Meu bar favorito en Vila Madalena! It looks like a second…read morehand bookstore on the inside with authors like Bukowski and pictures of young Marlon Brando, drawing rad (but surprisingly not pretentious) people from all over Sao Paulo. Any given night of the week the whole bar/restaurant has people spilled out onto the street with buckets of ice cold original by their side. But don't let the crowd discourage you if you've come for a bite. They can always find seating for you inside after a few minutes. Friday nights are my favorite because they have a guy walking around with huge tray of fresh pastel. They taste amazing. Especially after that second caipirinha.

Mercearia is a cheap local dive bar with a great - and LARGE - crowd. The place is so popular with…read morethe locals that it's packed every night, and people just end up overflowing to the streets (and blocking traffic, but that's beside the point). It's a great place to chill out with some friends, or other local Brazilians in the area :)

Gorgeous restaurant! You wouldn't expect the stunning and breathtaking views from the exterior but…read moreonce inside, I couldn't help but marvel at the huge tree, wood beams, beautiful decor, immense wine cooler and liquor wall. I fully appreciated the blanket and heaters that were brought over as it was a chilly evening, yet we were still "indoors" but not. Service was impeccable, with every member of the staff ensuring our experience was top notch and food met our expectations. I chose the slowly roasted beef ribs rice and was not expecting savory goodness that arrived! The beef ribs melted in my mouth and the rice was so incredibly flavorful - I would order this over and over again! Of all the restaurants I've been to, Figueira Rubaiyat has by far the one of the most extensive wine list I've seen, featuring many different wines from around the world, including Brazil of course! There is also a gift shop that should not be missed because of the very unique items that are found here - and a place I'll need to visit next time I'm in the area again! The entire experience is one that should not be missed. Every detail and every bite was absolute perfection!

This was by far one of the best restaurants and steakhouses I've been to in a long time. I…read moreabsolutely loved the tomahawk steak we had--it was marbled to perfection, deep-seared and rendered just right, and unbelievably delicious. I was literally still dreaming about it the next day; the food was really that good. Another standout dish was the braised short rib with sticky rice, a Brazilian specialty that was mouthwateringly delicious, with the beef and rice combo melting in your mouth. The toppings and sides were excellent as well. This was at an upscale restaurant, and the bill came out to half of what we would normally pay in the states. Food like this would cost at least two to three hundred dollars in California! For the price we are paying and the quality we are receiving, this is absolutely outrageous. I'd really like to see São Paulo's state government clean up its act and do more for the city, because there's no reason it shouldn't be a top tourist destination. I'm not much of a foodie, so it's nice having friends who are. You can just trust their recommendations and go along for the ride!!

The best restaurant in the world. Perfection in every plate and pairing. A complete experience,…read morecould not be improved in any way. Impeccable attention to detail and care taken at every step.

Following the trail blazed by D.O.M., TUJU by Chef Ivan Ralston pushes modern Brazilian Cuisine…read moreforward by not specifically showcasing local Ingredients, but reinterpreting the world through Brazilian eyes inside his Restaurant at Rua Fradique Coutinho 1248. Open since 2014, and recently the recipient of a second Michelin Star, it is after passing through a hushed hallway that guests find themselves inside Ralston's "kitchen theater," a staff fluent in English leading guests to polished wooden tables that extend back towards the bar and urban garden on the patio. A quiet and focused space in Vila Madalena, everything from TUJU's design to Cocktail list indicative of a Chef who has spent time researching both technique and his culture, guests visiting for the first time are encouraged to partake in Ivan's "Season Menu," the carte blanche taking into account allergies and dislike but otherwise consisting of thirteen courses served across two hours. Trained in the kitchens of Maní, RyuGin and Mugaritz, the latter identifiable in modernist spins on local Produce, it was while sipping on a strong drink of Gin and sweetened Acid that course one arrived, sliced and aerated Pumpkin forming the background for Peas and Citrus with herbs that carry over nicely to a "Taco" comprised of sweet Crab and shaved Corn wrapped in Nasturtium. Continuing light with translucent Shrimp swimming in vibrant Broth, its follow-up a comparison of local River Mussels to those from the Atlantic bathed in Manioc Root Juice, fans of Uni will be stunned by tender Tongues amidst a tangle of Leeks with Parsnip Cream while torched Cauliflower finds itself the centerpiece of a thick Sauce that tastes something like Mole mixed with Soy. Shifting back to Seafood, a tender Tentacle obtained through Chef Ralston's relationship with local fisherman accented in umami, one would be hard-pressed to name a more interesting *looking* dish than Arapaima Fish in Seaweed Pil Pil, the combination of snappy Flesh and Skin Crisps equally tantalizing alongside Artichokes and Bean Sprouts. Completing savories with grilled Tuna and two types of Palm plus unsweetened Açaí, a diversity of textures seeing the best bites those that incorporate a little of each into a single forkful, it is by way of Cheese that the palate is transitioned, the Blue and Parmesan-mimic particularly impressive, as too was housemade Bread and Butter plus the bright green Fruit described as a Fig. Not scaling back on sweets, Dessert number one perfuming stewed Berries with Mint in a makeshift Sundae, it was while Coffee dripped tableside that a tangy Yogurt Parfait dazzled, the Pour Over subsequently enjoyed with housemade Chocolates filled with everything from Dulce de Leche and Cashew Fruit to Garlic.

Great atmosphere and the charcuterie board had good variety…read more My friends said he likes the draft beer and would call it a mild lager. Service was very friendly and attentive to non-Portuguese speaker.

From the owner: Em 2014 nasce O Pasquim Bar & Prosa, no coração da Vila Madalena, um bar que ao mesmo tempo…read morehomenageia todos aqueles questionadores dos anos 70 e abre espaço para os livres pensadores de hoje, celebrando a amizade, as mudanças e a boa prosa ao redor da mesa.

Absolutely delicious food (steak specifically!) The kindest service, especially to visiting…read moreAmericans! The ambience is very calm and lovely! Definitely will come again.

This cramped little bar right in the middle of the busiest part of Vila Madalena is plastered from…read morefloor to ceiling with soccer memorabilia that provides plenty to talk about while you enjoy your drinks and wait for your food. It has the usual drink options, and the highlight of the food menu is the Portuguese cod dishes, which easily serve two people. Everything is reasonably priced, and it's worth putting up with the local traffic to get there.

Come here to enjoy the best Arroz de camarão you've ever had…read more They have ice-cold chopps and quality red wine by the glass. They are also open for lunch when you can be served up a pretty prato do dia while you sip on a refreshing suco de abacaxi and gengibre (pineapple and ginger juice). The space is airy and open. How come I don't come here more often?! The servers are all tatted-up and friendly - very Vila Madalena.

Sabiá is a very good option in Vila Madalena if you're looking for a place to catch up with…read morefriends, enjoy a libation and/or have a nice bite to eat. It's a little bit away from the crowded bars you'll find two blocks down the road, so it doesn't get quite as crazy on the weekends. This is a restaurant bar, with good, simple appetizers and food. While the dishes are simple, they are executed and presented well, with a good attention to detail and a decidedly modern touch. The draft beers are always cold, and some are very good! The atmosphere is pleasant and conducive to conversation, and the wait staff is friendly and helpful.

They serve frozen ice pops in their caipirinhas! Truth be told it was probably too cold for us to…read morebe outside drinking drinks with popsicles in them but we managed to make the best of it! We ordered a few dishes of fried appetizers and there was prime people watching all around us. Salve Jorge is a solid spot to take a load off and relax with a couple caipirinhas.

Looking for a rad place to watch world cup matches? Look no further, but you'll have to plan ahead,…read morecall them and reserve a table, there is a R$60 deposit to secure it but you'll consume it later, and that pretty much sums up to couple caipirinhas and a beer, who knows, you might be lucky enough and get a free one depending on your popsicle luck! Place is super crowded during any game. Beer is ultra cold, and service is great!

I had a feijoada lite for lunch here on a Sunday. Service was fast and the food was really good…read more They also have a full feijoada and other typical Brazilian dishes here. I couldn't finish it so I had the leftovers packed. Despite not speaking English, they managed to do a good job with service. The ambience is sort of hole-in-the-wall and the interior is very very dated. The only problem I had was that they do not have AC and it was kinda hot. Perhaps it is better for dinner. Card payments are accepted here.

Now, it is important to say that is a very local bar, for me it was a unique experience and will…read morealways be so. Good homemade taste, but mostly simple site and nothing luxurious. You could easily overlook this low-key boteco, unless it's a Saturday afternoon, and you are looking somewhere that there is no crowds spill out the door around. Be prepared to wait for a table outside, or head inside to grab a table in a space adorned with football team strips. Don't miss the famed baião de dois - a north-eastern buttery rice dish studded with jerky... Again, be careful with your "bar environment" expectation. :D

I love Forquilha…read more Tonight was my first night out of 6 months in Brasil. When my husband came home from work, he listed out the regular places that we usually go when we visit Brasil. Last minute, we decided to try something new - Forquilha. I didn't know what to expect, and I'll admit it, I was a little grumpy when we first arrived. However, we were warmly greeted and were seated instantly. I saw a giant wood oven in the corner, and a colorful bar where bartenders expertly made drinks. We ordered up a Hendricks martini and a Moscow Mule. My mood instantly was on an upswing when our cocktails came. My Moscow Mule had some sort of whipped foam on top which I've never seen before. The cocktail was interesting and delicious, and I gladly ordered more throughout the evening. My husbands martini was on point - in fact, it officially ruined every other martini I've ever had, it was that smooth. For an appetizer, we ordered a flat bread stuffed with cheese and prosciutto on top. On account of my not eating meat, they kindly put the prosciutto on the side for my husband to have on his pieces only. Very thoughtful. It was delicious and eaten instantly. For entrees, we ordered the bacalhau rice and a pizza with pumpkin. While both were delicious, the bacalhau rice was especially phenomenal. I had several bites of my husbands plate and secretly wished that I had ordered it. We unfortunately did not partake in dessert, but after scouring Instagram later in the evening, I really wish I went with that Nutella tiramisu! Next time. This restaurant was a great find - friendly service, fantastic drinks and cuisine, and did I mention the music? I just about lost my mind when Breakbot came on! I loved everything about this spot, and I can't wait to go back.

Very nice place for dinner, good ambiance, food is great as is the service. Price is pretty good…read moretoo (considering this is Sao Paulo). Great lasagna, good octopus and some fantastic scallops for an appetizer. Strongly recommend.