Seemor

Oliveira's Steak HouseB+Worth Trying

Name: Oliveira's Steak House
Address: 120 Washington St, Somerville, MA 02143, Somerville, United States
Rating: 4.5

120 Washington St, Somerville, MA 02143 · Steak house, Brazilian restaurant, Latin American restaurant · 4.5/5 Google (4036 reviews)

Reservations · Delivery · Takeout

Popular Brazilian churrascaria with abundant meats and a large salad bar; great for carnivores and groups, but service consistency and tipping policies frustrate some diners.

Why it gets a B+ for overall quality

Oliveira's Steak House delivers solid churrascaria execution with well-seasoned meats and crowd favorites that justify its strong customer loyalty and destination appeal for celebrations. However, quality variation during peak times—particularly dry or over-salted cuts and rushed service on busy nights—prevents grade A territory. The warm, lively atmosphere and excellent value for large groups make it a competitive neighborhood choice, though operational consistency remains the limiting factor.

Restaurant Summary

The room feels warm and bustling, a lively Brazilian churrascaria where skewer-toting carvers make the rounds and the salad bar draws a steady queue. Diners rave that the garlic beef and beef ribs are “worth the trip,” though some visits feel rushed at peak times and a few complain of tight seating. Service stories swing from standout bartenders to delayed drink orders, so expectations should account for the crowds. The cooking leans classic churrasco tradition, not chefly theatrics. The culinary approach is hearty and familiar: picanha, ribs, sausages, and that cinnamon-kissed pineapple, with a sprawling salad bar to reset the palate. For big appetites and celebrations, AYCE delivers clear value; the by-weight buffet and to-go work when you want control. Creative technique is limited, but execution hits the spot when the grill is in rhythm. Families do well here thanks to kid-friendly staples like rice, beans, fries, and pão de queijo, plus a clearly priced kids AYCE. The salad bar offers vegetarian and gluten-free tags, but the heart of the menu is meat-forward. Picky eaters who dislike robust seasoning or buffet formats may prefer the salad bar path over AYCE.

At a Glance

Abundant, well-seasoned meats with crowd favorites like garlic beef and beef ribs
Great for birthdays and large groups; handles 30+ on off-peak days
Service and pacing can slip on holidays and busy weekends
Reports of automatic 18% gratuity causing confusion
Creative/fusion menu - not traditional comfort food

What Sets It Apart

classic_churrasco_service
large_salad_bar_with_veggie_options
by_weight_buffet_and_to_go

What People Love

Craveable garlic beef and beef ribs
Roaming carvers and lively vibe
Huge salad bar to balance the meats
Roasted pineapple as a sweet finisher
Bartender-made caipirinhas

Points of Concern

Service inconsistency at peak times; delays for drinks and meat rounds reported by several diners
Seating can feel cramped and rushed during holidays and weekends
Auto-gratuity or tip expectations caused disputes on some checks
Review patterns show signs of potential manipulation (templated replies, marketing-style phrasing) which may not reflect typical diner experience

Service & Dining Experience

Service StyleTable Service Average Cost$57-70 per person ReservationsRecommended

What to Order

Choose AYCE dinner ($56.99) if sampling many cuts; salad bar ($35.99) suits lighter eaters
Kids AYCE ($25.99) offers solid value for families
Buffet to-go starts at $15.99; verify portions and selections at pickup

Perfect For

Meat-centric celebrations with friends
Casual date nights that end with roasted pineapple
Families wanting kid pricing and familiar sides
Hungry diners seeking AYCE value

Location Insights

Area: Mixed commercial-residential corridor near Union Square; casual, diverse, popular with locals and students.

Safety: Generally safe, busy streets, typical urban foot traffic; occasional crowding during peak dining hours.

Nearby: Near Union Square restaurants, bars, and transit; convenient for group celebrations and casual nights out.

Union SquareUnion Square is a dynamic and rapidly evolving neighborhood in Somerville known for its eclectic dining options, artisanal shops, and a strong sense of community. The area attracts a mix of creative types and food enthusiasts, with a lively social atmosphere and a growing number of trendy restaurants and bars.

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Monday10:30–23:00 Tuesday10:30–23:00 Wednesday10:30–23:00 Thursday10:30–23:00 Friday10:30–23:30 Saturday10:30–23:30 Sunday10:30–23:30

Available: Reservations, Delivery, Takeout

View full analysis on Seemor →