Chima Brazilian Steakhouse on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, offers a unique and upscale dining experience, combining the culinary tradition of Brazilian churrasco (barbecue) with a chic, modern ambiance.
What Makes Chima Unique
- Brazilian Rodizio Style Dining: The restaurant’s core experience is the rodizio, an all-you-can-eat service where roaming chefs, known as gauchos (traditional Brazilian cowboys), continuously circulate the dining room with skewers of up to 16 different cuts of rotisserie-cooked meat. They carve the meat directly onto your plate table-side. Guests use a small, two-sided token (green for “yes, please bring more meat” and red for “stop, I need a break”) to control the service.
- Gourmet Salad Bar: Alongside the endless meat service, Chima features an extensive gourmet salad bar that is often highlighted as a significant part of the experience. It offers a large variety of imported cheeses, smoked salmon, charcuterie items, fresh salads, and hot Brazilian side dishes.
- Atmosphere and Location: Located on the trendy Las Olas Boulevard and minutes from the beach, the Fort Lauderdale location is known for its elegant setting, which includes a captivating courtyard area with rubber trees and water features, providing a serene, almost hidden oasis feel away from the street’s hustle.
- Founding Philosophy: The restaurant’s name and philosophy are inspired by Chimarrão, a traditional South American drink that symbolizes hospitality and friendship, characteristics the restaurant strives to embody in its service.
History
The original Chima restaurant was founded in Uberlandia, Brazil. The Silva family brought their unique dining concept to the United States, opening the first stateside Chima Steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2003 or 2004 (sources vary slightly). This Fort Lauderdale location is credited with introducing this new style of Brazilian fine dining and superior service to the area.
Highlight Menu Items
While the rodizio includes a wide array of meats, some frequently praised highlights include:
- Picanha: Chima’s signature house cut of top sirloin, known for its juicy flavor and perfect layer of fat.
- Filet Mignon: Often served plain, or wrapped in bacon.
- Leg of Lamb
- Ribeye
- Side Dishes: Traditional Brazilian side dishes like pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread), fried polenta, and creamy mashed potatoes.
- Desserts: Popular options include Key Lime Pie and Chocolate Coconut Lava Cake.
Customer Feedback
Customer feedback generally praises the quality and variety of the meats, the attentiveness of the gauchos, and the beautiful, elegant atmosphere. It is frequently noted as a top choice for a high-end Brazilian churrascaria experience in the area, often cited for celebrating special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. Reviewers often mention the impressive salad bar as a strong feature, even for non-meat-eaters.
Significant Events
Chima Fort Lauderdale is a popular venue for hosting a wide variety of special events in its private and semi-private dining spaces, as well as offering a full venue buyout option. These events include:
- Weddings and Related Events: Ceremonies and receptions, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, and engagement parties. The courtyard is a notable setting for cocktail receptions and ceremonies.
- Corporate Events
- Milestone Celebrations: Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, baby showers, and bar/bat mitzvahs.
- Ongoing Promotions/Events: The restaurant has featured promotions like “Tomahawk Tuesdays,” offering a 48-ounce Tomahawk steak as part of the regular rodizio dinner price on that day.
Chima Fort Lauderdale Contact Information
