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Brazil’s biggest metropolis is fast-paced, stylish, and full of one-off gems, from its edgy boutiques and galleries to authentic gastronomic temples. Here is our definitive guide.
R. Oscar Freire, 827 (R. Bela Cintra), São Paulo, SP
Loja de Sapatos · Cerqueira César · 44 dicas e avaliações
Travel + Leisure: Expect stylish sandals, sneakers, and kitten heels by Vivienne Westwood, Karim Rashid, and Jason Wu at this mecca for plastic and rubber footwear.
Loja Feminina · Cerqueira César · 4 dicas e avaliações
Travel + Leisure: Barra’s flagship store displays colorful, boho-chic dresses and tunics on luggage trolleys. Don’t miss her vivid prints for the home-furnishings collection on the second floor.
Av. Paulista, 1578 (R. Prof. Otávio Mendes), São Paulo, SP
Museu de Arte · Avenida Paulista · 745 dicas e avaliações
Travel + Leisure: This 1968 Modernist building houses one of the most comprehensive Western art collections (ranging from Botticelli to Diego Rivera) in the Southern Hemisphere.
Rua Oscar Freire, 384 (Entre R. Pd. João Manuel e Al. Min. Rocha Azevedo), São Paulo, SP
Hotel · Cerqueira César · 66 dicas e avaliações
Travel + Leisure: The 57 white-on-white rooms here have furniture by the Compana Brothers and Eames. They’re best for stylish travelers seeking easy access to the city’s top boutiques.
R. Vitório Fasano, 88 (Jd. Paulista), São Paulo, SP
Hotel · Cerqueira César · 35 dicas e avaliações
Travel + Leisure: A good fit for sophisticates and fashion gurus, this sexy retreat has clubby leather armchairs and Brazilian modern art. The Italian restaurant is a see-and-be-seen spot for the creative set.
Travel + Leisure: All 466 spacious rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the pastel-colored rooftops. The 2,000-plus bottle library lounge has one of the top wine lists in town.
Av. Brig. Luís Antônio, 4700 (R. Groenlândia), São Paulo, SP
Hotel · Jardim Paulista · 136 dicas e avaliações
Travel + Leisure: A design junkie’s dream: the 95-room property by architect Ruy Ohtake has curved hallways, sloped walls, and oversize round windows. Best for architecture geeks.
Restaurante Brasileiro · Cerqueira César · 269 dicas e avaliações
Travel + Leisure: A required stop for foodies (and big-name chefs from Ducasse to Adrià). Try the shrimp infused with cashew juice and tamarind and the banana-lime dessert.
R. Haddock Lobo, 1002 (Av. Paulista), São Paulo, SP
Restaurante · Cerqueira César · 115 dicas e avaliações
Travel + Leisure: Alberto Landgraf’s menu plays with textures: a deceptively simple entrée presents squash entrée three ways—raw, as a cream, and in gnocchi.
R. Joaquim Antunes, 210 (Av. Rebouças), São Paulo, SP
Restaurante Brasileiro · Jardim Paulistano · 379 dicas e avaliações
Travel + Leisure: Classic dishes such as feijoada, a hearty bean, beef, and pork stew, get a modern spin here; the chef and her husband both worked at El Celler de Can Roca, one of Spain’s molecular gastronomy temples.
Restaurante Brasileiro · Cerqueira César · 208 dicas e avaliações
Travel + Leisure: Chef Mara Salles still uses the recipes she learned from her mother. Order the tender duck braised in spicy cassava broth, followed by house-made tapioca ice cream.
Cafeteria · Cerqueira César · 99 dicas e avaliações
Travel + Leisure: Haddock Lobo’s fresh batches of pão de queijo—irresistibly chewy, buttery bread made with cassava flou—are baked daily at this pocket-size shop.
Travel + Leisure: The owners work with Minas Gerais-based craftsmen who produce rough-hewn trunks, whitewashed-framed mirrors, and brightly hued wooden sculptures.
Restaurante Nordestino · Vila Medeiros · 973 dicas e avaliações
Travel + Leisure: Paulistas drive 45 minutes from the city center to sample Rodrigo Oliverira’s northern Brazilian specialties: mouthwatering torresmos (fried pig skin) and rich mocofava (cow-hoof soup with sausage).
R. Treze de Maio, 1004 (Av. Brigadeiro Luiz Antonio), São Paulo, SP
Pizzaria · Bixiga · 306 dicas e avaliações
Travel + Leisure: Thanks to its sizable Italian community, São Paulo is famous for outstanding pizza; don’t miss the classic Neapolitan margherita here.