(713) 528-1993

2604 Dunlavy St
Houston, TX 77006 29.7427 -95.4022

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Neighborhoods: Neartown/ Montrose, Central

BRASILCAFE.NET

Hours:

Monday To Sunday From 08:00 AM To 02:00 AM

Price:

$$

Last updated 8.05.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Breakfast, Family-Friendly Dining, Outdoor Dining, Lunch Spot, Group Dining, Live Music

Cuisine:

Brazilian, Vegetarian

What People Are Saying About Brasil

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Contemporary art by local artisans adorns the walls, and tiny metal tables with South American Kokopelli-type creatures carved into the tops line a performance area, with larger tables to accommodate larger groups. Brasil frequently hosts musicians of all persuasions, from fusion jazz to experimental noise to ambient grooves. You might be able to catch a traveling poetry slam team or a group of local poets and writers giving a public reading. – – The Food – If you get a yen for refreshments during the entertainment, Brasil boasts a wide selection of coffee,…

Editor's Tips

Parking:
Expect to park a street or two into the surrounding Montrose neighborhood most nights, as Brasil has no designated parking.
ambiance
80.0% positive
  1. Brasil Cafe's location is convenient to my office and home, and its food is often acceptable.
  2. Great coffee, food, atmosphere
  3. It's so relaxed and the servers are really friendly-- and of course they're going to joke around and have fun sometimes!
  4. Great atmosphere!
  5. like the ambience.
  6. NO parking, rude staff
  7. The atmosphere is pleasant, and if you hit it at a time when they aren't busy, they are pretty nice and generally leave you alone.
  8. The food was okay, the atmosphere is alright but the service is NOT good!
  9. The decor is nice, the food is tasty, and the counter service is friendly; the owner, however, is a sharp contrast to the seemingly positive environment.
  10. Fantastic ambience, always (past tense) great service.
  11. great atmosphere
  12. The atmosphere is great and the staff is always delightful!
  13. Friendly neighborhood joint; great ambiance
  14. Excellent location!
  15. good food, good wine, great ambience
  16. Otherwise, like always, everything was great- especially the ambience.
  17. It's ashame, because the location is really great.
  18. It's such a unique atmosphere/menu/music/crowd, I really hate to see it bashed in other ratings below.
  19. The atmosphere is so relaxing, and it's just a really cool place.
  20. I've been to Brasil several times, and though parking and crowding can be a problem I've never had any of the poor experiences that others claim they have had.
  21. have yet to be disappointed by any menu item and REALLY enjoy the atmosphere.
  22. am not sure what the hell the other reviewers are talking about but it is seriously is ridiculous to expect fantastic parking ON Westheimer.
  23. the eclectic, laid-back vibe of brasil has all the special features of a hole-in-the-wall quaint coffee hotspot: interesting art work displayed ever so often, live indie music on friday/saturday nites, a cozy garden-like patio cloaked in chaotic shrubery
  24. best salad, best pizza, lovely ambiance
  25. have been going to Brasil for years, and they consistently serve great food in an ultra cool atmosphere.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. The pie was seasoned well, and the salad was delicious.
  2. The food is okay, but I come for the great coffee (better than Starbucks, in my opinion) and desserts).
  3. The desserts are a perfect pairing for a nice cup of coffee here.
  4. As much as I've always loved the great space, fresh flower arrangements, wonderfully strong Cuban coffee, amazing deserts and food, and the gallery type walls, I won't be going back any time soon - at least not until the management/owner is less abrasive.
  5. Coffee is good, desserts are good, some food is great.
drinks
89.39000129699707% positive
  1. Some of the staff may seem aloof and too cool for their own good, but that is all easily forgiven when you are (finally) served your monstrous (and delicious) coffee and scrumptious sandwich or pizza.
  2. As much as I've always loved the great space, fresh flower arrangements, wonderfully strong Cuban coffee, amazing deserts and food, and the gallery type walls, I won't be going back any time soon - at least not until the management/owner is less abrasive.
  3. Food and coffee are the best here; that's the main reason I keep coming.
  4. The owner does not like people to sit and take their time to enjoy the food and drink.
  5. like the coffee.
  6. The coffee is also great.
  7. Their coffee is the best in town, after tast most of coffee shop in town.
  8. They've also got a good wine and beer selection.
  9. Quality coffee and good food portion
  10. great place to enjoy a cup of coffee or a pint of beer with friends.
  11. Great coffee, food, atmosphere
  12. the eclectic, laid-back vibe of brasil has all the special features of a hole-in-the-wall quaint coffee hotspot: interesting art work displayed ever so often, live indie music on friday/saturday nites, a cozy garden-like patio cloaked in chaotic shrubery
  13. Shitty service, good coffee
  14. The desserts are a perfect pairing for a nice cup of coffee here.
  15. Some bar people are nice, others don't care.
  16. Great pizza, very good coffee drinks, and a very nice patio when the weather is good.
  17. Theyve got an eclectic menu, good food and music, and a beer selection that cant be found at most any restaurant, but the poor service is the one thing that I remember about the place.
  18. This place has everything - from espresso, croissants and quiche at 8am, to wine, beer and live music at 9pm and all sorts of delicious food.
  19. love Brasil- Great coffee, free music, and wonderful staff.
  20. Love the plants, the cut flowers, the wood bar, the concrete floor.
  21. Great salads and beer
  22. Brasil Cafe's back patio is perfect for outdoor movies on summer evenings, the wine is good and also inexpensive, and the food is good too.
  23. They have great coffee and good food.
  24. Love the scones and coffee.
  25. After retrieving my now cold sandwich from the bar, I ate half of it before I had to pull a freaking strand of hair from my mouth (very fine, and an auburn color: definitely not mine).
  26. lovely shop with great coffee and food - a perfect place to hang with friends, finish a project or just be.
  27. have yet to have a bad experience with the food, management, bar staff, crowd, etc.
  28. the food and coffee list is quite limited though, but you will find some pleasant pastries to snack on.
  29. really like coming to Brasil for their excellent chicken salad sandwich and that superb red tea (can't remember the name but it's tart and good).
  30. Look for all kinds of beer and wine and digestives (porto, etc) as well the amazing chicken salad and med salad plate.
  31. That way I can enjoy the great food and awesome coffee without someone complaining
  32. Service can be a little slow because there were two employees handling the drinks and cash register.
  33. The food is great, the beer selection awesome, and the scene is entertaining.
  34. The coffee is good, the food is excellent, though the kitchen closes at midnight, where is is open til 2.
  35. Their coffee is superb.
  36. The food is okay, but I come for the great coffee (better than Starbucks, in my opinion) and desserts).
  37. The coffee is always good.
  38. good food, good wine, great ambience
  39. The coffee is awesome, I love their Mocha lattes and their fruit Tart is to die for!
  40. Good coffee and pretty good food.
  41. Its a great place to just stop by, have some coffee, and continue shopping at the great little Montrose shops.
  42. Anyways, it's a stylish place with great drinks and pizza, and I love the outdoor patio!
  43. The best coffee shop for me & my friend
  44. The food is great, drinks are great, music is great.
food quality
87.44000434875488% positive
  1. This place has everything - from espresso, croissants and quiche at 8am, to wine, beer and live music at 9pm and all sorts of delicious food.
  2. The owner does not like people to sit and take their time to enjoy the food and drink.
  3. Great pizza, very good coffee drinks, and a very nice patio when the weather is good.
  4. Every time I've been to Brasil the staff has been friendly and the food is great.
  5. Oh yes, one Sunday when the line waiting for fresh home-made breads and omelets was out the front door, owner Dan (no change there!)
  6. They have some of the BEST pizza in town.
  7. I'd highly recommend the four-cheese pizza or a spicy chicken salad sandwich on foccacia.
  8. Good coffee and pretty good food.
  9. The food is consistently good and the staff is always nice but maybe that is because we are nice to them.
  10. Great food.
  11. The food is good , but inconsistant.
  12. really like coming to Brasil for their excellent chicken salad sandwich and that superb red tea (can't remember the name but it's tart and good).
  13. The coffee is good, the food is excellent, though the kitchen closes at midnight, where is is open til 2.
  14. the food and coffee list is quite limited though, but you will find some pleasant pastries to snack on.
  15. Anyways, it's a stylish place with great drinks and pizza, and I love the outdoor patio!
  16. give Brasil one star- only because they have good food.
  17. Brasil Cafe's back patio is perfect for outdoor movies on summer evenings, the wine is good and also inexpensive, and the food is good too.
  18. The decor is nice, the food is tasty, and the counter service is friendly; the owner, however, is a sharp contrast to the seemingly positive environment.
  19. good food, good wine, great ambience
  20. That way I can enjoy the great food and awesome coffee without someone complaining
  21. The food is okay, but I come for the great coffee (better than Starbucks, in my opinion) and desserts).
  22. The pie was seasoned well, and the salad was delicious.
  23. They are always friendly to my daughter and I have never had a bad meal.
  24. Great porch and beautiful indoor seating, and the food is much better than standard coffeehouse fare.
  25. The pizzas are scrumptious, as well.
  26. Some of the staff may seem aloof and too cool for their own good, but that is all easily forgiven when you are (finally) served your monstrous (and delicious) coffee and scrumptious sandwich or pizza.
  27. On the menu I would recommend the humus & pita chips, ceasar salad, spicy chicken salad, bleu cheese BLT.
  28. They have great coffee and good food.
  29. Their smoked turkey sandwiches are excellent with a choice of focaccia or ciabatta bread.
  30. The food is great, the beer selection awesome, and the scene is entertaining.
  31. Coffee is good, desserts are good, some food is great.
  32. But lots of places have good food- the Empire Cafe is right down the street and they have good stuff too.
  33. have been going to Brasil for years, and they consistently serve great food in an ultra cool atmosphere.
  34. Highly recommend -- we are here at least once a week for a meal.
  35. Theyve got an eclectic menu, good food and music, and a beer selection that cant be found at most any restaurant, but the poor service is the one thing that I remember about the place.
  36. and then as i was going to order some food.
  37. love the Eggs Benedict and the crawfish etouffee with eggs (it was a special) was surprisingly good.
  38. The food is great , inexpensive.
  39. Service is friendly and food is good.
  40. cold sandwich reflects poorly on the whole place.
  41. have yet to have a bad experience with the food, management, bar staff, crowd, etc.
  42. Brasil is definitely a breath of fresh air in Houston.
  43. the food is great, atomosphere laid back, and on a cool fall night the patio is one of the best places in the city to sit and talk with friends or have a date.
  44. The food here is great.
  45. They used to have the best sandwiches, but they changed the bread now you can't even get wheat anymore.
  46. Quality coffee and good food portion
  47. Brasil Cafe's location is convenient to my office and home, and its food is often acceptable.
  48. The food was okay, the atmosphere is alright but the service is NOT good!
  49. Look for all kinds of beer and wine and digestives (porto, etc) as well the amazing chicken salad and med salad plate.
  50. The food is great, drinks are great, music is great.
  51. The food is quite good.
  52. As much as I've always loved the great space, fresh flower arrangements, wonderfully strong Cuban coffee, amazing deserts and food, and the gallery type walls, I won't be going back any time soon - at least not until the management/owner is less abrasive.
  53. Their pizzas are great too!
  54. Great pizza
  55. There are tons of options for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike and the pizzas are amazing.
  56. lovely shop with great coffee and food - a perfect place to hang with friends, finish a project or just be.
  57. Anyway, for years I dismissed that constant background drumbeat of ongoing complaints about owner Dan Fergus as the result of confusion, perhaps a misunderstanding of his wry humor, or maybe even the result of bad behavior by the complaining customers, an
  58. Great coffee, food, atmosphere
  59. The food was delicious and extremely fresh, and the service was very friendly.
  60. some woman who had her food already came right in front of me and started complaining she does not like her food and that she wants something else.
  61. best salad, best pizza, lovely ambiance
  62. After retrieving my now cold sandwich from the bar, I ate half of it before I had to pull a freaking strand of hair from my mouth (very fine, and an auburn color: definitely not mine).
  63. cant, however, since service and food, together, make a dining experience enjoyable.
  64. If your high maintenance please go to La Strada for brunch, if you are a normal decent human being then I won't mind waiting behind you in line for good food.
  65. Great food, awesome service.
menu variety
95.83000183105469% positive
  1. have yet to be disappointed by any menu item and REALLY enjoy the atmosphere.
  2. The food is great, the beer selection awesome, and the scene is entertaining.
  3. On the menu I would recommend the humus & pita chips, ceasar salad, spicy chicken salad, bleu cheese BLT.
  4. Theyve got an eclectic menu, good food and music, and a beer selection that cant be found at most any restaurant, but the poor service is the one thing that I remember about the place.
  5. They've also got a good wine and beer selection.
  6. It's such a unique atmosphere/menu/music/crowd, I really hate to see it bashed in other ratings below.
  7. There are tons of options for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike and the pizzas are amazing.
  8. Great spot with unique menu items
overall
92.41999626159668% positive
  1. Brasil is a nice place to hang out and relax.
  2. What a great gathering place!
  3. all staff have always been great and eclectic in their own way which blends in with the place.
  4. still, if you can ignore it, its a nice place to just hang out.
  5. Theyve got an eclectic menu, good food and music, and a beer selection that cant be found at most any restaurant, but the poor service is the one thing that I remember about the place.
  6. Its a great place to just stop by, have some coffee, and continue shopping at the great little Montrose shops.
  7. This is a nice, artsy place, with a poor attitudes.
  8. great place to enjoy a cup of coffee or a pint of beer with friends.
  9. great place
  10. lovely shop with great coffee and food - a perfect place to hang with friends, finish a project or just be.
  11. Otherwise, it's a nice place to just chill out with a friend or group of friends.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. OK, I really hope that all of the idiots who wrote bad reviews never come back because I love, love, love this place and would like the lines to be shorter.
service
58.17999839782715% positive
  1. Fantastic ambience, always (past tense) great service.
  2. Maybe those that complain about the rude service should check themselves.
  3. The service at Brasil's was absolutely horrible.
  4. The atmosphere is great and the staff is always delightful!
  5. If the service is so terrible then why is it so freakin packed ALL day EVERY day.
  6. (Re: service I've yet to ever see if this is true or not, because I've NEVER had good service here).
  7. Every time I've been to Brasil the staff has been friendly and the food is great.
  8. Service can be a little slow because there were two employees handling the drinks and cash register.
  9. cant, however, since service and food, together, make a dining experience enjoyable.
  10. Theyve got an eclectic menu, good food and music, and a beer selection that cant be found at most any restaurant, but the poor service is the one thing that I remember about the place.
  11. Arrogant pretentious staff - decent
  12. Perhaps it's because I've spent so much of my own money there over so many years, and brought so many friends and family, business colleages and clients as new customers, that I have not ~ until today ~ been on the receiving end of the rude customer treat
  13. They treat you badly there and do not care about good customer service.
  14. all staff have always been great and eclectic in their own way which blends in with the place.
  15. Disgustingly rude management.
  16. have never received bad service here.
  17. don't know what all these people saying the service is rude are talking about.
  18. The food is consistently good and the staff is always nice but maybe that is because we are nice to them.
  19. The decor is nice, the food is tasty, and the counter service is friendly; the owner, however, is a sharp contrast to the seemingly positive environment.
  20. I love dogs , people not so much.
  21. the crowd is friendly, for the most part.
  22. Some of the staff may seem aloof and too cool for their own good, but that is all easily forgiven when you are (finally) served your monstrous (and delicious) coffee and scrumptious sandwich or pizza.
  23. The food was delicious and extremely fresh, and the service was very friendly.
  24. Starting with the rude staff, The persons behind the counter seemed to be put out to be bothered with waiting on anyone, it took two requests to get a table cleaned so we could be seated.
  25. Service is friendly and food is good.
  26. Only drawback - table service can be a little slow.
  27. love Brasil- Great coffee, free music, and wonderful staff.
  28. The staff is "on stage", they are the show, the defenders are sensitive people who like dogs and voted for Obama.
  29. Staff is rude and arrogant.
  30. The owner does not like people to sit and take their time to enjoy the food and drink.
  31. So yes the service sucks!
  32. The food was okay, the atmosphere is alright but the service is NOT good!
  33. but the management is a bit rude.
  34. Shitty service, good coffee
  35. the workers (some) are incredibly rude, almost like they just got a pay cut.
  36. Although I've had good experiences with the regular staff, my encounters with the owner have been similar to other reviewers.
  37. Some bar people are nice, others don't care.
  38. The service was not up to par, but the bad vibe radiating from the owner makes Brasil a terrible hangout.
  39. It's so relaxed and the servers are really friendly-- and of course they're going to joke around and have fun sometimes!
  40. Great food, awesome service.
  41. My aunt and uncle introduced me to it and I have met all types of people there, the staff and customers are all friendly.
  42. good feel - bad service
  43. Everyone there is very friendly.
  44. She can see restaurants qualities through the poor and rude help.
  45. They are always friendly to my daughter and I have never had a bad meal.
  46. The staff is really nice, and patient.
  47. People are friendly here w/ nice music.
  48. have had excellent service.
  49. have yet to have a bad experience with the food, management, bar staff, crowd, etc.
  50. Anyway, for years I dismissed that constant background drumbeat of ongoing complaints about owner Dan Fergus as the result of confusion, perhaps a misunderstanding of his wry humor, or maybe even the result of bad behavior by the complaining customers, an
  51. The service is pretty good.
  52. NO parking, rude staff
  53. Owners need reality check - horrible service
value
62.5% positive
  1. Brasil Cafe's back patio is perfect for outdoor movies on summer evenings, the wine is good and also inexpensive, and the food is good too.
  2. The food is great , inexpensive.
  3. The imports are a little pricey, but to be expected.
  4. Perhaps it's because I've spent so much of my own money there over so many years, and brought so many friends and family, business colleages and clients as new customers, that I have not ~ until today ~ been on the receiving end of the rude customer treat
wait time
25.0% positive
  1. also like the music, as long as i am sitting outside when they are playing.
  2. Service can be a little slow because there were two employees handling the drinks and cash register.
  3. Anyway, for years I dismissed that constant background drumbeat of ongoing complaints about owner Dan Fergus as the result of confusion, perhaps a misunderstanding of his wry humor, or maybe even the result of bad behavior by the complaining customers, an
  4. Only drawback - table service can be a little slow.
1 Star Rating: Poor

01/06/12

Never again!

by jenjenn1130

My friend and I had dinner here on December 29, 2011. I had the spinach caprese salad with chicken, and she had the duck salad, which also has spinach as the main ingredient. They were ok, or so we thought. The next day, both of us were sick the entire day. For the sake of those with sensitive stomachs, I won't describe my symptoms.... I was in bed the entire day. I called Brasil to speak to the manager about the salads, but he was too busy to speak to me, despite the two messages I left him. Fast forward a week, and I still have not heard from anyone there. I was told the manager's name is Brandon.

1 Star Rating: Poor

10/29/11

Terrible service, food was cold, not coming back

by Mysticbillybob

Great location, interesting interior, menu is varied, looked promising but the service is TERRIBLE (rude, surly, slow) food was COLD and WRONG.

STAFF dodged me when I tried to talk to someone about correcting the order, finally agreed and delivered the missing food 15 minutes after we finished eating.

Shame, food would have been tasty if served hot, but nothing short of firing the staff will iimprove the service.

Don't believe me - look at the last 10 reviews - 7 of 10 gave it 1 star.

1 Star Rating: Poor

08/27/11

Doesn't want to be a coffee shop

by CoffeeL0ver

I've gone to Brasil on several occasions, and I like the atomosphere. However, I've recently decided that Agora will be my go-to coffee shop. Brasil's owner/manager apparently has an issue with people lingering over a cup of coffee (a little astounding, given that their coffee is more expensive than Starbucks). After sitting for a little under an hour (and contemplating whether I wanted to move to wine or stick with coffee for my next drink) it was suggested that I might move outside (it's over 100 degrees outside today), to free up space for "current customers." As I actually feel very strongly about not taking up space when a restaurant is busy (and I tend to go through several cups of coffee while working), I was shocked by this request -- had I been sitting longer, if I did not have uneaten food next to me, OR had there not been several open tables, I would have entirely understood. However, there were four open tables, no line at the coffee bar, and it was a time of day when business was slowing down. Clearly, Brasil just doesn't want to be a place where people linger, even when it's not packed. As a result, I suggest heading to Agora, across the street, where the service is friendly, the coffee is good, and the staff understands that you might linger over your drink. That said, the coffee at Brasil is good - just understand that it's not a place where you can sit and relax.

3 Star Rating: Average

07/26/11

I don't care if you are hip, don't be rude!

by abbeyroad1

I love the food, and the atmosphere is lovely! (Tasty veggie burger) However, I did not enjoy my dining experience due to a hipster server who behaved as if I was inconveniencing her (eye rolling, banging my plate on the table, the works). While I understand that days go bad, this young woman was down right rude. There is no reasons to glare and huff at costumers.

Rude is never in style, I don't care how "hip" you are.

1 Star Rating: Poor

07/17/11

Terrible Customer Service

by Patra

Although in theory it is a good place to study/eat, I was very unhappy with the service. After paying $13 for an omelet and coffee, neither my coffee nor my food was made correctly. Furthermore, while I was working, the manager, without asking, took the chairs from my table to accommodate a larger party next to me. When I mentioned that I was going to be joined by a friend, he told me that "if she comes, I'll bring you another chair." And when I tried to move to a larger table, I was told by the same manager that "unless you want to pay for 4 people's worth of food, we need to reserve this for larger groups."

I understand that Sundays are busy mornings, but it is unacceptable to treat a paying customer that way. I used to frequent the cafe many times in the past to study with groups of friends, but I will never go back again and neither will the group of people I study with. Very disappointing. Probably not even worth one star.

The Details on Brasil

Place Categories:

  • great food
  • love great place
  • great strong cuban coffee
  • slow table service
  • rude staff
  • never bad customer service
  • great fourcheese pizza
  • great atmosphere
  • great live music
  • love cafe brasil
  • great coffee drinks
  • good wine
  • great chicken salad
  • great spot
  • awful place
  • excellent spicy chicken salad sandwich
  • not overly full food portion
  • really great location
  • enjoyable dining experience
  • amazing desserts
  • delightful frothy
  • unique atmospheremenumusic crowd
  • rude management
  • bad experience
  • cold sandwich
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