Delicias de Minas: Brazilian Buffet in Columbia
What Delicias de Minas offers
Delicias de Minas is a Brazilian churrascaria-style buffet in Columbia where servers bring grilled meats to your table while you help yourself to a salad bar. The restaurant specializes in rodízio service—the traditional Brazilian all-you-can-eat format where meat keeps coming until you signal you've had enough. The buffet includes beef, chicken, pork, and lamb, along with sides like rice, beans, fried plantains, and cassava.
The salad bar runs the full length of one side of the dining room and holds fresh vegetables, cheeses, and cold sides. Most diners spend their meal alternating between the hot meats the servers bring and trips to the bar. The atmosphere is casual and family-friendly, with a mix of Brazilian and American clientele, and the pace of service is steady enough that you're never waiting long between rounds.
Key Takeaways
- Delicias de Minas uses rodízio service, meaning servers continuously bring grilled meats to your table until you indicate you're finished.
- The price is per person for unlimited meat and salad bar access, with lunch and dinner rates that differ by day of the week.
- The restaurant is located on Devine Street in Columbia and fills up during weekend lunch and dinner hours.
- Children under a certain age typically pay a reduced rate or eat free, though you should confirm current pricing when you call.
Location and hours
Delicias de Minas sits on Devine Street in the Five Points area of Columbia, a neighborhood with other restaurants and shops within walking distance. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner most days, though hours vary by day of the week—typically closing earlier on weekdays and staying open later on weekends. Parking is available in a lot adjacent to the building.
The space itself is divided into a main dining room and a smaller side area, so the restaurant can accommodate groups of varying sizes. During peak times—Saturday and Sunday lunch, and Friday and Saturday dinner—the wait can stretch to 30 minutes or longer, especially if you arrive without a reservation.
How rodízio service works
When you sit down, you receive a card with two sides: one color signals the servers to keep bringing meat, and flipping it to the other color tells them to stop. Servers circulate with skewers of different cuts—picanha (top sirloin cap), lamb, chicken breast, pork ribs, and others—and slice portions directly onto your plate. You control the pace by eating and flipping your card; servers check on your table regularly.
The salad bar is self-serve and available throughout your meal. Most people make one or two trips early on, then focus on the meat service as it arrives. The rhythm takes a few minutes to adjust to if you've never done rodízio before, but staff are accustomed to first-timers and will explain the system when you arrive.
Pricing and what's included
The cost per person varies depending on whether you come for lunch or dinner and which day of the week you visit. Lunch is typically less expensive than dinner, and weekday rates are lower than weekend rates. The price covers unlimited meat service and full access to the salad bar, but does not include drinks, dessert, or tip.
Many Brazilian restaurants offer a children's rate for kids under 10 or 12, though the exact age cutoff and price vary by location. Call ahead to confirm current pricing and any specials the restaurant may be running, as rates can change seasonally or for promotional periods.
What to expect on a busy day
On weekends, Delicias de Minas draws a steady crowd from mid-morning through mid-afternoon at lunch and again from 6 p.m. onward at dinner. If you arrive without a reservation during these windows, expect to wait. The restaurant does take reservations by phone, and calling ahead is the most reliable way to secure a table quickly, especially if you're bringing a group.
Even during the wait, the bar area is comfortable, and the restaurant usually has water and chips available. Once seated, service moves at a good pace—the kitchen keeps the meat coming steadily, and servers are attentive about clearing plates and checking on water glasses.
Dietary considerations
Delicias de Minas is primarily a meat-focused restaurant, so vegetarian options are limited to the salad bar and sides like rice and beans. If you have a vegetarian in your group, they can eat from the bar and sides, but the rodízio experience is built around the meat service. Some restaurants in this category offer a reduced rate for vegetarians; it's worth asking when you call.
If you have allergies or other dietary restrictions, speak with a manager when you arrive. They can point out which items on the salad bar are safe and may be able to accommodate specific requests, though the kitchen's primary focus is on grilled meats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to eat everything that's brought to my table?
No. You control the flow by flipping your card. If you're full or want to slow down the pace, flip it to the "stop" side, and servers will stop bringing meat. You can flip it back anytime you're ready for more.
Can I make a reservation?
Yes. Delicias de Minas takes reservations by phone. Calling ahead is especially helpful on weekends or if you're bringing a large group, as walk-ins can face a wait during peak hours.
Is there a minimum or maximum time you can stay?
Most rodízio restaurants don't enforce a strict time limit, but they do expect tables to turn over during busy periods. If the restaurant is packed, they may politely ask you to finish up after a reasonable dining period—usually around two hours.
What if I've never been to a Brazilian steakhouse before?
Staff are used to first-timers and will explain how the card system works and walk you through the cuts of meat as they arrive. Don't hesitate to ask questions or signal a server if you're unsure about anything.
Are there options beyond meat and salad?
The focus is on the rodízio experience, but most Brazilian steakhouses offer sides like rice, beans, fried plantains, and cassava as part of the meal. Dessert and drinks are typically ordered separately and cost extra.