This place is the definition of a hidden gem. Tucked away and completely unassuming, it delivered one of the most memorable meals I've had in a long time. I ordered the short rib, and it was outstanding--perfectly cooked, incredibly tender, and served over a rich parmesan risotto that struck the right balance of creamy and savory. The red wine demi-glace brought everything together with a deep, refined flavor that you'd expect from a much more upscale spot. The crispy pork belly, though, completely stole the show. Easily the best I've ever had--perfectly crisp on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth on the inside, and seasoned to perfection. I travel frequently and dine out often, so it takes a lot to impress me--but this place did exactly that. The atmosphere was relaxed and authentic, and despite the "hole-in-the-wall" feel, every dish was executed at a high level. I was there with coworkers, and every single one of us walked away impressed. This is the kind of spot you almost want to keep to yourself--but it's too good not to share. read more

We came here for lunch after my daughter's graduation from UNF. Food and service---both awesome. I'm so glad we chose to celebrate our senior there. Highly recommend. read more

HIDDEN GEM ALERT. Y'all. Go eat at Rustica. Please trust me. I never would have stumbled upon this place, but one of my friends recommended it for dinner so 3 of us went. I was super impressed. It's a small spot, but it's got major character. Everything was absolutely DELICIOUS and beautifully plated. We shared a bottle of wine and plenty of food. The prices were extremely reasonable as well. Staff make you feel right at home. We needed help deciding on a few things and they didn't hesitate to jump in and help. Very nice. You can tell it's a family oriented place and I really appreciate that love and care. I can't wait to go back! read more

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We decided to try this restaurant for my husband's birthday. It's such a pleasant and elegant restaurant with cute decor! Kind of like a first date atmosphere. The restaurant was super clean and our waiter was nice and attentive. We ordered the following: Appetizer - Torresmo (Crispy pork belly with smoked guava sauce and lime) - 7/10 - The pork belly was salty, crispy, and had lots of flavor but it was a tad dry. The star was the guava sauce! It was sweet, smokey and paired so well with the pork belly. There was not enough lime and the pieces we had were dry and not juicy. We could barely get juice out of them. Regardless, the appetizer was good. A bit heavy though on the stomach. Entrees: Costela ao Molho Madeira com Risotto de Parmesão (braised beef short rib with madeira sauce over parmesan risotto) - 8/10 - The short rib was super tender and fell off the bone! It was pretty hefty piece too and plenty of meat for the dish. The flavors were good but I didn't really like the taste of Madeira wine (personal preference). The parmesan risotto was really delicious, creamy, and had a strong cheesy taste! Reminded me of elevated mac and cheese and it went so well with the braised short rib. Picanha Rustica (steak served with fried rice with bacon, eggs, onion, and potato stick, chimichurri sauce, and fried yuca - 8.7/10 - my husband had this and he enjoyed it very much. I had a bite of his steak and it was cooked perfectly, medium rare. The fried yuca was hot, crispy, light, and airy. The chimichurri sauce was so fresh and went well with the well seasoned steak. I tried the fried rice and it was delightful as well. We would definitely get this dish again. Overall, it was a pleasant evening and the food was delicious. A bit pricey but the quality was great. I personally won't get the braised short ribs again because it was a bit wine flavored heavy but if you're into wine sauces, you would absolutely love it! Service was good and we were taken care of. Can't wait to try other things on the menu! read more

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I first off have to thank Yelp for helping me find out about Rustic 21 because I next would have noticed it in the shopping plaza it's in because I'm never in that area, and next I really have to thank the staff of Rustica 21 for an amazing meal. So far the best meal I have had of the year! We came in for lunch but I know I would be ordering a lot and ordering off the main menu not just the lunch menu. I started off with the Lemon Lime Caipiroska. I had never had this before but it was on of if not the most refreshing cocktails I have ever had. It tasted like the most fresh Gatorade I have ever had. On a hot sunny day there is no limit to how many of these I could have. We of course also ordered appetizers and we went with the Escondidinho and the Torresmo. Both were great. The Escondidinho is the basically the best Shepherd's Pie you have ever had but with even more flavor. The Torresmo was some of the best Crispy Pork Belly I have ever had. Both of these appetizers are must orders. Now for my entree... this was tough to pick for sure because they all sounded so good but I had to go with the Costela ao Molho Madeira com Risotto de Parmesão which is Braised beef short rib with madeira sauce served with Parmesan Risotto. Let me tell you. This might have been the best Short Ribs and Parmesan Risotto I have ever had. The Short Ribs was huge and so tender and saucy. It just broke apart with a folk and melted in your mouth. The Risotto so cooked perfectly and was a burst of flavor with each bite. Again best meal of 2026 so far for sure. Now the problem is there is still so much I want to try because everything looks great but I also can't stop thinking of everything we had got during this trip. I am just going to have to come to Rustic 21 a couple times a year to get all my fixin's. read more

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Such a quaint and beautiful restaurant. If you go on a weekend be sure to have reservations. The staff was so friendly and welcoming. We tried a multitude of dishes, even dessert, and not one missed a beat. Only complaint is that I took so long to try out Rustic 21. I cannot wait for round two and trying more dishes at this beautiful little secret. read more

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Wow, wow, wow! My husband and I made a reservation for lunch on a Saturday and walked right in and set down. We ordered most of the appetizers all of which I would absolutely order again! The Torresmo (crispy pork belly) was melt in my mouth heavenly! We also ordered the Escondidinho (shepherd's pie) it was interesting, full of flavor, not my favorite but I would order it again. The other appetizer we ordered was the Pao de queijo (cheesy bread) incredible! I also ordered the pear salad, I'm not sure I could have made a meal out of it but to split it was perfect! For my meal I ordered the Lasanha a Bolonhesa it was good but it's the only thing I don't think I would order right away next time. There was a lot going on in the dish but it wasn't packed with flavor like I wanted it to be. read more

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We had lunch at a place we've been meaning to go to for quite a while now: Rustic 21 Bistro. They're located on the west side of Southside Blvd, right between Beach and Touchton. We started with the Pao de Queijo (Brazilian cheese bread). This was a known quantity for us having had it at many Brazilian steakhouses. I just love this type of bread. It never tastes like much of anything at first. Then the more you chew the butter, salt and cheese just seem to come to life. I ordered the Estrogonfe Frango which is a take on chicken strogonoff. The pieces of chicken were great quality and juicy. The sauce was very close to a vodka sauce but seemed to have an earthy flavor to it, which the mushrooms added to. I didn't love the white rice on its own but liked it a lot after adding the sauce to it. The chips on the side look like standard kettle chips but they're not. They're super thin and slightly crispy. Really unique chips, IMO. My wife had the File de Frango A Parmegiana which is a take on chicken parm. She thought it was a very unique take on a very familiar dish. She really liked the breading because it was light and crunchy. The tomato sauce was also unique in that it was more acidic than regular tomato sauce, in a good way. She said the noodles and Alfredo sauce were both lighter than usual again, in a good way. We were curious about Italian based dishes in a Brazilian restaurant so we did some digging. We found out that Chef Rodrigo Demarco was born in Brazil but also has a culinary background in Italian. So that's how we ended up with these unique takes from different backgrounds. Very cool, in our opinon. read more

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What a great place to have a nice dinner! We were celebrating 2 birthdays and they were able to accommodate our large party with a reservation called weeks in advance. The food and drinks were excellent and our waiter was very attentive. The chef even visited our table to chat. This cozy restaurant is located in a shopping plaza off Southside Blvd and can be easily missed but they had a full house the night we went and I can see why. I can't wait to come back! read more

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We came here on a whim but totally blown away. Everything was amazing! We got two appetizers, the cheese bites and and the pork skins. Tasty! I got the Estrogonofe de Frango. The chicken was flavorful and creamy, the rice was fluffy. The homemade chips were light and perfect with the sauce. Save room for the dessert because Petit Gateau de Dulce de Leche is amazing! The pecan Icecream crunch with the warm dulce de leche cake is so good! The chef came out to our table, really polite and made sure we enjoyed all of our food. The restaurant was quiet and spacious perfect for date night or family or girls night. read more

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My friends and I had a good day with dinner at Rustic 21 Bistro. The restaurant's rustic decor was amazing and the staff were friendly and attentive. We were there at the earlier time of dinner so luckily the restaurant wasn't busy, yet. The Brazilian-inspired menu had many great options. I ordered the Picanha Top Sirloin, cooked medium rare, and it was exceptional. The steak was amazing and very tender, tasty and juicy. The biro-biro rice, tomato salsa, and fried yuca were delicious accompaniments. The atmosphere was great, and the restaurant was later busy. We had such a great time that we stayed until closing time. The staff was still amazing and still attentive despite us being there for quite some time. The restroom was very clean. Just to note, be prepared to spend more than $35, as this place is quite in the higher price scale. I would love to return and try more of their menu items. read more

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After catching an early‑morning matinee of the new Superman movie, we headed to Rustic21 Bistro on Southside Boulevard for lunch. It's a cute Brazilian spot tucked in a nondescript shopping center I've driven past hundreds of times without noticing. We began with Pão de Queijo, the classic cheese bread. Made with tapioca flour, these little chewy cheese jewels arrived hot and steamy, perfect alongside our next appetizer. That second appetizer was Caldinho de Feijão, a black bean soup served with bacon and crispy onions. Deep, earthy flavors simmered in the bowl. I dipped a piece of the cheese bread into the soup, and suddenly something delicious felt a little magical. For my main course I chose Costela ao Molho Madeira com Risotto de Parmesão--braised short rib in a creamy Parmesan risotto. They even served a steak knife, but you won't need it. The meat pulled easily apart with my fork. The risotto was perfectly cooked, creamy with just enough chew. The short rib was a touch over‑seasoned while the risotto was a bit under‑seasoned, but when you combined a shred of rib, a spoon of risotto, and a ribbon of Madeira sauce, it created a flawlessly seasoned bite that felt rich and balanced. My wife had the Lasanha à Bolonhesa--handmade noodles layered with béchamel, Bolognese sauce, mozzarella, and in Rustic21's signature twist, slices of ham. It was a thoughtful addition I didn't know I needed. Rustic21 feels like a beautiful, honest representation of Brazilian food and hospitality. If your Brazilian experience is limited to Fogo de Chão or Texas de Brazil, this is a breath of fresh air worth seeking out. 4 Stars -- Warm, satisfying, and thoughtfully executed, with a few perfect bites that linger long after the plate is empty. read more

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A quaint little place. Recommend by my sister and brother-in-law. Came over with them to celebrate my wife's birthday. Located off Southside Blvd in a strip mall just past Beach blvd. They do take reservations and it does get rather busy for dinner. Not a huge amount of tables here so plan accordingly before you come. Started out with the fried Tapioca squares and pepper jelly. Delicious. Brazilian cheese bread and a side of freshly made potato chips. All were delicious. Main dish was the Picanha Top Sirloin. It was cooked as ordered perfectly. Served with Biro-biro rice which I thought was a weird combination and fried yuca fries. Both were delicious just not a great combination but wanted to try something different. My wife got the lasagna, Bolognese. Which again was different given we were at an inspired Brazilian restaurant. She said it was delicious. I would rate it excellent for flavors but odd on main dish offerings. Overall we had a great experience and the food was prepared perfectly. Not a huge menu so I would expect a pretty well prepared meal. read more

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The food here was fantastic. Service was quick and attentive. The atmosphere was clean and inviting. We have the Pao De Queijo for appetizer and Estrogonfe de carne. Lastly we finished with the flan. Overall a great dining experience. read more

There's a little place in a strip mall most people drive past without a second glance--just another line of storefronts against a tired parking lot. But step inside, and you're met not with neon or noise, but with warmth, the kind that feels borrowed from someone's home kitchen thousands of miles away. They start you off with Brazilian cheese bread--small, unassuming rounds that arrive warm enough to fog your glasses. You tear one open and it stretches, gooey and comforting, the way food becomes when it's made by people who care more about tradition than trends. The lasagna came next, a dish so generous it felt like an act of kindness. Hot, bubbling at the edges, layered with cheese and meat in a way that speaks of time and patience. It's the kind of plate you set between two people, knowing both will leave full--of food, yes, but also of something quieter. What stays with you, though, is the staff. Attentive without hovering, present without pressing. They move with the easy rhythm of people who understand that service is just another word for looking after each other. In a world that often rewards the loud and the flashy, this little Brazilian spot does something braver: it simply does things well. And that, I highly recommend. read more

Stopped in for lunch this week when I was nearby. The strip mall the restaurant is in is certainly no indicator for what's inside! The restaurant is decorated very nicely. Service from Samira was friendly, helpful and warm. She helped me choose my dish and she was so right. I got the small order of cheese breads and the Croque Rustic. Both were so decadent and delicious. There was no room for dessert but I literally want to try all of them. I will definitely be returning for that! read more

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We've been wanting to try this place for a while. Finally made it in and it was worth the wait. We made reservations which may be needed since the dining area is pretty small. It is well decorated with a romantic feel. Would be a great spot for a nice night out or a casual dinner with friends. Food and service were equally great. We started with the chicken empanadas and pork belly. Both were well prepared and very flavorful. We chose the beef short ribs and Picanha top sirloin. Both were delicious but the short rib won the prize for the night. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Super Amazing brazilian cuisine! Service was great and the ambiance is very engaging, intimate and sociable! Will definitely go back!

Wowwww!!!! This place is freaking amazing! Had an impromptu date night and ended up at this beautiful intimate restaurant! The food is IMMACULATE! We were blown away by the flavors of everything we ate. I ordered the short rib with risotto and I will go on record and say that is the most tender short rib I have ever had in a restaurant! It was delicious! My boyfriend had the picanha top sirloin and it was perfectly cooked and seasoned. This place is a must for anyone who enjoys amazing food! read more

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This is a small and cozy spot. It presented very clean. The service was a bit rigid. I was never offered another glass of wine and the service just wasn't that interactive. The dish was really good, thought the chicken was fairly dried out on both ends. I loved the menu selection, but not a place I'd go back to while dining alone. read more

Rustic 21 Bistro - Brazilian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Right off of Southside blvd this place was small yet cozy and intimate. Right off we were seated and inside was quaint yet cozy. Inside I noticed it was small spaced but the lighting was well lit and simple yet elegant. Menu was decent we started off with the Bolingbrook cod croquettes which was delish. With the green creamy sauce with it. It's like tender melted mini fish fillet bites. Also, we had the Brazilian cheesy bread. We got the Pichana top sirloin which came with sides of potatoes and fried Yuca which was delicious. However, we were looking forward to having the steak with chimichurri sauce which they ran out of. The sauce is definitely a staple with Brazilian steaks so they should have kept a good supply of it or at least told us they ran out as we were ordering the steak. Anyhow everything else was lovely. Service was prompt. Definitely worth the visit. read more

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My sister and I recently visited after an evening trip to Jacksonville for a show. The restaurant is not impressive from the outside, and the interior is austere but clean. There is a bar in the back of the dining room, and they have a small but nice wine list. We split two appetizers, a creamy burrata rolled in fresh herbs on a bed of arugula with sweet grape tomatoes and toast, and Pão De Queijo, Brazilian cheese bread that was crisp on the outside and cheesy and dense inside. At 3 balls for $5, it was a bargain. We split an entree of short ribs, which was a HUGE meal (we both ate and I brought some home). The only ding on our experience was the service. This was obviously the server's first job waiting tables, and she took our order like it was Applebees, asking about "starters" before even taking a drink order. We ordered two glasses of wine, which didn't arrive under after our entrees, and only after we inquired about them. The server had no experience serving wine at all and enlisted the help of another staff member, who promptly brought us two glasses - and the whole bottle! We informed him we'd only ordered two glasses; I think she forgot. I would definitely return, but the poor server needs training, training, training. If she is the face of Rustic 21 that customers see, it should be more professional. read more

What a cozy warm feel restaurant that had the feel of eating in someone's house. From the moment you walk in and are seated to the time you leave. Our entrees were presented by the chef, who even came back by to see if we enjoyed the food. Not being familiar with Brazilian cuisine was not a problem. Our server (Rey, I think?) helped us with the menu and he was spot on with every recommendation. There was not anything that didn't stand out. From the appetizer to the fabulous deserts. Then we even offered a complimentary dessert for my wife's birthday. Very personal touch all around. I learned there there is so much more to Brazilian food than the standard Brazilian BBQ restaurants. All this at a very affordable price. Great job and Thank You for a wonderful experience. read more

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he food at this Brazilian restaurant was absolutely amazing! The variety of dishes was incredible and every bite was full of authentic flavor. Everything was fresh, perfectly seasoned, and beautifully prepared. A special thank you to Rey for the outstanding service. Rey was incredibly attentive and made our dining experience even better. If you're looking for delicious Brazilian food with great service, this place is a must! Highly recommend. read more

Wow! I haven't seen a 4.8 on Yelp in a long time and this place did not disappoint. I wish I was more familiar with Brazilian food names but without the menu in front of me, I can't tell you exactly what we had. I know that one of them was the sirloin steak which has way too long of a name to type and the other was an authentic Brazilian dish, Feijoada, made with black beans and pork. They were both excellent and had great flavor The steak came with chimichiri sauce but the steak was so well seasoned that I barely tried the sauce. Add in the fried yucca that tasted like a healthy potato chip and I was in heaven. We ended with the carrot cake smothered with a warm chocolate icing. I know, carrot cake with chocolate seemed a bit unusual but boy, was it good. Being from Miami, the place was a downright bargain and I wish I lived closer so I could try the rest of the menu. read more

This is suchhhhh a hidden gem! Rustic 21 Bistro is my new go to. It's a smaller place, so everything feels intimate. The service exceeds excellence. We were treated so well throughout our entire dining experience. Everything we ate was phenomenal! Including the not pictured cheese bread bites. Top to bottom this place is basically flawless. I can't wait to come back, can't believe it took us so long to find this place! read more

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Enchanting ambiance, thoughtful service, and divine flavors--this spot truly impressed from start to finish. The interior is both inviting and artfully styled, with exposed brick walls and a striking black ceiling that create a cozy yet sophisticated vibe. Service was outstanding: our server was attentive, offered to take photos of us, and even checked to make sure we were satisfied with the shots. We began with the Torresmo (crispy pork belly), paired with a silky guava dipping sauce--pure bliss. As for the main course, the Feijoada (slow-cooked black beans with beef and pork) was melt-in-your-mouth perfection--rich, hearty, and utterly satisfying. read more

What a gem! Rey was an excellent server! We had File DeFrango A Parmegiana and Lombo A Milanesa. They were both delish. We took half of each home so we could split a dessert. Pecan ice cream, lava cake. I forget what it was called.But it was so good. We will be back soon. read more

Delicious Brazilian food in Jacksonville! I went for the traditional stroganoffe and the sauce was incredible, also the portions were quite big so I even had leftovers for the next day. The service was super friendly and they made sure everything came out quickly. The restaurant is relatively small, with a standard decoration, the food does most of the talking honestly read more

Rustic 21 Bistro - Chicken Stroganoff - Brazilian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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The food was amazing, the flavor was excellent, so enjoyable. The service was A+, Rey was attentive and respectful. The ambiance was so tranquil, the decoration is cute, the music was perfect, the volume and the music selection. We are returning to this place for sure. read more

What a delightfully cozy spot for a fantastic meal! My husband and I discovered Rustic 21 Bistro two nights ago and cannot wait to return. It felt like dining in a small restaurant in Europe where the proprietors truly care about the guest's experience. I can highly recommend the melt-in-your-mouth short ribs, and my husband raved about the traditional picanha. We shared the petit gateau dulce de leche; I will return if only to eat dessert first! read more

Pork belly appetizer was one of the best pork belly dishes I've had. Snitzel was amazing and the black bean soup was super tasty. read more

Rustic 21 Bistro - Schinitzel De Lombo à Milanesa - Brazilian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

The Food | I enjoyed dinner with a friend. We split an order of six Brazilian Cheese Bread as an appetizer. It was a great starter, chewy and pillowy as it should be. We both ordered the Picanha Top Sirloin cooked medium based upon the recommendation of our server. The steak was flavorful and cooked perfectly. I enjoyed the sides too-biro-biro rice (fried rice w/ bacon, egg, onion, and potato sticks), tomato salsa, and fried yuca. Service & Ambiance | The restaurant is beautiful and cozy. Because it is small, it was incredibly noisy so I would recommend it for lively social gatherings. Our server was extremely friendly, but service was incredibly slow to the point we had to flag him down a few times. read more

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First time visit, couldn't have been better. Simply amazingly delicious! The sirloin melts in your mouth. read more

Rustic 21 Bistro - Sirloin steak - Brazilian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Impromptu lunch here last Saturday and ordered the Bellini-cocktail with Peach purée and Caipirinha (The Brazilian national drink) but with Strawberry, I always thought they were served with Lime and it was delicious that I got 2 of them-Sim Senhor! The Bestseller is the Picanha Top Sirloin, medium well and was very tasty. Got the Torresmo-which are cuts of fried pork with the savory sauce along with the Mandicoca Frita with rice and they all paired really well during the meal. For dessert, ordered the Petit Gateau Doce de Leite, as suggested by our super server Patricia and it was very yummy as it melted with the Pecan Ice Cream. Parking was easy and the ambiance does feel Rustic 21 with all the decorations in the background, plus the music was just right. Service was awesome as we were attended to with gusto. We will definitely be back to try the other delicacies and drinks here, probably for dinner next time. Obrigado! (Thank you in Portuguese) #supportlocal904 read more

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The food was amazing!!! Very fresh, creative and flavorful. This restaurant is super cute and it was really slow during lunch time when I visited so we had prime service. Thank you to the staff for a great experience, I believe Christian was the name of our server This place has 4.8 stars for a reason. Don't doubt yourself if you're thinking about coming here read more

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Small, intimate setting. Great for the whole family. Great food options. I loved the lasagna I had and the rice. The dessert was a little too sweet for my liking but still delicious. read more

Rustic 21 Bistro - Lasagne - Brazilian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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A dear friend suggested Rustic 21 for a post-birthday lunch. After a quick glance at the menu, this was an easy YES! The only issue was deciding WHAT to eat since everything looked so delicious. The restaurant is on Southside Blvd just a block across from Tinseltown. The restaurant is intimate and nicely decorated. Our server was very friendly and helped us when we couldn't decide between the Bolinho de Bacalhau (Salt cod croquettes served with tartar sauce) or Dadinho de Tapioca (Fried tapioca squares with pepper jelly). We opted for the cod since it's a customer favorite. We also both had & loved the Brazilian shrimp stew at a restaurant in NYC so there was no question to also order the Bobo de Camarao as well as the Fresh Pasta ao Limone with shrimp. Everything was flavorful and food came out quickly. We'll definitely be back sooner than later to try out more menu items. I just need to make sure we save room for dessert next time! read more

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We've eaten there several times both excellent. I got a Brazilian steak, which was very good, the sides an outstanding rice dish with yuca fries were remarkable. I got Barrata cheese on arugula that was also excellent and unique. My desert was a soft hot cake with pecan ice cream. Service was attentive and excellent. The chef came to our table and we discussed food prep. Price was moderate and fair. I've recommended this restaurant to my friends. Great date night spot read more

Rustic 21 Bistro - Steak, fried rice, yuca fries and chimichurri. - Brazilian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Overall not worth the price. Booked far in advance. Of course there was a large party taking up more then half the restaurant which didn't help but it was very loud and could hardly hear each other talk within or group. Apps were great! Main courses were a huge let down. The steak was mediocre at best. The short rib was borderline inedible. It was over 50% pure chunks of fat and the meat that was there was very tough. One of the worst short ribs I've ever hard. The server saw that I didn't eat any of. No ask if something was wrong or can they get something else. That's fine...just wouldn't qualify that as good service. Ambiance poor. Food mediocre. Service poor to average. read more