Things to do in São Paulo
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Barretto
Hands down one of the best places to see live music in the world, this bar inside the Hotel Fasano recalls prewar Milan and attracts top jazz and popular Brazilian musicians that normally only play large venues. Entrance fees match the glamor levels.
reviewed
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Clube Vegas
Hidden in a basement in a seedy area just north of Av Paulista, neon-lit Vegas delivers a varied program, with music styles spanning jazz to rock to electronica, and attracting an eclectic, mixed crowd of die-hard night owls, both gay and straight.
reviewed
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Tordesilhas
Behind a thick tangle of plants inside a golden-yellow colonial mansion, chef Mara Salles creates some of the very best contemporary Brazilian cuisine in the city, including perfectly grilled Amazonian fish and sun-cured beef with hearts of palm.
reviewed
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Sala São Paulo
In the Estação Júlio Prestes complex is the world-renowned Sala São Paulo, a classical music venue that cleverly occupies the station's principle waiting room. Part of the station is still a stop on the suburban train system.
reviewed
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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
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Viena
In a bright, ground-floor of the enormous Conjunto Nacional building, this winningly straightforward café offers a fine lunchtime buffet with the freshest ingredients, plus an evening all-you-can-eat pizza special with excellent salad bar.
reviewed
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Bovespa
Bovespa is Latin America’s largest stock exchange. There is no longer a live trading floor to visit, but the beautiful main lobby serves as a de facto museum, with small but often excellent temporary exhibits of Brazilian art.
reviewed
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Gopala Prasada
Cheap and elegant with delicious food, this Indian vegetarian lunch place (spread over two older town houses about 50 meters apart) offers two set menus daily, including soup, main and dessert. Simple food but prepared and served with care.
reviewed
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A Lôca
Still the reigning queen of trashy chic, this sprawling club is the point of reference for Sampa’s alternativos – gay, straight, male, female and various combinations thereof. Music varies from punk to electronica to classic disco.
reviewed
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D.O.M.
Foie gras with a crust of wild rice? Gnocchi with oxtail sauce? Duck breast with banana? This small and deceptively casual Italo-French restaurant serves up some of the finest food in Sampa, which is saying a lot. Reservations recommended.
reviewed
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Martín Fierro
Even Brazilians admit that Argentines are the masters of barbecue, and this humble-looking but convivial spot proves their point. The grilled beef is outstanding, while the grilled veggies and empanadas make first-rate accompaniments.
reviewed
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Estação Júlio Prestes
A short walk west of Estação da Luz is this large and grand train station in turn-of-the-century Beaux Arts style, though only completed in the 1930s. Part of the station is still a stop on the suburban train system.
reviewed
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Catedral da Sé
Crowning the Praça da Sé is the domed Catedral da Sé, a huge neo-Byzantine concoction that, for better or worse, replaced the original 18th-century structure in the 1920s. Still, its lush interior is worth a gander.
reviewed
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Bar Brahma
A Sampa classic near Praça da República with a well-preserved wood-panelled interior, Brahma remains a popular after-work hangout for professionals, and offers up live music (sometimes with cover) most nights after 21:00.
reviewed
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O
Asia House
For good, fair-priced and lightning-quick sushi, this per-kilo buffet restaurant just off Av Paulista is a great option. As well as sushi and sashimi there are classic Japanese and Chinese dishes, from tempura to Kung Pao chicken.
reviewed
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Bella Paulista
This very agreeable, upscale bakery is especially popular with both gay and straight Paulistanos for its gourmet sandwiches (around R$18) and salads served around the clock. Expect lines in the wee hours as clubs start to close.
reviewed
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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
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Jardim Zoológico
Located in Parque do Estado, Jardim Zoológico is Brazil's largest zoo. It's home to some 3000 animal species and is spread out over some 900 hectares, much of which is old-growth Mata Atlântica (Atlantic rain forest).
reviewed
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Bar Brahma
A Sampa classic near Praça da República with a well-preserved wood-paneled interior, Brahma remains a popular after-work hangout for professionals, and offers up live music (sometimes with cover charge) most nights after 9pm.
reviewed
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Mokai
Top-rack electronica and images of Marie Antoinette let you know you’re in the newest upscale-decadent nightspot, where the outrageous cover charge (upwards of R$100) seems only to attract more of the city’s beautiful people.
reviewed
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Sattva
Claiming to be Brazil's first veggie restaurant, Sattva still serves up decent meat-free fare, plus live music most Sundays, in a ramshackle but pleasant series of rooms. Try the two-course weekday lunch with drink for R$10.
reviewed
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Igreja do Carmo
On the other side of Praça da Sé stands the more modest but also more authentic Igreja do Carmo, which dates to the 1630s and still preserves its original high altar. At writing it was closed for major restoration.
reviewed
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Benjamin Abrahão
Widely considered the city’s best bakery, this Paulista institution also serves sandwiches as well as hot dishes (around R$25) amid a spotlessly white-and-tan interior. From cakes to foccaccia, the baked goods are superior.
reviewed
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Clube Vegas
Hidden in a basement in a seedy area just north of Av Paulista, neon-lit Vegas delivers a varied program, from jazz to rock to electronica, attracting an eclectic, mixed crowd of die-hard night owls, both gay and straight.
reviewed
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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