Shopping in São Paulo
-
A
Daslu
Don’t plan on walking to Daslu. It’s against the rules to arrive on foot at São Paulo’s most over-the-top shopping emporium. A taxi is one option, though a much chicer option is to arrive by chopper at the rooftop heliport. The store itself looks like an all-white Roman villa on steroids, and over its three floors you can find every top designer, from Gucci to Tumi. Servants in black-and-white uniforms dole out free espresso, biscotti and sparkling water at bars spread throughout the store. Still hungry? There’s a tearoom, a sushi bar and a more formal dining room. Daslu even has its own harem – a sprawling series of lounges and changing rooms where mirrors are ubiquito…
reviewed
-
B
Mercado Municipal
This covered market is a belle époque confection of stained glass and a series of vast domes. Inside is a delightful market specializing in fresh produce and dried goods. It’s also a great place to sample a couple of classic Sampa delights: mortadella sandwiches and pasteis, pockets of dough stuffed with meat, cheese or fish and then fried. Many Sundays there is live music, but note that approximately one Sunday per month, the market closes for maintenance. Unfortunately, there is no regular schedule for these closings.
reviewed
-
C
Galeria do Rock
Even if you’re not in the market for a skateboard or a new tattoo, this seven-floor shopping center is an anthropologically fascinating gathering point for São Paulo’s underground communities, from punks to goths to metal heads. Hundreds of shops hawk everything from CDs and concert T-shirts to black capes and extreme piercing.
reviewed
-
D
Iodice
One of São Paulo’s top homegrown brands for both men and women, Iodice prides itself on top-quality materials and creative elegance. This shop has both casual wares at relatively accessible prices as well as a high-end line with prices to match.
reviewed
-
E
Galeria Melissa
This temple to high-end footwear is worth checking out for its bold design – but don’t expect bargains. Melissa first made its name for inexpensive but stylish plastic shoes that appealed to all social classes – unusual for Brazil.
reviewed
-
F
Livraria Cultura
Spread out over three stores on the ground floor of the Conjunto Nacional building, this is hands-down the city’s best bookstore. There is a large selection of both English-language books and travel guides, plus a pleasant café.
reviewed
-
G
Livraria Cultura
Spread out over three stores on the ground floor of the Conjunto Nacional building, this store is a big favorite with students and intellectuals, and has a large collection of both English-language books and travel guides.
reviewed
-
H
Clube Chocolate
Set around a winning courtyard complete with its own artificial beach, this super-refined store is Daslu's closest rival for high-end fashions for men and women. Your source for US$500 jeans.
reviewed
-
I
Feira Moderna
Feira Moderna is a high-end, high-quality shop featuring Brazilian handicrafts displayed amid a tranquil, flower-filled courtyard. It also has a delightful café.
reviewed
-
J
Espaço Brasil
Spread over three stories, this light-filled store is practically a museum of Brazilian arts and crafts, ranging from carvings and paintings to soaps and linens.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Havaianas
You will find flip-flops in every imaginable design and hue – and at quite reasonable prices – at the new flagship store of Brazil’s favorite beach footwear.
reviewed
-
L
Galeria Ouro Fino
From hip-high boots to camouflage club gear, this old-fashioned, three-story mall has been turned into ground zero for alternativo shoppers.
reviewed
-
M
Galeria Ouro Fino
From hip-high boots to camouflage club gear, this old-fashioned, 3-story mall has been turned into ground zero for alternativo shoppers.
reviewed
-
N
Shopping Frei Caneca
Relatively modest in size, Shopping Frei Caneca is nevertheless fully equipped with food court, cinema and good midrange shops.
reviewed
-
O
Shopping Frei Caneca
Relatively modest in size, Shopping Frei Caneca is nevertheless fully equipped with food court, cinema and good midrange shops.
reviewed
-
P
Shopping Light
Across Viaduto de Chá lies Shopping Light, a modern, midrange mall with a decent food court on the 5th floor.
reviewed
-
Q
Supermercado Master
Self-caterers can stock up at Supermercado Master, on the ground floor of the Shopping Frei Caneca mall.
reviewed
-
R
Shopping Iguatemi
Sampa's favorite high-end hulk of a mall, Shopping Iguatemi has all the top Brazilian brands, from Osklen to Ellus.
reviewed
-
Shopping Iguatemi
Sampa’s favorite high-end hulk of a mall, Shopping Iguatemi has all the top Brazilian brands, from Osklen to Ellus.
reviewed
-
S
Loja do Bispo
This colorful, high-concept store is crammed with objets d’art, avant-garde art books, furnishings and more.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
T
Supermercado Master
Self-caterers can stock up at Supermercado Master, on the ground floor of the Shopping Frei Caneca mall.
reviewed
-
U
Galeria Melissa
This temple to high-end footwear is worth checking out for its bold design - but don't expect bargains.
reviewed
-
Feira Benedito Calixto
Open-air market for handicrafts and antiques, plus food stalls and live music.
reviewed
-
V
Feira Benedito Calixto
Open-air market for handicrafts and antiques, plus food stalls and live music.
reviewed
-
W
Antiguidades do MASP
An antiques fair that’s good for browsing, but bargains are limited.
reviewed
