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Tips & Traps
Insider advice from Local Friends and travelers. What to do, and what to avoid, city by city.
- TipA place or a move worth it
- TrapWhat to avoid, and how
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Insider advice from Local Friends and travelers. What to do, and what to avoid, city by city.
Join RALF to share your own tips and traps
New this weekPicks from our Local GurusCommunity picksrefreshed every Monday
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Although Rio, Salvador and Recife take all the fame; São Paulo's street carnival grew in an exponencial scale over the past few years - with support from the mayor and more investments, we now can brag about our street carnival too! With "blocos de rua" (the different open "parties", usually based on a special theme)…
The famous Argentinian empanadas (served in this place created by Paola Carosella, one of Brazil's Masterchef jury members) should be on your list to try once in São Paulo, but not just in any of three spots she owns: this is def the best because it's inside one of our coolest book shops (so it's two things to check…
One of the many downtown squares, this one is a favourite because it combines the green space with other attractions: one of the oldest bars in São Paulo (Paribar), an old comercial gallery now with some very cool shops (Galeria Metrópole), the very famous São Luis avenue and its great architecture, some samba bars…
In my opinion, this is the best burger in São Paulo. This small place, decorated with urban references and run by a catholic family (therefore the "holy" in the name ;) has good quality food, served in an informal environment. Vegetarians do have a choice as well: their veggie burger, made with chickpeas, is my…
One of the best panoramic views of the city, Praça do pôr-do-sol ("Sunset square" in Portuguese) became a famous place to watch the sun going down behind the skyline of skyscrapers. Especially during summertime (when the days are longer), it's almost an open air party - people buy drinks and hang out there (arrive…
In one of the busiest downtown comercial streets is hidden one of my favourite local gems: from the same owners of Cafe Giramondo but way less upscale, this low-profile cafe is basically a counter hidden inside a comercial gallery, serving good quality filtered coffee for a single real (!). The ladies who work there…
The landmark where former Brazil's emperor Dom Pedro I declared independece from Portugal in 1822, this gorgeous place holds the Museum of Brazil's History (closed atm for renovation) surrounded by an enormous Versailles-inspired garden - great for a long morning walk. At the back of the museum, a charming hidden…
Away from the beaten paths in a quieter side of Oscar Freite St., you'll find one of the best coffees in São Paulo (and don't we have a lot of good choices here!). Run by two siblings, it has a very cool atmosphere - and amazing coffee options! From the type of beans to the way you want it to be prepared, the choice…
Please don't trust the "bar" in the name: this is a local traditional diner, that since 1968 opens 24/7 to help hunger citizens to find some comfort in their top famous pork sandwich. An informal place with warm service, to sit on the counter and order a cold beer and get all messy with never-enough-napkins when…
I love its quieter & more laidback atmosphere when compared to other parks in town - even though it's also big and located in a very central area. It was the first zoo we had in SP (back in 1882), and it holds a lake, a Japanese garden and great open areas for outdoor exercises. I celebrated my birthday with a picnic…
Not sure about what I would first recommend on this place: if it's because it has an unusual location inside a sort of garage, its charming decoration full of personality, its warm service or its amazing food - their "escondinho" (Shepherd's pie) was sort of a heavinly experience the first time I tried it, a few years…
This bar located inside a sort of shopping mall downtown is a hidden gem! The cozy little space does not leave much room to spare in the busiest nights - that's why everyone grabs their drink and goes to the terrace for some air :) Best gin & tonic in São Paulo, great music and one of the coolest music nights in town…
This short space is not enough to describe one of my favourite places to eat - for so many reasons! Located in the east side of the city (where I grew up); this charming cafe/bistro looks like a doll house - the owner herself takes care of every little detail. Amazing desserts (red velvet and nutella cheesecake!) and…
In this traditional Asian neighborhood lays my favourite Chinese in town! Big tables to share ask for big groups of friends too - large portions of great food are meant to be shared (the more, the cheaper & the merrier!). Best yakisoba & guioza you'll find in SP, with complimentary on-the-house green tea to help with…
French films, cool atmosphere & pain au chocolat? YES PLEASE. My favourite cinema theatre in town also holds one of my dearest things to do on a Sunday morning once a month: having a proper French breakfast followed by a film - and all for less than R$ 10! Also do not miss the restaurant with a view to Paulista Ave…
On the top of Chez Oscar (one of the coolest restaurants in town) lies one of the best spots recently opened: holding one of their well made drinks in your hands (gin & tonic is my fave) might be one of the nicest ways to spend a Wedsneday eve in São Paulo, seeing a high quality jazz band (R$ 10 entrance). The view is…
If jazz is your music, this is your place. A hidden spot at the back of a parking lot (therefore the name, which means "jazz at the back"), brings quality live music in a quirky atmosphere, full of personality. Reasonable prices on beers and drinks and News Orleans' inspired cuisine make it a perfect night out with…
There’s live music Tuesday-Sunday nights, but Friday nights with the excellent samba-rock combo Clube de Balanço, are recommended. Also you can listen MPB and soul music. Just a reminder: please don't forget to order a special mojito., you won't regret it!
Set on the rooftop of the Hotel Unique, it has a stunning view of Ibirapuera Park and Paulista Avenue's skyline. Sip a poolside martini or a beer and lounge on one of the outside deck chairs under the mood-enhancing (red!) lighting. Order caipirinhas if you're feeling already a Brazilian :)
The perfectly divine Brazilian dining experience. For an appetiser, go for a pastelzinho (a small deep fried pastry) with catupiry (a local type of cheese, my personal favorite!) or duck rolls with tangerine sauce. Brigadeiro de capim santo is a must to chaperon your well deserved cup of Brazilian coffee ;)
Many workers' houses were replaced by countless bars and restaurants which attract locals and tourists till the wee hours, in this bohemian & artsy district, such as: Filial Bar - traditional spot for laidback happy hours and good food. Beco do Batman (an alley between Gonçalo Afonso and Medeiros de Albuquerque st.)…
Spend your Saturday afternoon wandering around Praça Benedito Calixto. It holds a traditional and famous art craft/antique fair, surrounded by great bars - you will be able to witness the variety of Sao Paulo cuisine, trying a plenty of delicacies at its culinary fair while you listen to a live gig of chorinho (a…
This museum is dedicated to works of art, photographs, documents and other ethnological items, some dating from the XV century, thus composing a comprehensive profile of the black culture in the construction of Brazilian society. An ahtropological visit, the place is super complete and embraces different aspects of…
The most important park in the city. Besides the extensive leisure area, it is home to museums and landmark buildings such as the Oca, the Auditorium and the Biennial Pavilion; and it hosts several international events, such as the Art Biennial and the São Paulo Fashion Week. The park is also a meeting place for the…
It's one of the few places in the area where you can go for a coffee or lunch on weekends. It still keeps the old school upscale atmosphere, ressonating the days when chic hotels were located nearby and their clients needed an elite spot. Today Girondino is a legend in downtown and one of the best places to have a…
Apfel is a cozy vegetarian restaurant, with a friendly and efficient service. Even not being a vegetarian myself, I love most things in the menu - everything is fresh, healthy and tasty. If you can go only for one option, please do not miss the sweet parsnip nhoque with goat's cheese filling (you can thank me later ;)
Don’t be misled by the ‘bar’ in the name – this classic Centro destination is as much restaurant as watering hole; and its extensive menu (including pasta and meat dishes, draws crowds for both lunch and dinner) features authentic "paulistana" food. My favourites are the strogonoff and caipirinha de limão siciliano…
Do you want to have a panoramic view of the city's centre? Visit the Martinelli building, 130 meters tall. With 30 floors, it was the first skyscraper in Brazil, and it is located in the downtown area. The building construction began in 1922 and its pink terrace always stand out!
From the early 1900, the oldest museum of the city is home to about 9k masterworks of Brazilan painters; including artists like Tarsila do Amaral and Di Cavalcanti. It receives national and international exhibitions as well, and it houses a charming café and it's neighbor of Parque da Luz (Luz District), the old…
The courtyard is remarkable for being the birthplace of the city, where the mass of foundation of São Paulo took place in 1554. Inside you can visit the Anchieta Museum with a collection of local religious art and history. If you prefer something more homey, you may sit at a colonial table an pick one of the cakes and…
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