I really love the arais (flatbread and meat) sandwich at Carlinhos and I love every single pasta dish on the menu at Osteria del Petirosso. Another great place is a Japanese restaurant called Pub Kei; make sure you ask for the fresh fish of the day.
You must go to Santo Colomba and try the duck rice – it’s one of my favourite dishes in São Paulo.
Tordesilhas is one of the best Brazilian cuisine restaurants in town. I love its feijoada (black bean stew). Jiquitaia restaurant is another favorite. The chef is a good friend of mine. The daily dishes here are the best.
If you want to experience the local dining scene, go to Chef Vivi. All of the daily dishes are great, and all organic. Another great local spot is Conceição Discos. The pão de queijo – a classic Brazillian cheese bread – is amazing. It’s definitely something everyone should try while they’re here.
If I’m celebrating a special occasion, I’ll most likely go to Fasano – it’s a city classic.
Corrutela is a restaurant that is really influencing the dining scene with its philosophy and sustainability. Go there and try the windmill polenta. Another restaurant changing the game with their creativity is Capivara. The team there comes up with great new dishes every single day.
When I’m not in in the kitchen you’ll most likely find me at Bar da Dona Onça. It belongs to my wife, chef Janaina Rueda. It’s a great place in downtown São Paulo, right underneath the famous Copan Building. Go there on Monday to try a local specialty, virado à paulista (bean puree with pork). Also try the cachaça; I actually like to drink this way more than wine. The wine lover and connoisseur is my wife Janaina.
There’s a bar located right next door to Bar da Dona Onça called Fel, which I usually go to with the other chefs from the kitchen after service.
