Fazenda

Brazilian-influenced Fazenda takes the craze for mega-sized meat dishes that arose in the wake of Man v. Food, and combines it with the tried-and-tested concepts of gaucho dining and all you can eat. While this may sound tacky, like a Toby Carvery with added bells and whistles, it makes for a memorable dining experience.

Diners are handed a card that’s green on one side and red on the other. Putting it with the green side up signifies to the waiters that you want more food, the red side means you’re full or having a rest. The servers walk around with trolleys of different cuts of meat, served on skewers in the traditional Brazilian rodizio style, and are attentive but not overly intrusive. The focus is mainly on beef, but there are also ribs, sausage, chicken (including chicken hearts) and halal options.

You don’t have to be a carnivore to enjoy Fazenda, though. My vegetarian dining partner was full of praise for the high-quality salad bar, and the mushroom and ricotta pasta also got the thumbs up. As for the drinks, red wine is the obvious choice but is somewhat expensive, and in any case there’s no substitute for a caipirinha – the national cocktail of Brazil.

The decor is rather dark but the area is well lit to compensate for this. It’s somewhere you could happily take either a date or a larger group of friends, and, despite its popularity, staff won’t rush you. In fact, its popularity is its only downside – if you’re planning to visit on a weekend, be sure to book at least three weeks in advance.