Samba has never failed to disappoint! They have excellent servers and the cuisine is A1. Literally just got back from dinner tonight and my wife, eldest daughter and I had a great experience.... again. We been several times but this is my first review. The ambience is great and the food seems very authentic, having never been to Brazil. Can't recommend this place more! Well done! read more

What a surprise! Delicious food, inviting, warm, colorful tropical décor. Despite being gluten and soy-free (2 components I like), the y offered a creative take on Brazilian specialties MINUS these ingredients. The vegan zucchini soup gets an A++! The flour less pão de queijo, served warm, was crisp on the outside and deliciously soft & spongey on the inside. We found both the chicken-okra soup and the salmon-burger under-spiced. I would return but order a different entree. Service was top-notch and attentive, though it seems the whole staff is Spanish-, not Portuguese-speaking. ...and we live the neighborhood, with many boutique retail stores to check out. read more

See all

What a nice experience!! Our food was tasty, the menu intriguing and the service made you feel special! To e space itself is warm and inviting m, with a special culture feel infused in every corner of the restaurant. I would definitely recommend visiting if you are interested in having a nice experience. read more

See all

Spectacular lunch experience! The ambiance is very intimate and not arranged to be too overcrowded. Food was delicious and the portions were filling. The bread on their paninis tasted like it was made out of their signature cheese bread so it was a bit heavy but complimented the eggs perfectly. I also had the coconut lemonade which was super refreshing and balanced to beat the summer heat. Definitely worth a visit and I'll be returning to try out their dinner menu. read more

See all

The food was so good! Loved the mashed potatoes and Yuka fries! The service was great, very friendly. The place is so nice and calming; low lights. Would definitely come back read more

Samba Montclair - 21. Bife a Cavalo Dinner - Brazilian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

See all

Outstanding Brazilian food made with love by for almost 15 years now! 100% Gluten-Free AND Farm to Table. Chef Ilson's Signature Dish, Camarão na Moranga (Shrimp Stuffed Squash), was remarkable and worth the trip alone! You can even find the recipe in his cookbook (available at the restaurant). The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous and totally transports you to another country! Thank you to the whole team at Samba for taking the best care of us! Check out our full visit here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYTM9Ccts7Y/?igsh=eHFnaXpuZmg2amhx read more

See all

Came here for brunch with a foursome and had a solid meal. Samba doesn't disappoint with its unique flavors and fresh ingredients. Brunch menu is full of options and has a good amount of mocktails and fresh squeezed juices. Servers were attentive and friendly and helped us make our selections. Plenty of seating both inside and out when the weather cooperates. Cheese bread is a must and you will be surprised to learn it's all gluten free. Avocado toast, egg sandwiches and chicken panini were all yummy. read more

See all

This was my second time at the Brazilian restaurant, Samba, and it did not disappoint! Samba is a small BYOB in the heart of Montclair right near Bloomfield Ave. Samba is certified 100% gluten free using only the best organic produce. This is a great spot for those who are vegetarian or have food allergies. They even sell their own cookbook so you can make the same recipes at home! The restaurant is beautifully decorated with lots of mirrors and frames covering the walls. They automatically charge a 20% gratuity on all tables no matter how big or small your party size. During this visit, we were served complimentary cheese bread to start. For dinner, we had the Pulled Pork Croquettes as an appetizer and the Camarao Na Moranga and Skirt Steak special as our entrees. The croquettes were simple yet delicious. They came with a side of pickled onions which gave it extra flavor. I had the skirt steak for my meal and it was SO good. The steak was cooked perfectly and was flavorful and juicy. The truffle fries were the perfect complement to the steak. My girlfriend had the Camarao Na Moranga which is basically a whole acorn squash that is cooked and filled with shrimp and a creamy sauce. It was delectable. I had many bites of her dish! We had to run to a show at the Wellmont so didn't have time to order dessert but we made sure to take the food that we did not finish home and they gave it to us in a canvas tote! My only complaint (more like a preference) is the placemat on the table. Think it's rattan? And very fitting with the decor but it's used as a centerpiece which makes it awkward when glasses and meals are placed on the table. You can see it in my pics under the dishes. I was so nervous that they were unbalanced and would tip. Not a huge deal. read more

See all

My third time going here after not having been for a few years and the quality of the food is just as I remembered. The service can be a little slow however the staff is very attentive. The ambiance is very pretty while seating is close it doesn't feel overly cramped. Important to note that automatic 20% service is added to the bill regardless of group size. It is noted on one of the menus on the table but this could be a deterrent for so read more

See all

Wow I'm surprised I haven't been here sooner! As someone who has an autoimmune disease and struggles with gluten this feels like my new favorite spot! Came here after a Pilates class with a friend on a Saturday afternoon (on the coldest day in NJ) and I was blown away by how good the food was especially since it's all gluten free! We both got the grilled chicken panini from the brunch menu which comes with a small salad and yuca fries (so much food) for only $18! They do provide complimentary cheese bread which is my favorite Brazilian snack! I ordered a dessert for my friends birthday and the staff was SO kind that they brought out a second one on the house! The staff made our brunch so much more special! Definitely coming back!! read more

Samba Montclair - Desserts: Bolo De Chocolate (left) and flan (right) - Brazilian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

See all

Great experience at Samba! The Brazilian cheese bread were served warm and were absolutely delicious. The service was attentive and friendly, and the ambiance inside was vibrant and welcoming. The steak with yuca fries was very good, and the coconut lemonade was refreshing and flavorful--definitely a must-try. Overall, a wonderful dining experience and I'd happily come back! read more

See all

We' were immediately greeted and escorted to the cozy side dining room. We ordered enough food for four people. 2 chicken stroganoff, garlic shrimp, salad rice, and beans. The brought out a slice of cake with a candle for his birthday. Amazing staff!!! read more

See all

The place is decorated in a farmhouse vibe with a colorful mural. Service felt attentive. The Brazilian bread was unique but didn't feel fully baked unless it was that style . The tates dry , it wasn't until we asked he suggested a sauce. That was the best part but kind of underwhelmed overall . read more

We didn't just Samba out of this gem of a restaurant; we floated out. Our meal started with a complementary basket of pao de quejo (warm fried dough balls filled with mild cheese). The 3 of us then ordered from the special lunch menu: stroganoff de frango (chicken), gnocchi à la Bolognese (beef), and Bobo de Camarao (shrimp). All were very good, especially the chicken. The sides of mixed veggies, black beans and sweet plantains were added pluses. Passion fruit mousse was a standout dessert. All good portions, lovingly plated. Samba's cozy, rustic decor, attentive service, and not-too-loud music rounded out a spectacular meal. Go there. You'll float out, too. read more

See all

The service was great, the food was delicious. I had the vegan gnocchi which was different but still really good. I added the homemade pepper sauce and that elevated the dish more. The cheese bread, which we started off with was phenomenal. The atmosphere was chill, not too many people dining in but a great place to either hold a small party or dine with friends. Even great for a date! read more

Samba Montclair - Cheese bread - Brazilian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

See all

The place is beautiful decorated on the inside. The service was ah-mazing! Always attentive and very respectful. We ordered the Cheese Bread to start with the Empanadas. The cheese bread is delicious. Perfect little bites of bread with cheese stuffed in them. The Empanadas cheese, beef and chicken were cookies perfectly and delicious with a sauce to match. The Samba panini looked delicious l. The rest ordered that as the main for brunch. I was told it was very good. I ordered the Super Protein Burger. Completely gross. The fact it's not even a burger served in a bun threw me off. The beef was tasteless and over done. The chicken which is grilled too much salt on it. Bacon wasn't even on the stack. Was thrown to the side. Bacon was extra extra crispy was okay but I hate extra crispy bacon. The flan at the end was really good. We split the bill at the end. Wasn't badly priced at all. It's a BYOB place which is great! I'd go back but defy not for that "burger" read more

See all

I dine here often and love the consistency of food. My favorite dishes are the chicken grelhaldo, bife a cavalo, and egg white omelette for lunch. The cheesy bread is amazing. I've also enjoyed a variety of the desserts! I love that it's a fully gluten free restaurant. The staff is always very pleasant and welcoming. Overall one of my favorite staple restaurants!! read more

Samba Montclair - Inside - Brazilian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

See all

We stumbled on Samba as we were going to see the Brazilian movie, Secret Agent. The restaurant is very nicely decorated, the staff attentive and efficient. Our waiter is from Belem, where my husband was born, so there was a lot in common. The food was as authentic as possible in the US. The appetizers were delicious, and the entre very good. The mousse de maracujá was great. We will be back. read more

Samba Montclair - Dining Room. - Brazilian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

Samba has been on my to-visit list for ages, and I was hyped when my SO and I finally went for date night. The extensive gluten-free menu is nothing short of impressive and appealing. The BYOB restaurant is vibrant and intimate, creating a great atmosphere for a date or dinner with friends. The servers were all attentive and seemed focused on providing a great dining experience. While a bit on the pricey side, I found them to be fair due to the very large portion sizes provided. We split an appetizer special of a tomato caprese salad and shared some complimentary cheese bread bites. Everything was delicious to start, so we were both excited for our entrees. My gnocchi a primavera was fresh, flavorful, and filling, while also pairing well with the rice and beans provided. My SO's steak was also cooked to perfection and we both felt completely satiated with our dinner. I jumped at the opportunity to try their gluten-free churros for dessert, which were incredible. Samba is a perfect spot for gluten and gluten-free eaters alike, you will not be disappointed. read more

See all

What a treat! Everything we ordered was yummy and the décor was on point. I even ordered one of their drinks, which I like never do! But it was totally worth it. Lots of vegetarian and GF options, which was perfect for me. We ordered the garlic shrimp app (a staple for me if I ever have Brazilian or Portuguese food). It was yummy, but not "authentic" tasting? So, the menu is not rustic, but it doesn't claim to be. The bolinhos (croquette appetizers) were super! For dinner there was the gf yuca gnocchi w/bolognese sauce-- amazing but was really full by then. Between the apps and coconut lemonade, it was a very filling and enjoyable meal. Even had one of their pao de queijo, which was great. Couldn't really have it though as I don't eat cheese but it was well made and I had to try it. For dessert we ordered the churros, though everything looked super tempting. Definitely a fun, yummy time for all. We were only two but seems like it would be fun for groups of 4+. BYO so grab the cachaca ! read more

See all

It was very good. Honestly, I passed by it all the time when I go to the gym and it's my favorite place to go for a night out with Family ! The only thing I felt bad was that everything that was fried was fried with shellfish and someone in my family could not have any of the fried food. I will also say that they were very accommodating in replacing the appetizers for him with a salad. The atmosphere is awesome! read more

Samba Montclair was a great experience tonight. Beautiful place, warming and relaxing atmosphere, the time between the course was balanced and the service was great! It is a BYOB, and if you forget your bottle don't worry, there is a liquor store around the corner; I got a red wine there that married well with my BIFE ACEBOLADO , thin pan-fried sirloin steak and sautéed onions served with yuca fries, farofa and country vinaigrette sauce. The temperature of the meat was perfect, exactly the way I asked. The appetizer was BOLINHO DE FEIJOADA, 3 little pastries made with our national dish filled with pork, Brazilian sausage and collard greens, the taste of it is amazing; A good dinner ends with dessert , we got Flan Caramel and Passion Fruit Mousse , they were delicious!!! I'll definitely go again to try other dishes. read more

Samba Montclair - Pudim De Leite , BOLINHO DE FEIJOADA , BIFE ACEBOLADO - Brazilian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

Stop by for lunch for the first time. The manager was so helpful. Lunch was delicious. The seating area outside was the best place to dine. I definitely recommend Samba for lunch or dinner. I for one will be back. Thanks again. read more

Montclair has streets filled with restaurants. But not being from the area, I have no reference points. So a friend made the recommendation to eat at SAMBA for my wife's belated Birthday Dinner. This friend, being vegan and picky, said that he and his pescatarian girlfriend have eaten here like 3 times. So we walked over for dinner on Memorial Day, with a 7pm reservation. When I first heard "Gluten Free Brazilian" I was skeptical. But this dinner was in the works since March, and at this point..sure. The dining areas are quite charming, and they do have outside seating {if you'reinto that}. It's BYOB, and they provided a metal prep pan, from the kitchen, with ice for our beer. Our waiter was great. Forgot his name, but he was definitely Brazilian. Prato Vegano, was an oversized veggie plate that looked fresh and comfy. Bobo De Vegetais was not pleasing to the eye, but I guess she liked it. My Pork Chops were ok. Lacking seasoning and a bit overcooked and the Banana Farofa was just odd. The star of the show was Gnocchi Bolognese (made with Yuca). The best meal for the birthday girl. Passion Fruit Mousse and Flan with candles was a nice touch. All in all, a decent experience. read more

See all

Positive service was phenomenal, food was a disappointment. Cappuccino and plantains were good rest of meal terrible. Interior is beautiful. Most important is their policy and video and audio recording. Do we live in a fascist state? Ask all to not visit until they stop audio recordings. All your private conversations are recorded . Please boycott until audio recordings are stopped. read more

See all

Samba Monclair is a wonderful Brazilian Restaurant. We had a very nice evening with my friend. From the moment we walked in we knew that we were in for a treat. The food was excellent, as a start we had the brazilian cheese bread and the Bolinho de feijoada, it's a brazilian pastries filled with pork, sausage and collard greens. For the main course, I had the Picanha, it's a brazilian cut top sirloin served with sautéed vegetables and mashed potatoes. The steak was cooked perfectly, the toppings were very tasteful and the vegetables were fresh and delicious. For the dessert, the owner was generous enough and gave us from the house flan caramel which we enjoyed very much. Our overall experience was really amazing, from the great food, excellent service and cozy atmosphere. This restaurant is a perfect place for any occasions and it's a BYOB too, so go and grab a bottle and make your way for a great food experience! read more

See all

Samba is a visually stunning and stimulating warm and welcoming spot perfect for a date or dinner. i took my friend here for brunch, and we loved it. the decor pulled us in alone. the live plants everywhere, were such a nice touch! to say the service was eager to please and attentative, is an understatement. it was perfect! we started out with the basket of the brazalian cheese bread. the butter isnt needed, but a nice touch. we had about 6 small, but filling pieces of the buns. warm to the touch, slight crisp outter shell, but a doughy and slightly cheese center. i would want my own basket the next time. the soup of the day was a pumpkin soup, in a very generous portioned cast iron bowl. think more savory than sweet. dip your bread in it, thank me later. another app we shared was the bolinho de vegetais. these almost look like an empanada or something of that sorts. the inside was smooth and filling. i can see how a few of these will really stuff you up. the green sauce it came with was okay, kinda bland. i didnt think they needed it. for my entree i got the brazalian eggs an cheese panini. it came with some fried pices of yuca and a salad. i loved the salad! i think the yuca pieces need some kinda sauce to put them in. the pannini was slightly salty, but paired well with the cheese and eggs. unlike other panini the shell was a fried yuca. i also think this needs a sauce on top of it, but i liked it a lot and think its a huge portion for a $15 brunch item. coming back for dinner! read more

See all

Delicious, gluten free food. My celiac belly really enjoyed this restaurant. We sat at a private little table in this Brazilian BYOB. For appetizers we ordered Brazilian cheese bread and an amazing arugula salad with pistachios and mango. For dinner, we both ordered steak- mine came with yuca and my husbands with French fries. Portions were large and they put rice and beans at the table. For dessert, we got coffee, coconut pudding, and chocolate cake. The servers were kind and helpful and the restaurant was cute. The food was authentic Brazilian and very good. We will definitely return. read more

See all

If I could go lower than one star I would. Samba is so pretentious and likes to think they are a class above from other restaurants in the area. I went here on a Tuesday evening and the place was nearly deserted. I was here with my GF because she's been wanting to try this place and I had some free time today after getting off of work. They gave us a table for 2, I noticed that the table was really small at the restaurant for two people and since I order multiple apps and entrees I would need a bigger table. Shouldn't be an issue right? Especially since it's literally nearly deserted. NOPE, the girl went to ask the manager or someone and that lady came over and asked are we expecting more people to join us? I said no, I just needed more room because I'm going to order multiple dishes. She said no sorry please use the table for 2, at that point I just wanted to leave but GF said let's just try this place out so I relented. The waiter we got was the only saving grace for this restaurant so the only star this horrid place gets is for him. I got a cup of espresso with 2 shots and maybe the best thing I had at the place. The espresso is really good so props to them on nailing that aspect. GF got the "lauded" Camarao Na Moranga and I got the Picanha as our main entrees. She hated the Moranga and couldn't finish it, took it home and gave it to her roommate. Ravely reviewed by someone from a northjersey newspaper or something like that and they display it proudly litery on a sign post in the restaurant, not a news clipping on the wall mind you but on the floor among the tables. My Picanha was fine, I asked for medium and they gave me nearly well-done so that was terrible on the cooks part. The appetizer was dissatisfying as well. Got the the little cheese bread balls, don't know the official name for it. Fogo De Chao has cheese balls that are far superior. These ones at Samba has a hint of cheese and is all bread. For dessert we shared the Coxinha Churros which came out looking like fried dough balls cowered in powdered sugar and caramel on the side. This wasn't too bad especially the caramel but the balls were too chewy and not well fried. Easily among the worst Churros I've ever had. Also just FYI they have an automatic service charge of 20%. I didn't mind it since I usually tip that on the minimum usually going 25-30%. It saved me spending more money at this place so kudos on that. Overall if you didn't gather from my review so far that I hated my experience let me literally say that right now, I HATED my experience at Samba and I definitely won't be returning here. I will try other Brazilian spots since their food, if done right is absolutely delicious. Save yourselves a rotten experience and go elsewhere. read more

See all

It was a Thursday night and it had a few patrons. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The servers were very attentive. They even offered to move us to a quieter area of the restaurant. I had the pumpkin shrimp. I thought it was delicious. Hit the spot on a cold night. My husband had the mahi mahi and shrimp. He said it was delicious as well. The food was very filling. This establishment is BYOB and there is a liquor store near by in case you forget. read more

See all

Samba in Montclair is incredible. The moment you walk in, the vibe hits you warm, colorful, and full of energy. The food is on another level. Everything is fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The steaks was tender. The service is just as impressive friendly, attentive, and quick without ever rushing you. You can tell the staff really takes pride in what they do. I would highly recommend! read more

My wife and I had a wonderful data at Samba. The food was absolutely delicious. I spent a few months in Brazil when I was a young man and this restaurant definitely helps matar a saudade. Nice and clean. Staff very friendly. A little pricey but worth it. read more

By far my favorite Brazilian restaurant! The staff are amazing and extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The two rooms are gorgeous and well decorated. But by far the best part is the food. I have been to this restaurant atleast half a dozen times now and can wholeheartedly say I have yet to try something that I didn't like. It's a bit pricey but so so so worth it!!!! read more

See all

Amazing from start to finish! Samba may be 100% gluten free, but it is 100% flavorful. We booked reservations for my wife's birthday and were very impressed. The ambiance/décor is beautiful and the service was top notch. Our servers were very attentive, professional and had a great sense of humor. We felt like regulars even though this was our first visit. This is a BYOB restaurant. I have very limited experience with this style of Brazilian food, but very much enjoyed how their flavorful dishes are prepared gluten free through the use of yuca, which is a staple. One person in our party was GF, but the rest of us would not have known any difference based on the quality of food. We started off with a sampling of their Salgadinhos Sortidos (croquettes) flavorful! The basket of farm cheese bread was delicious and I could have eaten several baskets. The salad with papaya and shaved parmesan was fresh and flavorful. Our entrees on this visit were: Mahi Mahi in a coconut milk/cilantro sauce, Estrogonofe de Frango- chicken in a cream sauce, Yuca Gnocchi, and the Bife Acebolada. Everything was cooked perfectly, flavorful and enjoyed by all in the party. As we were preparing for the bill, our server brought out a small mango cheesecake for us to enjoy as a birthday treat for my wife! This was very special and a new item they were rolling out. The cheesecake was light with a balanced sweetness, which paired nicely with the mango! I highly recommend Samba and will definitely return! read more

See all

This place is AWESOME - Please come! I found this place via instagram and I have to say this is one of the best dinner spot I have been in a while. The food is Amazing and the Ambient is one of a kind. I am big into plants so for me this is a very unique spot. My wife and I had a salad as an appetizer and each one an entry. Everything was delicious - kudos to the chef. I will definitely come back here. This is a BYOB spot, but seating is timed - so be aware that if you want to stay longer, you might have to reserve. read more

See all

Ambiance was cute and cozy- but the temperature inside was way too warm for my dining pleasure. The service was very attentive. The food fell a little flat- my husband enjoyed the pork chops, my friend's steak was a little dry. My stew dish was just okay- it's definitely a try but not sure I would return. read more

4 Paninis and an omelet. Not yuck but with yuca. Decor. Service. Menu. Food. Good. Go. read more

See all

Went for brunch on Saturday and the food was decent. Loved the avocado toast and the sausage. They add 20 percent service automatically to the bill. They tell you this upfront and I normally tip at that percent so no big deal. Only issue is how they present the service on the bill. They add in the 20 percent and then list tipping options on the bottom of the bill. So if you follow the 20 percent recommendation, you're tipping 40 percent. Seems a bit disingenuous and like they are intentionally trying to trick you into a larger tip. I had to ask the server to confirm the service charge is actually the tip. Be careful with places that do this. read more

Had a delightful experience here! The place is really charming and the vibes are good. All of the staff was attentive, kind, and accommodating. And the food was FABULOUS. As someone who needs to eat gluten free, it was a joy to not have to worry about a single item on the menu. We started with the cheese bread, which comes with butter but absolutely doesn't need it. Warm, soft, chewy, perfect. Then we got the salad with arugula, mango, candied pistachios, and orange vinaigrette. Light and refreshing. For dinner, I got the yuca gnocchi with bolognese. The texture of the gnocchi is definitely different than potato gnocchi, but it was a joy to eat and the sauce was quite flavorful. Also tasted a bit of my partner's chicken dish which was delicious as well, and I know our family was happy with their seafood. For dessert, we ordered the yuca chocolate cake and vegan cheesecake. And since this was my birthday dinner, my family put that on the reservation, so the staff brought flan with a candle in it. The cheesecake was the star, though. Very cold and dense, but the flavor was delightful. The coconut ice cream that came with the chocolate cake was also incredible. Portions were sizable and I was so happy to bring some dinner home. Loved this place, can't wait to return. read more

Samba Montclair - 22. Gnocchi De Mandioca Com Carne Moida Dinner - Brazilian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

I've always wanted to try Samba Montclair. My friend and I sat outside and I have to say the service was outstanding and the staff extremely friendly and helpful. I couldn't notice that when we asked for their suggestions that in each of the sections, they suggested the highest priced item as their recommendation. Hmmm, really? These are your favorites? ;-) I ordered a mixed salad which was around $16 but I was shocked later to look at the bill to see that they charged me $23 for eight grilled shrimp!?! I'm still a bit shocked. So basically I had a mixed salad with grilled shrimp for about $40! Again, what I've noticed in a lot of these restaurants is it's not worth the value of what they're offering. Also, a side order of plantains was $12. Cmon!? My friend ordered another shrimp dish inside of an acorn squash, and he was quite happy with it and I tried a little bit of it and it was delicious. Honestly, I cannot believe the price of food on this menu, despite inflation, and it being Montclair. The food was excellent and prepared well, tasty and delicious. My other complaint is that they added a 3% credit card charge and even though we were a party of two they automatically added a 20% gratuity charge, which is only done with a party of five or more I read on the menu. Sneaky little things like that don't endear me to a restaurant or business. As Sebastian Maniscalco said absorb the 3% credit card charge as it is the price of doing business. I had a good experience and the food was delicious but I have to say I'm a bit lukewarm about returning due to the prices and the automated 20% gratuity charge and the additional 3% credit card charge. I paid nearly $60 for a grilled shrimp + mixed salad and a side of plantains. Again value for the money is not up to snuff and worth it in my opinion. read more

See all