Estampa Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse — Restaurant in Melbourne

Our first time visiting Estampa Gaucha which came highly recommended from one of our friends. We were a group of 12. At one end of our table, were are friends which were regulars there. Everything started out fine. The servers came by non-stop asking if each of us if we would like more meat. This part of the experience was efficient and nice. However, the waiters were the worst I have ever seen in my long history of writing reviews. The other end of the table was clearly the focus. They were brought drinks. We would try to get their attention, but they would simply walk away without even looking over to us. Not once, were we asked for drinks or even had our water glasses refilled. So bad in fact, that my wife gave her water to someone sitting across the table from us (1 hour and not one follow up checking on us). In our end of the table, there were four of us. My wife and her friend wanted to order a pitcher of sangria. Yet, each time drinks were brought to the other end of the table, they would quickly leave, missing our every attempt to get their attention. We were 100% ignored. This became so frustrating that after over 30 minutes trying to get drinks, I left the table to talk to the manager. To jog his memory, one of my comments was that I was never given the chance to be the great customer I could have been. While the service did come after that, there was such a sour experience that we will never go back. Having to leave the table and talk to a manager just to get water refills and drinks is beyond inexcusable. A great disappointment to us and for the regular customers sitting at the other end of the table. No one wants to recommend a place, then have guests treated poorly. Or in this case.... no service at all. The food was fine and the atmosphere was nice. At the cost of $280 for the four of us, this restaurant choice was a mistake. Even now, I am dumbfounded by what happened. Simply the worst service I...

This is as good as any 5-star place can get...

My oldest son swears by this place. He will admit to coming here almost once a month for dinner and I can see why. Located right off the entrance of the Melbourne Square Mall, the restaurant is very elegant without being ostentatious, it offers an outdoor seating area that is truly relaxing, and the rest is simply incredible.

Brazilian steakhouses are known for the variety in cuts of beef, chicken, and pork, they're known for their generous salad offerings, and even for their desserts. This place, however, takes it to another level. I think I tried just about everything they have to offer - sirloin, filet minion, skirt steak, ribs, rib-eye, New York, along with chicken, sausage, pork medallions, and pork ribs - all of it was superb (the filet melted in your mouth). I started off with a salad that I got from the most beautifully presented salad bar I have ever seen. The offerings were vintage Brazilian steakhouse norms - fresh vegetables such as broccoli, green, yellow, and red bell peppers, zucchini, and many others that really are too much to list. For dessert they brought around the dessert plate we all ended up trying either the chocolate lava cake, chocolate mousse cake, key lime pie, or creme brulee. The key lime pie and creme brulee were head-and-shoulders above the rest, but the other items were good as well.

Now, the service - impeccable. From the moment we were greeted to the moment we left we were treated so nicely and literally watched over hand-and-foot. We had no want for water, drinks, clean plates, food, or anything else we asked for. It was an experience I haven't had in quite some time.

Bottom-line: The meal is well worth the price on service alone, but the food is where you will be walking away pleased and satisfied. Already looking forward to...

We came here for Father’s Day for the first time and it was moderately busy, we were seated within a couple of minutes. I have eaten at other Brazilian steakhouses and I expect clear instruction and consistent service. We had a waiter take our drink order, someone brought us our water but we never saw the waiter again. The salad bar was very mediocre: very bland tasting salads (potato salad and a chicken salad I think) and nothing is labeled so you’re playing a guessing game (not great if you have food sensitivities), but the cheese was good. The meat was good overall and they came fairly often - excellent prime rib and ribeye. The sides given at the table were not good, nor asked for (I would prefer being able to pick sides off a preset menu). But like other reviewers mentioned, the mashed potatoes seemed instant and the bananas looked unappetizing. Also, no waiter comes to the table to ask you if you need anything, but a lady came by later to ask if we wanted dessert so we ordered desserts, coffee and a cappuccino. Desserts were delicious but the coffees were not good at all, plus they don’t have cream for coffee, just milk?! A fine restaurant has cream for coffee. Anyways, we received our bill and it was $150 for two people with no “drinks”. Dessert is apparently not included in their $60/person dinner. If the dinner was excellent all around, I would not complain, but it was not. I can get an excellent steak for $40-$50 elsewhere with delicious sides. Will not be back and don’t recommend. One other thing, tables are too close for a comfortable dining experience. You have to be careful not to trip walking by other tables to and from salad bar and I am a...