Aside from working hard, the country's economic engine has a reputation for eating well. With Brazil's highest GDP per capita and a bevy of business travelers, São Paulo can support the sort of pricier menus that tend to make celebrities of their chefs, such as Salvatore Loi of Restaurante Fasano and Alex Atala of D.O.M. From the more-recent arrivals in the city's southern neighborhoods of Vila Olimpia, Itaim, Moema, Morumbi, Brooklin and Jardins to the mainstays in and around the downtown, São Paulo has stocked up on five-star restaurants.
A city of immigrants, not only from the rest of Brazil but also countries in the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Europe, São Paulo's proverbial melting-pot culture has rubbed off on (or perhaps spiced up) its stove tops. Lebanese and Japanese fine-dining establishments, like Arabia and Aizomê, have joined the elite ranks of the five-star Italian restaurants, like Terraço Italia and Fasano.
Meanwhile, the city has hardly lost sight of Brazil's rich culinary heritage. Customers sitting under the 130-year-old fig tree at A Figueira Rubaiyat enjoy beef raised on the restaurant's private cattle ranch. And while Fogo de Chão has gained international fame with outlets across the United States, the original in São Paulo continues to win awards as the best
rodizio-style (all-you-can-eat) steakhouse in town.
With so many world-class eateries from which to choose, selecting the top 10 five-star restaurants in this town was a tall task. Like a garçom slicing off a piece of
picanha (rumpsteak), we had to make our cuts wisely. Stalwarts like Pomodori and Vento Haragano were left on the chopping block to make room for newcomers like Tre Biccheiri and Jam Warehouse. But we feel our list, like the restaurants on it, is bound to delight. So grab a fork, bib, credit card and your appetite. A plate with São Paulo's brand of luxury tourism awaits.
Av. Brigadeiro Luis Antonio 4700
Jardim Paulista (inside the Unique Hotel)
Restaurant with one of the best views of São Paulo...
Rua Haddock Lobo 1738
Cerqueira Cesar
Under a fig tree...
Rua Vittorio Fasano 88
Fasano Hotel
Dine with the elite...
Rua Haddock Lobo 885
Scrumptious Meals...
Avenida Cotovia 445
For Dinner and Dessert...
Alameda Campinas, 600
Jardim Paulista
The Epitome Japanese Cuisine...
Alameda Lorena, 1884
Jardim Paulista
A True Portuguese House...
Rua Alves Guimarães, 230
Pinheiros
Incomparable Paellas...
Rua da Consolação, 222
A Combination of French & Brazilian Cuisine...
Alameda Fernão Cardim, 39
A "provocative" take on traditional Japanese cuisine...
Rua Avanhandava, 126
The fine-dining jewel in the Mancini family's cap...
Av. Roque Petroni Jr, 850
A meaty menu...
Rua Pedro de Toledo, 1361
Vila Mariana churrascaria with extensive wine list and Japanese food...
549 Rua Barão de Capanema
Taste of Brazil...
Avenida Santo Amaro, 6824
Brazilian Barbecue at its best...
Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2954
Itaim Bibi
The steakhouse in one of São Paulo's most distinguished restaurant groups...
Rua Sirena, 375
Moroccan and Mediterranean restaurant to start the night... bar and balada into the morning...
Estrada do Camburi, 1529
Fine local cuisine with a beachfront view...
Rua Lopes Neto, 308
Jamboree with great Japanese food...
Rua General Mena Barreto, 765
Fresh face in Sampa's five-star Italian restaurant family...