Basil Brazil

by Dina Scaglione

If you’re craving Brazilian cuisine, a traditional steakhouse might come to mind. However, a visit to Basil Brazil will challenge your perceptions of the region’s exotic fare. While meat-centric dishes are certainly present, Basil Brazil offers a variety of flavorful specialties you won’t easily find elsewhere. This new spot in San Juan Capistrano, run by owners Rodrigo and his chef wife Jackie, presents a culinary adventure with authentic, healthy meals made from ingredients imported from Brazil. It’s a taste of Brazil right in the heart of south OC.

Start your meal with options like freshly made feijoada bites, or Bolinho de Feijoada, which feature smoked pork loin, bacon, and sausage, all rolled together in a black bean puree and deep-fried. You’ve likely never tasted anything quite like it. The Aipim com carne-seca (Aipim means yuca in Portuguese), shredded beef mixed with caramelized onions, parsley, aromatic spices, served alongside yuca fries is another standout starter.

For main entrees, try the Moqueca, a delicious mix of white fish, shrimp, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, served with white rice and farofa, a ground cassava root that adds a savory crunch. Another must-try is their unique take on Stroganoff, available with either beef or chicken in a decadent mushroom cream sauce, served with white rice and crispy potato sticks. Refresh your palate with light beverages like Guarana Antarctica, Cashew and Passion Fruit juices, or indulge in specialty drinks like the essential Caipirinha, made with white wine, lime juice, and sugar. Desserts include Pudim, a milk flan, or Manjar de coco, a coconut flan.

Basil Brazil is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., closing at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6 p.m. on Sundays. Enjoy Happy Hour Wednesday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. For an enhanced dining experience, visit on Thursdays to enjoy live jazz music and complete your immersive Brazilian experience.

Basil Brazil
31878 Del Obispo St #120
San Juan Capistrano
949.678.4924
basilbrazilcuisine.com