Had a nice dinner at Samba Kitchen with my girlfriend and her dad before going to see Billy Joel's birthday concert at MSG. The atmosphere of the place is excellent - it feels authentic. All of us enjoyed our food - mine was the skirt steak with chimichurri, which was nicely done. The steak was slightly overdone, but not inedible by any stretch - and the chimichurri provided a fantastic flavor. One of my very favorite features was the cheese bread - we actually asked for a second basket. Prices are standard for the area - high, but the quality of the food was very good. If I lived in the area I would probably have this restaurant on my rotation.
Arturo Lira (W)
Great food. Cash only.You can get more traditional authentic Brazilian food and not just the "sword" type of Brazilian food. Staff is actually from Brazil and they keep original seasoning and flavors.Plates are served with big portions, even appetizers.They only take cash. Though there is ATM next door, it is pretty inconvenient.
Naila Fernandes
The terrible Brazilian food I ever had in my life. I’m Brazilian so I can tell you guys don’t go to this place! That dish in the picture call moqueca and it’s from the place I was born, I can tell it’s totally different, doesn’t have fish and the original dish is make with a lot of FISH! That’s sounds like a joke for me, I’ll never go again!
Alisa Wyman
Incredible meal and service. 10/10 would return.
Vatika Mohanty
Such good Brazilian food and really good service. They food is made quick and tastes fresh. The food is rich with flavour but not heavy by any means. The caipirinha is well made, too. Would come back for sure.
Olga Blyednova
This place is a tiny restaurant with a strong smell of fast food (bad ventilation even if the door was open), the service was good.The starters were good but the main course (we got steak) is way overpriced for what you get. You can only pay cash or Venmo and 20% tip will be included (no choice which I find really uncomfortable).The menu is very limited and looking at other reviews I feel like the place has changed or downsized (but forgot to reduce the prices), so don't expect to get most of the things you see in the pictures.
Leslee G
Good quality food. Chicken, steak, collard greens and fries were all very good. Great choice for lunch or dinner. Cash or Venmo only
Yuri K.
My friend and I were craving brazilian food and decided to try out this restaurant. Interior: It was a very small store front that looked like it was mainly a takeout place. We were able to sit in the little outdoor area which was pretty nice. I would definitely recommend outside as opposed to the indoor area as it was super smokey from the cooking. Food: we both got the pichana steak. The steak was on the drier side and didn't hold much flavor. The beans and vinagrete didn't hold much flavor either and was just on the oilier side overall. The brazilian cheese bread were super yummy though! Service: The waitress was definitely attentive and nice. Overall: I probably would not go out of my way to dine here again
Stephen L.
Samba Kitchen is a solid Brazilian spot, but be warned: it has completely changed from its previous location and is now very different from the old pictures you will see on this Yelp page. It is now a little spot with only 3 tables inside with a couple outdoor tables and a very limited menu. I tried a bunch of different small plates: Brazilian cheese bread (4 for $4)- the bread was like a mochi dough kind of chewy consistency with cheese in the middle, very pleasant Chicken croquettes (6 for $15)- nice, almost creamy consistency inside with a fried outside Empanadas (one ground beef and one cheese) (2 for $8)- decent but there was quite a lot of empty room within them, so they could've had more filling Sweet plantains (whole plate for $7)- these were great, very soft and sweet with a kind of crispy outside As mentioned, the interior is very small, and it has pretty standard interior decor with a semi-open kitchen, a cute LED sign, and they display some Brazilian snacks (which I assume are for sale). I came on a Saturday night and the other two tables were both occupied. The lady who seemed to be running the place was friendly and the service speed was pretty quick. Important note: This place only accepts cash or Venmo (no credit cards). Overall, Samba Kitchen is a great spot for a casual meal if you are looking for some tasty small plates of Brazilian foods (they also have a couple larger dishes, but I didn't try those). Don't expect a Brazilian steakhouse kind of place, and if you don't mind a small space with a small menu, then Samba Kitchen could be a solid option for you.
Gene L.
FYI, as other recent reviews have mentioned, Samba Kitchen has become more of a fast casual place vs their old establishment as a sit down restaurant. With that said, this is still darn good comfort and soul food. Started with some Brazilian cheese bread, which was so good - the texture is kind of like mochi, but it's buttery/cheesy goodness. The caipirinha was a perfect elixir after a long day at work. The picanha was delicious - a very flavorful cut of meat, very tender despite being a thin cut. With that said, this place definitely isn't cheap - I think the price is a bit high given it's fast casual now. Food and drink is good though. Be prepared to wait during peak hours, because there is limited staff, and they are often scrambling with their to-go orders.
No, just no. Don't come here. Go to Berimbau. It's COMPLETELY different now. I came in oct 2021, and retrospectively looking, looks like all their great reviews are from their old location. This place is now a teeny tiny hole in the wall, but keeps the same prices. Bleh ambiance, esp outside is basically non existent. Inside is cute-sy so did a decent job there, but feels more like a casual spot yet charging full nice sit down restaurant prices. With small portions too. So I think they just carried everything over to their new location for cheaper rent, but didn't change the price which makes you feel jypped on the experience. But now, my BIGGEST gripe is the food. SO disappointed. NYC has amazing food and wasted a dinner here. Pao de quejo - 1/5. Tastes like frozen reheated. Or made a long time ago and just been sitting Moqueca - 2/5. Just tastes like generic tomato paste type sauce with average shrimp. I could make something better myself at home. Feijoada - 3/5. Best thing here. This did have a good amount of meat and it was tender & well made . Flavor is pretty good, though nothing too special, and did get a bit monotonous as you get through the fuss.
Anthony Castillo
I love this place! Perfect find in the neighborhood for Brazilian comfort food. The take-out bowls are my clear favorite :) highly recommend!
Federico Pina
My second time here. Fries, picanha and stroganoff were great. Very kind service.
Amanda V.
Came here after being rudely greeted at a steakhouse, and wasn't disappointed! 2nd time visiting and food was still amazing.
Jasbir S.
Stay away from this place. I've added this restaurant to my "avoid" restaurant list due to bad food quality. I've ordered steak for $24 which tasted like rubber and was very cheap cut. The place is nothing like photos or reviews on yelp. The inside is tiny and can sit 3-5 people. The outside area can sit 8 people and they have a heater. There is no bar. I think they are using yelp rating/photos from previous business which I guess was better to run this hole in the wall joint. This is definitely not Brazilian food.
Had a nice dinner at Samba Kitchen with my girlfriend and her dad before going to see Billy Joel's birthday concert at MSG. The atmosphere of the place is excellent - it feels authentic. All of us enjoyed our food - mine was the skirt steak with chimichurri, which was nicely done. The steak was slightly overdone, but not inedible by any stretch - and the chimichurri provided a fantastic flavor. One of my very favorite features was the cheese bread - we actually asked for a second basket. Prices are standard for the area - high, but the quality of the food was very good. If I lived in the area I would probably have this restaurant on my rotation.
Great food. Cash only.You can get more traditional authentic Brazilian food and not just the "sword" type of Brazilian food. Staff is actually from Brazil and they keep original seasoning and flavors.Plates are served with big portions, even appetizers.They only take cash. Though there is ATM next door, it is pretty inconvenient.
The terrible Brazilian food I ever had in my life. I’m Brazilian so I can tell you guys don’t go to this place! That dish in the picture call moqueca and it’s from the place I was born, I can tell it’s totally different, doesn’t have fish and the original dish is make with a lot of FISH! That’s sounds like a joke for me, I’ll never go again!
Incredible meal and service. 10/10 would return.
Such good Brazilian food and really good service. They food is made quick and tastes fresh. The food is rich with flavour but not heavy by any means. The caipirinha is well made, too. Would come back for sure.
This place is a tiny restaurant with a strong smell of fast food (bad ventilation even if the door was open), the service was good.The starters were good but the main course (we got steak) is way overpriced for what you get. You can only pay cash or Venmo and 20% tip will be included (no choice which I find really uncomfortable).The menu is very limited and looking at other reviews I feel like the place has changed or downsized (but forgot to reduce the prices), so don't expect to get most of the things you see in the pictures.
Good quality food. Chicken, steak, collard greens and fries were all very good. Great choice for lunch or dinner. Cash or Venmo only
My friend and I were craving brazilian food and decided to try out this restaurant. Interior: It was a very small store front that looked like it was mainly a takeout place. We were able to sit in the little outdoor area which was pretty nice. I would definitely recommend outside as opposed to the indoor area as it was super smokey from the cooking. Food: we both got the pichana steak. The steak was on the drier side and didn't hold much flavor. The beans and vinagrete didn't hold much flavor either and was just on the oilier side overall. The brazilian cheese bread were super yummy though! Service: The waitress was definitely attentive and nice. Overall: I probably would not go out of my way to dine here again
Samba Kitchen is a solid Brazilian spot, but be warned: it has completely changed from its previous location and is now very different from the old pictures you will see on this Yelp page. It is now a little spot with only 3 tables inside with a couple outdoor tables and a very limited menu. I tried a bunch of different small plates: Brazilian cheese bread (4 for $4)- the bread was like a mochi dough kind of chewy consistency with cheese in the middle, very pleasant Chicken croquettes (6 for $15)- nice, almost creamy consistency inside with a fried outside Empanadas (one ground beef and one cheese) (2 for $8)- decent but there was quite a lot of empty room within them, so they could've had more filling Sweet plantains (whole plate for $7)- these were great, very soft and sweet with a kind of crispy outside As mentioned, the interior is very small, and it has pretty standard interior decor with a semi-open kitchen, a cute LED sign, and they display some Brazilian snacks (which I assume are for sale). I came on a Saturday night and the other two tables were both occupied. The lady who seemed to be running the place was friendly and the service speed was pretty quick. Important note: This place only accepts cash or Venmo (no credit cards). Overall, Samba Kitchen is a great spot for a casual meal if you are looking for some tasty small plates of Brazilian foods (they also have a couple larger dishes, but I didn't try those). Don't expect a Brazilian steakhouse kind of place, and if you don't mind a small space with a small menu, then Samba Kitchen could be a solid option for you.
FYI, as other recent reviews have mentioned, Samba Kitchen has become more of a fast casual place vs their old establishment as a sit down restaurant. With that said, this is still darn good comfort and soul food. Started with some Brazilian cheese bread, which was so good - the texture is kind of like mochi, but it's buttery/cheesy goodness. The caipirinha was a perfect elixir after a long day at work. The picanha was delicious - a very flavorful cut of meat, very tender despite being a thin cut. With that said, this place definitely isn't cheap - I think the price is a bit high given it's fast casual now. Food and drink is good though. Be prepared to wait during peak hours, because there is limited staff, and they are often scrambling with their to-go orders.
Restaurantji Recommends
No, just no. Don't come here. Go to Berimbau. It's COMPLETELY different now. I came in oct 2021, and retrospectively looking, looks like all their great reviews are from their old location. This place is now a teeny tiny hole in the wall, but keeps the same prices. Bleh ambiance, esp outside is basically non existent. Inside is cute-sy so did a decent job there, but feels more like a casual spot yet charging full nice sit down restaurant prices. With small portions too. So I think they just carried everything over to their new location for cheaper rent, but didn't change the price which makes you feel jypped on the experience. But now, my BIGGEST gripe is the food. SO disappointed. NYC has amazing food and wasted a dinner here. Pao de quejo - 1/5. Tastes like frozen reheated. Or made a long time ago and just been sitting Moqueca - 2/5. Just tastes like generic tomato paste type sauce with average shrimp. I could make something better myself at home. Feijoada - 3/5. Best thing here. This did have a good amount of meat and it was tender & well made . Flavor is pretty good, though nothing too special, and did get a bit monotonous as you get through the fuss.
I love this place! Perfect find in the neighborhood for Brazilian comfort food. The take-out bowls are my clear favorite :) highly recommend!
My second time here. Fries, picanha and stroganoff were great. Very kind service.
Came here after being rudely greeted at a steakhouse, and wasn't disappointed! 2nd time visiting and food was still amazing.
Stay away from this place. I've added this restaurant to my "avoid" restaurant list due to bad food quality. I've ordered steak for $24 which tasted like rubber and was very cheap cut. The place is nothing like photos or reviews on yelp. The inside is tiny and can sit 3-5 people. The outside area can sit 8 people and they have a heater. There is no bar. I think they are using yelp rating/photos from previous business which I guess was better to run this hole in the wall joint. This is definitely not Brazilian food.