Enjoy Brazilian caipirinhas at these Toronto restaurants
Brazil’s national cocktail features a delicious blend of cachaça (a hard liquor made with sugar cane), sugar and muddled limes. The citrusy drink is delightfully refreshing, albeit quite intoxicating after multiple rounds. Enjoy a taste of Brazil with a caipirinha from these Toronto restaurants and bars.
Mata Petisco Bar
1690 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6R 1B3This Parkdale snack bar puts a multicultural spin on its Brazilian cuisine. The classic caipirinha gets a tropical twist with the addition of cashew fruit, mango, passion fruit and guava. For a not-so-sweet alternative, try the espumante coconut caipirinha; the unique libation is made with cachaça, egg white, coconut water, lime, muddled malaguette pepper and toasted coconut flakes. The food menu delivers an array of South American petisco (sharing plates) like pastel, polenta frites and picanha sliders as well as larger mains, including a traditional Feijoada stew made with black beans and smoked meats.
La Latina
150 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, ON M4P 1E8If you’re looking for an unforgettable sensory experience, book a table at this popular Brazilian steakhouse and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and flavours of South American culture. The traditional rodizio serves over 20 unique cuts of meat (carved tableside onto your plate), a full pasta and salad buffet and traditional caipirinhas made with Pitu cachaça. The drinks are available in classic lime as well as seasonal fruit flavours such as strawberry, rhubarb and pineapple. Discerning drinkers can upgrade to premium-label Leblon cachaça. On weekend nights, the steakhouse hosts live shows with samba dancers and capoeira performers.
Rodeo Brazilian Steakhouse Rodizio
95 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1N2You’ll have to pace yourself at this all-you-can-eat buffet on the Danforth where the meat never stops. Skewers of barbecued beef, lamb, pork, sausage and chicken arrive continuously thanks to the roaming gauchos (traditional Brazilian meat carvers) who don’t stop serving until diners flip tabletop cards from green to red. There’s also an impressive salad bar with seafood and vegetables. Traditional 2 oz caipirinhas are served in a short glass with citrusy lime wedges. Mixed berry caipirinhas are also on offer if you feel like mixing it up. Visit Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for music, samba dancing and capoeira.
Rio 40 Degrees Restaurant
1256 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6E 1B9You might not expect to find a Brazilian eatery in the heart of Corso Italia, but this casual spot is a neighbourhood favourite thanks to its diverse menu and welcoming atmosphere. The fusion-style menu offers authentic Brazilian delicacies (picanha, bitoque, moqueca de peixe) alongside Portuguese dishes and Italian pizzas. The caipirinhas here are a little on the sweet side, but the service is friendly and the portion sizes will satisfy those with a big appetite.
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