Italian canteens it’s at capital of São Paulo they emerged more or less together in the formation of the city. Therefore, being in São Paulo and not wanting to have a memorable meal in a typical restaurant in the country of the boot is almost a sin! Discover now 10 Italian restaurants in São Paulo who well represent what is good in Italian culinary – and which are certainly worth a visit for anyone traveling through the city.
Take the opportunity to also read:
+Book your hotel here at the best price.
Italian restaurants in São Paulo
II Capital
At the head of the house are experienced names in the gastronomic market: restaurateur Gianluca Perino (ex-Bottega Bernacca) and chef Ricardo Dicamargo (ex-Serafina). The space has an extensive marble counter, divided into a bar and an open kitchen. Therefore, there the customer can closely monitor the preparation of the pasta. Meanwhile, on the second floor, there is a more intimate and reserved space, with large windows overlooking the street. The menu features traditional Italian dishes. The bar serves very well-made drinks, both classic and original. Finally, for those who like wine, highlight the beautiful air-conditioned wine cellar with a variety of labels.
Address: R. Oscar Freire, 608 – Jardim Paulista.
Brace
Located on the top floor of the city’s busiest emporium, Brace serves customers from Eataly has an entire menu passed through grills and coals before being served in dishes designed by chef Ligia Karazawa, who makes good use of the ingredients available on Eataly’s shelves and sections to compose, with freshness, the dishes. Among the options, for example, the grilled octopus (R$36) accompanied by cured red onion petals and chunks of beetroot is soft and well served – and can be either a shared starter or a main course for those who opt for something lighter. In other words, a complete restaurant.
End.: Avenida Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 1489 | (11) 3279.3323.
Capital flask shop
The Italian house in Jardins is considered the younger sister of II Capitale and is another venture by businessman Gianluca Perino and chef Ricardo Dicamargo. The atmosphere is small, cozy and intimate, with just 25 seats. The menu features classic recipes from the boot country, as well as dessert options such as tiramisus and pies. Furthermore, the drinks and wine list is also great.
End: Rua Barão de Capanema, 214 – Jardins
La Coppa – Italian restaurants in São Paulo
The Italian restaurant is run by chef Giovanni Renê, winner of the last edition of the reality show Top Chef. Located inside Allianz Parque, in front of the stadium’s lawn, the restaurant has a menu with traditional Italian recipes and contemporary touches, as well as some references from the chef’s paternal grandmother, a native of the Calabria region. Certainly an excellent suggestion!
Address: R. Palestra Itália, 200 – Perdizes.
Local restaurant
Under the command of Grupo Locale, brothers Gabriel and Nicholas Fullen and businessman Sandro Myasaki, the restaurant offers good cuisine and an intimate atmosphere. In addition, there is also a Grand Cru wine store, where customers have access to good labels at great value for money. Certainly an excellent suggestion!
End.: R. Manuel Guedes, 369 – Itaim Bibi.
The Serena
Located in the JK Iguatemi shopping mall, the restaurant has elegant and timeless decor, two beautiful environments, an open kitchen, lots of light and two bars. Therefore, divided into bar and main lounge, La Serena’s environments are inspired by the Amalfi Coast, and the entire Mediterranean spirit of the Italian Riviera. The menu features creative and refreshing dishes. Additionally, there is a crudo bar with several fresh options. Finally, to accompany, a varied wine list with great labels!
Address: Av. Pres. Juscelino Kubitschek, 2041 – Vila Olímpia.
Mezza Luna Cucina
Under the command of chef Fábio Aiello (ex-Attimo), the restaurant offers specialties from southern Italy, more precisely Sicily, the chef’s homeland. The menu features a combination of traditional recipes as well as contemporary dishes, with homemade pasta. In addition, there are also risotto, meat and fish options. The drinks are original and the wine cellar is air-conditioned, with more than 60 labels available. In other words, a complete restaurant.
Address: R. Padre João Manuel, 1105 – Jardins.
Piccini Cuisine
Located in Jardins and managed by Samuel Rodrigues, who has 11 years of experience at the Fasano Group, the place has a balcony and two rooms at the entrance, where a pastry shop is also installed, from which all the pasta dishes on the menu come. Meanwhile, the menu created by Chef Denis Orsi, offers two starters and three main courses, along with other classics and reinterpretations already loved by the public. Another one on our list of unmissable Italian restaurants in São Paulo.
Address: R. Vitório Fasano, 49 – Jardim Paulista.
Peaks
Pier Paolo Picchi is a chef who has worked in big-name kitchens and currently masterfully commands his Picchi – a beautiful and classy restaurant serving excellent contemporary Italian dishes, in the trendy Oscar Freire. Seasonal ingredients from local producers are part of the signature menu that features classics of his creation, such as, for example, the comforting Spaghetti al Vongole – smothered in a creamy, spicy crustacean sauce. Certainly, a great choice for a main dish! Finally, the Brazilian touch can be noticed in the dessert, when you order the warm Queijadinha with coconut ice cream.
End.: Rua Oscar Freire, 533 – Jardins | (11) 3065.5560.
Ristorantino – Italian restaurants in São Paulo
The cozy restaurant with impeccable service recently gained a new chef: Salvatore Loi’s young disciple, Henrique Schoendorfer – and his cuisine has only grown in quality. Dishes that were already memorable now range from classic to contemporary Italian cuisine, using organic ingredients in all possible preparations – and have also gained more relaxed and sophisticated presentations. Among the menu options, for example, Fregola with seafood (R$87) – an addictive combination of Sardinian pasta in a bisque of prawns, squid and scallops. To eat on your knees! Dessert cannot be missed, especially when the menu includes Mil Folhas (R$ 32), which is absurdly beautiful and well prepared, like the one with lemon cream and red fruits decorating the dish.
End.: Rua Doutor Mello Alves, 674 – Jardins | (11) 3063.0977.
Trattoria Fasano
Traditional Southern Italian dishes Italy impeccably executed and the usual Fasano service. In other words, it is no surprise that Rogério Fasano’s Trattoria has tables full of customers looking for meals without holes or disappointments. Meanwhile, summer nights are also going well in the house, which maintains a delightful, tree-lined outdoor garden, even amid the chaos of the neighborhood, ideal for drinks and snacks before dinner. Among the main ones, for example, the aromatic and fresh wholemeal Spaghetti with roasted tomatoes and burrata cream (R$74). Certainly, a true standard of Italian cuisine, in its leanest form!
End.: Rua Iguatemi S/N (between Rua Joaquim Floriano and Av. Horácio Lafer) | (11) 3167.3322.
Moment – FECHADO
Installed in a house designed by the same urban planner who designed the Conjunto Nacional project, on Avenida Paulista, Attimo won, not only awards related to its good gastronomy, as well as its pleasant and bold environment – designed by designer Naoki Otake and internationally recognized by Wallpaper magazine.
In the bionic, glass-enclosed kitchen, there resides a chef as humble as he is talented: Francisco Pinheiro, who makes gnocchi and fresh pasta in an exemplary way, in addition to applying his touch of simplicity to the dishes on the menu with great ingredients. Therefore, a good choice for those who have lunch at Attimo is the rotating Menu Del Giorno, for R$59 from the cover charge (focaccia, annatto butter and eggplant paste) to dessert – including a starter and main course.
On Thursdays you can eat the delicious Cured Meat Tartar, potato chips and frisée lettuce at the entrance; the very light cod ravioli in tomato sauce, black olives and broccoli as main and, finally, lactose-free mango parfait for dessert.
Outside of this menu, snack on the excellent free-range chicken drumsticks and Catupiry fonduta or pururucada Pancetta – meaty and succulent – before your meals.
End.: Rua Diogo Jácome, 341 – Vila Nova Conceição | (11) 5054.9999 or (11) 2339.3250.
By Tamy Roxo, @boccanervosa.
Photos: Renata Araújo, Tamy Roxo and Disclosure.
