Fasano Hotel by Isay Weinfeld

São Paulo is Brazil’s financial center and among the world's most populous cities. Its iconic buildings range from its neo-Gothic cathedral and the 1929 Martinelli skyscraper to modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer’s curvy Edifício Copan. The colonial-style Pátio do Colégio church marks where Jesuit priests founded the city in 1554. Brazil might be known for its beaches, but São Paulo’s tree-lined Jardin district streets have won our hearts.

STAY

HOTEL FASANO Designed by architect Isay Weinfeld, we especially love the view from the spa at this chic Jardins hotel. Don’t miss live jazz at Baretto Bar!

HOTEL EMILIANO A welcome respite from the bustling Avenue Paulista, this Jardins gem incorporates biophilic design, including a vertical living wall in the restaurant, which brings the outside in.

HOTEL UNIQUE A striking modernist property resembling a ship, complete with a rooftop pool and circular windows, and designed by architect Ruy Ohtake— this hotel is truly original. It is our top choice for sunset drinks (especially the strong caipirinhas), but arrive early to avoid the line.

PALÁCIO TANGARÁ This expansive hotel from the Oetker Collection is located in the heart of Burle Marx park with a restaurant by Chef Jean-Georges. We recommend having afternoon tea outside on the terrace.

TIVOLI MOFARREJ SÃO PAUL Another Jardins property overlooking Trianon park, which boasts the largest presidential suite in Latin America. “Scene” bar on the top floor offers a spectacular sunset and DJ sets nightly.

DINE | DRINK

D.O.M. One of the 50 best restaurants in the world according to San Pellegrino, 2 Michelin Star D.O.M. is located on a quiet, leafy street in Jardins by Brazilian Chef Alex Atala. Reservations can be hard to come by so try to snag a seat at the bar and enjoy the craft cocktails.

RODEIO You can’t visit Brazil without trying the churrasco, and this is our top choice. Come hungry!

MANÍ RESTAURANT For a lighter option, this organic restaurant by Helena Rizzo, who was named the Veuve Clicquot World's Best Female Chef, is deliciously healthy. Chef Maní also has a bakery next door, Padoca do Maní,

PEIXARIA BAR E VENDA A fishmonger with an amazing seafood restaurant, plus an extensive variety of caipirinhas made with Brazilian tropical fruits, but we prefer the classic maracujá.

SUBASTOR Listen to rock and roll music at this bar in the bohemian Vila Madalena district.

DALVA E DITO Another restaurant by Chef Alex Atala with traditional Brazilian food in a rustic setting with modern accents.

JUN SAKAMOTO Top Chef Jun creates delicious dishes with unique ingredients at this Japanese restaurant.

SPOT A stylish spot for Italian food in JK Iguatemi.

BAR BRAHMA Made famous by Caetano Veloso's 1992 love song to São Paulo, 'Sampa,' Bar Brahma was once a favorite of intellectuals, musicians & politicians in the '50s & '60s. Today, swing by for a beer, snack, and live samba music on the weekend.

BAR NÚMERO 1 A residence turned nightclub by architect Isay Weinfeld

TERRAÇO ITÁLIA An Italian restaurant with an incredible view. Head upstairs to the jazz bar for a nightcap.

KINOSHITA We recommend the Kappo menu, but make sure it includes the torched Salmon Sashimi with Soy Sauce and Butter.

A CASA DO PORCO One of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, located steps away from Niemeyer’s Copan with a tasting menu featuring pork. If the wait is long, head to Bar da Dona Onça.

BAR DA DONA ONÇA A traditional, charming, and softly lit restaurant in the iconic Copan Building.

DUE CUOCHI CUCINA A restaurant by a Brazilian woman who is passionate about French and Italian cuisine. The homemade stuffed pasta is the star of the show as is the egg yolk ravioli in butter and sage, and flavored with black truffle. duecuochi.com.br

BAR DO JUAREZ A chain with retro décor and a large menu that includes grilled meats and its own cachaça. bardojuarez.com.br

FIGUEIRA RUBAIYAT Upscale eatery with a covered terrace serves grilled meats & seafood under a giant century-old tree. Rua Haddock Lobo, 1738 - Jardim Paulista; gruporubaiyat.com

ARTS | CULTURE

MASP The Museum of Art of São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand (say that 3 times fast) on the bustling Paulista Avenue might just be our favorite museum, and trust us— we have been to a lot of museums. The building is just as impressive as the collection held inside. Designed by Lina Bo Bardi, the main body is supported by two lateral beams with over 74 meters (243 ft) of freestanding space underneath, a marvel of modern engineering. The building itself isn’t the only thing that appears to float— inside, each of the artworks is suspended and framed by plexiglass rather than affixed to the walls, allowing for guests to wander and view at their own will.

GALERIA NARA ROESLER A gallery with works by Brazilian artists including Vik Muniz.

THEATRO MUNICIPAL DE SÃO PAULO São Paulo’s opera house, which includes guided tours in English, for those who have not perfected their Portuguese.

IBIRAPUERA PARK São Paulo’s version of Central Park. A sprawling space in the city with a striking red and white auditorium by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.

PINACOTECA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO The Pinacoteca is one of the most important art museums in Brazil with its wide-ranging collection of Brazilian art, and 19th-century paintings and sculptures.

SÃO PAULO CATHEDRAL A neo-gothic Roman Catholic church dominating the skyline with its enormous spires.

FAROL SANTANDER Brazil’s version of the Empire State Building offering 360-degree views of the city with multiple floors of rotating exhibitions and a bar subterranean located in the former safe.

MUNICIPAL MARKET OF SÃO PAULO Exotic fruit in Art Deco environs- what more can you ask for?

SÃO PAULO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART A contemporary art museum in Ibirapuera Park, and modeled on the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

COPAN A masterpiece of Brazilian design, this large apartment building was designed by renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer in his signature undulating “S” shape.

OCA DO IBIRAPUERA An exhibition space designed by Oscar Niemeyer in the shape of indigenous huts.

FORTES D'ALOIA & GABRIEL Formerly Fortes Vilaça, an art gallery with Brazilian and foreign artists.

GALERIA LEME An art gallery featuring mostly local Brazilian artists.

GALERIA LUISA STRINA An art gallery specializing in contemporary art.

MENDES WOOD DM An art gallery featuring international and Brazilian artists.

CASA TRIÂNGULO A renowned and respected Brazilian contemporary art gallery.

GALERIA VERMELHO An art gallery representing established and emerging artists.

MUSEU DO FUTEBOL You can’t visit Brazil without taking in a soccer match. Learn about “the beautiful game,” as popularized by Pelé, at The Football Museum, which is dedicated to the history and practice of the national sport.

PARQUE VILLA-LOBOS A quiet park to run or bike through.

SHOP

The Jardins neighborhood is the main shopping district with boutiques lining Rua Oscar Freire and the parallel Alameda Lorena, as well as their cross streets at Rua Augusta and Rua Haddock Lobo. JK Iguatemi is one of the largest shopping malls in São Paulo where international brands are mixed with Brazilian stores, such as Cia Marítima—one of the best beachwear brands in Brazil.

GRANADO You can't miss a visit to the traditional perfumery, Granado, founded in 1870 by José Antonio Coxito, and visited by Emperor Pedro II.

OSKLEN Designer Oskar Metsavaht founded the popular Brazilian fashion brand along with OM.Art Studio. He also serves as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia in Rio de Janeiro. Recently, the multi-hyphenate designer added Hotelier to his resume with the opening of the stylish Janeiro Hotel in Rio.

SCHUTZ A contemporary Brazilian shoe brand with global locations. Our favorite location is in Jardins District of SP.

ANDREA MARQUES This Brazilian label's flair for ultra-feminine, sleek, sophisticated design includes shapes crafted from flowing fabrics and sensual materials. A palette of vibrant hues punctuated with bold prints and intricate detailing lends the finishing touch to this elegant collection.

ADRIANA DEGREAS São Paulo-based designer Adriana Degreas launched her eponymous beachwear label in 2001, reinterpreting vintage codes to create an aesthetic that evokes modern femininity and grace. True to the label’s South American roots, the collections draw on the founder’s Brazilian heritage with graphic patterns in vibrant hues, while tortoiseshell buckles and beads bringing a free-spirited, retro mood to shimmering lamé and ruched textures. Expect beautifully cut swimwear and elegant cover-ups in vivid colors and playful prints that echo the energetic atmosphere of Rio’s beaches.

LENNY NIEMEYER No stranger to design, she married Oscar Niemeyer’s nephew, Lenny Niemeyer creates luxury beachwear & swimwear, which hug a woman's curves in all the right places.

FARM You can now step into a Farm Rio boutique in Soho in Manhattan, but the brand was originally born here in Brazil.

ETEL INTERIORS Extremely chic wood furniture and home accessories.

HUGO FRANÇA Our choice for sculptural furniture options.

JO DE MER Another option for swimwear.

ESTUDIO PAULO ALVES A furniture store, especially known for woodworking.

CIDADE JARDIM A shopping mall in Jardins.

SPA

HOTEL FASANO Hotel Fasano has one of our favorite pools and views of the city, in addition to luxurious spa treatment rooms.

Text: Veronica H. Speck Photo: © Fasano São Paulo