Ipanema is a casual bar and dining room in Wembley serving a host of vibrant Brazilian dishes alongside wines and cocktails. Located just a few minutes' walk away from Wembley Stadium and Wembley Central stations, this buzzy local spot offers friendly service, a warm ambience and a generous menu filled with plenty of authentic Brazilian plates.
The restaurant itself might be small, but the interiors are bold. Colourful walls decorated with unique Brazilian artwork from Rio de Janeiro creates an upbeat atmosphere, while a rustic wooden bar and faux foliage covering the ceiling inject a touch of playfulness to the space.
The menu, meanwhile, features a range of starters, grills, mains, burgers and desserts with something to suit everyone. Start with a selection of snacks to get your tastebuds going, including the likes of pulled beef croquettes with chilli sauce, cassava fries with mayo, king prawns with garlic bread and salsa, and chorizo with fried onions.
Meat is central to its food offering and guests are able to choose from a selection of grills, steaks and platters. Its Ipanema platter, for example, includes picanha steak, smoked calabresa, fried chicken, Brazilian arancini, fries and salsa if you fancy a complete Brazilian feast. Elsewhere, mains include the likes of a black bean, pork and beef stew with rice and spring greens. And you can always finish with something sweet, such as a crème caramel or passion fruit mousse.
On the drinks front, there is a small list of white, red and rose wines, available by the glass or bottle. Its cocktail menu is the main event, though, and includes four twists on a caipirinha (classic, mango, passion fruit and strawberry). Or, why not try on of its signature serves such as a Samba in Love featuring St Germain, pear and lemon.