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Samba Brazilian Grill, Madison, WI
Samba Brazilian Grill, Madison, WI
Samba Brazilian Grill, Madison, WI
Samba Brazilian Grill, Madison, WI
Samba Brazilian Grill, Madison, WI

Samba Brazilian Grill

4.6
4.6
926 Reviews
$50 and over
Brazilian Steakhouse
For those of you who are not current or former gauchos who roam the prairies of Brazil, you might need an explanation of our style of service. At the end on a long day of work tending to cattle and stock, Brazilian cowboys (Gauchos) and their families would prepare great feasts. They would skewer various meats, roast them over a fire pit and bring them to the table for carving. There would be a bounty of seasonal vegetables, stews and salads using fresh ingredients from the fruits of their labor.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 21 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Brazilian Steakhouse, Brazilian
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (608) 257-1111
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Customized to your desires.
  • Private party facilities
    Private Dining for 10-250 guests. Several private and semi-private options. Entire restaurant also available for large functions/weddings.
  • Private party contact
    Shane Allen: (608) 275-1111
  • Neighborhood
    Madison
  • Cross street
    State Street
  • Parking details
    Parking in the lot adjacent to our restaurant is reservable.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 926 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Madison

    Good for business meals

  • Madison

    Innovative

  • Madison

    Good for groups

  • Madison

    Healthy

  • Madison

    Great for fine wines

  • Madison

    Good for special occasions

  • Madison

    Most Booked

926 Reviews
  1. JCdubs

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We have been to Samba a handful of times over the past 10 years. This was one of the best experiences, great staff, food was extra tasty. Salad bar was well stocked and clean. I'm happy that the restaurant is still doing well.

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  2. RonW

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding! The quality and quantity of the food was amazing. So many meats! And the grilled pineapple was one of the best things I've ever had. Staff and service was remarkable. Would definitely recommend to everyone!

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  3. LoraB

    Milwaukee

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    The variety was nice. The quality was good. The vegetable options were cold.

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  4. GFDiner

    Milwaukee

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Every year we bring our family to Samba's for Thanksgiving dinner, and every year it is awesome! The grilled meat is great. Thank you for adding allergy notes to items on the salad bar, that is really helpful for us. The environment is pleasant, and the staff are wonderful. Thank you so much!

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  5. ChiyonG

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We enjoyed well n it was a great choice for thanksgiving dinner. Also it was very thankful that opened on holiday which is very nice for foreigners or small family members. I hope samba opens on x mas eve too. Thank you.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome food. Awesome service! We cannot wait until we can go back for more.

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  7. JohnL

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 19, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience3
    Reception didn’t smile although we were seated quickly. The server didn’t seem overly friendly and we didn’t see her that often. Long wait to get drinks. Food was really good and we received numerous stops for the different meats.

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  8. EricG

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is one of the best dining experiences I think I've ever had. I honestly found it inspirational; I went home with three ideas of recipes I wanted to try for myself.

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  9. DonovanB

    Chicago

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall1food1service5ambience3
    Salad bar wasn’t didn’t have a lot of selection, all the meats served to us that night was severely under cooked but if you like blue rare cooked meats this is your place. Cocktails that were served to us were very heavy on liquor and lime juice, we tryed multiple different drinks that night all were not mixed correctly. The best thing they served that night was the grilled pineapple!!! Service was great though, servers deserve a raise for sure!

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  10. Yenile

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    For a big group this is great and for someone who can consume a lot at once also. I am not someone who eats a lot at once so it was poor value for my money but it was a great experience.

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  11. Eatsoutalot

    Minneapolis

    38 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    The server was very good and made great recommendations! I liked how dimly lit the location was, a few of the beef selections were amazing, pork was a little dry, lamb was a little burnt, the sausage was salty. The salad bar was OK- nothing amazing  but it was also somewhat reasonable.

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  12. Julie

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience2
    Overall service sucked. We were 4 min late for our 7pm reservation and we ended up not getting seated until 730pm. It then took the server 10 min to get to our table to take our drink order, and another 10 min to get my drink. We just wanted to get out of there, and we didn't get our check for another 15 min after a person (not our server) asked if we were waiting for something. The meat was good, but I was less than impressed with the salad bar. If you want to go to a good Brazilian steakhouse, this isn't it.

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  13. ElizabethC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 25, 2023

    overall4food4service2ambience4
    Server was either drunk or messed up on pills or something? I understood maybe half of what he said. Seems like he could barely keep his eyes open or focused? Saw him cough 3 different times . Once into his bare hand while serving another table and twice without covering his mouth. Food was decent . I would like to visit again but hopefully with a different server .

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  14. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Mouthwatering food! They have an excellent salad bar but it is tough to take up that meat space.

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  15. MichaelB

    Milwaukee

    17 reviews

    4.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on October 18, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Went with a business group of 12. Everyone enjoyed the offerings, meat, pineapple, drinks, food/salad bar. Some areas of the restaurant could be updated yet it is still holding strong to what you go to Samba for. Thank you!

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  16. CarissaP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great way to celebrate special occasion. Come with an empty stomach!!

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 14, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    Meat selection and taste wonderful but the salad bar needs more common sides. No blue cheese dressing, gravy would be nice. More bread options needed.

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  18. Scott

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Calling it a “salad bar” sells it woefully short, but regardless, Samba’s salad bar is the best ever. Anywhere. For any normal human, that salad bar provides enough for a satisfying meal. Then, there are the gauchos with the rodizio meats. Tender, perfectly seasoned cuts that delight and surprise. Honey balsamic flank steak. Dry rubbed tri-tip. Even the humble chicken leg. How can they all be SO GOOD? Choose your level of indulgence. There are no wrong answers once you’ve decided to dine at Samba.

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  19. ThePerspective

    Chicago

    36 reviews

    5.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent meats, well prepared and presented. Tenderloin is especially wonderful. We dined upstairs and our waiter/bartender was thoughtful and courteous.

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  20. CarrieA

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Great way to try a variety of foods. Fresh farm to table in gluten free! Fantastic service. Some of the best in Madison

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  21. MarkH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Female bartender made a wonderful Korbel old fashioned sweet for my first drink at the bar (that her grandfather showed her how to make). My second drink of the same kind was not nearly as good. Quality of drinks between bartenders could be improved. Food was wonderful as well as the service. Across the street park is getting shadier and shadier. Something needs to be done for your customers to feel safe.

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  22. Kyle

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 30, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Samba is a great place to go for any event or every now and then nice dinner. Same cuts of meat and salad bar every day, no changes really ever. A lot of food and unlimited amounts of it.

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  23. AdrianM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and even better service. Wonderful place to celebrate a birthday.

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience4
    Me and my Mother went to eat here it was nice we were quickly seated the server very quickly ran through how the restaurant was oriented we left to our first self serving to the buffet tables very organized and very detailed and when the meat came out very simple and very efficient very filling too I enjoyed it all around very nice.

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  25. NancyA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great experience! The meats kept coming! Tenderloin was my favorite. Nice way to try different cuts, rubs, etc. Awesome salad bar too! Highly recommend and will definitely go back! All servers were exceptional! Great chocolate martini!!!

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  26. KatK

    Kansas City

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Samba is one of the nicest restaurants in Madison. We highly recommend it to discerning foodies!

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  27. OpenTable Diner

    Milwaukee

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Come hungry and you wont be disappointed. Vegans stay away 😂

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  28. StevenO

    New Mexico

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Over the years we’ve been to Samba several times. This time it seemed extra festive and the food was exceptionally good. An excellent selection of sides and the various meats were all choice cuts.

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  29. AmberB

    Unspecified

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    4 stars mainly was because the drinks we ordered were overly sweet. Once even a little bit warm not very good. Both drinks we ordered were this way. Also my glass when it came was soooo sticky, it made me not want to touch the glass.

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  30. GWenn

    Milwaukee

    5 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience5
    The restaurant is cool. The food was good. The gauchos worked hard. Our table server was ok - didn't really check on us. Overall I think it would be better if you got a little sample of each item being served to know what you like/want more of. It wasn't til the very end we got 2 of the selections and several at our table preferred these to other items we got earlier - or at least make sure all options are circulated within the first 10-15 minutes so people have options. The grilled pineapple is phenomenal.

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  31. NickZ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is delicious a true carnivore’s dream meal and the service is spectacular.

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  32. BrandonL

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    A lot of undercooked meat was served. I can confidently say we decided to not eat more than half of the meat that was served.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Had a good experience. Service was great and the food was good. Some of the meats were over cooked a little, but overall it was very good.

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  34. MiltonP

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Everything was delicious, I would've liked a bigger salad bar with a few more choices, but that's just my preference. I would still recommend as everything was good.

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  35. Jennifer

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 4, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience3
    The leg of lamb was fantastic! I also really enjoyed the sirloin and honey flank steak. Sausage wasn’t very good. Did not like the Parmesan pork, too dry. Chicken curry salad and Brazilian black stew were really tasty. Didn’t care for most of the other salad table items. Sugar and cinnamon pineapple SO good. Very expensive for what you end up eating. Cocktails were alright.

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  36. MaxA

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 3, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience5
    Went here once before and had a great experience. This past time I took my partner on a date, and nothing was up to par from my last experience. Flank steak and lamb was fishy, chicken wasn’t very well seasoned (though cooked well), and everything else was subpar. Love the concept, still had fun, but wish the food was better.

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  37. ChipSkylark

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was enjoyable. The ambiance, the food, the service, not to mention how perfect the lighting was. I’ll definitely be back for more!

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  38. BrittanyS

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 22, 2023

    overall3food1service5ambience2
    Waiter was great. Food was not the best. Being up top got little attention. Parking was a nightmare

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  39. Annie

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was delicious, salad bar was top notch, the chocolate cake dessert was delectable. Staff was super helpful and lovely and I loved the decor, great for a date night if you can swing it (it's on the expensive side).

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  40. ShaunH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time for us and it was fantastic. I never went without a drink and the food was amazing.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
  • Physical distancing

    • Extra space between tables

FAQs

Samba Brazilian Grill is rated 4.6 stars by 926 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 21 times today
Google Map for Samba Brazilian Grill

240 W Gilman St, Madison, WI 53703

Additional information

  • Cross street
    State Street
  • Neighborhood
    Madison
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Brazilian Steakhouse, Brazilian
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Parking in the lot adjacent to our restaurant is reservable.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (608) 257-1111
  • Catering
    Customized to your desires.
  • Private party facilities
    Private Dining for 10-250 guests. Several private and semi-private options. Entire restaurant also available for large functions/weddings.
  • Private party contact
    Shane Allen: (608) 275-1111
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