Toowoomba’s Brazilian Bistro opens in CBD on Duggin Street, serving traditional food

From deep-fried pockets to traditional sweet treats and soft drinks, a new Toowoomba restaurant is bringing the varied flavours of Brazil to the Garden City.

Daughter-and-mother team Glazielly and Marelzate Carvalho have opened Brazilian Bistro in Duggin Street, bringing the everyday tastes of their home country to the Toowoomba CBD.

After being constantly bugged by her friends for years to make some of the delicious treats and meals of her home country, it was no surprise Glazielly Carvalho decided to take the next step and open a restaurant.

Ms Cavalho and her mother Marelzate have launched Brazilian Bistro on Duggan St, showcasing a range of house-made dishes and snacks eaten in her home country every day.

The venue’s menu includes classic dishes like Brazilian stroganoff and feijoada (slow cooked black beans with pork belly) and imported soft drinks along with a popular snacks like the famous pastels (deep-fried cheese and meat pockets), coxinhas (shredded chicken with cream cheese croquettes) and torta de frango (chicken pie).

Ms Cavalho said she wanted to open up Toowoomba residents’ tastebuds to a unique set of flavours and seasonings.

Daughter-and-mother team Glazielly and Marelzate Carvalho have opened Brazilian Bistro in Duggin Street, bringing the everyday tastes of their home country to the Toowoomba CBD.

“When I came to Australia (12 years ago), everyone would ask for me to make coxinha, kibe (beef and wheat snacks), for something different,” she said.

“So I started to make that to sell but I didn’t want to open (a physical venue) yet, but last year everyone was still asking me to make all these foods so I thought I’d try (to open a restaurant).

“It’s the unique seasoning – we use this specific seasoning called Sazon, which is really popular in Brazil but is hard to find because it’s international.

“The idea behind opening the restaurant is not only to please Brazilians but also try and introduce Brazilian food to Australians as well.

“If I don’t try, I (won’t) know what I can do.”

Ms Cavalho said she recommended residents try the pastels, which were a highly popular street snack in Brazil.

“It is a snack, so people will come here to buy it,” she said.

“All the rest of the foods you can make at home, but pastels are time-consuming so it’s good to come here and have a little snack.”

Brazilian Bistro is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

For more information, call 0421 055 966.