Fazenda London

Fazenda - the South American dining experience known for its table-side rodizio - has branches across the country, but it’s the Bishopsgate branch that has all the bells and whistles. Close to Liverpool Street station, it’s great for an after-work dinner or a late, long lunch, which is how this cuisine should be enjoyed - with no time limits.

The contemporary ground floor-bar offers a place to start off with a cocktail. We tried the Sour Birdie, an extremely drinkable pisco sour made with Portobello Road Gin with a light, floral aftertaste. Upstairs, the atmosphere cranks up a notch with sinkable, leather booths and soft lighting, which works well with the busy mix of diners.

Of course, we opted for the full rodizio experience and were advised to take it easy on the starters – a tip we were glad to heed. But, we were intrigued by the one-bite appetisers such as the wagyu beef éclair with chimichurri mayo, which was a pleasingly chewy, mouthful of flavour. Onto the rodizio and there are 12 different options to try. We didn’t make it through them all, but the picanha was really tasty. Encased in a thin, crisp, salty crust – it’s a melt-in-your-mouth taste that carnivores will give a big thumbs up to. The barriga de porco (pork belly) was succulent, and the peito de pato (duck breast) offers a unique way to enjoy duck, with its rich flavour intensified by the cooking technique. Alongside the rodizio there’s a range of sides, hot and cold, and a market table with salads, so there’s plenty of accompaniments for your mains. For us, the mix of black beans with chorizo, bacon and biquinho peppers was great for dipping into during breaks.

All in all, the restaurant ticked the boxes on good food, friendly staff and a nice atmosphere, but it does feel like a chain. If you’re keen to try rodizio in the heart of The City, we’d recommend for an after-work dinner, but perhaps not quite right for a special birthday meal out.

At Fazenda, you’re in charge of the portion sizes and there are only two rules here – green means more, red means stop. This is a restaurant where healthy appetites are essential, as the food is limitless and excess is encouraged. Upon arrival, each guest is given a metal paperweight, used to signal to the passadores (meat chefs) if you want more meat delivering or you're happy with your fill.

Not its first rodeo, Fazenda is gradually working its way around the country with sites popping up mainly in the north with this London address being the group's first venture down south. The décor remains the same as the other branches throughout, focusing on dark woods, leather seating and mood lighting through the addition of plenty of candles.

The menu offers a mix of Brazilian and Argentian meats, with cuts varying between lunch and dinner time. During the day you can expect the likes of lamb rump, chicken thighs and smoked gammon with pineapple, then in the evening dishes such as beef tenderloin, chicken hearts and chorizo wagyu will take centre stage. For sides, the Brazilian and Argentian theme continues with salted fries and pardon peppers with lemon mayo bringing through Brazilian flavours, whilst piquillo peppers and empanadas offer a taste of Argentina.

Of course, with meat-free diets being so prominent now, even the more carnivorous restaurants need to cater for everyone. Pasta and risotto options with flavours like black truffle and wild mushroom are available for the veggie and plant-based eaters, as well as there being a specific pescatarian section and, with given notice, the choice of halal is also possible. With everyone covered, Fazenda lends itself as the perfect spot to meet with friends, no matter your dietary requirement.