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São Paulo's dynamic social scene centers on dining out, and among the 12,500-plus restaurants, most of the world's cuisines are covered. The most popular options include Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, French, and Lebanese; contemporary fusions are popular and plentiful. The city also offers a massive selection of pizza and hamburger joints with some world-class offerings. Most places don't require jacket and tie, but paulistanos tend to dress to European standards, so if you're going to pricey establishments, looking elegant is key.
On the domestic front the Brazilian churrascarias are a carnivore's dream, with their all-you-can-eat skewers of barbecued meats and impressive salad buffets. For in-between times, just about every bar offers a selection of grilled meats, sandwiches, and deep-fried favorites for casual grazing. On Wednesday and Saturday, head to a Brazilian restaurant for feijoada—the national dish of black beans and pork. Ask about the other traditional and regional Brazilian dishes as well.
An ideal place for an intimate meal, this small bistro has a good wine selection and an upstairs bar furnished with mismatched sofas and armchairs. The menu changes daily; a favorite is the classic coq au vin, but you can also fill up on entrées such as beef tenderloin, pasta, soups, and quiches.
Generous portions at reasonable prices and live music—that's the Lazzarella way. The cantina, a classic Italian joint founded in 1970, is hardly extravagant, but the rich flavors of a meal here and the Neapolitan stylings of the crooners circling among the red-and-white checkered tabletops are memorable. The signature house lasagna dish, made old-style with ground beef and mozzarella in a Bolognese sauce, is meal enough for two. All the pastas here are worth a try.
Even the fabulous people have to hang at the bar before being shown to a table in this large, sleek dining room; but especially for vegetarians, dishes such as the tofu and vegetable curry make the wait worthwhile. The decidedly eclectic menu includes Italian, Brazilian, Bahian, and even Thai cuisine.
Low-key, dependable, and well-loved, Nagayama consistently serves excellent sushi and sashimi. The chefs like to experiment: the California uramaki Philadelphia has rice, cream cheese, grilled salmon, roe, cucumber, and spring onions rolled together.
At one of São Paulo's few pizzerias where you can order by the slice, the options for toppings range from pepperoni and other traditional favorites to shimeji mushrooms, kale, and other innovative ingredients.
Pé de Manga's name and charm come from the massive mango tree surrounded by tables on the shaded patio, where appetizers like mini acarajé and main dishes named after celebrities—think Mel Gibson and Will Smith—are served. A two-story covered seating area lends the whole affair a Robinson Crusoe touch.
The restaurant boasts a chic and minimalist decor with warm tones and sleek design, creating a sophisticated-yet-cozy dining atmosphere. The linguine alla carbonara is a standout dish, perfectly creamy and rich. Pair it with the Negroni Sbagliato, a refreshing twist on the classic cocktail. To finish don't miss the tiramisù.
Though it's neither fancy nor beautiful, Pizzaria Camelo has kept Paulistanos enthralled for ages with its many thin-crust pies. The chopp (draft beer) is great, too.
The family that owns and runs this restaurant serves meat from its ranch in Mato Grosso do Sul State. Charcoal-grilled fare— steak, chicken, salmon, and more—is served at the buffet, and options abound at the salad bar. Wednesday and Saturday are feijoada nights, and on Friday the emphasis is on seafood. It was so successful in Brazil that it opened restaurants in Madrid, Chile, and Argentina.
After a nice walk around the park, why not stop by Selvagem for lunch? It offers contemporary Brazilian cuisine with a creative twist, utilizing local ingredients for a unique dining experience. Located within Ibirapuera Park, the Picanha Selvagem, a juicy cut of meat accompanied by exclusive sauces, exemplifies the chef's dedication to authentic and innovative flavors.
A few blocks west of MASP, this quaint yet futuristic glass-encased diner occupies a lonely single-story building tucked between government skyscrapers. Entrées—Argentine beef is a favorite—don't come with sides, so you'll have to order a dish such as rice with broccoli to fill the plate.
Occupying corners on both sides of the street, the modest Sujinho honors its roots as an informal bar by serving churrasco without any frills. This is the perfect place for diners craving a gorgeous piece of meat to down with a cold bottle of beer.
Owner Marconi Silva started his little slice of Bahia by selling acarajé (deep-fried bean balls usually stuffed with paste made from shrimp and other ingredients) on the sidewalk in front of where his restaurant now stands. Since moving indoors, he's expanded his menu to include favorites such as escondidinho (a lasagna-like dish with cheese, meat, and manioc) and shrimp risotto in a coconut shell.
The brainchild of the late Marcos Bassi, a former butcher turned restaurateur and radio host, Templo da Carne (Temple of Meat) makes no bones about its specialty. Contrafilé (sirloin) and famed Brazilian picanha (rump cap) are among the highlights.
Typically Brazilian from its decor to its daily specials, rustic-elegant Tordesilhas prides itself on spotlighting recipes from across the republic. Feijoada takes center stage on Wednesday and Saturday, while a Brazilian tasting menu is served Tuesday through Saturday.
