10 Brazilian And Moroccan Restaurants In New York State To Try Before The World Cup Match
Brazil and Morocco bring two of the most distinct and deeply personal food cultures in the World Cup. New York happens to have outstanding versions of both within reasonable driving distance of the matches.
The right pre-game meal does more than fill a stomach. It puts a person in the right frame of mind for ninety minutes of something that matters to an enormous number of people simultaneously.
These restaurants understand that assignment without being told. New York has communities that brought both of these traditions across an ocean and kept them intact in kitchens that take the responsibility seriously.
Ten restaurants made this list because the food is worth the visit on any ordinary Tuesday and even more worth it on a World Cup week when the whole meal feels like part of something larger. Go hungry.
Order generously. Then go make some noise.
1. Berimbau Brazilian Table
Some restaurants feel like a warm hug the moment you sit down, and Berimbau Brazilian Table is exactly that kind of place. The feijoada here is rich, deeply spiced, and served with the kind of care that makes you slow down and actually taste your food.
Sunday nights come alive with live music that makes the whole room feel electric.
The address is 43 Carmine St in the West Village, Manhattan, a neighborhood that fits this gem like a glove. The beef stroganoff has a loyal following of regulars who make the trip specifically for that dish alone.
It is creamy, savory, and nothing like the bland version you may have tried elsewhere.
Owner-run spots like this one bring a personal touch that bigger chains simply cannot match. Every plate that comes out of that kitchen carries real intention behind it.
If you want an authentic Brazilian meal before the World Cup, Berimbau should be your very first stop on the list. Whatever the case may be, this will be a good start for your World Cup adventures.
2. Favela Grill Steakhouse
Friday nights at Favela Grill Steakhouse in Astoria feel like a full-on street festival, minus the outdoor humidity.
Live music fills the room while the kitchen sends out plates that smell like they were cooked somewhere along the coast of Bahia.
The moqueca de peixe, made with coconut milk, is one of the best fish dishes you will find in all of Queens.
Find this spot at 33-18 28th Ave in Astoria, NY, right in the heart of a neighborhood known for its outstanding food scene. The grilled chicken with rice and beans is straightforward but cooked with serious skill.
Simple food done well is always worth celebrating, and this kitchen understands that completely.
Do not leave without ordering the banana flambe for dessert. It is sweet, warm, and just dramatic enough to make the whole table pay attention.
Favela Grill is the kind of place that turns a regular Tuesday dinner into something worth texting your friends about the next morning.
3. Rio Bonito Grill
There is something almost theatrical about watching a gaucho carve lamb directly onto your plate at the table, and Rio Bonito Grill delivers that show every single service.
The tableside churrasco experience here covers multiple cuts of steak, perfectly seasoned chicken, and garlic bread that disappears faster than you expect.
It is the kind of meal that makes you forget you were ever in a hurry.
Head to 33-01 36th Ave in Astoria, NY to find this hidden gem of a churrascaria. The salad bar is well-stocked and makes a solid companion to the parade of proteins coming off the grill.
Halal options are available, which makes this a great spot for groups with different dietary preferences.
One important heads-up before you plan your visit: Rio Bonito is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays. They are open Wednesday through Friday and on Sundays only, so check before you go.
Plan ahead, arrive hungry, and prepare to eat more than you thought humanly possible.
4. Iguazu Bar And Bistro
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn has been waiting for a Brazilian restaurant worth getting excited about, and Iguazu Bar and Bistro showed up and delivered in a big way.
The picanha is tender and full of flavor, the coxinhas are golden and crispy on the outside, and the pan de queso melts in a way that should honestly be studied by scientists.
Owner Leo personally visits every table, which gives the whole experience a warmth that feels rare these days. This area may be crowded, but I assure you it will be worth pushing through the high noons for this one.
You can find Iguazu at 9226 4th Ave in Brooklyn, NY, right in the Bay Ridge neighborhood. The beef stroganoff here carries a deep, savory quality that keeps people coming back repeatedly.
Empanadas round out the menu with a satisfying crunch that pairs perfectly with almost anything else on the table.
Iguazu currently holds a perfect 5.0-star rating, which is nearly unheard of in New York City’s competitive dining scene. That kind of score does not happen by accident.
It happens when a kitchen actually cares about every single plate it sends out.
5. BR Brazilian Restaurant
So, the name is a bit generic, but hear me out. Not every great Brazilian restaurant in New York State is packed into the five boroughs, and BR Brazilian Restaurant in Mount Vernon proves that point with total confidence.
Frango a passarinho, which is crispy fried chicken pieces seasoned the Brazilian way, is one of the standout dishes here. Pair it with the picanha BR na chapa and a side of rice and beans with farofa, and you have a full meal that hits every note right.
The restaurant sits at 197 W Lincoln Ave in Mt Vernon, NY 10550, making it the only spot on this entire list outside of New York City proper.
Regulars drive in from surrounding Westchester towns just to get their fix, which tells you everything you need to know about the quality.
Word travels fast when the food is this good.
BR Brazilian Restaurant carries the kind of neighborhood energy that keeps families loyal for years. The food is honest, the portions are generous, and the flavors are the real deal.
Before the World Cup kicks off, a trip up to Westchester for this meal is absolutely worth the drive.
6. Moroccan Bites By Siham
Now to switch over to the Moroccan deliciousness that will could our judgments of the matches just as much as the Brazillian foods. Siham cooks everything from scratch, and you can taste the difference the moment the first plate arrives at your table.
The spices she uses come directly from Morocco, which gives every dish a depth and authenticity that you simply cannot fake or manufacture.
Her chicken pastilla has earned a reputation as one of the most outstanding dishes in all of Astoria.
The restaurant at 28-44 Steinway St in Astoria, NY is small on purpose, with only three tables inside. That intimacy is part of the charm, but it also means you need to arrive early or be prepared to wait.
A short wait for food this good is not a punishment, it is just part of the experience.
Moroccan Bites by Siham is the kind of place that reminds you why small, owner-operated restaurants will always matter. There is no committee deciding what goes on the menu here.
One person with real skill and real passion is running the whole show, and it shows in every single bite.
7. Dar Lbahja
You are about to experience an absolute flavor explosion in this spot. Harira soup is one of Morocco’s most beloved dishes, and Dar Lbahja makes a version that will absolutely ruin every other harira you try after it.
The lamb tagine with prunes and apricots is braised until the meat falls apart without any effort at all. Housemade Moroccan cookies and fresh bread round out the meal in the most satisfying way possible.
Dar Lbahja is at 47-12 30th Ave in Astoria, NY, just a few blocks away from other Moroccan options in the neighborhood.
The fact that Astoria has multiple excellent Moroccan restaurants says a lot about how rich and diverse this Queens community really is.
New York State has neighborhoods that feel like small cities within themselves, and Astoria is one of the best examples.
Even during Ramadan, the kitchen keeps pace and the hospitality stays strong. Guests have been greeted with plates of dates while waiting, which is a small detail that speaks volumes about the character of this place.
Generosity at the table is a tradition, and Dar Lbahja takes that tradition seriously.
8. Cafe Mogador
Forty years is a long time to stay relevant in New York City, and Cafe Mogador has done it entirely on the strength of great food.
The Williamsburg Brooklyn location at 133 Wythe Ave brings the same legendary quality that made the original famous, with a fresh energy suited to the neighborhood.
Lamb shank tagine is the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes after the first bite.
Couscous with merguez is hearty and fragrant, and the labneh with za’atar is a starter that could honestly function as a full meal on a lighter day.
Cafe Mogador has survived decades of changing food trends without ever chasing them, which is a remarkable thing in a city that loves the next new thing.
The menu does not need reinvention because it was already built right the first time.
Before the World Cup match between Morocco and whoever dares to face them, make a reservation here and eat like you are celebrating in advance. The food will meet the moment every single time.
Cafe Mogador is a New York institution, plain and simple.
9. Tara Kitchen
Let’s address this one in a simple way. Chef Aneesa Waheed built Tara Kitchen around the idea that Moroccan food deserves a serious platform, and the Tribeca location makes that vision crystal clear.
Chicken pastilla arrives in beautifully layered flaky phyllo with a savory-sweet filling that balances flavors in a way few dishes can. Lamb meatballs with poached eggs is a combination that sounds unexpected but works with absolute precision.
The restaurant sits at 253 Church St in New York, NY 10013, right in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan.
Spinach briouats in crispy phyllo are a must-order, and the spicy shawarma hummus will make you rethink every other hummus you have ever eaten.
All meat served here is halal, making Tara Kitchen an easy choice for guests with specific dietary needs.
The lunch lamb burger deserves a special mention because it has quietly become one of the most talked-about midday meals in the area. Tara Kitchen blends time-honored Moroccan recipes with a modern sensibility that feels effortless.
Stop in before the big match and fuel up on food that plays at championship level.
10. Ayah Restaurant
This place will blow you away with ambiance alone, and then some. Ayah Restaurant in SoHo is a full experience, not just a meal.
The decor features velvet curtains and hand-painted walls crafted by Moroccan artisans, creating a space that feels genuinely transported from another part of the world.
Chicken tagine, briouats, and merguez are all prepared with real skill by chefs Geoffrey Lechantoux and Aisha Sbaih.
Find Ayah at 77 W Houston St in New York, NY 10012, right in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan. Live oud music and belly dancing performances turn dinner here into something closer to a celebration.
On weekends the restaurant stays open until 2am, making it a late-night option that still takes the food completely seriously.
Ayah sits at a more elevated price point than some of the other spots on this list, which reflects both the quality of the ingredients and the overall production of the evening.
If you want to mark the World Cup with a dinner that feels like a genuine occasion, Ayah delivers that experience without question.
Dress well, arrive with good company, and let the kitchen and performers do the rest.