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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.
During and after the Saturday crafts and antiques fair in Praça Benedito Calixto, it may take an hour to get a table at this homey restaurant. Among the shareable, traditional mineiro (from Minas Gerais State) dishes are the mandioca com carne de sol (cassava with salted meat) appetizer and the tutu (pork loin with beans, pasta, cabbage, and rice) entrée. These are shared dishes, which serve 2 to 3 people.
Bar da Dona Onça, located in the iconic Copan Building in São Paulo, offers an authentic gastronomic experience with dishes that celebrate Brazilian cuisine. The cozy atmosphere, charming decor, and attentive service make this bar a must-visit spot in the city. You should definitely try the Arroz de Rabada, a rich and flavorful oxtail rice dish. Pair it with their signature Caipirinha de Jabuticaba.
With the look of an old-style saloon, Bar do Juarez has won awards for its draft beers and buffet of petiscos (small tapas-like dishes), but picanha (rump cap of beef) is this gastropub's calling card. Served raw on a minigrill, the platter is perfect for small groups and gives individuals direct control over how their meat is done.
A Casa do Porco reached the seventh position in the World's 50 Best Restaurants ranking in 2022, becoming the highest-ranked Brazilian restaurant on the list at the time. This achievement solidified its reputation as one of the top global dining destinations. The restaurant offers a relaxed and modern atmosphere. Its menu is a celebration of pork; the porco sanzé, a crispy and succulent pork belly crackling (called torresmo or pururuca) is a must-try dish that goes really well with a crisp, cold beer.
Mineiro dishes are the specialties at this modest eatery with plain wooden tables. The classic cuisine is served as a buffet only: more than 50 stone pots hold dishes like feijão tropeiro (beans with manioc flour) and frango com quiabo (chicken with okra).
The beautiful people hang out in the bar of this highly regarded churrascaria. The thinly sliced picanha (rump steak) is excellent; it goes well with a house salad (hearts of palm and shredded, fried potatoes), onion rings, and creamed spinach.
Paulistanos of all types and ages flock to this luncheonette on the stylish Rua Oscar Freire for its beirute sandwiches, filled with ham and cheese, tuna, or chicken, and for its draft beer and fruit juices in flavors such as acerola (Antilles cherry), passion fruit, and papaya.
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 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.
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.
