Where to Eat Around the World in São Paulo: My Favorite Restaurant for Each Cuisine
São Paulo is a truly cosmopolitan city, shaped by immigrants from all corners of the globe and it is precisely through its food that you can appreciate the full depth of this influence. The city is packed with thousands of ethnic restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a taste of home or eager to try something completely new, you’re bound to find an incredible place to eat. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of my favorite restaurants in São Paulo for each nationality. I hope you enjoy it!
Japanese Food
Tanuki Sushi - Rua Jericó, 287, Pinheiros
São Paulo is home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan, and the sheer quantity and quality of Japanese restaurants here is staggering. I’m a passionate fan of Japanese cuisine and am fortunate to have a Japanese father-in-law, which has given me an even deeper appreciation for its many culinary styles. But what I love most of all is sushi!
Tanuki Sushi offers hands-down the best value for money for fantastic sushi in the city. The fish is incredibly fresh, the rice is served at just the right temperature, the soy sauce has a special house seasoning, and best of all, the prices are fair. My top tip: grab a seat at the sushi bar to make the most of the experience. The menu is extensive, offering various sushi and sashimi combos, hand rolls, and delicacies like uni (sea urchin) and unagi (eel). Don't forget to ask the chef for the daily recommendations—it makes all the difference!
Price: US$30–50 per person
Must-try: Sushi & Sashimi Set
Korean Food
New Shin-la kwan - Rua Prates, 343, Bom Retiro
The first Korean immigrants arrived in Brazil in the 1960s - primarily seeking new opportunities following the hardships of the post-war era - and settled in the Bom Retiro neighborhood. That’s where you’ll find the city’s best Korean restaurants, with New Shin-la Kwan being my personal favorite.
New-Shin-la Kwan Restaurant Korean BBQ
The space is simple and the service is unpretentious, but the food is spectacular. Every table features a built-in grill right in the middle, just as any proper Korean BBQ spot should. Having traveled to South Korea last year, we can confidently say that New Shin-la Kwan holds its own against the spots back in Korea. My advice here is to pick your favorite cut of meat and grill it right at your table.
Price: US$20–40 per person
Must-try: Any Korean-style BBQ
Chinese Food
Rong He - Rua da Glória, 622, Liberdade
After traveling to China and experiencing the endless variety of Chinese cuisine, I realized that Chinese food is so much more than spring rolls and noodles. In São Paulo, you can find specialized Chinese restaurants representing different regional styles, but if you’re craving fresh, handmade noodles, Rong He is the place to be!
The noodles are made fresh daily, and at the Liberdade location, you can actually watch the chef pulling and stretching dough right from your table. The menu is huge—to be honest, I’ve never been brave enough to try half of the dish options available—but every single time I go, I order at least one house-made noodle dish. Pro tip: go with a group so you can order several dishes to share!
Price: US$10–20 per person
Must-try: Guioza, any Noodles and Pastel de Nirá
Arabian Food
Esfiharia Effendi - Rua Dom Antonio de Melo, 77, Luz
Arab immigration to Brazil began in the 19th century, and today over 3.5 million descendants call the city of São Paulo home. Esfiharia Effendi is a quintessential product of that legacy, centered entirely around authentic food.
Esfihas Esfiharia Effendi
The restaurant is small and tucked away on a rather scruffy street in the Luz neighborhood, but the food is phenomenal and well worth the trip. They offer various traditional Middle Eastern dishes, but I always stick to the classics: their esfihas (savory flatbread pastries) and kibbeh, which are outstanding. To drink, I recommend Ayran, a refreshing yogurt-based drink with a touch of salt. When Alana and I visited Turkey, everyone drank Ayran alongside their meals—it’s a true staple.
Price: US$15–20 per person
Must-try: Any Esfihas and Ayrán
Italian Food
Shihoma Pasta Fresca - Rua Medeiros de Albuquerque 431, Vila Madalena
This recommendation is definitely a departure from what you might expect! Shihoma Pasta Fresca isn't your traditional Italian cantina with checkered tablecloths and football jerseys hanging on the walls. Founded by chef Márcio Shihomatsu in 2020, this restaurant serves classic pasta dishes alongside innovative variations, executed with Japanese precision and delicate detail - a testament to the chef's heritage!
Fresh pasta is made right in front of diners through a glass panel separating the dining room from the kitchen. My top recommendations are the Tortelli di Gamberi (shrimp-stuffed pasta) and the L'uovo in Raviolo (a single raviolo filled with a perfectly cooked egg yolk). They also feature a very thoughtful wine list at extremely fair prices. Highly recommended!
Price: US$25–40 per person
Must-try: L'uovo in Raviolo
German Food
Juca Alemão - R. Álvaro Rodrigues, 304 - Vila Cordeiro
Juca Alemão is a long-standing São Paulo classic, but for me, it holds a special nostalgia. I remember going there a few times as a child—and to be completely honest, I don't remember exactly what we ate, but I loved the excitement whenever my parents said we were going there on the weekend. The beef tartare and Eisbein (pork knuckle) are classics. Pair them with an ice-cold beer!
Price: US$20–30 per person
Must-try: Eisbein and Beer
Portuguese Food
Ora Pois - Av. Ver. Belarmino Pereira de Carvalho, 8018 - Mairiporã
Ora Pois has two locations: one in the city and another up in the Serra da Cantareira mountain range. My recommendation is to visit the Serra da Cantareira location for a nice weekend day trip. However, if you don't have the time or transportation, the Vila Madalena branch serves the exact same menu.
Like any great Portuguese establishment, salt cod (bacalhau) takes center stage. I suggest starting with an order of bolinhos de bacalhau (cod fritters), followed by Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, which is my personal favorite. I'm also a big fan of roasted cod steaks, and their Bacalhau ao Lagareiro is fantastic.
Price: US$30–40 per person
Must-try: Bacalhau (cod)
Spanish Food
Paellas Pepe - R. Bom Pastor, 1660 - Ipiranga
I love this place! Paellas Pepe is the ideal restaurant to visit with a big group of friends or family. As the name suggests, they specialize in Paella, so don't plan on ordering anything else! I’ve seen people order other items that looked good, but trust me: come hungry and eat the Paella!
They prepare the dishes in giant paella pans (paelleras), and you pay a fixed price for all-you-can-eat Paella. My top tip: keep an ear out for the bell they ring every time a fresh pan of Paella is ready. It's worth noting that they serve Paella Marinara (loaded with seafood). When I visited Valencia, I learned that traditional Paella Valenciana actually doesn't include seafood!
The restaurant is located right near Ipiranga Park (Parque do Ipiranga), one of the city's most famous and stunning landmarks, so it’s well worth planning a walk through the park before or after lunch.
Price: US$25–30 per person
Must-try: Just Paella!!!
French Food
Ici Bistrot - R. Mato Grosso, 396 - Consolação
I’ve been to France a few times, and while I’m no food critic, I feel this restaurant captures the exact charm of many traditional bistros I visited over there. The ambiance is cozy and welcoming, and the service has always been top-notch.
Canard Confit Oysters in São Paulo Mil Folhas Filet au Poivre
My recommendations include classic bistro fare like Filet au Poivre, fresh oysters, Steak Tartare, Duck Confit, and, if you're feeling adventurous, Escargot. The wine list is comprehensive, though to be honest, I usually bring my own bottle and pay the corkage fee (around US$15). It’s a great spot if you’re looking to impress on a date night or simply want a refined dining experience.
Price: US$35–45 per person
Must-try: All the French Classics!
English Food
O'malleys - Alameda Itu, 1529 - Jardim Paulista
If you're looking for an authentic pub vibe - complete with pints of Guinness and live football or rugby matches on TV - this is the spot. O'Malley's has been open for decades in the heart of Jardins, one of the city's upscale neighborhoods, just a short walk from Avenida Paulista.
I was a regular back in my college days, heading over after class - or sometimes during class hours - for their all-you-can-eat Happy Hour where you only paid for drinks. Good times! Today, O'Malley's is still going strong, offering live music from great bands almost every night alongside sports broadcasts. It’s been a few years since my last visit, but writing this makes me want to drop by again soon. I highly recommend it if you’re out with friends in the city and want a pint of good beer with classic British pub grub!
Price: US$30-40 per person
Must-try: Guiness Beer
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