America's 13 Best Brazilian Steakhouses

From rodizio with a water view at Texas de Brazil's Miami location to piano music with dinner at Churrascaria Plataforma in New York City, all of these Brazilian steakhouses make sure that you won't go home hungry.

This chain, with 10 locations in New Mexico, Idaho, Colorado, South Carolina, Indiana, Virginia, Utah, and Missouri, is a bit more casual than some other churrascaria chains, and also a bit more affordable. Along with meats from bacon-wrapped turkey to teriyaki sirloin, the servers also bring roasted veggies to the table; seafood (shrimp and scallops) are available for an extra charge. The "Salad Festival" salad bar has a good variety, with sushi, marinated artichoke hearts, and even quail eggs.

A fun vibe greets visitors at this steakhouse, with locations in San Francisco and San Mateo; start with a Caipirinha cocktail, done authentically here with lime, sugar, and cachaca. Appealing items like Moqueca de Peixe (fish stew with Brazilian palm oil) and their specialty, paella, are available at the buffet when you want an alternative to the carnivore's parade of Parmesan steak, bacon-wrapped filet mignon, and the like.

Rainhas has its own large building in Queens; its interior is an inviting, open space complete with a waterfall. Live music on the weekends helps to fulfill the restaurant's motto, "Eat, Drink, Laugh, Enjoy." With the many selections of the rodizio, hot buffet, and large salad bar, they already have the "eat" part down pat. Their signature caramelized pineapple is not to be missed.

In a city all too familiar with the all-you-can-eat concept, Via Brasil is a nice mix between buffet and fine dining. The two cascading water walls give the sophisticated open space a tropical air; the friendly wait staff is welcoming. Meats from ham with pineapple to prime rib are complimented by the salad bar which includes everything from asparagus risotto to chicken stroganoff. Diners who've been able to manage dessert rave about the banana flambé.

The tasteful interior of each of this chain's 23 locations is inviting, as are the waiters who dress as traditional gauchos. Along with the grilled meats like the popular spicy chicken, more than 30 cold and hot items are offered. Couve (sautéed collard greens with bacon), crab salad, tilapia, and strawberry salad are a good example of the variety found here. Save room for the rabanada, a warm cinnamon pastry with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

Dark woods and a swanky atmosphere set the tone at Tradição; start your evening with a well-crafted caipirinha cocktail and then move on to the salad bar with selections like ceviche, apple salad, and Manchego cheese. When rodizio service begins, salmon is one of the 14 meat offerings; others include filet mignon wrapped with bacon and lamb chops marinated with mint glaze. Desserts are nicely presented; many good fruit-based choices are available, especially the papaya cream and the passion fruit mousse.

An open charcoal grill sends aromas wafting through this dimly lit, elegantly modern churrascaria, inviting in hungry diners. The picanha here lives up to the aroma, and meat-eaters won't be disappointed with the other offerings like marinated spareribs. The hot buffet has tasty creamed corn, beef stroganoff, and stuffed peppers. A cold soda, Guarana Antarctica, is just the thing for those not drinking wine or cocktails, and everyone raves about M Grill's pineapple, grilled with cinnamon and sugar. Exemplary service throughout the meal makes this an even better experience.

This chain has locations in Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, and Northern Virginia, and gets good reviews for its attention to detail and high quality in both the meat and salad bar selections. The open, modern space is fitting; no paper menus here, just iPads to order from. Along with the fine meat selection, unlimited cheese bread, beef croquettes, and fried polenta keep the tables supplied. The salad bar gets creative, from quinoa with edamame to grilled artichokes.

Estância presents its rodizio dinners in an upscale but relaxed setting. Their wine list covers many regions — Chile, France, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Australia, and the U.S. — complimenting the varied food selections. The beautiful salad bar is so well-presented it may rival the meat service; indulge in the marinated vegetables and pretty salads like arugula with sliced mangoes. Chocolate molten cake and crème brûlée with fresh berries are two dessert specialties here.

This Brazilian steakhouse chain's Miami Beach location gets high marks for hospitality and the best part of the inviting decor is the harbor view. The garlic sirloin and picanha are favorites here; there's a good cheese selection and a notable salad bar with pasta and potato salads. If you have room, try the Key lime pie for dessert.

Chama Gaúcha's impeccable service at each of its four locations — in Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, and San Antonio — makes dining here feel like a special occasion. The garlic beef is frequently mentioned as a favorite here; diners can request sautéed onions and peppers to accompany the various meats. The beautifully-presented salad bar offers a good selection of cold and hot items. Wash it all down with the great wine selection or the popular Brazilian lemonade.

A standout at Fogo de Chao, which has 45 locations (including 10 in Brazil), is the nice staff that's helpful and accommodating of dietary restrictions. Sixteen cuts of fire-roasted meat come with traditional side dishes like mashed potatoes, warm cheese bread, and caramelized bananas. The salad bar includes artisan breads, smoked salmon, and choices like mango and shrimp salad. A very large wine selection rounds out the menu, and they've also recently rolled out brunch.

The sophisticated ambience at this classy New York institution, complete with a piano, belies the gormandizing of the all-you-can-eat menu. Selections like flank steak and Parmesan-crusted pork loin keep on coming between trips to the gourmet buffet; the latter has exotic casseroles, sushi, and a salad bar so varied that the restaurant claims that even a vegetarian will go home happy.