Considered one of the very best Portuguese restaurants in São Paulo, A Bela Sintra serves delicious traditional cuisine. Seafood in a specialty in the beautiful space, paneled with light-colored wood.

Standout Brazilian seafood dishes like like bobó de camarão (shrimp in manioc sauce) or moqueca (seafood stew) aren't ubiquitous in São's Paulo due to its inland location. But Chef Bella Masano, who now captains the kitchen at her family's outstanding classic seafooder, is the city's notable exception. Her gourmet takes on traditional seafood – especially anything with shrimp – are a revelation that will quickly make you forget the old school décor.

Offering the best ice cream in the city, Bacio di Latte churns out the creamy, light treat in an assortment of flavors.

This trendy neighborhood spot is a must-stop for coffee aficionados. The owner, Isabel Raposeiras, roasts her own beans on premises.

After a five-year stint in Europe, chef Alex Atala returned to São Paulo in 1999 with a mission to change the way Latin America eats. His restaurant, D.O.M., is now regarded as the best restaurant in South America, and is known for the nouveau-Brazilian cuisine that has seen a resurgence in recent years. Blending European cooking techniques with Brazilian flavors, Atala has successfully changed the São Paulo culinary landscape, pushing chefs towards more sustainable, local ingredients that benefit the regional community.

A more casual expression of Brazilian cuisine from the owners of D.O.M., Dalva e Dito specializes on the country’s traditional dishes, using only the freshest ingredients. The interiors are sophisticated yet whimsical with colorful tiles, high ceilings and oversized wall décor.

Casual yet refined, Due Cuochi is the go-to spot in Italian-heavy São Paulo for motherland comfort food. The kitchen changes menus frequently, but the black truffled egg yolk ravioli is a signature dish. Simple, fresh ingredients are the rule: the bavete with shrimp and calamari, for example, boasts nothing more beyond tomato and basil—and it's beautiful. You won't find better Italian for the price.

Note: The restaurant has several outposts in São Paulo.

Brazil’s undisputed favorite steak chain has its own cattle farms and traditions. The company now has outlets in Rio and the U.S. but the São Paolo eatery is where it all started. As with most steak houses in Brazil, you pay one price per person and start with a salad buffet, then carvers come to your table with the different cuts of meat and you can eat your fill.

You can expect fabulous Italian food, good wine and an attractive crowd at this stylish city favorite, which is owned by the Fasano family. Like the outpost in Rio, Gero delivers no surprises but promises quality.

Behind an understated door inside a ubiquitous shopping arcade is the simple domain of Japanese sushi chef Keisuke Egashira, a newcomer in Brazil armed with 23 years of Tokyo experience under his apron. He barely speaks Portuguese at all, but Egashira's fish quickly garnered top honors in a city with no shortage of amazing Japanese experiences. There are just eight seats at the sushi bar (and a few scattered tables) and the menu is entirely in Japanese. Can you say, Omakase?

With the largest Japanese population outside of Japan, São Paulo is known for great sushi, with Kinoshita leading the pack. Hokkaido-born, Rio-raised chef Tsuyoshi Murakami is regarded as one of South America’s best Japanese chefs, and his Brazil-influenced cooking draws the city’s well heeled. Order off the delicious tasting menu, or let chatty, boisterous chef make you one of his custom creations.

This charming restaurant serves delicious French food in the historic center. A loyal local following is consistently drawn to the romantic and old-fashioned dining room for classic and increasingly innovative cuisine.

La da Venda is a unique spot for a coffee break and a snack in the Vila Madalena area. All of the eclectic items that line the walls and decorate the restaurant are for sale, which makes for a fun shopping experience while enjoying tasty, simple dishes.

Arguably Brazil's most important up and coming chef, Rodrigo Oliviera, upped the ante on his father's simple restaurant, transforming it into a place that the Paulistano gourmet elite (and everyone else) was willing to travel deep into the city's gastronomy-scarce North Zone to eat. At Mocotó, hearty (read: meat heavy) Northeastern Brazilian cuisine is chased by long list of artisan cachaças; next door at higher-end Esquina Mocotó, Oliveria's less traditional creative juices flow. Either way, it's worth both the trip to Vila Medeiros and the wait – Oliveira only takes reservations at Esquina.

With a prime spot on a Jardins corner, Santo Grao is a bustling coffee shop and restaurant that serves delicious pastries and provides for great people-watching.

The rooftop bar on the Hotel Unique is a perennial hot spot for the city’s most beautiful and fashionable. The party here starts late and goes until morning—and the occasional reveler ending up in the red pool.

This trendy restaurant draws a very chic crowd who come for its ambience and reliable continental cuisine.

One of many properties owned by the Fasanos, this tony Italian restaurant is located in their chic hotel Fasano São Paulo. With a vast dining room, fancy ambience, fantastic cuisine and attentive service, this is the best Italian restaurant in the city.