Fazenda London

Fazenda - the South American dining experience known for its table-side rodizio - has branches across the country, but it’s the Bishopsgate branch that has all the bells and whistles. Close to Liverpool Street station, it’s great for an after-work dinner or a late, long lunch, which is how this cuisine should be enjoyed - with no time limits.

The contemporary ground floor-bar offers a place to start off with a cocktail. We tried the Sour Birdie, an extremely drinkable pisco sour made with Portobello Road Gin with a light, floral aftertaste. Upstairs, the atmosphere cranks up a notch with sinkable, leather booths and soft lighting, which works well with the busy mix of diners.

Of course, we opted for the full rodizio experience and were advised to take it easy on the starters – a tip we were glad to heed. But, we were intrigued by the one-bite appetisers such as the wagyu beef éclair with chimichurri mayo, which was a pleasingly chewy, mouthful of flavour. Onto the rodizio and there are 12 different options to try. We didn’t make it through them all, but the picanha was really tasty. Encased in a thin, crisp, salty crust – it’s a melt-in-your-mouth taste that carnivores will give a big thumbs up to. The barriga de porco (pork belly) was succulent, and the peito de pato (duck breast) offers a unique way to enjoy duck, with its rich flavour intensified by the cooking technique. Alongside the rodizio there’s a range of sides, hot and cold, and a market table with salads, so there’s plenty of accompaniments for your mains. For us, the mix of black beans with chorizo, bacon and biquinho peppers was great for dipping into during breaks.

All in all, the restaurant ticked the boxes on good food, friendly staff and a nice atmosphere, but it does feel like a chain. If you’re keen to try rodizio in the heart of The City, we’d recommend for an after-work dinner, but perhaps not quite right for a special birthday meal out.

Located in the heart of the City of London, Fazenda is a Brazilian steakhouse and rodizio. Not its first rodeo, Fazenda is gradually working its way around the country with sites popping up mainly in the north with this London address being the group's first venture down south. The décor remains the same as the other branches throughout, focusing on dark woods, leather seating and mood lighting through the addition of plenty of candles.

At Fazenda, you’re in charge of the portion sizes and there are only two rules here – green means more, red means stop. This is a restaurant where healthy appetites are essential, as the food is limitless and excess is encouraged. Upon arrival, each guest is given a metal paperweight, used to signal to the passadores (meat chefs) if you want more meat delivering or you're happy with your fill.

The menu offers a mix of Brazilian and Argentinian meats, with beef, lamb, pork, chicken and more. Expect the likes of lamb picanha, chicken thighs, beef rump and pork collar with honey, with indulgent cuts on offer including roasted bone marrow, grilled lobster, and Wagyu, for an extra cost. For sides, diners can delve into freshly-prepared salads and vegetables from its market table, bringing Brazilian flavours through a variety of charcuterie and cheeses.

Of course, with meat-free diets being so prominent now, even the more carnivorous restaurants need to cater for everyone. Beetroot and goat’s cheese pasta, vegetable moqueca and truffle risotto all hit the menu, offering alternatives for the veggie and plant-based easters. There’s also a specific seafood section available, and halal options are also possible. With everyone covered, Fazenda lends itself as the perfect spot to meet with friends, no matter your dietary requirement.