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Restaurant

Bossa Nova Café

156 Elgin St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Recommended by 42 people

Updated

Find Bossa Nova Café

156 Elgin St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9078 2410
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Bossa Nova Café

Uncompromised Brazilian comfort food meets Carlton cafe warmth, dishing out slow-cooked feijoada, grilled picanha, and home-style hospitality. Stepping inside feels like a portal straight to São Paulo—Portuguese chatter fills the room, soft MPB hums in the background, and owner Claudia often drops by tables to walk guests through the regional staples. Diners make the trek for the traditional feijoada, rich with slow-braised pork cuts, chorizo, and black beans paired with collard greens, rice, and toasted farofa. Brazilian beers arrive in the customary copo lagoinha, and the in-house mini pantry lets you stash away imported snacks, sweets, and pantry goods on the way out.

  • Traditional Feijoada: Slow-cooked black bean and pork stew accompanied by seasoned rice, collard greens, and toasted farofa.
  • Tableside Cultural Storytelling: Owner Claudia frequently visits tables to introduce dishes and explain Brazilian food traditions.
  • Mini Brazilian Pantry: A dedicated in-house shelf stocked with packaged Brazilian groceries, sweets, and pantry essentials.
RestaurantBrazilianCoffeeRestaurantCocktail BarCafe

What's On at Bossa Nova Café

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Guests Choose Bossa Nova Café

Experience hearty traditional cuisine, cultural immersion, and maternal hospitality in Carlton.

  • Authentic Brazilian National Dishes

    Guests enjoy staple Brazilian plates such as tender feijoada stew, seasoned rice and beans, and grilled picanha steak served with classic accompaniments like farofa and cassava chips.

    A tasty meal, not too intense in flavour, well balanced, and hearty.

    Shaun D'Monte

  • In-House Specialty Brazilian Pantry

    An integrated retail pantry inside the cafe allows diners to take home specialty Brazilian groceries, snacks, and traditional baked treats like bolo de rolo.

    They also have a mini pantry inside where you can buy some products that are popular from Brazil.

    Mar Habbaby

  • Nurturing Home-Style Hospitality

    Diners feel welcomed into a maternal family setting, surrounded by genuine warmth, abundant portions, and caring service from the owner and chef.

    The owner, host and chef, Claudia, is like your second mother from Brazil. Her love for her food is enormous

    Stuart Mitchell

  • Heartfelt Cultural Reconnection

    For expatriates and travelers, familiar homestyle flavors and seasonings evoke comfort and ease longing for home.

    The rice and beans truly took back home.

    Alexandre Alves de Oliveira

  • Immersive Cultural Atmosphere

    The dining room buzzes with Brazilian ornaments, Portuguese conversation, and soft MPB music, transporting guests directly to South America.

    It felt like I was transported all the way to a local restaurant in Brazil. The atmosphere was light and pleasant, filled with Brazilian conversations and soft MPB playing in the background.

    Etiene Casagrande

  • Tableside Dish Storytelling

    Guests receive dedicated tableside introductions from the chef, who shares cultural context and the heritage behind each dish on the menu.

    The owner (or at least I believe she was) came to our table to describe each dish and share how every item reflects the heart of Brazilian cuisine.

    Chad Africa

Signature Brazilian mainstays and savory centerpieces

  • Feijoada

    Recommended by a friend, I chose the national Brazilian dish Feijoada, and it tastes great.

    Michael Babiĉ

  • Picanha Steak

    a picanha deliciosa e no ponto

    Marcelo Perna

  • BBQ Platter

    ​We ordered the BBQ platter and the feijoada, with beer served in the iconic 'copo lagoinha'—a fantastic authentic touch.

    Etiene Casagrande

  • Bolinho de Bacalhau

    The food was amazing it had so many Brazilian staples - just felt as if I was back in Brazil. I had the bolinho de bacalhau, feijoada, brigadeiro and beijinho.

    Mark Russell

Other favorites

Sweets, staple sides, and signature cafe beverages

  • Carrot Cake with Chocolate

    And the carrot cake with chocolate icing is to die for.

    Stuart Mitchell

  • Brazilian Rice and Beans

    I also had on the side the popular Brazilian rice and beans!! Loved it too!! The flavours all mixed with rice too are superb!

    Mar Habbaby

  • Pão de Queijo

    Pao de queijo (cheese ball) has the perfect texture.

    Eric C

  • Dulce de Leche Latte

    the dulce the leche latte is perfect if you want something a little sweet

    2 Good Forks

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful cultural touches and personal hospitality that set Bossa Nova Café apart.

  • Tableside Menu Storytelling

    The owner and chef regularly visits tables to explain regional dishes, share menu recommendations, and educate guests on the cultural roots of Brazilian cuisine.

  • Copo Lagoinha Beer Service

    Cold Brazilian beer is poured into traditional 'copo lagoinha' glassware alongside authentic stew accompaniments like farofa and seasoned kale.

  • Celebration Dessert Hospitality

    Special milestones receive generous hospitality touches, including complimentary celebratory desserts on the house for family occasions.

  • Integrated Brazilian Pantry

    An in-house mini pantry allows diners to purchase authentic packaged Brazilian groceries, snacks, and specialty baked goods like bolo de rolo to take home.

Before you head over

Practical advice on reservations, seating, and dietary options for your visit

  • Book Ahead for Peak Hours

    The cafe fills quickly, especially during peak rushes and group lunches. Reserving online ahead of time ensures a table without unexpected wait times.

  • Opt for Outdoor Seating When Busy

    When indoor tables fill up and ambient noise rises, ask to sit outside for a more relaxed setting with extra breathing room.

  • Gluten-Free Friendly Menu

    Diners with gluten sensitivities will find that the majority of the menu is gluten free, including staples like pão de queijo and cassava accompaniments.

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