“São Paulo is a city made of layers of time, cultures, architectures, and contradictions. It is intense, unequal, loud, and imperfect, and it does not hide its conflicts. Here, architecture is not born from comfort, but from adaptation, urgency, and the diversity of stories that coexist every day. Perhaps that is why São Paulo remains one of the most challenging and at the same time most powerful urban territories to reflect on the present and future of cities.”
– Amanda Ferber
With an impressive view of São Paulo and a great selection of bars and restaurants on Copan’s ground floor, this is a great spot to stay and experience one of the city’s most iconic buildings from the inside.
– Luiza
Where the stone jungle softens into scenery: the old center, the Martinelli, the lines of the viaducts, and the Vale do Anhangabaú all in one frame.
– Calebe
A hotel slightly farther from São Paulo, perfect for disconnecting and spending a weekend enjoying its gastronomy and spa. Design by Isay Weinfeld.
– Pedro B
A smooth escape in the middle of Jardins, warm lights, great taste, and all the comfort you didn’t know you needed
– Calebe
Recently opened in São Paulo, on a quiet street in Itaim, Fasano Itaim offers impeccable breakfast and a rooftop pool experience that makes the stay feel indulgent and elevated.
– Pedro B
Designed by Arthur Casas, it’s a well-located hotel and a beautiful place to stay.
– Pedro B
Surrounded by nature just outside São Paulo, Unique Garden Hotel & Spa offers a refined retreat where architecture, landscape, and wellness come together in a calm, immersive experience.
– Anna
Designed by Ruy Ohtake, Hotel Unique turns architecture into a sensory experience, offering one of São Paulo’s most iconic stays.
– Anna
Designed by Jean Nouvel and Philippe Starck, Rosewood blends restored heritage buildings with contemporary energy, gardens, and an art-driven atmosphere. Effortlessly elegant, it’s the kind of place where you slow down and see São Paulo from a new perspective.
– Flavia
One of the coolest choices in the city, perfect for those looking for a stay that blends art and creativity.
– Helena
Baianeira serves amazing Brazilian food, with a view of Lina’s MASP and the perfect excuse to visit the exhibitions after lunch.
– Rachel
A great place to step out of the ordinary and try something different in São Paulo. The Taiwanese food is delicious, the dishes are meant to be shared, and the drinks are always excellent.
– Rachel
Bar Balcão is a natural meeting point for São Paulo’s art scene, where creatives gather for drinks, conversation, and inspiration.
– Diego
It brings together the best of Basque tapas with Asian influences, in an intimate atmosphere full of personality. The tuna pintxo is a must-order!
– Sofia
Baru Marisqueira is a cool seafood restaurant on Rua Augusta, tucked away in a charming little village that feels like a hidden gem in the city.
– Anna
Line-worthy spot. Pasta & Tomato and tiramisù are the undeniable highlights.
– Rafaela
Arabic food in a cozy atmosphere, along with dishes inspired by Mediterranean flavors.
– Luiza
Where seasonal ingredients meet unexpected combinations. Every dish feels thoughtful, served in a relaxed space that makes great food feel effortless.
– Flavia
Perfect for a sunny Sunday, Cora combines shareable dishes with a lively view of the Minhocão.
– Helena
Contemporary cuisine with sharp technique served in a discreet, refined atmosphere that feels very São Paulo now.
– Rafaela
An Italian restaurant offering a tasting menu, be sure to sit at the counter, where you can watch the chef prepare each dish. It’s arguably the most remarkable dining experience in São Paulo.
– Pedro B
A place where carbs taste like a good idea, every single time!
– Calebe
Authentic, creative, and high quality — Gelina stands out for its flavors, care, and unmistakable identity.
– Anna
KOTORI is a restaurant by the same owner as Tantan, designed by a collective of architects. Don’t miss the rabanada for dessert, and be sure to watch our video about the restaurant on our channel.
– Amanda
Japanese ice cream shop.
– Luiz
The best place for high-quality French food in São Paulo, with great value and a very cozy atmosphere. Perfect to go with family or friends. Ordering the steak tartare is non-negotiable.
– Rachel
Restaurant with an authorial cuisine, led by a very young chef. The restaurant itself is a work of art. Don’t miss the dumpling and any of the signature cocktails.
– Pedro B
Omakase restaurant located in Jardins, with only 12 seats per night. Try going to the upstairs bar, Shiro, before or after your meal.
– Pedro B
One of my favorites in São Paulo, but always very busy. It delivers a great Korean izakaya experience, with shareable dishes and a relaxed atmosphere.
– Pedro B
Le Jazz has several restaurants across São Paulo, and they recently opened their own bakery. Great for breakfast after a workout or a Sunday brunch.
– Pedro B
Mintchi Croissant is a croissant spot in Pinheiros, with one better than the next.
– Amanda
One of Renata Vanzetto’s coolest restaurants: an Asian menu that’s anything but obvious. The mackerel uramaki and the crispy rice are unmissable.
– Helena
Brazilian comfort food with a homemade feel in a cozy setting that flows into the curated Mercearia Maravilha.
– Rafaela
Delicious food from starters to dessert. The pork belly portion is a standout. A great spot to visit at any time of day.
– Luiza
Located in the iconic Edifício Renata, in downtown São Paulo, Parador offers a relaxed, straightforward cuisine, and the day use experience lets you fully enjoy the building. Perfect for a sunny day in the city.
– Sofia
A laid-back Thai restaurant in Jardins. The drinks are great while you wait for your table.
– Pedro B
A counter for only eight people, reservation required, and an omakase guided by charismatic chefs full of personality.
– Helena
One of my favorite places in Higienópolis! On the ground floor of a modernist building, Tappo has an atmosphere that blends a cool vibe with traditional Italian dishes. The food is delicious (the zucca is a must!). It’s the kind of restaurant that works for any moment – lunch or dinner, dates, friends, or even sitting at the counter and enjoying a great meal on your own.
– Rachel
A modern take on Italian classics reflected in a contemporary space.
– Rafaela
Tuju, led by chef Ivan Ralston, is internationally recognized and combines an impeccable tasting menu with architecture by spbr, led by Angelo Bucci. The experience evolves through a series of spaces, each one revealed as the meal moves forward.
– Rachel
Located on a charming street in Pinheiros, this restaurant is beautiful and incredibly cozy—perfect for a Saturday afternoon with oysters. It stays open all day, which is a major plus.
– Pedro B
Yūbari hits that perfect line between clean, fresh, and unforgettable.
– Calebe
The experience of dining with one of São Paulo’s most special views, overlooking Ibirapuera Park, paired with good gastronomy and a relaxed, cool atmosphere in the city.
– Anna
Adara brings a New York–deli freshness into a cool, contemporary café atmosphere, ideal for slow mornings, mid-day breaks, and everything that happens around them.
– Flavia
A super-cool Pinheiros spot, perfect for an afternoon or evening drink, featuring a seafood-focused menu.
– Rachel
Borgo is that perfect mix of good drinks, loud laughs, and Mooca charm!
– Calebe
A true São Paulo classic tucked inside the Copan building, serving honest Brazilian comfort food and showcasing the city’s unmistakable spirit.
– Rafaela
A unique experience in the basement of Theatro Municipal de SP: amazing signature drinks, historic architecture, and music that shapes the entire experience.
– Sofia
Bar Brim is the kind of bar I bring people to when I want them to feel the real side of the neighborhood, relaxed, fun, and effortlessly cool
– Calebe
A historic space with distinctive cuisine, offering a truly unique visit.
– Luiza
Good music, great drinks and a cool atmosphere. Caracol offers both a bar and a dance floor, perfect whether you’re in the mood to talk or to dance.
– Rachel
Really great drinks and a cool spot.
– Luiz
A modern bar with the soul of a traditional boteco, perfect for great snacks, caipirinhas, and lively nights in Vila Madalena.
– Rafela
An intimate wine bar tucked away in the heart of Santa Cecília.
– Luiza
A lively listening bar inside a historic mansion in Bixiga, with an impeccable menu, an outstanding wine list, and top-tier sound quality.
– Sofia
On the ground floor of the iconic Copan, Fel is a cozy, intimate bar known for mixing some of the best drinks in town.
– Rachel and Calebe
A new favorite in the city center.
– Rafaela
A high-energy, design-forward bar where Japanese flavors, bold drinks, and great music make the night feel elevated.
– Flavia
In downtown São Paulo, with an excellent music curation. Great drinks and a flawless DJ set.
– Sofia
With its red counter, high ceilings, and glass bricks, Riviera is a São Paulo classic that’s open 24 hours.
– Rachel
An intimate, low-lit bar with a well-crafted mix of signature and classic cocktails.
– Rafaela
Where the team loves to grab a coffee near the office. Several locations across the city. Perfect for a quick, high-quality coffee.
– Pedro B
The Fresh Goodies is my go-to when I want something wholesome that still feels comforting
– Calebe
A café that transports you elsewhere inside Pinheiros: Dois Trópicos brings brazilian flavors, affection, and art together in a space that instantly shifts your state of mind.
– Flavia
A cozy, tucked-away bar in Pinheiros known for its inventive Brazilian cocktails — especially the cachaça ones — in a warm, house-like setting with shareable plates full of flavor.
– Flavia
Brazilian authorial design translated into women’s shoes, with pieces full of personality and impeccable craftsmanship.
– Helena
A space with a curated selection of independent Brazilian art. Printed works, books, and magazines—all thoughtfully chosen and connected to the current artistic scene.
– Sofia
A women’s brand led by a creative director who explores unique and elegant silhouettes, in stores that are true architectural experiences.
– Helena
A cool store full of personality, with a café inside. Great for taking a break during an afternoon stroll.
– Pedro B
Bibla is that gentle escape! Thoughtful, warm, and beautifully simple.
– Calebe
A great curation of Brazilian designers, offering a bit of everything – from decorative objects and gifts to furniture for the home.
– Rachel
A must-visit for music lovers, Casarão do Vinil brings together an impressive vinyl selection in a historic house, celebrating sound, culture, and discovery.
– Diego
A mid-century São Paulo classic, blending vintage architecture with an underground, creative energy. A go-to spot for design lovers, niche shops, cafés, and that effortless city-cool vibe.
– Flavia
Dedicated space for modern Brazilian and international design.
– Pedro de Faria
With a sharp curation of Brazilian brands full of identity, Gallerist is a must-stop for anyone who loves authorial pieces.
– Helena
A curated selection of emerging Brazilian artists, perfect for buying little bowls, prints, and decorative organizers.
– Helena
Minimalist bikinis and clothing with impeccable fits and striking colors (and stores that are worth the visit on their own).
– Helena
With a Japanese aesthetic and authorial design, the store is known for its canvas bags and belt bags.
– Helena
An open-air retail complex, recently opened in the Pinheiros area. It’s full of very cool and unique stores.
– Pedro B
Misci is about feeling at home within something beautiful. Well-thought-out Brazilian design always wins me over.
– Calebe
A new retail destination, curated with Brazilian and international brands, located within the Matarazzo development. Still expanding.
– Pedro B
Created by an architect, the brand translates architectural principles into jewelry: precise volumes, clean lines, and a store as stunning as the pieces.
– Helena
A kitchen objects store with an impeccable, carefully curated selection.
– Pedro B
A well-known Brazilian streetwear brand, PACE’s flagship store is worth the visit — especially for its café. The space reflects the brand’s Japanese-inspired aesthetic and lifestyle.
– Pedro B
A sharp curatorship of independent Brazilian fashion.
– Rafaela
Verniz stands out for its carefully curated selection, where modern Brazilian furniture is displayed together with in-house designs and artistic objects.
– Pedro B
A store by a well-known Brazilian designer, WENTZ showcases a beautifully curated selection of contemporary design pieces.
– Pedro B
Wooding is a minimalist haven for design lovers: a calm, beautifully curated space in Pinheiros where crafted wood pieces feel timeless and special.
– Flavia
A store with the best curation of men’s streetwear pieces and apparel in São Paulo.
– Pedro B
Former residence of architect Vilanova Artigas, a true immersion into São Paulo’s modernist architecture. Walking through its spaces is experiencing the genius of one of the greatest masters in the country.
– Sofia
A modernist icon by Lina Bo Bardi, seamlessly blending glass, light, and the surrounding forest to create that floating-over-the-trees feeling. A quiet, architectural landmark where the design speaks for itself.
– Flavia
A landmark of Brazilian modernism, the Zalszupin House reveals the legacy of Jorge Zalszupin through its architecture, design, and enduring cultural relevance.
– Pedro B
The CCSP is one of São Paulo’s most striking buildings (even as it nearly disappears into the landscape thanks to the way it’s embedded in its site). Ramps, transparency, and continuous spaces connect street and interior, creating a place that’s always alive, where culture and everyday life meet naturally and invite people to be part of it.
– Rachel
A curated cinema experience, CineSala brings together comfort, quality programming, and a more intimate way of watching films in São Paulo.
– Diego
A cornerstone of Brazil’s film heritage, the Cinemateca Brasileira preserves, celebrates, and shares the country’s audiovisual memory.
– Diego
After years of restoration, the Cultura Artística Theater, a 1950s landmark, returns revitalized, with a great artistic program and a distinctive façade featuring Di Cavalcanti’s mural once again anchoring the building’s presence in the city.
– Rachel
A place where chocolate comes to life, Dengo’s factory brings together the production process, a restaurant, and a café, while inviting visitors to discover how chocolate is made and even create their own personalized bar
– Amanda
A classic in São Paulo, the Benedito Calixto Square Antiques Fair takes place only on Saturdays and is well worth the visit for anyone who enjoys antiques, music, and a lively atmosphere.
– Pedro B
Galeria Leme is well worth a visit for its architecture alone — a striking example of brutalist design that makes the gallery itself part of the experience.
– Pedro B
Located in a former industrial district of São Paulo, I love how the architects revitalized the old warehouse and transformed it into a spacious, light-filled gallery. And, speaking specifically about the architecture, the roof structure and the internal courtyards – which function as garden spaces – make all the difference in how the gallery feels.
– Rachel
Unlike the Barra Funda location, Mendes Wood’s Casa Iramaia occupies a modernist 1950s residence. The restoration preserved the key elements of the original design – the open ground floor lifted on pilotis, the garden that flows through the space, and the central staircase, one of my favorite features. Exhibitions there are always a delight.
– Rachel
My favorite place in the city. A paradise for photography lovers: provocative exhibitions, an endless library, and the perfect atmosphere to spend the afternoon.
– Sofia
A gateway to contemporary Japanese creativity, where design, art, and culture unfold and inspire.
– Flavia
What I love about MAC USP is how it mixes everything I enjoy, culture, design, and that incredible Ibirapuera view. That’s why I always tell people to go.
– Calebe
Designed by Lina Bo Bardi, MASP is one of São Paulo’s most iconic cultural landmarks — and the place where we hosted our very first HIF event.
– Amanda
A Niemeyer landmark – this monumental complex brings together art, architecture, and the essence of Latin American identity.
– Rafaela
A food market in the Pinheiros neighborhood, Mercado Municipal de Pinheiros is a great place to visit and eat, with a selection of interesting food options and small outposts of local restaurants.
– Pedro B
A celebration of audiovisual art, memory, and experimentation with consistently captivating exhibitions.
– Rafaela
What fascinates me about Mube is the way it dissolves the boundaries between architecture, city, structure, and void – everything becomes a single continuous space, like an open urban plaza. The 60-meter concrete slab that defines the project seems to float above the ground, giving an unexpected lightness to this extraordinary work by Paulo Mendes da Rocha.
– Rachel
A quiet house, a beautiful garden, and art that makes you breathe a little softer.
– Calebe
The Pinacoteca impresses with the architecture by Paulo Mendes da Rocha and Eduardo Colonelli. The building’s structure is breathtaking and makes the visit as memorable as the artworks themselves.
– Helena
The perfect plan to listen to the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra at the Júlio Prestes complex. It’s a dive into history, inside one of the most beautiful concert halls that exist.
– Sofia
For me, SESC Pompeia is one of the most special places in São Paulo and perhaps my favorite!! There, you see everything: children, teenagers, older people, people reading, walking, discovering the space freely. Lina Bo Bardi said that when she first visited the abandoned factory, she was struck by how people were already using the place spontaneously, even without any structure and that was exactly the spirit she chose to preserve.
The project continues to inspire architects around the world, not only for the transformation of this industrial preexistence, but for the way the architecture embraces life and allows everyone to make the space their own. It’s an icon that shows how a city can be more generous when its spaces truly belong to everyone.
– Rachel
Designed by Paulo Mendes da Rocha and MMBB, SESC 24 de Maio turns its open ramps into a promenade that gradually reveals its program: the gym, dance studios, library, and exhibition spaces.
– Rachel
Preserved through time, the Teatro Municipal stands as a living testament to São Paulo’s cultural heritage, where history continues to resonate on stage.
– Pedro B
Teatro Oficina is unlike any traditional idea of a theater. Here, the space becomes an extension of the street, open and alive. Everything was designed to bring actors and audience closer, turning the theatrical experience into something truly unique. Watching a performance at Oficina is realizing that architecture can also be movement, improvisation, and discovery. Everyone should experience it at least once.
– Rachel
One of the oldest ensembles in the city, once owned by the Matarazzo family. Formerly a hospital, it has now become a cultural hub with exhibitions, shops, and restaurants. Worth visiting to see the architectural transformation and the renovation that brought new life to the space.
– Pedro B
FAUUSP is more than a school: it is Artigas’s architectural vision made concrete. A living lesson in architecture and in how space shapes the way we coexist. The great span, the ramps, the central plaza, each element invites encounters, making people visible to one another as they move through the building. It’s a spectacle to visit and to observe.
– Rachel
Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, Copan is one of São Paulo’s most iconic buildings, a modernist landmark that captures the scale, diversity, and energy of the city.
– Anna
Great place to relax on top of a cultural landmark.
-Luiza
Watching the São Paulo chaos from the MAC viewpoint and the beauty of Ibirapuera Park with the curves of Niemeyer’s buildings.
– Sofia
Sitting under the shade of the Copan is one of São Paulo’s small pleasures: between restaurants, ice-cream shops, bookstores, bars, and flower stalls, everything somehow feels cooler down there.
– Helena
Nice spot to sunbathe and swim.
– Luiza
A great spot to take in panoramic views of the entire city.
– Pedro B
Praça do Patriarca is a historic square in downtown São Paulo, redesigned by architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha.
– Pedro B
The largest park in São Paulo, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, Ibirapuera Park combines modern architecture, cultural venues, and outdoor activities in one of the city’s most iconic spaces.
– Rafaela