Five restaurants you should know in São Paulo

If you have ever spent any time in São Paulo, you’ll know that it is one of the best cities in the world for food. Its rich diversity means it boasts a mix of traditional cuisine from around the world with a Brazilian twist. From Italian to Japanese, Lebanese to Portuguese, Afro-Brazilian to Indigenous Brazilian, there is always something different just around the corner.

It would be easy to list some of the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants, but we thought it would be better to share a few lesser-known places that we at Irish Business Network Brazil have come across during our time in São Paulo. Enjoy!

Bráz Pizzaria

The cultural ties between Italy and São Paulo are easy to spot. From Palmeiras football club to Italian surnames, to beloved eateries, up to 32 million people in Brazil are descendants of Italian migrants according to the Italian embassy, 15% of them based in São Paulo.

While Pizza may not be an unexpected recommendation, Bráz stands out for good reason. With the full range of toppings, the pizzas are noticeably lighter than many others in São Paulo, which often lean heavy on cheese. Although there are vegetarian options, there aren’t many choices beyond pizza apart from side dishes and desserts. That said, the starters and salads are excellent, with the Piquenique Calabresa being a particular highlight. 

Of course, there are many great places for pizza in São Paulo, but Bráz is definitely one of our favourites.

Nou

With locations in Pinheiros and Higienopolis, Nou is a contemporary fusion of international and Brazilian cuisine. The menu offers everything from seafood and meats, to risottos, pastas, and vegetarian options like tofu.

Dining in, the atmosphere is laid-back, making it a great choice for lunch or dinner. They also offer delivery. While the Filé à Milanesa is one of their more well-known dishes, we recommend trying the Bolinho de Arroz, Tofu Orgânico Agridoce, Couve Flor Assada, or the Mini Hamburger.

Nou’s diverse menu means there’s something to satisfy every palate, even the pickiest eater.

Rica Raiz Vegan Bar / Pietá Bar

Rica Raiz is a little hard to find, having merged with Pietá Bar during the pandemic. while it’s no longer exclusively vegan, it still serves some incredible options for those on plant-based diets.

The bar has a local, welcoming feel, with genuinely friendly service. It’s also close to Minhocão – the elevated street that runs downtown and is pedestrianised on weekends – which makes a great walking option after lunch to see the city’s street art.

With generous portion sizes, great cocktails, and very reasonable prices, Rica Raiz / Pietá Bar is one of São Paulo’s hidden gems for vegans and vegetarians alike. 

Arábia

Just like the Italian community, São Paulo’s strong Lebanese presence has given rise to some exceptional Arabian restaurants. Arábia, located in Jardins, offers both dine-in and takeaway options, and boasts an upmarket feel, and generous portions.

You can’t go wrong with staples like hummus or falafel, and that is definitely the case with Arábia. With so many choices on the menu, we recommend ordering a few smaller dishes to sample as much as possible.

Tanka

Given Brazil’s large Japanese community, it’s no surprise there are many great places for Asian food. Tanka, located inside the Kyoto Hotel in Liberdade, offers a self-serve menu with Japanese, Thai, and Korean dishes.

While not the cheapest option in town, it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet. And as you might expect, the menu leans heavily on fish, though vegetarian and meat options are available too.

Special Mention: BrewYo

Though not officially a restaurant, BrewYo serves excellent pizzas on special occasions. An Irish-Brazilian partnership, Phil and João brew their own high-quality craft beer on site. With great beer, very reasonable prices, and a relaxed, welcoming vibe, it’s hard to think of a better place to catch an Ireland game.

We hope you get a chance to try some of these recommendations. But remember, São Paulo is one of the best cities in the world for food. You won’t have to look far to find something incredible. And if you’ve discovered a favourite of your own, we’d love to hear from you. Your tip could be featured in our next guide!