"For me, São Paulo is one of the best places to eat in the world," says Rafael Cagali, the London-based chef (at Da Terra and Elis) who grew up in the former to Brazilian and Italian grandparents. "Brazilians love to eat and love to share food with people. Brazilian culture and food have been massively influenced by immigrants and their cultures; we are shaped by African, Indian, German, Portuguese, Italian, French, Japanese, etc. Although it’s hard to define Brazilian cuisine, I like to say it's the way we eat, as opposed to what we eat. You see a lot of European-style dishes and techniques being adapted to the local environment and produce that’s available. I go back as much as I can to try new places, old institutions and of course, my mum's cooking!"
As well as the suggestions below, Cagali recommends the rooftop bar at Hotel Unique, "a buzzing space and a great bar to grab a few late night drinks with a great view over the city skyline"; the counter at Jun Sakamoto, one of the city's "many brilliant Japanese restaurants"; Pastelaria Brasileira, "a classic old-school bakery near Allianz Parque selling pies and snacks all day long"; Tan Tan for cocktails and "incredible bites"; and classic Brazilian restaurant Tordesilhas.
Read on for more of Rafael Cagali's São Paulo picks.
This article was last updated on 01/05/2025.
