Restaurant Guide for Business Travelers: São Paulo (Part 1)
Intro: I've handpicked a range of upmarket dining and hospitality options, tailored for the ambitious business traveler. The executives needs and purpose for their trips are quite often very distinct from the average leisure traveler. Over the coming months, I'll be showcasing the top-tier hospitality spots in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, primarily focusing on restaurants and bars that truly exemplify style, ambiance, and exceptional service – all key elements for the discerning executive traveler.
This "hospitality" series is a complement to my ongoing series of articles that's packed with business insights and tips for entrepreneurs, executives and investors alike.
Dinner: Beefbar
This is a cool spot that I enjoy taking clients and friends alike too. Nestled in the heart of São Paulo’s upscale “Jardins” neighborhood, it’s a harmonious blend of the vibrant energy of city life with the serene luxury of an upscale oasis. The interior, adorned in custom-designed art deco style, creates a visually stunning and welcoming environment, is a testament to Beefbars commitment to exclusivity and aesthetic elegance.
Its cosmopolitan ethos shines through in its inventive take on street food, where high-quality ingredients are transformed into sophisticated, shared dining experiences.
At the culinary heart of Beefbar is its exceptional selection of meats, especially the legendary Kobe beef. That being said, I rarely make it past the appetizers. More often than not, I find myself ordering a dozen of the eclectic appetizers to share with the top (usually paired with a bottle of wine.) Some of my favorite starters are The Bao Buns with Angus Beef, The Lobster Tacos, Nigiri Wagyu A5 and the Tuna Tartare on Crispy Rice.
The creativity extends to the cocktail menu, curated by award-winning bartender Fabio La Pietra, adding a dash of flair and innovation to the lively atmosphere.
Fun fact, the restaurant is owned by Formula One racing legend, Felipe Massa. So when the F1 is in town, don't be surprised to find F1 driver's enjoying a post race Kobe Beef Steak and cocktail!
Beefbar's popularity is no secret, as evidenced by the bustling crowd and long queues, especially on weekends, making a reservation is essential. Whether you're a connoisseur of fine meats or a seeker of gastronomic adventures, Beefbar promises an experience that delights, inspires, and leaves a lasting impression.
Neighborhood: Jardins | Website: https://beefbar.com/sao-paulo/
Drinks: Baretto
After a great dinner at Beefbar, I like to "walk it off" by taking a short stroll up the street to the World renowned Fasano Hotel, located just a few blocks away. Hidden and tucked away behind the lobby of the understated but stylish lobby of this gorgeous hotel, hails "the world's number one bar" as so decreed by Wallpaper* magazine. Stepping through the velvet curtains at the bar at Baretto, I feel like I'm transported back into the Mad Men era. A discreet and cozy ambiance, tightly filled with small dinner tables over flowing with martinis and champagne, this São Paulo gem hosts world-class artists, transforming the bar into an intimate concert venue reminiscent of legendary spots like New York's Algonquin and Carlyle.
It's best to go after 11pm, once the bar's dinner crowd has mostly left and a new wave of patrons come in to enjoy the live performances. Baretto has welcomed a host of illustrious performers, including Caetano Veloso, Maria Rita, Marina Lima, Edu Lobo, Ney Matogrosso, Fernanda Abreu, and Bebel Gilberto, among others. Each performance at Baretto is marked by a unique sense of intimacy and connection with the audience, free from the pressures of larger venues and enriched by the exceptional hospitality standards of The Fasano Brand.
If old-school cocktails, great music and a mellow yet buzzing vibe is your thing, make a stop in at Baretto for a night cap and if you're lucky, you'll be able to watch the next Jazz or Bossa Nova rising star in the making.
Neighborhood: Jardins | Website: https://www.fasano.com.br/gastronomia/baretto
Breakfast: Padoca do Maní
For those of you on a tight schedule but still in the mood for a good, early morning breakfast, I highly recommend Padoca do Maní in Pinheiros a breakfast bakery designed as a quaint country home that evokes the charm of a rustic retreat. It even has garden vegetable patches and the ever-present aroma of freshly baked cake, a haven for anyone who revels in the charm of bakeries and the nostalgia of farm-fresh delicacies. Owned by the same partners as the acclaimed Maní restaurant, Padoca is always bustling.
This place may not be a place to go and "network" for business, but it's a good reprieve from the long hours of hustling and grinding that personifies the Entrepreneurs lifestyle.
Picture this..."At the crack of dawn, rosy-cheeked patrons, fresh from their morning run, pop in for an organic green juice. You'll find locals with their pets, casting longing glances at their owners' scrambled eggs. The cozy deck facing the street often becomes a spot for private English lessons over tea on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. A regular neighborhood visitor makes a weekly pilgrimage every Wednesday to take home an entire brigadeiro cake."
This is a wonderful spot in the early morning hours to relax and allow yourself to slowly wake up to the city. The café padoca, a lavish spread that includes a bread basket with seasoning or honey, butter, cottage cheese, fruit salad with yogurt and granola, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee is a fantastic way to kick start your day before heading off to work!
Neighborhood: Pinheiros | Website: https://manimanioca.com.br/padocadomani/
