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Eat & Drink
The considerable diversity of the Paulistana (of São Paulo city) gastronomy scene is nothing short of impressive and fruit of the influence of many immigrant peoples who settled in São Paulo over the last centuries. There are numerous Japanese restaurants and Izakayas around town, offering what is considered to be the best and most authentic Japanese cuisine outside of Japan. Italian descendants have entire neighborhoods at their disposal, and the quantity of trattorias, pizzarias and ristorantes rivals New York City. French, German, Arab, Greek, you name it, you can find it in São Paulo. Portuguese cuisine deserves a special chapter: given the history of colonization the Portuguese restaurants in São Paulo are as good as the ones in Portugal. Also, not to be overlooked are Brazilian delicacies, such as the famous Pão de Queijo (cheese bread), typical dishes such as the Feijoada (black bean stew), the Bobó de Camarão (a creamy shrimp dish) or, for those with a sweet tooth, Brigadeiros (a soft chocolate type of truffle) and the puddings and popular desserts from Minas Gerais state. We highly recommended you accompany your sweets with a cup of delicious homegrown freshly brewed coffee, of course.
The accolades speak for themselves: rated 16th on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2017, awarded two Michelin stars and considered one of the best restaurants in São Paulo. Brazilian chef Alex Atala adds a creative contemporary touch to typical Brazilian dishes, using innovative ingredients, many from the Amazon Rainforest, resulting in a true explosion of tastes. We’re partial to the meat with red wine… Read more »
Due Cuochi is amongst the best loved Italian restaurants for locals. The house, located in the Itaim neighborhood, is distinct for its green awning and glass façade. As you enter there is a bar next to the main room and a cozy ambiance throughout. The welcoming contemporary décor and service contribute to maintain Due Cuocchi’s reputation as one of the best restaurants of this genre… Read more »
In this authentic Parisian brasserie, with pictures of famous jazz masters, venues and events adorning the walls, you can enjoy great music as you delight in the amazing menu. An interesting selection, with several starters, sandwiches and reasonably priced typical French dishes. All starters look amazing, but every time we visit we order either the Parma ham bread or the baked cheese with honey. The… Read more »
São Paulo has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan and there are numerous options for sushi e sashimi. At Jam Warehouse you will not only find great food, but also art and music. Savor delicious recipes such as the exclusive Talmushi (sole fish with spicy ginger) or Ussuzukuri (finely sliced fish presented in a flower shape with wasabi sauce) accompanied with cocktails like the… Read more »
Helena Rizzo and Catalan Daniel Redondo met while working at the famous El Celler de Can Roca, a Spanish temple for molecular gastronomy. Here in the Jardins neighborhood, they take inspiration from their mentors and deconstruct, reinterpret and create unusual dishes with typical Brazilian tastes with fresh natural organic ingredients. We tried Maní and we loved it so much we rank this restaurant one of… Read more »
Wherever we are traveling, we always make a point of going to local markets, as we feel they exemplify and express local culture. At this market, located in Pinheiros, head to the upper floor and enjoy a meal at Mocotó Café, a sampler for iconic Mocotó Restaurant, which is located in a distant neighborhood but offers amazing typical dishes from Northern Brazil. We love the… Read more »
This restaurant has a classic ambiance in which all details are perfectly aligned, and the menu offers fantastic contemporary French cuisine. Established for over 20 years, it has maintained its high standards and quality and was recently named the best French restaurant in São Paulo. For starters we recommend the fried mussels or foie grass (duck liver pate) with figs, and for main course the… Read more »
This really tiny and modest venue serves delicious traditional Lebanese meals. You will often see lines of people on the sidewalk just outside awaiting their turn and sampling appetizers brought over by the attentive waiting staff. The highlight here is the food and, despite the humble setting, your meal will surely be delicious and satisfying. Tenda do Nilo is so well loved that some consider… Read more »
A classical Portuguese culinary reference in São Paulo, with a formal yet kind service. Enjoy an aperitif at the bar before being seated and savor the savory delicacies on offer. The menu is an exquisite offering of authentic Portuguese dishes and stays loyal to traditional recipes. The most sought after ingredient is their codfish, it features in about 15 dishes, such as the classic Lagareiro… Read more »
Paulistanos (natives of São Paulo) are pizza lovers with high standards, and you will often hear them say that the pizza in São Paulo is even better than the one in Italy. There are several outstanding Pizzarias around town, but Braz has been around for 20 years, since opening its first unit. The house is always at full occupancy and there are now several branches… Read more »