Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse — Restaurant in Irvine

Galpao Gaucho - Brazilian Steakhouse

Wow! We discovered this incredible new Brazilian steakhouse in our neighborhood and had to try it! Best. Decision. Ever!

Their unlimited two-course menu blew us away! The gourmet salad bar boasted over 40 items, including soups, fresh salads, variety of cheese, fruits, smoked salmon, fresh and steamed veggies. And don't even get me started on the wine selection!

But the real magic happened at the grill! We started with the signature Picanha (sirloin with a garlic crust), followed by premium beef and lamb selections, expertly butchered and seasoned to perfection.

As we savored each bite, the flavors unfolded: tender Lamb Chops, Rib Eye and Filet Mignon wrapped in a delicious crusty bacon strip, elevating its richness. Lean cuts of beef and lamb danced with a pepper blend and subtle white wine/mint notes. Chicken, marinated in a beer, brandy, and pepper blend, burst with juicy flavor.

The seafood delights didn't disappoint! Grilled Salmon, infused with citrus pepper, melted in our mouths, complemented by a tangy passion fruit sauce. Succulent Jumbo Shrimp, lightly marinated to preserve its natural taste, left us craving more.

And the surprises continued! Brazilian-style cheese, grilled to perfection and drizzled with spicy honey, delighted our taste buds. Even the Grilled Pineapple, caramelized with a hint of cinnamon, became an unexpected favorite.

Dessert? Caramel Flan (Brazilian Pudim) paired with rich espresso.

Every bite was perfection, from the cheese bread appetizer to the mouthwatering meats and unforgettable dessert. But what truly made our experience shine? The staff! Their kindness, friendliness, and attentiveness earned them the "Fine Butterfly Service" award in my journal book. They spoiled us rotten!

If you crave authentic Brazilian grilled goodness, look no further! Leave with a full heart, big smile, and...

For the upper class cost of the menu meal per person, our group expected an upper class more elegant and relaxing experience. The fact that we had to get our own food from the so called salad bar was a bit odd. We would have preferred to be served a salad choice directly. As soon as we switched our 2nd course meal service cards to green, it was overwhelming with servers one after another coming to offer meats and poultry continuously and repetively. It felt rushed and not very relaxing. We felt guilty saying no thank you and having to turn a few away. Our potatoes were served way before our main dishes were, in which became cold and untasty. The bread rolls all seemed doughy and uncooked. I feel that they should allow you to decide which cut of beef you prefer and then stick to that particular one instead of mixing so many different cuts at one seating. Possibly this was an option, but not much was very precise nor explained well, as far as information on how to go about the meal choices. Not an easy place to carry on any conversation with our guests in our group, as we kept continuously interrupted by servers. Again we felt the at $75 per person cost, we could have been offered at least a mini dessert of some kind. Don't get us wrong...the service was very good, polite and welcoming. They try very much to be accommodating. The meats were tender and tasty, although many we found to be overly salted. I feel bad that our experience was not the 5 star rating that many others seemed to have experienced. Possibly this just isn't our style of fine dining. Appreciate the staff accommodating us and doing their best to give us a...

First time trying this Brazilian steakhouse. The meats were served warm and very well seasoned and cooked to perfection. The best cut of the night was the rib eye ancho.

Went to celebrate a birthday and there were not many guests on the Monday (at the time of this review, the restaurant had just opened). Service was very attentive as the entire team worked together to make sure we were served meats, answered questions, pushed in chairs, change plates. These were a few of many examples of some solid service that I have not experienced at other Brazilian steakhouses.

The space is at the former Agora Brazilian steakhouse that was there. It was remodeled and very spacious and lit very well. The presentations of food and drink also elevated the ambience of the experience. The most notable were the table side preparation of the carajillo cocktail which had the Licor 43 lit on fire and then shaken into old fashioned glasses in front of us. It was a very awesome presentation to see and also made a difference in the taste of the cocktail by adding a smoky element to it.

Our server Rodrigo not only helped prep these cocktails with precision, but he was also our lead server and was very attentive to us. He is knowledgeable and is an asset to the Galpao team. I recommend you ask for him when you go.

Overall, my family and I will be back soon and hope that this restaurant continues to grow and provide you and many others with a great Brazilian...