Edinburgh’s go-to South American restaurants and bars

Drink or dine at Boteco do Brasil and you could be fooled into thinking you’d landed in a vibrant eatery on a Rio side street. Despite being a (small) chain, it’s really authentic, with a large range of hearty dishes from different regions of the country. Taste chouriço sausages served with boiled cassava (Brazilian potatoes); baked cheese balls (a recipe that originated in the state of Minas Gerais); Bahian corn-fed chicken breast cooked in coconut milk with cashew nuts, peanut, ginger, coriander, rice and cassava flour; and steak from the south. And don’t miss the cocktails — the Rio de Janeiro Mule and Scottish take on a Caipirinha are among its epic options.

Bringing the Pampas to Scotland, Fazenda is a huge rodizio grill restaurant, capable of catering up to 175 covers in one go. But as word spread like wildfire after opening and it’s found in one of the best spots in town, the restaurant makes full use of that space, brimming with customers both day and night. Dining at Fazenda is a real experience and you’ll definitely need to arrive hungry. You’ll receive continuous tableside service, offered item after item, in a flow that’s entirely under your control. Each diner is provided with a double-sided card — the green side lets the passadores (meat chefs) know you’re game, while the red side can be used when you need a break. There are also Argentinian and Brazilian hot sides and a Market Table for cold cuts, seafood and salad. The surroundings of this George Street venue are super swish too, so it’s perfect for a fancy (and very filling) feed. 

Comprising two dining concepts across two premises (99 and 83 Hanover Street), Superico is both a sophisticated restaurant for a formal or romantic meal and a bar and lounge for tapas dishes alongside late-night cocktails. For the full Superico experience, incorporate both into your Latin night out. Both areas have been beautifully restored, retaining the building’s Georgian period features, but adding plenty of on-trend 21st-century style that oozes cool. The tech at the venue is impressive too, making it a chic party spot; the DJ booth has a bespoke state-of-the-art Mastersounds turntable and mixer to titillate your ears (chilled beats from 5pm and a full party from 9) and there’s a two-metre Japanese paper supermoon by Italian product-design veteran Davide Groppi glowing at the centre of the space, which is sure to delight your eyes. And let’s not forget your taste buds, which will be impressed and enlivened by a selection of small and large plates, along with exotic frozen and shaken cocktails.

Make like a gaucho and get down to this steakhouse and grill. The west end venue has a true Argentine ambience, aided by the wooden beamed walls and cattle skulls adorning the themed restaurant and an open kitchen to watch the chefs at work. It’s handy for Haymarket Station, matches at Murrayfield and for those working in the financial district. And while meat is of course the highlight of the menu, it is not all about those juicy cuts of ribeye, fillet, T-bone and herby chimichurri. Rancho’s signature lubina (grilled sea bass in a dry rub marinade of paprika, oregano and garlic) is a popular choice.

Book a night out in the neighbourhood of Stockbridge for some traditional Latin music and a fusion of Venezuelan and Mexican food. The restaurant is also open for lunch, a more casual affair with brunch bites like the traditional Venezuelan arepa con Perico (scrambled eggs with tomatoes, onions and coriander) with an empanada. After dark, order a sirloin with the restaurant’s signature sauce, served with boiled yucca and guasacaca; Pabellon Magariteño (poached sea bass fillet in garlic, onions and green peppers sautéed with rice); or a healthy veggie option like black beans, fried plantains and salad. And should you wish to sample some South American beers, do make a beeline for Sabor Criollo.