As a Brazilian, I was genuinely excited to try Brazuca Cafe and share a taste of home with my family--but unfortunately, we were all very disappointed. The food was mediocre at best. We ordered both the chicken and meat strogonoff, and all we could taste was the overwhelming flavor of crème de leite (the cream used in the sauce). It lacked depth and seasoning. The picanha plate was just okay, but it was padded with a generous portion of salad to make the plate look fuller than it really was. We also ordered five desserts--pudim (flan), three cake in the cup , and a passion fruit mousse--and none of them were good. The cakes tasted old and dry, and the mousse was runny and lacked flavor. The café itself is cute, and the staff were very friendly and attentive, which we appreciated. But at the end of the day, the experience just didn't match the $230 price tag. Sadly, we won't be coming back. read more

I Always recommend this place, very good Brazilian food. Filling with great drinks, great food, and authentic experience.

I came here with my 6yo daughter. We ordered the chicken plate and steak plate as well as the pineapple juice. We especially loved the chicken and the potato salad. They served it up traditionally with the black beans and bread crumbs. Service was friendly and food was quick. Check them out :) read more

Brazuca Cafe - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Such a good place, they have a very good menu but what it catch us and enjoy the most was their sandwichs they have a few but the picanha was perfect, right term and very tasty, we try other things but definitely we love the sandwich options, The place It's convenient for an afternoon with your family or friends when they all want different things because it's located inside of a very nice food court with a variety of good food. The staff is nice and friendly they gave us a very good advice for what you order. read more

This cute, small Brazilian restaurant is hidden next to the Regal theater in the South Coast Metro shopping center so parking will be available but could vary depending on the time of the day and week. It closes at 8 but I think it's more of a brunch place. The food portion looks small but is surprisingly filling. Preface: Since this is my first time eating a Brazilian cuisine, my review will be based on that perspective for others in the same shoes. If you're looking for a more experienced review, look elsewhere. I ate the steak plate and it was accompanied with rice, a salad and beans. There's this butter to the side that has the consistency of slightly rougher brown sugar. The flavor it adds to the food is different but appealing. The steak was a little too chewy but it tasted quite good. The value for this 20 bucks which is a little pricey for what was given, but since there aren't many competitors, I believe it's a valid value, plus the shop is aesthetically pleasing, so the price could be going into the experience as well. Service here is friendly but not proactive, so have your expectations there. I think this is a great place to go for your first time. Granted, I came hungry and in a rush so I didn't get to try everything like I usually would in my other reviews. Will come back for an update. read more

Brazuca Cafe - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I'm not a steak sandwich person (trying to reduce red meat), but if they can be like this !!! Cheese bread $6-7 Prefer it a little airier, but it's not bad. Steak sandwich $15ish Shareable for two ppl to be satisfied. They use high quality beef that didn't even need too much seasoning, it was well flavored ! Tender without being overly so. Cheese pull was a nice touch. Sandwich bread was nice and airy. I would love it if they had pickled onions tho Service is very pleasant and kind, the lady was very friendly to us. Thank you. Very curious how their chicken is if their beef was amazing. Come here if you're a meatarian lol read more

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We made a special trip here after we saw it featured on social media. They did not disappoint. The menu is quite extensive for a small restaurant. Order at the counter and the food is brought to your table. I had a Spanish Latte to start. It was good, not nearly as sweet as what I was expecting. The vegetarian stroganoff caught my eye and it was just right. A simple salad with rice and a little cast iron pot of mushroom and hearts of palm stroganoff. It was fantastic. Because we do not get Brazilian food often (And my wife is from there) we went all out and ordered pastel to go. It was superb and very authentic. We will return! read more

Brazuca Cafe - Vegetarian Stroganoff - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

So so good! Giseli and her team at Brazuca Cafe catered finger foods at my wedding last year. I finally got around to trying out a full meal here. AND WOWWEEE the food is DELICIOUS! I ordered online and was able to use a promo code for $5 off. My husband arrived at the time we were told to arrive and the food was being packed up. Perfect timing! We ended up trying: Coxinha, Pao de Queijo, Bolinha De Carne, Steak Plate (medium rare), and a Chicken Plate. The food was SO GOOD. We ordered the Pao de Queijo and Bolinha De Carne for our wedding so we knew they'd be delicious. The pao de queijo is deliciously chewy and warm with the perfect amount of salt from the cheese. ADDICTING! The bolinha de carne is equally as good. The beef filling is so flavorful with the perfect ratio of everything. The coxihna was great too! Loved the flavor and shredded chicken. Between the two, the coxihna is easier to eat more of since it is a bit lighter, but the bolinha is more delicious (but heavier to eat). EVERYTHING IS FRIED TO PERFECTION! The meat plates were equally as delicious. The steak was cooked perfectly! Nicely seasoned with the right amount of fat for flavor. What really impressed me was the chicken! Seasoned generously and not dry at all! It's so hard to find a restaurant that cooks chicken properly, BUT BRAZUCA DOES IT! Loved the variation on the plate as the rice and beans were great, the salad had a simple dressing, and the farofa provided great texture. Amazing food! I'd totally eat here again and again! read more

This place had plenty to offer in terms of food and even more in hospitality. Our server was extremely friendly and attentive with us, but we forgot to get her name. The ribeye was extremely flavorful and came out to the exact temperature we requested, and portions were neither small or large for the price we paid. Shockingly, this place was practically empty for a Thursday afternoon in the South Coast area, so it definitely deserves more attention. This is our second time eating from here and the consistency is there. read more

Brazuca Cafe - Ribeye plate with rice, feijoada, and side salad. - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Stopped in randomly for lunch, food was AMAZING and super delicious and the staff was very friendly and helpful with menu recommendations. Highly recommend. read more

We found this place at the beginning of the year as we are prepping to visit Brazil in August. The environment to start is welcoming and cozy, we eat here with our toddler and she loves the brigadeiros and churros. The food is always high quality, delicious and made with heart. The service is efficient and the staff makes you feel at home. We love this place and always recommend it. read more

Brazuca Cafe - Classic Guarana and a Caipirinha lemonade while we wait on the food - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

What a gem here at the shopping center! They've been open for about 7 months and worth making a trip here for if you anywhere in the shopping center. I tried both the chicken and steak sandwich today and they were absolutely delicious. Afterwards I tried the flan and although it was a thicker custard version I loved it. Highly recommend! If I'm at the shopping center this is my new go-to spot for food. Staff were very friendly as well. read more

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Cutest Family Business in this shopping center. They are very friendly and helpful. They have the best coffee beans from Brazil! Forget about Starbucks please and support local good quality businesses. You can smell the good coffee in this place. We got 2 cappuccino and the potato ball. Super delicious! read more

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Great for snacks and service is fast since much of it is already ready. 4 stars because of the dessert, otherwise deserves 5 stars. Pao de queijo: cheese bread. Chewy, cheesy, and fluffy. One of the better ones I've had. Come with 6 and can feel heavy after 3. Chicken coxinha: chicken/potato croquette. I got the small pack of 6. One of the better ones I've had. Typically this is too salty for me at other places, but this was delicious with a perfect ratio of chicken to potato. Passion fruit mousse: great in concept, and good passion fruit flavor. There was a bitterness with every bite. I initially thought it was the seeds or the jelly at the top, but it was actually the mousse. Not sure if this was just the batch or that's what it tastes like. I'm still finishing it (so it's edible) but won't get this again. Service: friendly. Nice/casual place with indoor/outdoor seating. Parking: plenty in the parking structure. read more

Brazuca Cafe - Pao de queijo and chicken coxinha - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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So yummy and so unique! Location was easy to find near the theater. This is the place where you can get your fix of Brazilian cuisine. We were able to order two menu items for takeout: - Picanha/Steak Sandwich (5/5): A little pricy for a small sandwich but wow does it deliver! You would think it is a simple sandwich, but that is what makes it great. You can really taste the quality meat and seasonings without having to compensate for any additional toppings. Just think it as a picanha you would get at a restaurant, but now in sandwich form. Brilliant. - Pizza Pastels (5/5): I have never had this before. But the description matches what it is, it is a thin pizza pie. The crust flakiness is similar a puff pastry but richer and the meats is so good! The filling is juicy without compromising the crispiness of the crust. Would definitely come back to try the other menu items! read more

Brazuca Cafe - Pizza Pasteis - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I had the steak plate, which was absolutely delicious. Great vibe, nice and modern feel... great place to hang out and bring business clients. Staff is very friendly... 10/10 recommend read more

4.5 stars. Had the steak plate it it was really tasty. Lots of flavor but this cut is a little tougher than I'm used to. Salad was plain but the rice and the beans were perfection. The passion fruit juice is off the charts delicious! Great spot read more

1. The steak was tender, and it goes well in this sandwich! The juice was refreshing, and I can definitely taste the pineapple! 2. The spot has fun casual vibes with some cool decor worthy of IG! 3. The staff took my order at the front, but they brought the food/drink to me! They also told me to leave my dish on the table as they would clear the table! Note: The plate dishes may not be available until 11 am as they still needed to prepare the rice and beans! The sandwiches and other items were still available at open! Note: Picanha Sandwich and Pineapple + Mint Juice read more

Brazuca Cafe - Picanha Sandwich (TikTok: @justandyvu) - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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5 Months later and this place is still just as delicious and when we first visited. Ordered our usual Picanha sandwich to share and got some cheese bread for the first time! Of course, amazing as always. Make sure you swing by here for an amazing meal! read more

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I went to this place after having dinner at pizza press next door. I wish I had gotten the food here because it looked and smelled so delicious! The owner was the one who took my order and he was so kind, informative and friendly!! That automatically gets a 5star in my book. The pasteis was so so good! It was my first time trying Brazilian food and I loved it. I will definitely be coming back to try their plates. The place was well kept and clean. Also had a very mom & pop shop vibe which I loved. read more

Brazuca Cafe - Menu - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Nicest lady working the front. Taught me about the whole menu and gave me recs. This place is rad. Works perfect for a cup of coffee/spro Or a snack Or a meal Or a group meal. Place is A+ Ask for the 6 piece with 2 of each. Chicken beef cheese Americano was A+. Great service. Great coffee. Great food. read more

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This was our first time ordering from this place through Uber Eats, and we were blown away! Everything was incredibly fresh and delicious, with authentic Brazilian flavors. We definitely don't regret our order and can't wait to order again! read more

Brazuca Cafe - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Lovely little place!! Met up with a friend for lunch. The staff gave excellent recommendations as well as adapted the menu to try many different items. I had a tasty iced latte with a sandwich, my friend the coxinha (I also ordered coxinha to go). The cheese and chicken ones were our favorites. Took home some desserts as well. Per staff recommendation, we tried the tres leches cake in a cup and some flan. Tres leches is to die for - sweet with real caramel. Will update once we've tried the flan!! **UPDATE** Flan was amazing. Didn't have self-control to not eat all the desserts last night. They were delicious!!! read more

Brazuca Cafe - Cute decor to the left of the entrance - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Went to Brazuca Cafe on Wednesday for lunch. I had the chicken plate, hubby had the picanha plate. For desert I had the mousse of maracujá, hubby had pudim. read more

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Amazing coxinhas!!! Fast and easy customer service. Cute little place! Very clean and organized read more

Brazuca Cafe - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Muito bom!! A great spot to enjoy Brazilian food whether you grew up with it or are just curious to try something new. This place in Costa Mesa has a wide variety of traditional dishes, all full of flavor and made with love. There's something for everyone, from savory bites to sweet treats, and everything feels homemade and comforting. The atmosphere is welcoming and spacious, with plenty of seating, making it easy to come with friends or family. My friend tried pastel, coxinha, and the cake for the first time and she absolutely loved it!!! If you're looking for an authentic, well-prepared Brazilian meal in a cozy and friendly setting? this is the place. I'm already looking forward to coming back! read more

Really good place. The chicken stroganoff was delicious. The picanha was authentic and seasoned right. The service was amazing and they spoke Portuguese. The dessert selection was impressive. Relaxing and fun vibe. They should franchise. I wish I had a Brazuca in Tucson. Highly recommend this place! read more

I found this place a couple months ago and now I come back almost every week for my Brazilian food fix! The plates are always so fresh and well prepared, the service is great, and the restaurant is always clean. I think it's the perfect place to come have a healthy lunch on my break from work! read more

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I was in Metro Pointe today n it was like ghost town there was few people shopping n nobody in any restaurants there except at this new Brazilian cafe, Brazuca. I have been to South America 3x n of course Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo n 3 more Brazilian cities, needless to say I am fascinated by Brazilian food, I have been to all the Fogo de Chao Churrascaria n unfortunately the one in Huntington Beach was not good, all the other ones were. I have steak left over fr a New Orleans Cajun cuisine at home but wanted to try this new cafe. Im sorry if I have to be honest, the owners are a nice young couple n her name happened to be like my daughter's name, I so much wish the food was as good as I experienced but unfortunately it was not. The picanha didn't taste authentic but I managed to eat it w my 10 bottles of assorted hot sauces fr around the world! Lol but the small soup was too expensive n had little flavor, it sure was not worth $12.99. The croquettes were ok, the only item delicious was the flan but it lacks the caramel flavor, I used to make a real caramel sauce w the flan when my kids were home as nobody in usa makes them. If you have never been to Brazil then this cafe might be a 4 stars. Sorry I'm not going back as I'm going to Miami next year n that's where Brazilians live along w Argentinians n Cubans I have been everywhere now my trips basically are to oink oink !. read more

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Authentic Brazilian food! welcoming and casual vibe and good prices. Good coxinhas too!

The food was amazing. I had the chicken and my sister the steak both with soooo good. All the sides great! Highly recommend. Great service. Great atmosphere read more

Food and service great!!!! Had the feijoada and the chicken milanese! Of course the Pao de queijo! Obrigado!

I was in the area and found this place on yelp with five star reviews so I thought I would give it a try. The servers were all so kind and the meals came out pretty quickly. The cheese breads are good sized. It's good to share between 3 people. The steak sandwich at first glance looked small. But once I took a bite I was impressed. There aren't too many fries either but any more would be just too much food. I wanted a small side of feijoada but it's only served on the weekends. If I am in the area again I would definitely eat here again. The map via Yelp led me to Tilly's next to Starbucks. The map via the cafe restaurant led me to a different restaurant. I called and the kind lady told me to walk between Nordstrom Rack and dsw store toward the movie theater and they are on the left past the theater. read more

Brazuca Cafe - Picanha sandwich - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This was quite a drive from us but we would drive anywhere to try new Brazilian food. My boyfriend got the steak plate which is picanha served with rice, salad (lettuce, cucumbers, tomato, lemon) and farofa (crispy delicious topping to put on top of the beans) and beans in this cute little pot on the side so it can stay hot. My boyfriend loved the plate, however, I thought it was a good plate but not mind blowing, the flavors were good though. I ordered the picanha sandwich, very simple came with tomatoes and cheese. It tastes exactly how you think it would taste. Like I mentioned with the steak plate, it's nothing shocking, just a simple meal with good flavor. There is outdoor seating, water station with plain water and lemon infused water which I thought was very cool. We were greeted right away when we entered and the place was clean and had cute decorations. Overall, it was a good meal but I would try something else maybe their smaller portions like coxinha or pastels. read more

Brazuca Cafe - Picanha Sandwich - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Simplesmente perfeito. Eu amo tudo do brazuca. Principalmente o atendimento. Sem contar o ambiente que te acolhe. A comida tem um preço super justo. Eu indico muito! read more

Brazuca Cafe - Brazilian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The feijoada (Brazil national dish) was dynamite. Please try it, I promise you'll love it. The mall is quiet with the theater closing, this place is plenty of reason to go there. It's owned by a very nice and helpful Brazilian lady. read more

The steak plate made my day! The picanha was so good my husband and I ended up ordering an extra side of it. It was juicy, tender, and very flavorful from great seasoning. It came with rice, black beans, and salad. If you like spice, the pepper vinegar on the table was so good we bought a bottle of it for home. The  beef pastel was nice but I agree with other reviews that the filling was minimal (and all on one side). The shell is really delicious on its own so that's the upside. We tried 6 small croquettes. The beef was best, then cheese, then chicken. I liked the white sauce that came on the side. The orange juice was nice and fresh and I enjoyed the fruit infused water (orange and lime) that was complimentary. Their strawberry and chocolate pastel and flan made for a sweet dessert. They had steady business for a Saturday afternoon. Service was efficient and friendly. There was ambience from photo opp wall decor. All things considered I would definitely come back for the steak plate! read more

"The food was amazing, Bia helped us with everything!!! She made the whole experience even better and we can't wait to come back again."

So glad I found this place! Haven't had an authentic coxinha, pastel, or misto quente in probably decades so I decided to order all three. Plus a guaraná of course. All were delicious. Super nice decor as well. Excellent service too. Highly recommend! read more

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The cheese rolls are addicting and the picahna steak is cooked over grill so it has a nice smoky flavor. Delicious!