My heritage goes back mostly to England and Germany, but I am always so proud of my teeny-tiny bit of Brazilian roots (thanks to my grandmother) because I feel it represents the most passionate and colorful sides of my personality. Brazilians are all about passion, intense flavors, and good rhythm. Café Brazil is like a little piece of Rio on the Westside beach-town of LA. Sitting amongst this very beige and somewhat boring section of Washington Blvd. is this bright tangerine and blue building screaming for you to enter its walls. The décor alone, including multi-colored tables and chairs, bowls of fresh fruit, and wildflowers grown throughout, is enough to bring cheer to even the most sullen of people.

A very casual dining style, Café Brazil brings all-natural and exotic ingredients straight from its South American homeland, such as, passion fruit, coconut juice, fried plantains, and grill seasonings for meat and poultry. Owners Marcelino and Aparecida Filho were both born and raised in Brazil and brought their culinary skills to Los Angeles over 15 years ago. They have kept Café Brazil open and still popular since 1991. They also recently opened the Villa Brazil Motel which is located right next door, so now, you can not only dine in San Paolo, but you can stay there too. Very inexpensive!

The menu is a carnivore’s dream. Grilled meats and fish, Pulled-Pork Stew (otherwise known as Feijoada, cooked overnight), and Pasteis (Brazilian Style Beef Empanadas) is just the tip of the iceberg of goodies that will keep you salivating. Have no fear vegetarians; there are plenty of salads, vegetables, beans, rice, and dairy-free delights to fulfill the omnivores needs. I ordered the Havana Hot Sandwich w/ top sirloin steak, low-fat cheese, lettuce, and homemade salsa (the salsa is the secret ingredient). The meat was tender and the whole thing was comforting, spicy, and delicious. The fried plantains are a native favorite and add a nice sweet flavor up against all the spices going around; they’re also full of great vitamins! The appetizers are a sumptuous selection of fried treats including Risoli (turnover stuffed w/ beef), Pao De Queijo (essentially cheese bread), Coxinha (shredded chicken and cheese, lightly fried in the shape of a chicken leg), and Pasteis (various Brazilian Style Empanadas, including one w/ Hearts of Palm). Aside from those assaults to your thighs, it’s very easy to eat healthy here and the diversity of flavor is the ultimate spirit awakening.

Open for late breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday, it’s not hard to feel like you’re being welcomed into someone’s home. The stereo is playing traditional Brazilian classics and the TV is showing old concerts from Brazil’s best artists; it’s like Carnival in there every night! Desserts, drinks, and coffee beans are customary to the country, including Guarana Classic “Brazilian Soda”, Passion Fruit Mousse and Brazilian Flan, Fresh Mango and Passion Fruit Juice, and Brazilian Beer offered on daily special. Zagat Survey has given it the Award of Distinction four years in a row and LA Magazine named it “best Brazilian food in LA”. Café Brazil is full of exotic charm, the food is yummy, and when I’m there it feels like a taste of home.

Café Brazil
2 Locations:
11736 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066

10831 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034

Open 7 days a week: 11am-10pm
Catering & Take-Out Available