or “South American fusion” restaurants in the Atlanta area include Brazilian dishes or flavors on the menu, such as:

• Feijoada (black bean and pork stew) served on specific days
• Coxinha (chicken croquettes), kibe, or other Brazilian bar snacks
• Caipirinhas (Brazil’s signature lime‑and‑cachaça cocktail)

These spots may not be 100% Brazilian, but they can be good choices if part of your group wants a variety of Latin dishes while you get a Brazilian favorite or two.

When checking menus online, look for these Brazilian keywords:

• Picanha – top sirloin cap, often grilled
• Feijoada – hearty black bean stew
• Pão de queijo – cheese bread
• Coxinha – breaded croquettes shaped like little chicken legs
• Brigadeiro – chocolate truffles or fudge balls

Brazilian‑Style Bakeries and Snacks

Though limited, the Atlanta area sometimes has bakeries or cafés featuring:

• Pão de queijo (cheese bread)
• Brigadeiros and other sweets
• Pastéis (fried pastries with fillings like cheese or meat)

These are especially popular with takeout and coffee. If you live here, they can become regular stops for quick snacks; if you’re visiting, they’re an easy way to get a taste of Brazil without a long sit‑down meal.

Because smaller cafés and bakeries can open, close, or relocate more frequently than large chains, it’s a good idea to:

• Confirm current hours before you go
• Check whether they offer dine‑in, takeout, or both

Typical Brazilian Dishes You’ll See in Atlanta

Understanding the menu helps you order confidently. Here are common Brazilian items you might find in Atlanta restaurants:

Grilled Meats (Churrasco)

• Picanha – Signature Brazilian cut of beef, often served sliced off large skewers
• Fraldinha – Flank steak, flavorful and often served medium‑rare
• Alcatra – Top sirloin, a churrascaria staple
• Linguiça – Brazilian sausage
• Frango – Chicken, sometimes wrapped in bacon or marinated

Classic Plates

• Feijoada – Black beans slow‑cooked with pork, served with rice, farofa (toasted cassava flour), collard greens, and orange slices
• Moqueca – Fish or seafood stew with coconut milk, tomatoes, and herbs (more common at Brazilian‑focused à la carte spots)
• Bife à cavalo – Steak topped with a fried egg, served with rice and fries

Sides and Snacks

• Pão de queijo – Chewy cheese bread, often gluten‑free
• Farofa – Toasted cassava flour mixture served as a topping for meats and feijoada
• Vinagrete – Tomato‑and‑onion vinaigrette to eat with grilled meats
• Coxinha, kibe, pastel – Fried or baked snacks often found in casual or bakery settings

Desserts and Drinks

• Brigadeiro – Chocolate fudge balls rolled in sprinkles
• Quindim – Coconut and egg dessert
• Pudim – Flan‑style caramel dessert
• Caipirinha – Brazil’s national cocktail with cachaça, lime, and sugar (commonly offered at Atlanta churrascarias and many bars with Brazilian influence)

How Pricing and Portions Usually Work in Atlanta

Pricing at Brazilian restaurants in Atlanta typically follows one of these patterns:

Rodízio / Churrascaria

• Fixed price per person for:
  • Unlimited grilled meats brought to your table
  • Market table / salad bar and side dishes
• Separate charges for:
  • Desserts
  • Specialty cocktails and wine
  • Sometimes add‑ons like premium meat cuts

Things to know:

• Dinner is usually more expensive than lunch.
• Some spots may offer a “salad bar only” option at a lower price.
• Service charges or suggested gratuities may be noted on large party checks.

À La Carte

You’ll pay by individual dish, similar to other Atlanta restaurants:

• Main courses with sides are usually priced per plate
• Appetizers, desserts, and drinks are separate
• Portions are often hearty, especially plates built around rice, beans, and grilled meats

When to Choose Which Brazilian Option in Atlanta

Here’s a quick guide to help you pick the right type of Brazilian restaurant for your situation:

Practical Tips for Eating Brazilian in Atlanta

A few Atlanta‑specific pointers can make your experience smoother:

1. Plan Around Traffic and Parking

• Many churrascarias are near busy corridors like Peachtree Road, Perimeter Center, or Downtown.
• Atlanta traffic can be heavy at peak hours; build in extra time if you have a reservation.
• Parking options vary:
  • Downtown/Midtown/Buckhead: garage or paid valet is common.
  • Perimeter and suburbs: often more plentiful surface parking.

2. Reserve Ahead, Especially on Weekends

Brazilian steakhouses in Atlanta fill up quickly on:

• Friday and Saturday nights
• Holidays (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day)
• Major event weekends (sporting events, conventions, concerts)

Calling ahead or reserving online usually avoids long waits and helps if you have:

• Larger groups
• Special requests (birthdays, dietary needs)

3. Pace Yourself at Rodízio

To get the best value and enjoy the meal:

• Start with a light plate from the salad bar; don’t overload.
• Use the table disc or card (green/red) to control the meat flow.
• Ask gauchos for smaller slices if you want to taste more varieties.
• If there’s a particular cut you like (picanha, lamb), you can request it.

4. Ask About Dietary Considerations

Brazilian restaurants in Atlanta are accustomed to accommodating different needs:

• Gluten‑sensitive: Pão de queijo and many grilled meats are often gluten‑free, but cross‑contact is possible. Confirm with the staff.
• Dairy‑free or egg‑free: Some sides and desserts contain dairy or eggs; ask which options can be prepared without.
• Vegetarian: Churrascarias usually offer a robust salad/hot bar option, but protein options may be limited to cheeses, beans, and vegetables.

Clear, direct questions usually get the best answers, especially at busy Atlanta locations.

5. Consider Lunch for Better Value

In Atlanta, lunch at a Brazilian steakhouse can be noticeably less expensive than dinner while still offering:

• Many of the same cuts of meat
• The same Market Table
• A more relaxed, less crowded environment on weekdays

If you’re trying Brazilian for the first time and want to manage cost, weekday lunch is an excellent starting point.

How to Find Brazilian Restaurants Near You in Atlanta

If you’re staying in or near Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or Perimeter, you’re within reasonable reach of at least one Brazilian restaurant or rodízio.

To narrow options from wherever you are:

• Use your phone’s map app and search for:
  • “Brazilian steakhouse”
  • “Churrascaria”
  • “Brazilian restaurant”
• Filter by:
  • Distance from your hotel or neighborhood
  • Dining hours (late‑night options can be limited on weeknights)
  • Group size and reservation availability

If you live in Atlanta long‑term and want to explore beyond the city, expand your search around Sandy Springs, Norcross, Duluth, and Tucker, where additional Latin American and Brazilian‑influenced spots often appear.

With a bit of planning, you can enjoy everything from full rodízio feasts to quick Brazilian coffee and snacks right here in Atlanta. Whether you’re celebrating, hosting out‑of‑town guests, or just curious about Brazilian flavors, the city has enough options to give you a genuine taste of Brazil without leaving metro Atlanta.