After living in Brazil for nearly a year, the Brazilian way holds a piece of my heart. Samba, incredible music, friendly people, and great food will swoon anyone lucky enough to visit.

Galpão Gaucho serves Brazilian rodizio, an all-you-can-eat experience where the staff brings an array of tantalizing meats to your table and cuts them fresh off the grill to your plate. 

Accompanied by an unlimited salad bar stocked with cured meats, salmon, hearts of palm, and a variety of soups, salads, and cheeses, you’ll likely need to be rolled out.

Many of Brazil’s staple foods have become some of my absolute favorites, including pão de queijo—a mandioca (cassava)-based, cheese-stuffed bread that’s naturally gluten-free and simply divine. Served hot and fresh, it’s the first thing brought to the table at Galpão, accompanied by a chimichurri sauce (though, you don’t need anything on this piece of heaven). We also ordered guaraná, a typical Brazilian soda with a light flavor—akin to ginger ale—and kick of caffeine from the Amazonian fruit that gives the beverage its name.

From the salad bar, which features over 40 items, the first thing I added to my plate was a bit of rice and a hefty scoop of feijoada—a black bean and pork dish that is arguably at the cultural nucleus of Brazilian cuisine. Originally made with any cuts of meat left over (or available), feijoada is a dish deeply rooted in the slave culture that founded Brazil and the fusion of African, indigenous, and Portuguese roots: a true comfort food that reflects the diverse melting pot that defines Brazil.  At Galpão, they make it with beautiful cuts of pork, and I took the liberty of adding some candied bacon I saw lingering on the side. Accept my word of advice and take it easy at the salad bar; it’s time to unleash your inner carnivore.

When you arrive at your table, flip the green card over to your carnivorous appetite. First at our table was picanha (top sirloin), cooked at a perfect medium rare, and especially palatable paired alongside a glass of zinfandel. Picanha is one of my favorites, but being experienced in the way of the rodizio, I knew to take just one.

The other standout cuts were the filet mignon and ribeye. Again, cooked to absolute perfection, it was hard to resist the urge to take several slices (which, admittedly, I failed to do). Believe me when I say that if you’re a meat lover, you’ll be in your element.

There is one item I knew to special order: chicken hearts. While some may find the thought of it unsavory, it’s easily one of my favorite things at the rodizio. It brings me back to childhood, and I’ve never had them cooked so remarkably as they were at Galpão. If you’re feeling adventurous, don’t miss this.

But it wasn’t just meat that came around the table on a sword. The grilled pineapple provided the perfect level of acidity and sweetness to cut through the fat from the meats, and the grilled cheese covered in honey was one of the most amazing things to meet my mouth in a long time.

The dominantly Brazilian staff was incredibly friendly, the upscale ambiance pristine yet unpretentious (casual attire is OK), and the food incredible. If you want a delicious meal with a cultural twist, Galpão Gaucho will not disappoint. 

Hours: Noon-9 p.m. (Sunday); 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m. (Monday-Thursday); 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-10 p.m. (Friday); noon-10 p.m. (Saturday)

TRY THIS: Pão de Queijo, Feijoada, Candied Bacon, Picanha, Filet Mignon, Ribeye, Chicken Hearts, Grilled Pineapple, Grilled Cheese, Caipirinha, Guaraná

DRINKS: Full bar; beer, wine, & cocktails

TAB: $$$

HEADS-UP: Reservations accepted; group dining available; menu options include “salad bar and hot sides” or “full experience” (includes 17 cuts of meat, salad bar, and sides); kid-friendly (children under 3 are complimentary, ages 4-6 are $6, ages 7-11 pay 50% off meal price); happy hour served Monday-Friday from 4-6 p.m. and Sunday from 3-6 p.m.