Churrascaria Estância São Paulo
On our last evening in São Paulo, before heading to the bus terminal for Rio, we ate at Churrascaria Estância’s Catumbi branch. We wanted to experience a Brazilian churrascaria, and this had been recommended as an affordable place popular with families. Dinner began at the buffet and continued with one meat skewer after another at the table. Garlic picanha was our favourite; some of the other meat was tougher than we expected.
A family restaurant recommendation for our last São Paulo dinner
Estância had been suggested to us as a churrascaria where local families could come for a reasonably priced meal. That was the kind of evening we had in mind. We followed the recommendation, ate well before our onward journey and experienced the bustle of meat being carved at the table.
If you are planning several meals in the city, our São Paulo food guide also covers pão de queijo, sandwiches, seafood and ramen.
The buffet: ceviche, salads and more
We started at the buffet. There were salads, mushrooms, sausages, meat dishes and ceviche, with plenty to put on a plate before returning to the table. The spread looked substantial enough to make a meal on its own, but the main meat service was only just beginning.
Our advice for a first visit is to keep that first buffet plate modest. Leave space for the different cuts that will arrive once you sit down.
Green means more meat; red means a pause
A churrascaria is a Brazilian barbecue restaurant. In the rodízio format we experienced here, servers circulate with meat and carve portions at the table. A two-sided card helps you control the flow: green keeps the service coming; red asks the servers to pause.
When we turned the card green, the first ten minutes went by in a rush. We were trying to eat one portion while it was still warm when the next skewer appeared. One waiter left and another arrived. At one point we thought, “They’re almost going to carve it straight into our mouths!”
The pace is entertaining, but trying to keep up makes you full quickly. You can turn the card red while you finish what is already on your plate; there is no need to wait until you are completely full.
Garlic picanha was our favourite
Picanha stood out among the cuts we tried. We were served both plain and garlic versions, and preferred the one with garlic sauce. It was the meat we enjoyed most that evening.
Picanha is the fat-capped beef cut also known in English as top sirloin cap or coulotte. Its distinct layer of fat is useful to recognise when a server brings the skewer to your table.
Tenderness varied between cuts
A few pieces of meat were tender and very enjoyable. Others felt a little tough, and we had to chew longer than we expected. That inconsistency was the clearest drawback of our Estância meal.
The texture of some pieces gave us the impression of meat put straight onto a skewer and cooked with little preparation. That was how it felt to eat; we did not see the ageing or marinating process. What mattered on the plate was that the tenderness we wanted was not there in every cut.
We finished with neat cachaça
We skipped dessert and drank cachaça neat after dinner. A large bottle came to the table for the pour, adding a small performance of its own to the end of the meal.
Cachaça is a Brazilian spirit distilled from fermented sugarcane juice. It is also the base of a caipirinha. Here we tried it on its own, as our final drink of the evening.
Prices: a September 2026 menu reference
We visited in February. The adult rodízio rates below come from a September 2026 menu obtained afterwards. These are historical menu prices; confirm the current Catumbi rate and what it includes before visiting.
| Day and meal | Adult rodízio per person |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday lunch, excluding public holidays | R$94.90 |
| Saturday, Sunday and public-holiday lunch | R$129.90 |
| Sunday and Monday dinner | R$84.90 |
| Tuesday–Saturday dinner | R$89.90 |
That September 2026 menu listed water at R$8.90, a caipirinha at R$29.90 and light draught beer (chopp claro) at R$15.90 as separate items. Ask how drinks and any additional charges are handled on your visit.
Our take on the value
We considered the bill reasonable for the kind of dinner we had been looking for. The buffet, skewers and card-controlled service gave us the churrascaria experience we wanted, and the garlic picanha was a highlight. The tougher pieces remained a disappointment.
We did not regret going. If we were choosing another meat restaurant in São Paulo, though, we would also want to try a different churrascaria. Estância left us with some good bites and an interest in finding more consistent tenderness.
For another kind of Brazilian grill experience, read about our charcoal-grilled garlic chicken at Galeto Sat’s in Rio. There, the cook moved the skewers closer to and further from the fire while we waited for a chance to eat.
Watch our Estância dinner
The meal appears in the final section of our São Paulo food video. The player below begins at 16:50, showing the skewers and the pace of service. The video is in Turkish.
Watch the Estância section on YouTube ↗
Where is Churrascaria Estância Catumbi?
São Paulo – SP, 03021-000, BrazilOpen in Google Maps ↗
Phone: +55 11 2692-2322
Official website ↗
Check current hours, booking arrangements, the rodízio price and drink charges directly with the restaurant. This account covers the Catumbi branch, rather than the separate Campo Belo restaurant.
Before you go
Which Estância branch did we visit?
The Catumbi branch at Rua Catumbi, 1393, Belenzinho, São Paulo. Use that address when checking directions and prices.
How can you try several cuts without rushing?
Take small portions at first and turn the card red whenever you want to finish what is on your plate. You can resume service with the green side.
Which meat did we like most?
The garlic picanha. Both plain and garlic versions were served during our meal, and the garlic one was our preference.
Did we have dessert or a caipirinha?
We finished with neat cachaça and did not order dessert.
About this story
Adapted from our Harbiyiyorum visit account, retaining the photographs and tasting notes. Catumbi’s address and phone were checked against the restaurant’s website on 23 October 2026. The dated menu reference is separate from the February visit.
Keep exploring
Where to Eat in São PauloRead the story ↗
Galeto Sat’s in RioRead the story ↗
Where to Eat in Rio de JaneiroRead the story ↗Support the campaign we run with UNICEF Türkiye. Helping children heal helps the world heal.
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