Dining in Sao Paolo is a necessity for any foodie who is traveling to Brazil. Rio has the sights and the beach and the nightlife and the street food, but what Sao Paolo has is the fine dining. Each restaurant is more brilliant than the last. The dining scene is defined by the creativity of local chefs and the sheer variety of local produce. You will spend a pretty penny dining in Sao Paolo, but it is absolutely worth it.
Dining in Sao Paolo: Where to Eat
Tuju: This gorgeous restaurant has an urban garden, an open kitchen and a comfortable dining room, along with some of the friendliest staff in town. The food is modern and seasonal, with a focus on local ingredients. We kicked off with fragrant house-made bread and butter, followed by a deeply memorable cold peanut soup. Sao Paolo is hot and heady in the summer (our winter) and the cold peanut soup is simultaneously creamy and cold and refreshing.
A few pieces of local melon add a touch a sweetness, and local mild chilies bring just a hint of heat. It was the best soup I have ever had. Other highlights included a tomato pie; a Brazilian cheese plate; parcels of eggplant smothered foam with springs of dill; and eggplant marinated in a Brazilian nut sauce. Tuju offers both lunch and dinner tasting menus, or you can dine a la carte.
D.O.M.: This was one of the most glorious dining experiences of my life. From the impeccable service to the quality of the food, it was divine. To see Alex Atala cooking in a glass-walled kitchen just a few feet from where we were sitting was truly surreal. The tasting menu is the only option; it features about 20 courses and takes three hours… so get comfortable!
We sampled everything from priprioca (a root with a woodsy vanilla type flavor) sorbet; black rice cooked with local veggies and silky Brazilian nut milk; the creamiest aligot (potatoes whipped with cheese) I have ever had; banana and lime ravioli and so much more. It is clear why this restaurant is on the World’s 50 best restaurant list; food, service, and wine are unparalleled.
Mani: This charming spot is cozy and lovely, a must when dining in Sao Paolo. This unique restaurant is housed in a former private home. We were lucky enough to snag a spot on the cute outdoor patio in the back. You can choose a tasting menu or dine a la carte; we elected to eat a la carte. After munching on huge, freshly made tapioca crackers we began our meal with tiny “bonbons” little spheres of bread crowned with dollops of glistening guacamole.
Next, we sampled crispy pan-fried quinoa cakes infused with curry and topped with celery marmalade. For my entrée, I enjoyed a stunning beetroot risotto, drizzled with white truffle oil. As for dessert, the creativity was marvelous; from black sesame seed ice cream to lychee sorbet to sweet eggplant to arrowroot cookies. You will want to try them all and you should! The dining experience at Mani was truly delightful.
What to Do in Sao Paolo
Although it doesn’t have the same kinds of historical sites as Rio, there are plenty of afternoon activities to pass the time in between each decadent meal.
Shopping on Rue Oscar Freire: Sao Paolo is known for its shopping culture, which becomes evident as soon as you step onto Rue Oscar. It has every high-end boutique I have heard of and plenty that I haven’t heard of! We mostly window shopped, although I did find a cute shoe store with colorful flip-flops that I bought for my sister and my mom. The street is also lined with cafes, so you can stop often for a snack. The best plan is to grab a patio spot, order a French press, and spend your afternoon while people watching.
Visit the Municipal Market of Sao Paolo: We jumped into an uber to get to this massive market, which is one of the most well-known food markets in the world. It is in a run-down part of town, which was interesting to compare to the opulent Vila Madalena and Jardins neighborhoods where all the fine dining options are. The market itself is great; you can peruse the aisles for hours and find all kinds of hidden treasures; fruits and salsas and olive oils and spices. There are plenty of restaurants and spots to sit and grab a beer (which we did!) when you get tired.
Where to Stay
Hotel Fasano Sao Paolo: It’s fancy and pricey, but its pretty damn cool. The Fasano has huge rooms, rain shower bathrooms, and sophisticated spa, and best of all a jazz bar where you can have a nightcap before you hit the sack.
Sao Paolo: The Verdict
Rio is essential, but considering Sao Paolo is only an hour away by flight it is also a required stop for any foodie. Dining in Sao Paolo is a must in your Brazilian adventure.
