Sao Paulo's Restaurante

it's affordable and tasty! Go! more

I can't believe the terrible service. We were ignored for a while before we got a table. Our waiter was rude and seemed put-out by our presence. He overcharged my credit card and then when I viewed my bank transactions he had charged his own tip amount, one not written in by me. It was outrageous. I have since spoken to friends and they have had the same experience. more

Whether its a work lunch, happy hour drinks, or even a weekend date night, I coming to this place (I come here often). The atmosphere reminds me of a good jazz bar- laid back and smooth without being unpretentious. Sometimes it can get a little too noisy during heavy traffic time though. Their food price are way too cheap for the quality- everything taste homemade with fresh ingredients. My two favorites are the Rocambole alexandra and Estrogonoe du Sul. My husband loves the Bife a cebolado. We absolutely love the Pao de queijo appetizer . For dessert try the chocolate mouse tart thing, but if they are out of that I would pass because the flan and tiramisu aren't very good. It's too bad they don't have any true Brazilian desserts. Sometimes service is slow, but just sit back and relax in this cozy place because the food is very much worth the wait! Mojitos are always wonderful accompaniment. Pros: Brazilian food Cons: not all their dessert are good more

I can't recommend this place enough. The food is fantastic, the servers are friendly and it's so cheap. Go in for happy hour. Like, today. Pros: Cheap, Tasty, Massive Portions more

Our party of six ate here last night before going to see WICKED - it was wonderful!! Half our table ate Mexican, the other half Brazilian. Enjoyed happy hour until 7pm. The service was very friendly, generous portions and lovely presentaiton but the taste was incredible! We'll definitely be back again! Pros: Generous portions Cons: tiny ladies room more

I just ate dinner here the other night and it was fabulous, the drinks were very good and average price and the food was wonderful. I had the brazillian Paella, it was very flavorful and perfectly cooked. Don't let the exterior fool you, it looks expensive but really isn't. They also have a tex mex menu for those less adventurous. Pros: Great food and prices Cons: the live music was really loud for the size of the space more

Spent a relaxing evening at this restaurant with my family: Our whole dining experience was wonderful; we enjoyed all aspects of our meal from the large variety served at the salad bar, the fabulous selection of BBQ meats, to the decadent deserts. My whole family highly recommends this restaurant. Pros: Lots of parking close by. more

What an interesting menu! The waitperson was helpful, knowledgeable about the food, and eager to answer questions. This is my first time to try yucca puffs, for example. The restaurant is typical Austin low-key, mellow. I'd love to go back and try some different things. Pros: Interesting menu, reasonable prices Cons: When the music starts up, it's hard to have conversation more

This is an awsome little restaurant, they have a great happy hour, nice art work and best of all great food!!! Just of campus happened to find it as I needed some coffee for a very borning class and Java was full, stopped in Great Coffee got to try it. Came back for happy hour w/ some friends, just love it. Pros: some of the best coffeearound! great food and happy hour, live music Cons: closed on Sundays more

It is hard to believe such a find as this exists in a strip center. From the second you walk in, not only will you completely forget it is in a strip center, but you seem to forget life outside of Sao Paulo's altogether. This place has an ambiance that reaches out and grabs you, makes you sit down, savor your unique, sensual food and think about all the things you shouldn't be doing in a restaurant. The lighting, textures, music, layout and colors are exquisite. The staff is friendly and playful. Melba herself has got to be the nicest, sweetest and most genuine restaurant owner I know of. Be ready to experience places you never thought a restaurant could take you ... Pros: MMMmmmmmm in more ways than one! Cons: For me -location, it is by the UT campus. more

I had been here a couple of times before and never had a problem, but the last time was just awful. We went during happy hour and were the only table inside, so we thought for sure with three workers hanging around that service wouldn't be a problem. While I'm usually a pretty patient person, service was RIDICULOUSLY slow and the waitress was very rude. She sat at a nearby table talking on her cellphone while the food was no doubt waiting (and getting cold) in the kitchen to be delivered. The food isn't bad at all, there are plenty of vegetarian options and the yucca with queso is awesome. The service though I think needs to be worked on. Only one other table came in after us, and the bill took so long to arrive that I ended up paying at the bar instead. I hated to seem rude, but when you only have one table it really shouldn't be that hard. That being said, I probably wouldn't come back here for a lunch break, before going to see a movie, or any other time when I knew I had somewhere else I needed to be soon. Pros: Ok food, awesome and cheap drinks, cheap, location, nice artwork on walls Cons: Service, parking more

Our service was great, food was excellent. I ordered a caipirinha, and our waitress warned me of the strength of the drink and offered to have it made less-potent. Full octane for me thanks! I was impressed by the concern though, and equally so by the drink. A perfect caipirinha is what I got, like the many I had in Brazil, not the watered-down version served even in some of the higher-end restaurants around town. And the live Brazilian jazz didn't hurt either. We'll be back! Soon! Pros: great food, great drinks, live tunes Cons: limited parking more

Up until today I would have recommended this restaurant much much higher, but my husband and I had to walk out at lunchtime due to the glare from the cars parked outside. An obnoxious diner would not allow the venetian blinds to be closed and we were practically blinded just waiting for our drinks to be served. The waitstaff did not proactively intervene so we left in order to protect our vision! We have been eating at this location since it was the ""China Inn"", but have never encountered this problem before because the management and waitstaff were aware and involved in keeping the restaurant comfortable. more

I think that the review posted on 2/11/07 is talking about the wrong restaurant--Sao Paulo's is great! I eat there on a regular basis (2-3 times a week) and I have never seen ""frozen carrots"" with the ridges on them!?! As far as the wait staff goes, they are some of the most welcoming personel in the university area. They are always greeting their customers and thanking them upon departure. Are you sure you are not talking about the other Brazilian restaurant?? I highly recommend Sao Paulo's, pricing is very reasonable and the live music on the weekends makes it charming. Although I suggest making reservations they have become quite a little hot spot. Pros: Food, and drinks Cons: parking during lunch more

The waitstaff was rude and thought very highly of themselves, while forgetting that we were there and not taking our order but instead taking those from people who came in after us.. Pros: location Cons: waitstaff, food quality more

Slow to bring drinks, overcharged despite asking specifically, would have forgotten silverware had we not mentioned, forgot appetizer TWICE, addressed my friend and me as ""boys,"" sat large group of noisy people next to us. And frankly, I don't think the ""lasanha"" is worth $8: the $4.95 burrito at chipotle has more interesting flavor. Lots of peas, green beans and diced carrots with thick layer of cheese melt on top for $8. Nah. Cons: Overcharging for crappy food, AWFUL service, whole restaurant reeked of BLEACH! more

I have been eating here for a couple of years and I still love coming here. The food is great and the fact you can order Guaraná is really cool. My family lived in Brazil for 17 years so it was fun for them to eat familiar foods they didnt prepare themselves. I love the Feijoada and the Bobo de Camarao, the fact the prices arent outrageous help too. more

The food and ambiance at this place is great. They have live music frequently, but it's not ""in your face"" or overpowering and did I mention the food is fantastic? Everyone we take there really likes the Chicken Magdelena and I'm partial to their burrito. They have plenty of good vegetarian choices and a full bar. They recently had an ownership shift and the service has suffered somewhat, but the food is still fantastic! more

This is a great option near campus for when you tire of dollar drafts and crappy pizza. Very nice brazilian/caribbean fare. The tex-mex on the menu is surprisingly tasty too, but it's the braizilian entrees (esp. the fish) that are the stars of this menu. Service was excellent, and the prices are low for the quality of food you get. If this place was downtown, it would be a hit. Give them a try. Pros: Food, Service, Parking Cons: Exterior more