continued from Sao Paulo for Lovers

Dining in Sao Paulo

Regardless of your tastes, the two of you will be happy in this city of 35,000 restaurants. Top dishes include:

Barbecued meats. These are served (often in a long procession a la dim sum) in restaurants called churrascarias.

Feijoada (pronounced fey-shwa-da). This dish of black beans and meats has African roots and is prepared in many local restaurants on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Pizza. Yes, you read it right, pizza. This city is pizza-crazy with 5000 pizzerias serving up one million pizzas every night. Paulistanos traditionally have pizza on Sunday nights but it is available anytime. Local favorites are calabresa (like pepperoni) and catupiry (a cheese similar to cream cheese).

Japanese food. As the home of the world’s second largest Japanese community outside of Japan, it’s no surprise the city is home to many excellent Japanese eateries.

Recommended Restaurants

Tabu Located at Sonesta Sao Paulo Ibirapuera, we had several excellent meals at this stylish eatery. The menu features a fusion of Asian, South American, and Italian influences with creative dishes such as Shrimp Robata (grilled shrimp, mango and banana with coconut and lemongrass sauce with tomatoes), quail risotto (boneless quail with Chinese sausage), and Bife de Chorizo (Argentinean steak served rare with stir-fried vegetables, wild arugula and basil oil.) For us, the meal came to the perfect end with one of the most creative desserts we've had the opportunity to experience: a hot gianduia chocolate fondant with apple condif and wasabi ice cream.

Casa de Fazenda do Morumbi. Our first meal in Brazil was in this spectacular restaurant, set amidst the lush grounds of a former coffee plantation which dates back to the early 19th century.

Dine indoors in the former greathouse or outside on the covered porches. We enjoyed the Sunday buffet of local favorites including churrascarria, carved meats quickly grilled. Prices at the elegant eatery are extremely reasonable.

Walk off your dinner with a stroll around the grounds. Small boutiques feature artwork. The grounds are also home to a small chapel used for destination weddings. Upstairs in the greathouse, a banquet room is rented for larger affairs. An on-site wedding coordinator takes care of all the details.

Brás Pizzeria Paulistana. Pizza is unbelievably popular with paulistanos and this restaurant is a long time favorite. Arrive early to snag a table without a wait or be prepared to hang out in the courtyard, especially on Sunday nights.

Municipal Market. Grab a bite during your day of sightseeing at the upstairs eateries overlooking the market. Restaurants are casual and feature both Brazilian and Japanese favorites. Downtown.

Oscar Freire Figueira Rubaiyat. Located in the Paulista neighborhood, this restaurant is as upscale as the shops that surround it. The restaurant is built around a massive fig tree (figueira) and features Mediterranean specialties. Perfect for a romantic lunch or candlelit dinner, you'll have your choice of courtyard dining beneath the fig tree (our choice) or indoor dining with a view of the display kitchen.

Casa da Fazenda Japanese Restaurant. Located in the Moema neighborhood, this restaurant serves sushi, tempura, and other Japanese favorites.

Next page: What to Shop for in Sao Paulo

Dining in São Paulo ranges from traditional Brazilian to Japanese (above) to pizza.