Where to find Brazilian food in Glasgow

Love meat? Then you’ll love Viva Brazil. It’s a Churrascaria — a place where meat is cooked barbecue-style and served rodízio, in a southern tradition that dates back hundreds of years. It basically means that a troupe of waiters rove from table to table, cutting meat that’s fresh from the coals from a skewer, directly onto your plate. The waiters are known as passadors and carve up to 14 different types of meat according to your desires. Diners have a ‘stop’ and ‘go’ system that’s activated with a green and red disc, to let them know when to keep it coming and when to give you a break. Steak, ribs, sausage, steaks, chicken, gammon and even pineapple are on the BBQ, with a range of sides like deep-fried bananas, fine beans, pickled salad, batata frita, toasted sweet cassava flour and Panzanella salad. There are also kids menus and options for vegan and vegetarian diners. However, Viva Brazil is really best suited to carnivores with a big appetite. There’s a range of exotic Latin-themed beverages. Brazilian wines and an entire page of the cocktail menu’s creations is dedicated to players from the nation’s football teams during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

This unassuming little cafe is hidden away down a side street off the main Dumbarton Road, where Whiteinch meets Scotstoun. It’s usually open for breakfast through to lunch from Wednesday to Saturday, with some evening openings for dinner service. And it offers an incredible dine at home, multiple course sharing feast for collection, that kept its G14 locals (among others) well-fed and sane during the lockdowns. Patrons pop in for a freshly roasted coffee, to hang out in Brazuca’s relaxed and friendly community atmosphere, or to sit down to several courses of hot home-cooked food. Be sure to try the incredible Pao de Queijo (cassava flour cheese bread that melts in the mouth). Vegan, gluten-free and super healthy options are plentiful and the venue represents excellent value for money. You can also pre-order Freedom Bakery bread, cakes and pastries to take home with you for later.

It may be Brazilian, but the chain is Scottish, with two restaurants having opened (the other is in Edinburgh). A visit to Boteco Do Brasil will have you feeling as though you’ve been teleported abroad (and don’t we all need that right now). The venue has a lively, earthy atmosphere — like you’d happened upon it while wandering around a vibrant district of Rio. This has much to do with the upbeat Brazilian tunes and frequent dance events. As such, it’s perfect if you want to eat, then stay for a few cocktails and an upbeat night out. But let’s talk about the food because it’s so good. The menu is huge with loads of options for every taste, from traditional dishes to more unusual options and everything in between. There are specialties from specific regions, like Carne de Sol from the north, Picanha na Chapa from the south, Prato Baiano Xin Xin de Galinha from Bahai and Vaca Atolada, which is popular in the countryside. Do try the desserts and the country’s national cocktail, the Caipirinha, while you’re here.

With eclectic dishes from across Southern and Central America, this is the only one on our list that isn’t purely about Brazilian dishes. So it’s a great place to come if you just love Brazilian food, but your mates don’t. Mango Latino has a range of tapas-style sharing dishes, mains and sweet treats. Brazilian dishes include delectable Coxinha de Queijo, classic Feijoada, fresh File de Frango and yummy Torta de Queijo con Mango. But the eatery also serves pizzas, tacos, burgers and burritos. Found in the city centre, close to the Art School, this colourful, summery venue has a tropical barrio feel, perfect if you want to eat, drink, then party into the wee small hours to the sound of live bands.