SAMBÔ — Restaurant in England

We visited this restaurant on a Saturday afternoon with friends and their 3‑year‑old son, hoping for a relaxing time outdoors with a few drinks. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing from the moment we arrived.

We were among the first guests and were greeted by a young waitress dressed in a tight and very short skirt, which felt inappropriate for a professional setting. She immediately informed us that no food was being served — no welcome, no warmth, just a blunt “no food.” We explained that we were only there for drinks, which seemed to ease the situation.

We placed our order, which included a glass of white wine. The rest of the drinks arrived, but the wine was forgotten. When it finally came, it was served in a wet glass and was warm. Serving white wine at room temperature in a wet glass reflects a basic lack of training and care for service standards.

Within just 20 minutes, the same waitress came to our table at least six times — interrupting our conversations and making us feel rushed. The last visit was to bring us the bill, which we had never requested. We were still enjoying our drinks. I noticed the same happening to other tables around us — guests receiving their bills unsolicited and visibly confused. It felt like a deliberate effort to turn over tables, regardless of whether customers were finished or not.

Only minutes later, another staff member approached to clear the table while we were still using it. It was intrusive and made us feel pressured to leave. We decided to order another round of drinks and some tapas, which arrived promptly, but the constant hovering never stopped.

To make matters worse, several members of staff were openly vaping in the outdoor seating area — the only section in use — with clouds of vapour drifting past seated customers, including young children. This cavalier attitude towards vaping in the same space as guests was both rude and potentially hazardous.

Despite spending nearly two hours there and ordering multiple items, we never felt welcome or at ease. The staff continued to return, asking if we were done or if they could clean the table — even while we were mid‑conversation or still sipping our drinks. The service was rushed, unprofessional and completely lacking in hospitality.

When we finally paid (a rather expensive bill, considering the experience), we stayed briefly to gather our things. I took a sip from my bottle of water, and a blonde waitress stared at me as if I were doing something wrong — an uncomfortable and unnecessary interaction.

Shockingly, the manager — or someone who appeared to be — was sat at a table eating when we arrived. He then remained there for over an hour, visibly sleeping at the table. It’s hard to believe this is the leadership behind the front‑of‑house team, and it certainly sets a poor example.

This place has no authenticity, no Brazilian soul or warmth even food — just superficial. The service was cold, disorganised, and far from welcoming. There seemed to be a lack of proper training or attention to basics details in the...

Where to start?

My Brazilian partner suggested this place after a random search for an authentic Brazilian cuisine and experience whilst visiting my sick mother. My mother who has a disability and a not a massive eater, had to walk up several big steps to gain access to this place. Upon entry, it seemed promising but that quickly fizzled out.

My partner who was excited and suggesting the Rodizio for all 3 of us, knowing my mother doesn't eat very much I asked the young male waiter for two rodizo (at a steep £40 per head for only 7 meats at lunch) and I will share with my mother. The waiter looked at me with absolute disgust and replied 'company policy, you all have it or you dont'.

My poor mother was in shock and pleaded she wouldn't eat very much and then said can I just have the salad bar please? The waiters eyes lit up like he just one the lottery of taking advantage of people with disabilities and with a puff of the chest said 'of course but I'll have to charge you £25' as if it was something acceptable and to be proud of.

I didn't have the heart to turn to mother after a 6 hour journey to say 'sorry mother I'm not wanting to pay that much for a salad' or upset the Brazilian partner so succumbed to accept the most 'gracious' offer.

I've looked high and low for a copy of the company policy but can't locate it on the website nor was it offered at any stage to see this policy whereby patrons are forced into non sharing feature.

I went to grab some salad from the salad bar, and picked up some broccoli, luckily before I went back to the table I noticed a long strnad of black hair caught up in part of the broccoli. I raised it to one of the waiters who looked and laughed saying 'it was probably one of mine' however did apologise and offer to remove it which he did.

Needless to say, everything was drastically overpriced from rodizo at 40 per head and the drinks were £11 for a cocktail with more ice than Antarctica and £4 for a can of knock off soft drink.

Just don't go if you are disabled (due to company policy which won't get shown) or if you have an eating disorder.

The Brazilian partner was also very unimpressed at the poor selection, the rawness of the meat selection, and the lack of authenticity in no pineapple offering which the waiter explained 'it's not offered anymore because people eat less and not good for business'.

Can't fault the attentiveness of the staff though, but that is suspiciously because the male staff took a flirtatious approach to the authentic Brazilian in the presence. The mutterings of the staff in the corner by the door also didn't go unnoticed.

I see sambo reply to negative critics of their establishment telling them they are wrong so I look forward to hearing your version of events.

If you want a nice classy meal and vibe go to Miller and Carter for 3 people for half the price and leave with a...

We genuinely love a Brazilian steakhouse and we’re looking forward to this all week. Upon arriving there we waited until staff finished their conversation before they welcomed us. They went beyond expectations and got us a great window seat. Around 10 minutes after seating, we were asked what we would like to drink and the usual welcome (explanation of how it works etc) really nice waiter. I ordered steaks and my wife ordered fish option. For drinks, I ordered JD and a Gin. Around 3-4 minutes later, they returned letting me know they had no JD and could I choose something else. I decided on strawberry daiquiri. Around 15 minutes later, they arrived and I have to say… we’re excellent! My food started arriving but would skip our table (not all the time… it seemed random) however, under seasoned compared to my experiences in another Brazilian steakhouse (Rio Steak in Newcastle). It was still acceptable to eat. While this was going on, my wife received no food at all. I asked multiple times if we could have fish for my wife. It was 25-30 minutes before my wife received her Salmon. She ate some and then told me she wanted salad. I later found out it was due to the salmon being dry and the accompanying vegetables being overcooked and excessively soft. I requested to order another round of drinks… and after waiting almost 30 minutes, decided enough was enough, and walked out.

Some of the wait staff kept apologising as they seen we were still waiting, but we witnessed multiple tables placing orders and receiving their drinks before us and without being petty, I don’t think that’s reasonable at all. After that amount of time waiting, we stood up to pay and leave.

I was told they had just made it (our drinks) and I will have to pay. I informed him I would have been more than happy to pay if they arrived 10-15 mins after we ordered them.

Without going into detail, he was rude and until I told him directly, I’m not paying for drinks that didn’t arrive, he was trying to charge me. He then removed the drinks, and tried to add on, just under £10 gratuity which I wasn’t best pleased about. I’m all for tipping for good service, but this was not acceptable by any means.

Theres an amazing steakhouse apposite and I would 100% recommend that over this place. As much as I was hoping for the same exceptional experience I’ve had previously - this is in a different league for all the wrong reasons.

I’d recommend anyone to reconsider - there are much, much better options...