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Samba Brazilian Grill, Madison, WI

Samba Brazilian Grill

4.5
4.5
1008 Reviews
$50 and over
Brazilian Steakhouse

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2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 28 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
  • Charming
For those of you who are not current or former gauchos who roam the prairies of Brazil, you might need an explanation of our style of service. At the end on a long day of work tending to cattle and stock, Brazilian cowboys (Gauchos) and their families would prepare great feasts. They would skewer various meats, roast them over a fire pit and bring them to the table for carving. There would be a bounty of seasonal vegetables, stews and salads using fresh ingredients from the fruits of their labor.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Brazilian Steakhouse, Brazilian
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (608) 257-1111
  • Website
    http://www.sambabraziliangrill.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Customized to your desires.
  • Private party facilities
    Private Dining for 10-250 guests. Several private and semi-private options. Entire restaurant also available for large functions/weddings.
  • Location
    240 W Gilman St, Madison, WI 53703
  • Area
    Madison
  • Cross Street
    State Street
  • Parking details
    Parking in the lot adjacent to our restaurant is reservable.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

Samba Sides

  • Black beans "feijoada"

    • Basmati rice with saffron

      • Garlic whipped baby red potatoes

        Salads and Vegetables

        • Quinoa salad

          with raisins,and vegetables

          • Lima bean and roasted peppers

            • White bean

              with cucumber, vinegar, herbs and tomato

              • French green bean with almonds

                • Sweet corn, chicken, carrot and raisin

                  • Jicama, apple and dates

                    • Fresh mozzarella

                      with cherry tomato and basil oil

                      • Orzo, feta, olives and roasted tomato

                        • Carrot and red cabbage "escabeche"

                          • Grilled eggplant with lemon

                            • Grilled asparagus with lime

                              • Chiliean cole slaw

                                with cucumber, red onion, carrot and cabbage

                                • Fresh spring mix, spinach and chopped romaine

                                  with fresh dressings: (scallionroasted garlic, anchovie-garlic-herb, ginger lemon, olive oil, vinaigrettes)

                                  • Roasted new Yukon gold potatoes

                                    with olive oil and fresh cracked pepper Heart of Palm, chile flake and assorted pickled vegetables and giardiniera

                                    • Roasted peppers

                                      goat cheese-stuffed piquillos

                                      • caperberries

                                        cheese filled cherry tomatoes

                                        • assorted peppers

                                          • Imported olives

                                            Alfonso, picholine, Greek, kalamata, assorted herb and oil marinated medleys

                                            • Spanish cheeses

                                              Cabrales, Manchego, Idiazabel, Drunken Goat, Rancal, Titilla, Mahon

                                              Samba Meats and Seafood Selections

                                              This is a represenation of the types of meats we serve. Please see the daily menu for specific specials

                                              • Whole beef tenderloin

                                                rubbed with garlic, sea salt and black pepper

                                                • Beef tenderloin

                                                  wrapped in bacon and grilled to perfection

                                                  • Whole beef ribeye

                                                    slow roasted with sea salt and black pepper and garlic

                                                    • Beef top sirloin

                                                      Samba wpecialty, marinated with garlic and red wine

                                                      • Beef Flank Steak

                                                        marinated in balsamic, honey, chiles

                                                        • Beef Skirt

                                                          marinated in balsamic, honey, chiles

                                                          • Beef short ribs

                                                            grilled and served on the bone

                                                            • Chicken breasts

                                                              wrapped in bacon and grilled to perfection

                                                              • Chicken drums

                                                                with chile and herb rub (epazote, sage)

                                                                • Pork Tenderloin

                                                                  in chile and honey brine

                                                                  • Pork loin

                                                                    Pork loin with parmesan

                                                                    • Argentenean, Chorizo and linguica sausages

                                                                      an assortment of sausages

                                                                      • Pork Ribs

                                                                        braised and fired pork ribs with paprika, brown sugar and rum

                                                                        • Leg of Lamb

                                                                          with stone ground mustard, sherry vinegar, sea salt and black pepper

                                                                          • Rack of Lamb

                                                                            with fresh rosemary and chile

                                                                            • Duck drums

                                                                              served 'confit'

                                                                              • Duck Breasts

                                                                                wrapped in Serrano Ham

                                                                                Desserts

                                                                                • Samba "Smores"USD 10.00

                                                                                  Rodizio Roasted Marshmallows on Graham Crackers with Hazelnut Gelato and Samba Chocolate Sauce

                                                                                  • Key Lime CheesecakeUSD 6.00

                                                                                    • Assorted GelatosUSD 4.00

                                                                                      • Cinnamon-Chocolate MousseUSD 5.00

                                                                                        Served in a Chocolate Cup with Cajeta Cookies

                                                                                        • Cajeta FlanUSD 7.00

                                                                                          Cajeta Cream Custard with Berries and Caramel Sauce

                                                                                          • Coconut Banana Cream PieUSD 5.00

                                                                                            With Whipped Cream

                                                                                            Dessert Cocktails

                                                                                            • Chocolate MartiniUSD 7.00

                                                                                              Absolut Vanilla, Dark and White Godive Liqueurs, Shake & Served Straight Up

                                                                                              • Brazil NutUSD 8.00

                                                                                                Frangelico, Cachaca and Cream, Shaken & Served Straight Up

                                                                                                • Key Lime Coconut MartiniUSD 9.00

                                                                                                  Hangar One Lime, Absolut Vanilla, Kalani Coconut Liqueur, Key Lime Juice, Cream and Cane Sugar, Shaken & Served Straight Up

                                                                                                  • Samba RoyaleUSD 8.00

                                                                                                    Gran Sarao Cava, Framboise, and Clement Shrubb Orange Liqueur

                                                                                                    Last updated: 2 February 2022

                                                                                                    What 1,008 people are saying

                                                                                                    Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                                                    Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                                                    4.5
                                                                                                    4.5 based on recent ratings
                                                                                                    • 4.5Food
                                                                                                    • 4.5Service
                                                                                                    • 4.5Ambience
                                                                                                    • 4.2Value

                                                                                                    Noise • Moderate

                                                                                                    Loved For

                                                                                                    • Madison

                                                                                                      Innovative

                                                                                                    • Madison

                                                                                                      Good for groups

                                                                                                    • Madison

                                                                                                      Healthy

                                                                                                    • Madison

                                                                                                      Romantic

                                                                                                    • Madison

                                                                                                      Good for special occasions

                                                                                                    • Madison

                                                                                                      Most Booked

                                                                                                    Review summary

                                                                                                    AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                                                    Samba Brazilian Grill offers a lively churrascaria experience with a variety of meats and a standout salad bar. Guests rave about the "amazing service" and "unbelievable" food quality. Highlights include the grilled pineapple and attentive staff. While some visits were mixed, many find it a delightful dining destination.

                                                                                                    1,008 Reviews

                                                                                                    1. Reshma

                                                                                                      Milwaukee

                                                                                                      19 reviews

                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                      19 reviews

                                                                                                      Dined 6 days ago

                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                      We always have a great time here! Love that they have two options for buffet only and with the rodizio service.

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                                                                                                    2. Melissa

                                                                                                      Milwaukee

                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                      3.0

                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                      Dined 6 days ago

                                                                                                      1. Overall 3
                                                                                                      2. Food 3
                                                                                                      3. Service 4
                                                                                                      4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                      Samba was our first Brazilian grill experience. It's a unique location and building but parking is terrible! The atmosphere and ambience are great. The music was a little louder than necessary. The table service was amazing and they came around often. The salad bar and sides could use some help, more of a variety of dressings and sides that aren't so bland. Some of the sides would have been better warm, like the asparagus and zucchini. The mashed potatoes were thin and bland instead of thick, rich, and creamy. The meat was tasty for the most part, except for some of the beef options as they were not seasoned enough or cooked to our preference at any point throughout the night being on the rare/medium rare side(bloody) so we passed after the first time. The pork, tenderloin, roasted chicken legs, and the grilled pineapple were all favorites. Overall it was a great night and good first experience.

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                                                                                                    3. Carmen

                                                                                                      Milwaukee

                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                      4.0

                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                      Dined on 10 November 2024

                                                                                                      1. Overall 4
                                                                                                      2. Food 4
                                                                                                      3. Service 4
                                                                                                      4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                      The food was good and service also. We did notice however that the seafood salad had little to no seafood in it. It was a rather basic pasta salad.

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                                                                                                    4. OpenTable Diner

                                                                                                      Milwaukee

                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                      4.0

                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                      Dined on 9 November 2024

                                                                                                      1. Overall 4
                                                                                                      2. Food 4
                                                                                                      3. Service 3
                                                                                                      4. Ambience 3
                                                                                                      Servers were very slow to come around. We never saw the guy with flank steak or the lamb.

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                                                                                                    5. Tyler

                                                                                                      Milwaukee

                                                                                                      3 reviews

                                                                                                      3.0

                                                                                                      3 reviews

                                                                                                      Dined on 8 November 2024

                                                                                                      1. Overall 3
                                                                                                      2. Food 3
                                                                                                      3. Service 3
                                                                                                      4. Ambience 3
                                                                                                      Samba is great, food for the most part is seasoned well. The pineapple is the best

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                                                                                                    6. Joni

                                                                                                      Milwaukee

                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                      Dined on 27 October 2024

                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                      3. Service 1
                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                      The meat servers were incredible. Our server was not. We had to track down our server for refills on drinks and the server did not check on our table but only once. We waited for drinks for over 20 minutes. I felt bad for leaving a bad tip due to service when the meat staff was fantastic, but to wait 20 minutes for refills where there were only 2 other tables in the entire restaurant that were occupied is rather ridiculous, especially for the price.

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                                                                                                    7. Walter

                                                                                                      Milwaukee

                                                                                                      4 reviews

                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                      4 reviews

                                                                                                      Dined on 19 October 2024

                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                      Absolutely best place to eat in Madison. Food is exquisite.

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                                                                                                    8. OpenTable Diner

                                                                                                      Phoenix

                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                      3.0

                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                      Dined on 19 October 2024

                                                                                                      1. Overall 3
                                                                                                      2. Food 2
                                                                                                      3. Service 4
                                                                                                      4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                      The meat disappointedly is just not high quality/tender enough to deliver a quality experience. You would think this would be their focus. Maybe they should at least invest in Sous Vide to make the cheap cuts more tender. The sides at the buffet are nicely done, but they do want you to fill up on those. Go very hungry and expect to leave uncomfortably full 🙂. I personally won’t go back because of the meat quality, but maybe it was a bad night on the grill 🤷‍♂️.

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                                                                                                    9. Noah

                                                                                                      Milwaukee

                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                      Dined on 12 October 2024

                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                      4. Ambience 3
                                                                                                      Amazing service have to give compliments to our waiter as well as the cook staff truly one of our favorites!!!!

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                                                                                                    10. Laurie

                                                                                                      Milwaukee

                                                                                                      2 reviews

                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                      2 reviews

                                                                                                      Dined on 5 October 2024

                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                      Very accommodating!! Appreciated the birthday dessert for our special celebration!!

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                                                                                                    FAQs

                                                                                                    Samba Brazilian Grill is rated 4.5 stars by 1008 OpenTable diners.

                                                                                                    Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                                                    Make a booking

                                                                                                    2 people
                                                                                                    7:00 pm
                                                                                                    Booked 28 times today
                                                                                                    Google Map for Samba Brazilian Grill

                                                                                                    240 W Gilman St, Madison, WI 53703

                                                                                                    Additional information

                                                                                                    • Cross Street
                                                                                                      State Street
                                                                                                    • Area
                                                                                                      Madison
                                                                                                    • Hours of Operation
                                                                                                      Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
                                                                                                    • Price
                                                                                                      $50 and over
                                                                                                    • Cuisines
                                                                                                      Brazilian Steakhouse, Brazilian
                                                                                                    • Dining style
                                                                                                      Casual Dining
                                                                                                    • Dress code
                                                                                                      Casual Dress
                                                                                                    • Parking details
                                                                                                      Parking in the lot adjacent to our restaurant is reservable.
                                                                                                    • Payment Options
                                                                                                      AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                                                    • Additional
                                                                                                      Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                                                                    • Website
                                                                                                      http://www.sambabraziliangrill.com/
                                                                                                    • Phone number
                                                                                                      (608) 257-1111
                                                                                                    • Catering
                                                                                                      Customized to your desires.
                                                                                                    • Private party facilities
                                                                                                      Private Dining for 10-250 guests. Several private and semi-private options. Entire restaurant also available for large functions/weddings.
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