Hello my dear readers!
I've decided to write to the foreign people coming to São Paulo, the city I was born and raised and obviously, love. Once in a while I'm gonna write a special post talking about this incredible city and all the things you should see and do. Even if you're not coming for the first time, I'm pretty sure everytime you come there will be something new.
São Paulo is a multicultural city, with many things to do and see. They say NYC never sleeps, but my city is just the same and can make you feel in any other country you want, as long as you choose a right restaurant, bar, club, gallery or museum to be.
Most of the tourists coming to Brazil, specially for the first time, chooses to go to Rio first. São Paulo can't compete with the natural beauty of Rio, but that's the magic to be in such a big country that can show many cultures in one, and São Paulo surely must be your next stop.
In this post I'm gonna talk about some places to stay and some good restaurants and bars you can enjoy a pleasant meal or drinks. We've got many hotels that can fit into your pocket, but you gotta pay attention in the location you'll be. São Paulo is way big and you probably have to rent a car. You can also use public transports, such as the subway, but it only covers a small part of the city. Bus can't be a good option specially if you don't speak a word of portuguese. Of course people will try to help you as much as they can (brazilians are very friendly), but not always you'll get the information needed.
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MASP - Museum of São Paulo
at Paulista Av. |
If you want to be in a good location, nearby the most important financial center in Latin America, you gotta book a hotel next to Paulista Avenue, at the neighborhood of
Jardins. It's amazing and you can do most things by foot. It has excellent restaurants, the biggest museum in town, called MASP (Museum of São Paulo) and many bars and clubs.
Hotels
Ibis Hotel Av. Paulista - $$
http://www.accorhotels.com/pt/hotel-3735-ibis-sao-paulo-paulista/index.shtml
Belongs to the well known worldwide group of hotels: Accor. I like it pretty much because it has a excelent price considering the location and the standard quality of the room. Most Ibis around the world are the same, good bed, good bathroom, all very clean and safe.
Bluetree Hotel Av. Paulista - $$
http://www.bluetree.com.br/hoteis-e-resorts/paulista.jsp?language=en
Also a very good hotel with excelent prices considering the location. A little bit more expensive then Ibis, but of course they reward you with a better quality.
Renaissance Hotel - $$$$
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/saobr-renaissance-sao-paulo-hotel/
If you plan to spend more money to get a luxury hotel, this is the right place to be. Belongs to the important Group Marriot and its service its impecable.
Also look for hotels nearby Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, specially if you're here for business.
Itaim Bibi is a neighborhood known for being the "new financial center" in São Paulo. Most of investment banks and brokerage houses, also the law firms, are located there. You can find good clubs and bars as well, with probably the crème de la crème of São Paulo's people.
Everytime I'm looking for a place to stay anywhere in the world, I look at booking.com. Never had a problem booking hotels there, it's probably worth it in São Paulo as well. Try it on!
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| Ibirapuera Park |
São Paulo has many parks, but it's worth to know Ibirapuera Park, an incredible green lung located in a noble area at south zone, and also Povo's Park, located nearby Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue and Villa-Lobos Park, at west zone, neighborhood of
Alto de Pinheiros.
Like I said before, São Paulo offers an incredible gastronomical route. You can have a typical brazilian food, such as barbecue or the famous "rice and beans" we so much love, but you can have a piece of every single part of the world, just name your preference.
Barbecue
Vento Haragano
http://www.ventoharagano.com.br/
Meat
Varanda Grill - Simply the best in town!
Templo da Carne, by Marcos Bassi - Really good!!
French Food
Paris 6 - Nice Bistro mixing diferent people and excelent food 24 hours a day.
La Tambouille - Amazing!
Ruella - It's like Paris is just around the corner.
La Brasserie by Erick Jaquin - One of the most talented french chefs in town.
Japanese Food
Sassa Sushi - One of my favourites, good price over excelent food.
JAM - Unbelievable, that's it.
Mongolian Food (a real thing!)
Tantra - Exotic food, really special!
Pizza (Italians, please forgive me, but ours is the best in the whole world!)
Veridiana - Great Pizza, great place.
Bráz Pizzaria - Also great, good prices.
Speranza - Tradicional pizza in São Paulo at the neighborhood called Bixiga, mostly populated by italian descendants.
Contemporary Cuisine
D.O.M. - Considered as one of the best restaurants worldwide. Chef Alex Atala is ranked as #7 best.
Carlota - Deliciously unpretentious!
Italian Food
Cantina do Piero - You'll find yourself in Italy for a couple of hours.
Famiglia Mancini - There are five restaurants that belongs to the Mancini Family, and I'm not talking about Mafia stuff. They are located in a cute street downtown São Paulo called Avanhadava Street, and any restaurant you choose will be a delightful option.
Portuguese Food
Bela Sintra - One of the best in town, not only for the food but also the place that is quite nice. Just watch for the price...
Espírito Santo - Good meals at good prices, restaurant by day and bar at night.
Seafood
Coco Bambu JK - The main restaurants belongs to the northeast Brazil (Fortaleza) and now in São Paulo offers an incredible variety of seafood. Must go.
Mexican Food
Sí Señor - Nice mexican food with a good blues music aside..
Hecho en Mexico - The best mexican food out of Mexico I've ever had with GREAT prices. The place is quite simple, but the food it's really worth it.
I could talk for several pages about our restaurants, but we gotta talk about other stuff too! What about bars? We sure have one of the most exciting and cheering nights. Here's some nice places in town.
Cool bars
Gràcia - For those missing Barcelona.
O'malleys - One of the pubs I most like in town.
Subastor - Good music and interesting people.
NOH - Exquisite drinks.
MyNy Bar - Good drinks as you were truly at NYC
Brasserie Des Arts - Branch of the famous restaurant in Saint Tropez, it's a mix between bar and restaurant, nice place and beautiful people.
Brown Sugar - Inspired on famous Rolling Stones music, 70's decoration and good drinks.
That's it for the day, my dears.
I promiss to come soon to talk about other tips in São Paulo!
See ya! :-)
