I stopped into Samba Loca on a Monday night to give it a fair chance after hearing not-so-good things from locals. Unfortunately, the experience mostly confirmed what I'd been told. They market themselves as a Brazilian steakhouse, but there was very little that felt Brazilian, or even steakhouse-quality, about it. The steaks had little to no flavor. Salt, pepper, and garlic can go a very long way, and this place didn't seem to use any of it. The result was meat that was bland and forgettable. Execution was also a problem. I ordered a NY strip, but a ribeye was brought out instead. That's a major miss on order accuracy, and it should've been caught by a kitchen quality-control check and again before it hit the table. To make it worse, the bar service was painfully slow. The bartender appeared to be on a date in the front corner of the restaurant, going back and forth between working behind the bar and eating dinner with his date. I ended up waiting on drinks most of the night. I wanted to like it, but between the bland food, the wrong steak, and the lack of service focus, I can't recommend it based on this visit. read more

Service was great on Valentine day evening. Specials were offered but we chose to go with the grilled branzino. Fish was excellent as were the sides of twice baked potato and sautéed vegetables. The ambiance was perfect for an intimate meal. read more

We had the seafood paella and enjoyed it. It was huge and took three or four servings home. If you're not a calamari fan skip this dish. The shrimp and muscles were good and enough for three or four servings and the rice was loaded with calamari and small shrimp, but way too much food for two unless you like leftovers. We had some unique wine by the glass. One from Upper Galilee, Israel was surprisingly excellent. The complementary bread served with the meal was uniquely paired with a garlic aioli and a pico de gallo which was delicious. Service was excellent. Ambiance on an early Sunday evening was great if you like a classy dinner spot that's not too crowded. There are about three screens streaming sports over the great looking bar but weren't intrusive to us in our booth. read more

Great Place.... I go all the time. Fantastic service and bar tenders. Best food in Carrollton read more

My husband and I had such a wonderful dining experience at Samba Loca. The restaurant is truly elegant yet welcoming and warm. We love the ambience inside -- white table cloths, comfortable seating, wonderful bar--and so appreciate the outdoor dining seating, perfect for our early dinner on the Square. The wine list is excellent, offering a very nice selection to explore, which we did! We so enjoyed the delicious bread, lobster bisque, and the steak and chicken kabobs. There is such attention to detail- asparagus was perfectly prepared and mushrooms were buttery and so fresh. Our server Alex was professional, attentive, and had a great sense of timing in taking our orders and serving our food perfectly. Kudos to the chef for great food and to the management staff for excellent service, such commitment to ensuring a great dining experience. Carrollton is lucky to have such a great restaurant on this lovely town square. read more

This little gem of a restaurant is tucked away in the square in Carrollton. It was my first time in the area. I met a friend there for lunch. Joahna H. a.k.a "JoJo" was our server. She was GREAT. Wonderful, friendly personality. Was able to answer any questions that I had about food and/or drink. Checked in on us regularly to see if we needed anything. What else could you ask for. I was there the day after Christmas so it wasn't busy which was nice. The restaurant interior was really nice. Very organized and clean. The Little Chicken Thigh (Coxinha) were SOOOOOO GOOOD!!! Next time I'm there, I'll get a second order to go and try a couple of other things on the menu. Overall great experience. read more

See all

2nd time here, first was great this time (sat evening) was a disaster. Ordered drinks and app, brought drinks 15min later, took order. 15min brought salad and bread and as result canceled the app. Next came the entrée, my "dry aged" $45 ribeye was a Waffle House style,1/2 inch thick, overcooked joke. Brussels were undercooked and Mac n cheese a soupy mess. Sent back and patiently waited as other guests ate. Told the owner/mgr (nice guy btw) to change to a filet. 15min late it arrives (was small but perfect) and of course everyone else had finished. Next order 2 desert (they'd comped mine due to previous issue).... Paid the check while waiting.... Another 30 mins goes by and still no desert, can't find a server and we leave. Spent $250 for a 2.5 hour terrible dining experience! read more

I had high hopes for a weekend afternoon visit to Samba Loca based on reviews. The atmosphere was nice which added to my anticipation. That ended with our inept server who could not answer one question about the menu (and said they'd find out but never did), then food arrived wrong and cold. Second attempt at order looked like a mess and didn't come out with side. Weird. Manager did visit the table and was very kind and apologetic, which was appreciated. Still, with everything getting more and more expensive, it's hard to imagine risking the money again to give a second chance. read more

Samba Loca - This is exactly how my correct sandwich came out when the first I received was wrong. No side and sad plating. - Brazilian Near Me - Carrollton, Georgia

Service is great, ambience is very nice, portions are huge and price is decent. However if you are looking for authentic Brazilian style; this is NOT the place. (Telling you a born and raised in Brazil man) I ordered for appetizers coxinhas and it had more cheese than chicken into. (Something that you would never see in Brazil). Then for main course the samba minalese; the meat was old, dry and not sure if it was a real piece of beef, tasted more like a beef composite piece. read more

See all

Prob best steak in town ! Super Service ...offers wonderful live music on occasion..And has a great menu

We had the wildest experience with Samba Loca. We were leaving town around 5pm last night and stopped at the square to eat. Samba Loca had zero customers, every table was empty. We asked for a table for 2 and the hostess asked if we had a reservation. When we said no, she said they could only seat us at the bar or one of the two high-top tables in the front window. We looked at each other bewildered and told her we would find somewhere else to eat. We ended up at the Brown Dog Eatery and even though they were packed, we were seated within a couple of minutes. We checked and Samba Loca is not even on open table, which is how we normally make reservations if we think it is necessary. Just wild that they don't want business when the restaurant is completely empty. read more

Samba Loca is a beautiful restaurant perfectly suited for various occasions, such as date nights, family dinners, or an easygoing lunch. Its overarching elegance and intimate atmosphere make it a common spot for business meals and for enjoying a solo experience at the bar. The staff is impressive, conscious, and proficient in the menu's details. However, I have experienced incessant wait times for food when the establishment has not been busy, although primarily, service is efficient. The menu itself is extensive and well-balanced, with many options to indulge in authentic Brazilian dishes, as well as lighter choices like salad or soup, seafood and steak, and pasta plates! The Gluten-Free community also has much to commend for Samba Loca, as their GF options are impressive. Samba Loca's cuisine is always decent and solid flavor-wise, but it is not something I would absolutely die for. The picanha is delicious! Their many appetizers are good to try, too. Other items like the avocado salad, Brazilian wedge, fried plantains, and specialty sauces are filling. read more

Food was great, service is always amazing but the downside is you wait about an hour before your food comes out.

This might be one of my favorite places to eat of all time. I live in California, but every time I visit my parents in LaGrange, we make the drive just to come eat here. Their olive vinaigrette on the salad is so good, I literally could drink it lol. I wish they sold it. I usually don't eat fat on the steak, but it's a must when eating the picanha. It's so tender and delicious. The bread and the sauces accompanied with it are also delicious. Lobster is always bomb. Can't say enough good things about this place. Thanks for being a great spot to make some memories with my family. read more

See all

Food is delicious. I got the salmon and it was cooked to perfection. I've eat here many times and never received a bad meal.

Amazing lunch. The food and drinks were amazing as well. Plan on going back next time I'm in the area to try more! Highly recommend. read more

See all

Brent the manager gave us a superb experience on Saturday March 1st 2025. We communicated our need for quick service and he creatively and expertly got his team together to make our dinner a superb experience. The food, ambience, and service are excellent! The cook on all our meats-- the steak, kabobs, lamb chops, fish was perfect. We will definitely support this restaurant . I think people from midtown should come here to experience what they do not get in the restaurants there read more

Given takeout steak, our pandemic birthday lunch was a huge success thanks to Samba Loca. There aren't many places that my dad compliments, let alone add that he'd return. But Samba Loca did both - after a few bites from his Picanha (top sirloin steak), he then asked about how much his portion cost (aka damage on my credit card) and suggested that we can order this every once in a while. Now that, my friends, is quite a statement if you know this guy. Forget what I think (however, if anything those fried plantains were bomb) - boy am I glad we ate here without waiting for the pandemic to pass, since this was a new one for us - having steak for carryout. If this is new to you too, I encourage you to try this option because who knows when status quo will return to fine dining... read more

See all

Fire ny strip steak, cooked perfectly. raspberry cheesecake was so goood it had the table going crazy

I love this place. I come here for business about 5 times a year. Every time they make me feel welcome. Food, service and bar are great. The manager pays attention to detail and makes sure everything is good. I'm a fish guy they make outstanding fish dishes as well as steak items. If your in town it is a must stop! read more

Great food, drinks and service, the lamb chops were perfect and you are able to have a conversation in the restaurant without yelling and able to hear. read more

The food is great, especially the steaks. Service can be improved upon per our last visit. Daniel needs to learn to step closer/speak louder when taking orders since it's usually very noisy inside and can be difficult to hear when he will not speak up, and checking back more frequently is always a good thing. read more

Party of 6 @ 6 on a weekday - not busy at all. Wonderful location and building is very rustic. Service very good. The food was great. From scallops to shoshcabobs to pasta - everyone loved their meals. Desserts?! Oh yeah. read more

See all

Love this Brazilian restaurant! The food is good and the service is as well. It's located on the square so it's super fun to sit on the patio! read more

Great food, great service, excellent ambiance. This is my go to restaurant for everything from a casual night out to a birthday party for friends or family. In fact, I recently had my own birthday party at samba Loca read more

I really enjoyed the picanha. The chimichurri sauce that it comes with compliments it perfectly. I dined alone so was "forced" to sit at a high top or bar, (was told all the tables were reserved but a few minutes later a couple came in without a reservation and was seated at a table) but that was okay. The seat was more comfortable than normal high top chairs and the bartender/server did a great job taking care of me. The entire experience was very good. I'm planning on bring my wife back here in a couple days to see what she thinks. read more

This was the first time I'd been to Samba without just ordering sides. My husband and I shared the Samba tea, Bahia Milanese, lobster bisque, little chicken thigh, and the Brazilian bananas foster. All of it was fantastic, and our server had great recommendations. Excellent spot for a Sunday night date night, especially since most restaurants are closed in Carrollton on Sunday. It was a surprisingly different and delicious meal. read more

Samba Loca - Bahia Milanese - Brazilian Near Me - Carrollton, Georgia

See all

Expanded menu. Excellent selection and high quality food and presentation. I always enjoy going there. Plus they have a full service bar that makes excellent drinks. Better make a reservation for dinner. read more

Food: This is the very best restaurant in Carrollton. EVERYTHING is good. Service: The service is exceptional. Attentive but not hovering. Ambiance: The furniture and decorations are nice. Jazz night is the most fun! read more

Ordered steak medium it came out raw. Asparagus was yellow and very stringy. Ceaser salad tasted like the dressing was going bad. Sweet potatoe fries were ok read more

- steak was amazing, juicy, perfectly cooked with an amazing slice of fatty top. - fries were crispy and warm Came in at a weird time, 2pm on a Wednesday, and the place was inhabited by only ghosts and a bartender. Cool, restaurant to ourselves! Our bartender sat us and, fortunately, since we had her to ourselves, she was completely engaging and attentive. We ordered drinks and our food took little time to get out to us. I see the words "brazilian top sirloin" and I'm powerless not to order. I definitely made the right decision. Now, if you don't enjoy quality beef fat, don't order this, because it's there. And holy crud it was SO good. The fries on the side were just as satisfying. A fantastic experience, with a really cool ambiance, and great service. All thumbs up. read more

Samba Loca - Brazilian top sirloin - Brazilian Near Me - Carrollton, Georgia

Enjoyed my birthday dinner here yesterday! Cute location on the square. The Christmas decor inside added a nice little touch of happy to our meal. This place has a great date night ambience. Low lights and clean crisp linens. We enjoyed the sausage appetizer, it was simple but flavorful. The spare ribs and salmon cesar salad were delicious, but the real star of the show was our server. She was amazing! Very polite and volunteered her recommendations willingly on everything. She served AND made our cocktails. What?! The Samba Tea and Violeta were perfectly poured and beautifully presented. We grabbed dessert to go and enjoyed it at home with our toddler. Would love to return and sit outside next time if weather permits. Great place to go. read more

Samba Loca - Brazilian Mac & Cheese , Short Ribs , Caesar Salad - Brazilian Near Me - Carrollton, Georgia

See all

You may be leery of a Brazilian steakhouse in "what's this town's name again" Georgia, but let me tell you, this is the best restaurant Carrollton has to offer. Way better than Plates. My coworkers and I visited Samba Loca three times in the span of a week for dinner. No one had said a word about it. We just had to find it on our own. (But, boy, it seems they can't tell you to go to Plates fast enough. And that place is just okay.) The service was always friendly here, and the food was exceptional, especially the picanha. And, if you're splurging, definitely get it with the lobster tail! Samba Loca really does their surf and turf justice. The chicken under the brick was juicy and flavorful. My coworker was (jokingly) upset his plate came with no brick. Well, you can't please 'em all. I would have let people try my mac 'n' cheese, but it was gone before I even knew what happened. That tends to happen when delicious, cheese-covered food sits in front of me. I black out. And when I come to, the crime has been committed. Calamari: golden brown and THICK. Would definitely get again. Plantains aren't really my thing, but these were pretty good. My coworker enjoyed them immensely. They looked a tad overcooked to me but tasted fine. The paella. Sweet mercy, the paella. Full of little sea creatures and flavor. The mussels appetizer: I wanted to drink the sauce they came in. They were expertly steamed; not chewy but buttery and soft. I honestly thought about eating the garlic white wine sauce like soup. In fact, we asked for more bread, so we could continue sopping it up and eating it in the least barbaric way we could. The waitress was very understanding and didn't judge us... to our faces, at least. The only things I didn't care for were their dessert items. The crepe was okay but not overly satisfying or memorable. The petit gateau was better but sloppy and could have been a bit more moist. Definitely not as pretty as the picture on the menu. If you're in this little town, ignore everyone telling you to go to Plates and head to Samba Loca instead. read more

See all

Made a reservation for the Sunday before Labor Day (6 adults, 1 child). Table was ready when we arrived. Our server was very attentive & brought our granddaughter's food quickly, so she could take her time. Food was outstanding. My filet was cooked perfectly. We appreciated being seated away from the majority of other tables, so we could enjoy our evening out. Overall, highly recommended! read more

Fish, drinks, and dessert were amazing. Service was great. Cute location as well. I would recommend!+ read more

See all

Nice atmosphere and great food. One of the better places to eat in Carrollton GA, which is pretty limited.

Had a enjoyable evening. The food was delicious and the service was amazing! If there was any complaint it would be that the seats were pealing and ripped, quite out of place in such an upscale setting. We will definitely go back! read more

See all

Customer service is good. Great food selection. Appropriate for business lunch, dates, and other special occasions.

the meal was so amazing we forgot to take pictures!! I came here on a date and the host suggested we try out the dinner platter, it came with multiple pieces of grilled chicken, sirloin, braised ribs and kielbasa sausage with sides or Au Jous and Chimichurri...all for $66! the service was amazing! read more

Ambience is great. Cleanliness is great. Service is great. Good is just ok, but with large portions. I recommend splitting an entree and appetizer with a date/friend/spouse. Food could be improved. read more