Houston, Texas
10 Best South American Restaurants in Houston, Texas
Houston’s South American dining options cover Brazilian steakhouses, Argentine and Uruguayan grills, Peruvian specialties, empanadas and lively Latin fusion. This comparison focuses on the meal format and flavors described for each restaurant, helping you choose with a specific occasion in mind.
Our method for this guide
Three things shape this list: whether a business truly does what you are looking for, how customers regard it over time and how openly it explains the way it works.
No business can pay to be included. Those already in the guide may buy extra visibility, and it is always shown.
Complete list
Compare 10 South American Restaurants in Houston, Texas
Casa do Brasil
Casa do Brasil is a traditional Brazilian steakhouse built around all-you-can-eat grilled meats, sides and a salad bar. Its full experience includes tableside service and a selection of 15 cuts, including USDA Prime aged beef, New Zealand halal lamb, chicken, pork and grilled shrimp. The restaurant also offers private dining, event programming, cocktails and family-oriented specials on select days.
Notable strengths: The menu includes 15 cuts spanning beef, halal lamb, chicken, pork and shrimp
Diners who want an all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse experienceGroups planning private dining or larger celebrations2800 Sage Rd Ste A100, Houston, TX 77056, United StatesFogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse is an upscale Brazilian restaurant centered on all-you-can-eat meat carved tableside and an extensive salad bar. Houston diners can choose it for celebrations and group meals, with a format that combines a wide selection of freshly cut meats, a substantial salad bar and attentive table service.
Notable strengths: Combines all-you-can-eat tableside meat service with an extensive salad bar
Celebrations and group meals built around tableside-carved meats8250 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77063, United StatesChama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse
Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse is an upscale Brazilian restaurant featuring all-you-can-eat tableside-carved meat and a global wine list. Its experience centers on continuously served cuts such as picanha, with a salad bar, sides, drinks and desserts rounding out the meal. It suits special occasions, relaxed dinners and steak-focused diners who want varied cuts served hot at the table.
Notable strengths: Serves all-you-can-eat meat continuously at the table
Steak lovers seeking tableside-carved Brazilian meatsSpecial occasions and dinners with an upscale settingDiners who want all-you-can-eat variety with a salad bar and global wines5865 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057, United StatesThe Original Marini's Empanada House
The Original Marini's Empanada House serves empanadas fried to order with savory and sweet fillings at a counter-service spot. Choices include Beef Gaucho, spinach, ham and cheese, tuna, chicken and Texas BBQ, with alfajores, lentil soup and sangria also represented in the menu descriptions. It suits diners seeking a quick snack or a varied assortment.
Notable strengths: Empanadas are fried to order with a broad range of fillings
Diners seeking freshly made Argentinian empanadasGroups wanting a mix of savory and sweet fillings10001 Westheimer Rd #2570, Houston, TX 77042, United StatesPampa Grill and Market
Pampa Grill and Market is a modest, family-run eatery in Spring Branch specializing in traditional Argentine cuisine, including breaded steaks. The menu is complemented by a small market and bakery, while customer accounts describe meat, empanadas, soup, desserts and coffee. The intimate setting can include live music on certain nights, giving the restaurant a distinctly Argentine dining and shopping experience.
Notable strengths: The business combines a restaurant with a small market and bakery
Diners seeking traditional Argentine food in an intimate settingVisitors who want Argentine groceries or bakery items alongside a meal10111 Hammerly Blvd, Houston, TX 77080, United StatesSaldivia's South American Grill
Saldivia's South American Grill is a family-run restaurant serving Argentinian and Uruguayan specialties, including grilled meats and fish. Parrillada, steak, short rib, sausage, chicken, salmon, lentil soup, chimichurri and Uruguayan wine appear among the described choices. Its relaxed dining room suits families, groups and diners seeking generous South American meals with attentive service.
Notable strengths: Features grilled South American meats and Uruguayan wine
Diners seeking Argentinian or Uruguayan specialtiesGuests who enjoy grilled meats, fish and parrilladaGroups wanting a relaxed restaurant with room for different party sizes10850 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77042, United StatesTraveler's Table
Traveler's Table is a Houston restaurant serving modern spins on global dishes, including Pad Thai and Jamaican Jerk Pork, in an eclectic setting. Its broad menu brings together flavors associated with cuisines from around the world, with dishes such as crab samosas, Caribbean braised oxtails, Brazilian shrimp moqueca and jerk chicken and waffles represented in its dining selection.
Notable strengths: Combines modern interpretations of dishes from multiple world cuisines
Diners who want global flavors in one restaurantGroups interested in sharing a broad range of dishes520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006, United StatesLatin Bites
Latin Bites is a Houston South American restaurant presenting Peruvian classics such as ceviche and lomo saltado in an elegant setting with colorful decor and a pisco bar. It suits diners seeking traditional Peruvian flavors, fresh ceviche, substantial mains, and fruit-based drinks. The menu also includes dishes such as ají de gallina, arroz chaufa, causa limeña, jalea, and fried yuca.
Notable strengths: Pairs Peruvian cooking with an on-site pisco bar
Diners seeking Peruvian classicsCelebratory meals with colorful surroundings and a pisco barGuests looking for ceviche, lomo saltado, or other substantial mains5709 Woodway Dr B, Houston, TX 77057, United StatesMamajuana Cafe
Mamajuana Cafe brings Caribbean, Latin, and South American flavors together with an Asian-influenced fusion menu in Houston’s Downtown neighborhood. It suits diners seeking a lively meal with cocktails, dessert, live music, or dancing, as well as groups using private dining or catering. The restaurant also offers brunch, lunch, dinner, vegan and vegetarian options, and a loyalty program.
Notable strengths: Fusion of Caribbean and Asian flavors
Lively dinners, dancing, and live-music outingsGroups, celebrations, and private events909 Texas St Ste E, Houston, TX 77002, United StatesSal y Pimienta Kitchen
Sal y Pimienta Kitchen is a Houston Uruguayan restaurant serving modern takes on South American classics in rustic-chic surroundings. Its menu suits diners seeking grilled meats, hearty shared meals and distinctive desserts, with reported favorites including mixed grill, skirt steak, lamb, chimichurri, milanesa napolitana, ossobuco and four-leches dessert. The setting also works for company dinners and relaxed lunches.
Notable strengths: Modern spins on classic Uruguayan and South American fare
Groups sharing grilled meats and South American dishesDiners looking for a polished yet relaxed company-dinner settingCity Centre, 818 Town and Country Blvd Ste 105, Houston, TX 77024, United States
The numbers on the map match the positions in the list.
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Dining styles represented in the comparison
- Brazilian rodizio diningCasa do Brasil, Fogo de Chão and Chama Gaúcha center on all-you-can-eat grilled meats, tableside service and salad bars. Casa do Brasil describes 15 cuts, while Chama Gaúcha includes a global wine list.
- Argentine and Uruguayan grillsPampa Grill and Market pairs traditional Argentine food with a market and bakery. Saldivia’s South American Grill offers Argentine and Uruguayan specialties, and Sal y Pimienta Kitchen presents modern versions of Uruguayan classics.
- Peruvian specialtiesLatin Bites serves ceviche, lomo saltado, ají de gallina, arroz chaufa, causa limeña and other named dishes, alongside a pisco bar and colorful setting.
- Fresh empanadas and quick mealsThe Original Marini’s Empanada House fries empanadas to order with savory and sweet fillings, and also lists alfajores, lentil soup and sangria.
- Lively Latin fusionMamajuana Cafe combines Caribbean, Latin and South American flavors with Asian influence, cocktails, live music, dancing, brunch, vegan and vegetarian options.
- Broad global menusTraveler’s Table offers modern interpretations from several world cuisines, including Brazilian shrimp moqueca, Caribbean oxtails and Jamaican jerk dishes.
How to choose a South American restaurant in Houston
- Choose the cuisine firstPick Brazilian for rodizio service, Argentine or Uruguayan for grills and parrillada, Peruvian for ceviche and lomo saltado, or empanadas for a focused snack.
- Decide whether you want table service or counter serviceThe steakhouses describe tableside carving, while Marini’s is a counter-service option built around freshly prepared empanadas.
- Match the restaurant to the occasionPrivate dining and larger celebrations are described at Casa do Brasil and Mamajuana Cafe; Sal y Pimienta Kitchen suits company dinners and relaxed lunches.
- Look beyond the main dishConsider salad bars, bakeries, markets, pisco, global wines, desserts, cocktails or live entertainment when the meal is meant to be an experience.
- Check practical details before goingThe supplied notes mention a small, intimate dining room at Pampa Grill and a call-ahead requirement for parties of 11 or more at Casa do Brasil.
Frequent questions
Which Houston South American restaurants specialize in Brazilian steakhouse dining?
Casa do Brasil, Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse and Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse - Houston all describe all-you-can-eat grilled meats with tableside service.
Where can I find Peruvian food in this comparison?
Latin Bites is the clearest Peruvian option, with ceviche, lomo saltado, ají de gallina, causa limeña and a pisco bar.
Where can I get Argentine empanadas?
The Original Marini’s Empanada House focuses on fried-to-order empanadas with both savory and sweet fillings.
Which choices work for groups or celebrations?
Casa do Brasil offers private dining and event programming, Mamajuana Cafe lists private dining and catering, and Sal y Pimienta Kitchen is described as suitable for company dinners.
