I will be talking about my meal here for years to come. Chef Willian blends the tastes of Brazil and Portugal in a way that can only be summed up by the sound of "mmmmmmm!" I had the Mini-Quibe de Carne e Queijo (Beef Kibbeh) for an appetizer. As one person, I probably could have gotten something smaller than this shareable, but I have zero regrets and I would do it again in a heartbeat. How the Chef managed to get the spice to meat tenderness ratio so perfectly, I'll never know but will always be grateful for. I tried the Cajá juice and loved it! Be forewarned, it is not sweet but the fruit is distinctly tart and refreshing. My (huge) entree, the Estrogonofe (Chicken Stroganoff), was recommended to me by my server, who I trust with all food recommendations now because WOW. And finally, I chose Brigadeiro as the sweet treat to cap off my meal. Bite-sized, creamy, decadent, and strongly cacao...no notes. Be prepared to get cozy, the restaurant space is intimate and full of culture. You'll be happy you went, I plan on bringing my family and friends the next chance I get! Thank you for the chicken Estrogonofe recommendation, Ludimylla; you and your "partner in taste" made my night! I promise I'll switch it up next time and go chicken first, then beef. Until next time! read more

Capoeira Restaurant - Brigadeiro - Brazilian Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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I love this quaint little spot - the food is very good! The last time I ate here, I heard a guest tell the server they should try for a Michelin. They're BYOB and offer a ton of gluten free options including... The Pao de Queijo (cheese ball app) - delicious and a no brainer. Mexilhão a Curitiba (mussels app) - also very good. The mussels are quite large; this could be an entree for me personally. The Frango Piri-piri (cornish hen) - good but sadly kind of dry. The yuca fries it came with were pretty good though. Lastly, my husband said the beef stroganoff was very amazing but needed more rice. read more

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I came here with my family and we were all very delighted. The food was incredible. It was simple and felt like comfort food but it had a lot of flavor. I got the octopus and it was delicious, and perfectly cooked. They give a generous amount. It comes with potatoes and kale that have a great texture. The passion fruit mouse was also great. It was sweet but also a little sour, it also did not feel too heavy. The service was also great, all the servers were very warm and kind. They were happy to answer questions and were quick. I definitely read more

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My friend and I were looking for a cozy dinner on a cold weeknight and we are so glad we stopped by this local Brazilian spot. The Moqueca seafood stew is an absolute must-order. It is rich, warming, and so flavorful. And the grilled octopus was cooked to perfection. We finished with the pastel de nata, which was the perfect authentic touch to end the meal. I also have to give a huge shout-out to the staff. Our waiter noticed we needed more room for our spread and moved two tables together for us since it was a quiet night. It's those thoughtful, little touches that really make a place stand out. Highly recommend! read more

Capoeira Restaurant - Pastel de Nata - Brazilian Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Warm and cozy. Seems to be family run. Waiters very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. If you're feeling adventurous definitely try one of their juices. Be warned they're all quite sour because there's 0 sugar added. Portions are generous and delicious. I got the beef and it was slightly tangy but still good. The Cornish hen and steak were both big! My only complaint would be the pao de queijo. It was actually filled with cheese which I didnt expect. I much prefer the fogo de Chao version. Don't skip the desserts! read more

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The food was exquisite and the drinks were remarkably refreshing The portions were gargantuan but my review remains indifferent what a remarkable spot here in downtown jersey city service was superb with no bad news to note perfect spot ambience was spectacular felt the Spanish vibe deep in my soul paintings made it feel so alive 10/10 no notes just please come here it's worth it read more

Came for dinner while in the area. So many food items that looked delicious. Started off with empanadas the black beans with pork and another dish to share. Everything was amazing. You're like eating at your Auntie's house having home cooked meals. Ended dinner with their passion fruit mousse...WOW, was so light and refreshing. Also, BYOB Will be back. read more

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Capoeira was a casual, authentic Brazilian restaurant with most of the specialties from that country and from Portugal. It had a welcoming, country-style vibe with leafy vines hanging down from the ceiling. The restaurant was BYOB, which seemed fitting, as food was clearly their focus. However, they did offer fresh tropical fruit juices, which could also be made into smoothies with the addition of dairy-based or dairy-free milks. Speaking of sweet beverages, I opted for the crisp, refreshing, and frothy Pineapple Mint Juice, which was excellent. Thanks to the menu, I also learned that Brazil was a main producer of the world's pineapples; who knew! I paired the drink with my Posta de Bacalhau entree. The codfish had been braised and cooked in a light olive oil, along with black olives and garlic. While the fish was great, my favorite part of the dish was the fried, smashed potatoes that were served with it; they were browned to the perfect crunch on the outside while remaining tender on the inside. I heard positive reviews about my companion's grilled skirt steak as well. Capoeira was serving up yet another interesting cuisine among the diverse cultures one could experience in Jersey City. The entire experience felt rustic and cozy. read more

Always my favorite! Occasionally they will have deals such as buy one get one appetizers! I highly recommend the cheese bread with jam - "Allo de Quelfo recheado" and the "Dectinho de tapioca con geléfa de polabade/Biqurtnho" read more

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Cute small brazilian restaurant near pedestrian plaza and town hall in Downtown Jersey City. Portion sizes are big and the menu is extensive. Staff is always kind and conversational, with great recommendations. Limited seating, so better for smaller parties. read more

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A friend was visiting from PA and we had our other couple friend also visiting. After a long day of TopGolf, we needed something to eat. I found this place on my google search. Since my friend hasn't tried Brazilian food before, we went there. It was on the later side so it was empty except for a group of 4 guys in the corner. We started with the cheese breads, which has actual melted cheese in it. For food, two people got a steak dish, one person got the beef stroganoff, and two of us (including myself), got the feijoada. Feijoada is the national dish of Brazil and it's basically black bean stew with usually pork but can be made with other proteins. This feijoada was really excellent. The rice was good, the collard greens and farofa (toasted cassave flour) always add a nice touch to the rich dish. The pork inside was tender, easy to eat, and the black beans make it relatively healthy. It's rich dish but doesn't taste rich. For dessert, I got the pastel de nata, which is an egg custard. In between entree and dessert, the staff gave us a house-made liquor, which was very strong. They don't do this all the time though. I'm glad I found this place. I brought back another couple a few nights later for dessert and my husband went back with his friend. It's a tiny little restaurant but it serves big, bold Brazilian flavors. read more

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This is the best restaurant in downtown Jersey City. The food is truly AMAZING !! They are so friendly and the service is the best . It is BYOB. Can't recommend this place more! read more

Capoeira Restaurant - Brazilian Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

My friends and I came here at 3:00 pm on a Sunday afternoon. We made a reservation ahead of time, but there was a good amount of available seating when we arrived. Immediately, upon entering, I was very impressed by the ambience and the interior of the little restaurant. The hanging plants were beautiful, and w/ the bright lighting from the windows, made for a very nice and pleasant atmosphere. I also really enjoyed the framed food art around the restaurant. Our server was very nice! He was very attentive and helpful, and he was very timely w/ ordering our food and following up. The food itself was delicious. I ordered the pao de queijo waffle; the pumpkin jam and passion fruit sauce were just the right amount of sweetness, and they complemented the waffle very well. The sliced banana and strawberry were perfectly ripe, as well. My friend's grilled octopus was amazing; the texture was perfect, and it came w/ perfectly cooked potatoes. The reasons I rated this place four stars instead of five were bc 1) my other friend's crepioca tasted very plain and a little sour and 2) we all ordered guava juice, and it had little to no flavor (it tasted very diluted). Overall though, I loved coming here for brunch, and I would love to come again for the atmosphere and more dishes. read more

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First off, plant porn galooooore! Soooo many gorgeous green vines everywhere, this plant mama needed to fan herself in sub-zero temps! Second, brunch is so much better here than the boring egg spots that dominate downtown JC. Get the savory Pao de Queijo Waffle for umami tapioca chewiness that will make your teeth sing. Or try the Portuguese Chorizo Hash if you need meat-and-potatoes comfort. We tacked on the chicken and beef empanadas to fill up and weren't disappointed, esp. with the beef one. Just like in real Brazil, they offer a number of fresh fruit juices with several options you've probably never seen in this hemisphere. I decided to try the cupuacu juice, and while its flavor wasn't anything to text home about, I appreciated the unique texture. The things that grow in the Amazon! Will be back for din-din to try more. read more

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Great spot to stop for coffee or brunch with a Portuguese/ Brazilian slant. Cute interior, friendly staff, very reasonable prices. Will return for dinner and update review very soon. read more

Capoeira Restaurant - Cappuccino - Brazilian Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

We had a great time eating here. The highlight was absolutely the Brazilian cheese bread. I immediately wished we had more after we polished off the plate. The stroganoff was delicious and it was really nice to have a vegan option. The service was quick and our server was very helpful and enthusiastic. The decor inside the restaurant was eclectic and specific to the Brazilian Portuguese influence. read more

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A great space for brunch and other occasions. The menu is straightforward and features lots of appetizers, main dishes, and drink options. I can only speak for brunch: One of the better brunch places for sure. There is something for everyone on the menu. Staff was so attentive throughout and knowledgeable with dietary restrictions. Food in general are tasty and not overly greasy. It's definitely a place I will return for brunch. read more

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We've been dying to try this restaurant. We came here on a Thursday evening. There wasn't a large crowd. The waiter was incredibly attentive and the dining area was well decorated. We started with the Pao de Quaijo and the Croquettas. It was delicious the bread was light and the croquettas was delicious. We wanted to try the juice. The Caja juice was interesting. It seems like an acquired taste, but if you are adventurous, definitely give it a try. The Caju juice was refreshing. I ordered the Picanha which was cooked well and the powdery stuff that comes with it was really good. My wife ordered the vegetarian feijonda and she loved it. The dishes came with black bean and rice. And helped soak up the juices of our dishes. This is a definitely requirement if you are looking for Brazilian fair in New Jersey. read more

Capoeira Restaurant - Picanha, Vegan Traditional Brazilian Stew, Caja Juice, Caju Juice - Brazilian Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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Amazing food Very nice waiters Try the PDQs!!! Came here with my wife and dog for brunch and was not disappointed. read more

Food is 10/10 (best Brazilian spot in Jersey City). Amazing prices, on top of that it is BYOB which is great. We brought a bottle of champagne & they immediately brought us an ice bucket, champagne flutes & ice. Service was fabulous by Netu & Pedro. We are definitely coming back again. read more

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Great menu, fair prices, delicious food. BYOB, will definitely be back next time I'm in town.

We were scoping out the downtown area prior to the JCM and happened upon this cozy eatery. We didn't have reservations on a Saturday evening- but they squeezed us in. I got the Fraldinha Grelhada (skirt steak) which was done perfectly, the yucca was smooth and creamy. Mrs. U ordered and loved the Carne-seca. It's described as sun-dried beef but was tender and juicy. Great find. read more

Capoeira Restaurant - Escondidinho de Carne-Seca - Brazilian Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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Loved the service and plates were yummy! Also very accomplished with the Byob. We closed out the place and would definitely recommend the mousse de maracuja for dessert read more

Lovely experience! The waiter was really attentive and helpful, food all around was great and they were able to accommodate our party of 9. The Fraldinha Grelhada is a must get. The inside is cute and there is indoor and outdoor seating. Can't wait to go back! read more

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I came here on a Sunday around 3pm and loved that I was able to order from both the brunch and dinner menus. The restaurant offers a Brazilian-style menu, and the ambiance was warm, comfortable, and welcoming--perfect for a relaxed weekend meal. Our server was friendly and attentive, taking time to explain the menu and offer recommendations, which I really appreciated. We ordered the burger and the skirt steak with yuca fries. Both dishes were excellent, but the steak really stood out--cooked perfectly to a medium, tender, and flavorful. The coffee sauce served with it was absolutely exceptional--it added a rich, earthy depth that really elevated the dish. The yuca fries were also crispy and satisfying. All in all, a great spot with delicious food, a welcoming atmosphere, and top-notch service. Definitely adding this to my regular rotation! read more

Quaint BYOB in the bustling center of Jersey City. Reservations are highly recommended as the restaurant is small. The food however is big with flavor. There was not a single bite which wasn't chef's kiss. Server was attentive and helpful. Overall a wonderful experience, with hopefully many more in the near future. read more

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NEW HIDDEN GEM. We were looking for a place to eat between lunch and dinner, most restaurants were packed or not open for service yet. As we were passing by, we saw this small cute restaurant and thought we would give it a try. We took a look at the menu, which was Brazilian and Portuguese dishes, which I haven't really tried either before so I was excited. We chatted with the owner (I think) and he said they opened 7 months ago! This place is BYOB, so we decided to try their juices. I tried the pineapple and mint and my husband tried the apricot mango (my father in law tried the açai, not pictured). Out of all 3 the pineapple mint was the most refreshing and looked the prettiest! The guava didn't really have much flavor and was on the sour side. The açai juice was also good, I was told. We pretty much ordered based off our waiters recommendations. For appetizers we tried the coxinha (chicken croquettes), pão de queijo (cheese bread), and the laranja bahia (orange salad). They were all good, loved the presentation and the different textures. The salad was my favorite, it was so refreshing and had crunchy nuts for added texture. The chicken croquettes were also really good, I'm glad they were small pieces because if larger they would be too heavy, perfect for sharing. And the cheese bread was great, it was bread stuffed with cheese, what more do you need! For my main I had the polvo grelhado (grilled octopus and risotto). I love grilled octopus so this was great. One thing to note is the risotto had saffron, if you don't like saffron you might not like this dish. My husband had the salmon which was incredible, I would order this next time I visit. My father in law had the shrimp stroganoff which he enjoyed as well. It had Thai flavors which was nice and the shrimp was cooked well. For dessert, the owner recommended the pastel de nata which is a Portuguese custard tart. It was served warm with a small scoop of ice cream and was delicious. Crispy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. I also had a latte; their coffees are really good! What I loved about this place was how they used authentic ingredients with their meals, which made the flavors more unique. Also shoutout to the waiters who were very accommodating and nice. Service was excellent. They entertained my 8 month old son as well! We will be coming back! read more

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Amazing food and service. Food is well-presented with care and pride for Portuguese cuisine. We enjoyed every dish we got.

We had a great experience, food is excellent. I wonder what happened to the Portuguese cafe that was here before? Since I think it's different owners. There are about 8 tables inside and on a Saturday night by 7 they were all filled. I made a reservation for 6:30 for two people. We sat right away but one thing I saw happen is musical chairs with other tables. Waitress asked a couple of tables to switch to other tables as new people or reservations came in. It all worked out but looked disorganized. Also the waiter and waitress were very nice but you need to flag them down to order or ask for water refill or really anything. Not once did they come up to ask our order, refill water or ask if everything was okay. It was fine to flag them down since it's a small place, and I think that system actually works well. We had the meat and cheese plate which was amazing. Looked and tasted like what we have gotten before in Portugal. All the meats and cheeses were very fresh. It came with guava paste which is a Brazilian thing and it tasted very good when paired with the white cheese. Ham was on the honey dew, and I loved that. I liked the combo of salty, sweet and juicy. The cheese plate can feed 3-4, it was a lot for 2 people but we ate the whole thing! Then we shared the bacalou a bras. Which is salted cod mixed with potatoes. There are some olives and onions in there as well. In Portugal the potatoes where more crispy. I think the addition of onion here made it more watery and pastey. But either way the flavor was delicious. And I loved that they served rice with it as well. The pastel de nata was very good and I liked it with the ice cream. Nothing compares to a pastel de nata from Porto but this was still good. The brigadeiros tasted like average fudge. I've have these in São Paulo before and they were more dense and had a different texture, and were better. Overall great place to get Portuguese and Brazilian food. It's really cute and comforting inside. You feel like you're not in jersey city. It's BYOB and cool vines is a block away way, so my husband stepped out to get a bottle of wine. Def recommend! read more

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First time trying Brazilian food and definitely enjoyed it. We came during their dinner menu, but it was still bright out so we got to enjoy their cute ambiance. (Photos of dining areas included, their bathroom is nice as well!) I ordered their grilled salmon with palm hearts risotto (Salmao Grelhado ao Molho de Maracujá), and let me tell you. Wait for the food to cool down first, and mix the risotto around to cool the food out evenly! Lol. I burnt my mouth a bit, but this dish was soooo yummy. The passion fruit sauce really ties the dish together as well. But I wasn't expecting the food to be so hot, the risotto was honestly still hot the whole time I was eating lol! Fresh out the kitchen for sure. My boyfriend ordered the Picanha but I think there were a lot of fatty pieces that I watched him cut off. He said it was really good though. Also to add, he doesn't eat rice but it was included so if you're the same I would recommend ordering without the rice. * We really enjoyed the fried yuca, and my mans said they were bangin LOL! The dipping sauce was so good too. Like a mayo mix of some sort. And he also ordered a side of their sauteed collard greens, which is a great side option to have. Our server was very nice and helped me figure out which drink options to try, and recommended their Guaraná soda, which reminded me of Guava and ginger ale! It was pretty good. We weren't a fan of their water (I'm assuming tap), and it's actually a BYOB restaurant, so I recommend bringing your own water/drinks! Overall great food, would come again but bringing our own water lol. * I took the rice home but it went bad pretty fast when I wanted to eat it for leftovers. So just don't order it so it won't go to waste! read more

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Very fast service , menu looks ok . I tried the chicken stroganoff, it was good and the portion was a decent size but there was a bit too much ketchup in the sauce to the point you could taste it .. I would like to try other dishes , but they need to work on the traditional seasonings of Brazil first . read more

Came here on a Saturday night to meet up with some friends. The service was great, as was the decor. However, I cannot say the same about their food. Bland is the word. The bread they serve in the beginning was basically Pepperidge farm country white bread. We ordered the cheesy bread - tasteless, chicken empanadas - barely seasoned. The garlic shrimp was decent but purely dependent on butter and salt to make it tasty. It was sadly also served with same white bread. Our friends ordered some of the beef/steak dishes and thought it was good. So perhaps that's the way to order if you go here. read more

One item of food was not prepared well. Honest Google Maps review posted. Restaurant responded to tell me I was wrong. Yes I should have spoken up in the restaurant, but I didn't realize until I started feeling ill hours later that my food didn't look anything like it did in other reviews from this restaurant. I'm sorry if you're embarrassed, but if an experience can't be reviewed, what's the point of reviews? read more

This is one of the spots I wish I could gatekeep, but cat's out of the bag as evidenced by the stellar yelp ratings! Start to finish, this restaurant has all the cozy vibes and excellent flavors that you're going to love. BYOB, but also has a selection of smoothies and juices if you're looking for something healthier. Hubs and I packed a bottle of red and had a wonderful date night feasting on cod fritters, steaks, fish, and of course brigadiero for dessert. Love the decor in the bathroom, especially the cheeky bathroom book. read more

Everything about this cozy Brazilian restaurant is great. As an honorary Brazilian who lives Part time in Salvador Bahia I cant say enough about this place. Go for authentic cuisine (thats finally becoming more popular in the US) it is worth a taste! Warm Brazilian service followed by a very popular Pau de Quejo - freshly made cheese rolls + piping hot. The national dish Feijoada + much more. I Will post pics soon! read more

Cute spot next to town hall. I definitely recommend booking a reservation because the restaurant is tiny. The best way to get a reservation is through their website, I don't suggest doing it through other apps or it might not show up. I went with my partner and two of our friends. We sat outside, which was beautiful because that sidewalk is slightly off the beaten path. For appetizer we got the cheese bread and their crab dip (I think it was one of the specials). The crab dip came in an actual crab. Great presentation! And the cheese bread was delicious. For my meal I got the steak with yucca fries. The steak was delicious, cooked perfectly, and came with a great sauce. The fries were a little tough, but that's expected with the style. My partner got the beef stew, which is a huge dish. We wound up taking some of it home. One of my friends got the octopus, which looks beautiful, but he said was tougher and chewier as you worked towards the thicker part of the tentacle. I wouldn't suggest it. Octopus can be tough to tenderize. We didn't get dessert, but I did have their pineapple and mint drink. I highly suggest. The place is byob and Cool Vines is right there. Get a bottle if you're in the mood. read more

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Cute ambiance and the vegan feijoada was filling. I had fried manioc and the portion was enough for one serving.

We had a wonderful dinner at Capoeira. I ordered the Posta de Bacalhau, a beautifully braided codfish dish served with potatoes, olives, and garlic. The fish was delicious and flaky. The only small downsides were a few bones in the fish and a broth that was a bit salty in spots (this is the only reason for 4 stars) but overall it was still very enjoyable. My boyfriend had the Fraldinha grelhada (grilled flank steak), which was tender, juicy, and full of flavor. We also really enjoyed the Brazilian cheese bread (pão de queijo), which was warm, cheesy, and addictive. Yummmmmmm For dessert, we had a Pastel de Nata with a scoop of homemade cashew (caju) gelato, which was a light and refreshing way to end the meal. The service was excellent. Our waiter was very welcoming and happy to explain the flavors and dishes when we had questions, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommend for a cozy night out with authentic Brazilian-Portuguese flavors. read more

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Tasty and delicious brunch! We got Pão de queijo (regular and with tomatoes), juice, the brigadeiro coffees, and various waffles. All were delicious. We'll definitely be back - I want to try the other juices on the menu! read more

My friend Lucho and I went to Capoeira Restaurant at 24 Mercer Street, Jersey City, NJ today. The food persuasion is Brazilian / Portuguese . We truly enjoyed our lunch, appetizer and desserts. Photos here show what we indulged in. Besides the authentic meals, the servers Ludimyla and Maria were quite personable. Compliments as well to chef William. read more

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