Via Brasil Restaurant
“The bartender made the best Caipirinhas and I always had trouble finding my way to penn station for my train because the drinks were so moreish!!”
“The Feijoada Completa, 'national Brazilian Dish' was so good.”
“We shared the Mandioca Frita (fried yucca) side dish and discovered a new found love.”
Via Brasil Restaurant
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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For the last seven years, on the day after Thanksgiving, I have come to Via Brasil with my husband and his extended family – sometimes there's up to twenty of us. He and his family have been doing this tradition way longer. Why, you ask? Long story short, his mother and aunts grew up in Brazil, and their mother would come up each year for Thanksgiving. She would take them all out for this feast after the holiday before she went home. A few years ago, she moved up to LI to be closer to her family, and the tradition was so important to them all, we still do it. And it's a great one.
It should be noted that this is not a churrascaria – sure, they serve meats on a sword, but the real treasures are the Bahian dishes like Moqueca or camarones in hearts of palm sauce and the national dish of Brazil, Feijoida. Order these and ask for their house-made pepper sauce, and you'll be in heaven. And don't forget the caipirinha.
The service has always been excellent – super friendly and always accommodating. The menu has a lot of strange words on it, so be sure to ask and they'll explain away. The head waiter, Carlos, is in fact Brazilian, so he knows his stuff and will take care of you. It should be noted that parking can be tough, so be prepared if you're coming via car. There is a garage next door which is convenient but quote pricey. Street parking is free after 6pm, of course.
I went in with a huge group of friends for a birthday dinner on Saturday night where there was live jazz music venue going on–good timing on our part. I had ordered the feijoada, the national dish of Brasil, assuming that it would enough for me. The price was $27, which is kind of steep, but how often do you eat Brazilian cuisine? It was actually adequate for about 4 people. In addition, it was a rice and beans stew that had beef jerky, oxtail, and other meaty pieces inside. I thought it was nice that they served extra sliced oranges, garlic yucca, and extra bean gravy to enhance your dish. I was especially surprised by the manners and chivalry of the waitstaff working when we were there. There was a nice gentleman who helped me with my coat on the way out. This was a really kind gesture and totally unexpected. I would come back, but I'm not sure what to try…any suggestions?
I really enjoyed eating at this restaurant,the waiters are very attentive,each dish I have tried have been to my satisfaction.The Restaurant offers a great atmosphere ant the location is Great right in midtown Manhattan and very close to the Theater District.I will keep on going back.
First time back in over a decade. Ate here regularly in the late 1970's and throughout the 1980's when it was truly a bargain meal, before Churrascarias hit the culinary map. Not the place it once was, but still an honest Brazilian meal. The linguica appetizer was just OK. The Vatapa was decent but the Churrasco Osvaldo Oranha was a superbly cooked filet with loads of deliciously roasted garlic on top. The rice, black beans, tomato salsa and farofa combo was as I remember it. The pudin, quindin and chocolate mousse were authentic desserts as was the cafe zinio/espresso. Wait staff was experienced, service was prompt and the caipirinha and batida maracuja did not disappoint. I think the Brazilian restaurants "down neck" Newark are a better value and more authentic, but this place is still a good choice when you are in the theatre district on a weekday night and crave some well seasoned and well grilled meat.
Did they change the menu and the chef? Because my experience last night at Via Brasil definitely did not meet my expectations compare to the last time I ate here. It was almost night and day. I felt the menu options are much more limited than it used to be and I really had trouble picking out a dish to eat. I ended up ordering the grilled salmon with pineapple sauce and requested for a medium well done. But when I got the dish, the top part of the salmon was a little burnt and they definitely cooked it all the way through. The pineapple sauce was a little strange and it just didn't seem to marry well with the grilled salmon. Other people at my table ordered the Churrascarria style and they said the meat was too dry and it didn't taste like anything they had last time. Meanwhile, I found our server be a little annoying. He kept coming back to our table asking if everything is ok every 10 minutes, as if he is rushing to push us out. The restaurant wasn't even crowded that night so I don't know what's he in the rush for.
Their slogan is "You don't have to go to Brazil to enjoy the real Brazilian food … We have it all!"
That is certainly true: delicious, authentic food (the moqueca was yummy), excellent caipirinhas, Brazilian live music many evenings, and attentive wait staff. If you want real Brazilian food, go here and have a great time.
I was greeted by a friendly and smiling host and owner. We were seated immediately and our server was kind enough to make recommendations. The chicken risotto ($16.95) was ah-mazing and very filling. I was so impressed. Wow! The chocolate mousse was great too and reasonably priced at $6.50. Beautiful space, loved the white piano. It's definitely worth a trip!
Note: Very quaint bathroom stalls
I went here for a night out with my Brazilian side of my family. It was an excellent choice by my aunt who frequents here. I ordered the filet mignon with the chopped garlic on top cooked medium. The steak was perfectly cooked and very tender. One down side was that I expected the side of the meal to have been rice and beans as stated on the menu but it was substituted for steak fries. Oh well! They also had the Brazilian soda guarana which was a perfect addition to my meal. I finished my meal off with the chocolate mousse which was very light and yummy. I would go again.