Elizabete (Beth) Andrade has always loved cooking, especially when it comes to making food from her native country of Brazil.
“My friends and family would say all the time that I should open a restaurant,” she revealed with a broad smile during a recent in-person chat. “After some thought, I decided to open Boteco do Brazil in Cary to show Americans authentic Brazilian cuisine and to make the Brazilians living here feel closer to home.”
In Brazil, botecos are small, simple gathering spots where people share food, beverages, and conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. From the atmosphere, it feels safe to say Boteco do Brazil provides a bona fide representation of the no-frills, convivial hangouts in South America’s largest country.
The overall vibe feels relaxed and unpretentious, with upbeat Latin music wafting overhead. Weekend nights tend to be the liveliest. Interior walls are emblazoned in green, blue, and yellow — historical primary colors of the nation’s flag.
Chef/owner Beth Andrade
Chef/owner Beth and her husband, Daniel Valente, originally hail from Rio de Janeiro. The couple moved to North Carolina in 2017 when Daniel found a job in Morrisville. In early 2023, they opened Boteco do Brazil beside Bruegger’s Bagels at 4214 Northwest Cary Parkway.
“Sometimes we would get homesick and miss speaking Portuguese with our friends,” Daniel says. “But now we meet so many people from Brazil who come in just to meet us. Over time we’ve been able to build a strong sense of community here.”
When it comes to the food and drinks at Boteco do Brazil, Daniel says more than 90 percent of the menu compares favorably to what is available in his home country, particularly in Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, a southeastern Brazilian state.
“This is not a steakhouse like most people typically associate with Brazilian cuisine,” says Beth. “Our concept focuses on authentic dishes that are homemade, and we source ingredients from distributors that import straight from Brazil.”
Guests continually rave about the distinctive outpost, which boasts a slew of Google reviews averaging 4.5 stars.
“Boteco do Brazil is traditional and authentic, and the food is really flavorful,” says regular patron Camila De Souza, a native of São Paulo who now lives in Apex. She was dining with other Brazilian friends the day we showed up for our photo shoot.
Among the 15 available appetizers offered at the boteco, standouts include fried sausage with delectable yuca fries, empanadas filled with heart of palm, and the wildly popular coxinha, a street-food snack that’s essentially a croquette filled with shredded chicken.
“Coxinha is part of our country’s culture. At every birthday party you go to, you see hundreds of coxinhas,” Beth explains. “You can find coxinha in every bakery, bar, and restaurant in Brazil. We just love it!”
Main features on the menu range from simple Brazilian hot dogs and crispy chicken to more nuanced selections like sliced picanha beef (known in the US as sirloin cap) and a bean-centric feijoada stew.
According to Beth, picanha is a can’t-go-wrong choice that’s always the main cut of beef served at barbecues and get-togethers in Brazil. It’s also Daniel’s go-to meal and reminds him fondly of his younger years.
As for the feijoada stew, you’ll only find it served on Sundays at Boteco do Brazil. It’s made with pork and beef and served with rice, fried kale, and farofa, a side dish made with toasted yuca flour, bacon, sausage, and spices.
“In most parts of my country, feijoada is traditionally served on Sundays where we gather family and friends for a long get-together where we dance, watch soccer on television, and enjoy our day,” Beth says. “Feijoada takes two days to make because it is made in several stages. The meat is cooked for a long period of time on low heat, which helps the meat to soften and release flavors. These meats are then added to the beans and returned to low heat to mix the flavors for another day.”
Beth says feijoada is her favorite dish and recommends adding hot sauce from Minas Gerais to make it “just perfect.”
Be sure to save room for dessert. Whether you choose the velvety flan, sweet empanadas with dulce de leche, or brigadeiro — a rich confection created with condensed milk and cocoa powder and crowned with chocolate sprinkles — you won’t be disappointed.
As for offerings at the bar, order a Brahma brand lager or consider a caipirinha, an iconic Brazilian cocktail made with cachaça (white rum), limes, sugar, and ice.
“Caipirinhas are so popular that we had to come up with different flavors other than the original flavor, which is lime,” Beth says. “Today we make caipirinhas with several different flavors and cachaças.”
Brazilian natives enjoy warm conversation and decadent dessert.
Nonalcoholic beverage options include fresh limeade, strawberry lemonade, and Guaraná Antarctica soda, a drink similar to ginger ale.
“Guaraná is by far the most-loved nonalcoholic drink,” says Beth of the fruity, refreshing flavor derived from plant extract found in the Amazon basin. “It stands out for being energizing.”
If you’re looking for festive enjoyment beyond the food and drinks, check out karaoke night on the first Friday of every month. You can also ask when the next “roda de samba” will be happening, which involves a Brazilian band sitting in the center of the bar with guests surrounding them in a circle and singing along.
Service at the boteco is warm and welcoming.
“We encourage people to come in and hang out as long as they want,” Daniel says, adding that he and Beth never want anyone to feel like they are being rushed, even when the space is full.
Reservations are accepted. Online ordering is also available for takeout.
botecodobrazil.com
@botecodobrazilnc
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