Sao Paulo - Center - All Types

Praça Dom José Gaspar, 42, Sao Paulo 01047-010
11-3237-0771

Paribar

Historic low-key drinking den that once brought together leftist politicians, musicians and journalists—rumor has it Fidel Castro got his drink on here—re-opens as a casual pub. Owner u... read more

Av. Brigadeiro Luís Antonio, 277, 1st floor, Sao Paulo 01317-000
11-3104-7157

Underground effort to revitalize heydays of downtrodden city center comes in the shape of imaginary men's club, co-founded by owners of Vegas and Clash Club. With neo-baroque-style mirrored doors, ... read more

Praca Antonio Prado, 33, Sao Paulo 01010-900
11-3107-0123

Salve Jorge

Set smack in the middle of Sao Paulo's historical center business district and with a second-floor view of a bustling plaza, suits from the area crowd the boho Salve Jorge to talk shop during lunch... read more

Av. 9 de Julho, 210, Sao Paulo 01312-000
11-3104-9103

Bar D’Hotel Cambridge

No longer functioning historic ‘50s hotel once the stomping grounds of Nat King Cole and was bossa nova ground zero maintains decadence even after renovation. Guests of the hotel are now nigh... read more

R. Comendador Abdo Schahin, 118, Sao Paulo 01023-050
11-3229-8406

Raful

Aesthetically bland—all white—for lack of money or care, who knows, but this critically adored Arab casual eatery divided into two parts lets patrons conveniently and independently deci... read more

R. Don Antonio de Melo, 77, Sao Paulo 01105-020
11-3228-0295

Effendi

Back-streets, no-nonsense Armenian restaurant that attracts the most devout of esfiha lovers. The garlicky, open-faced variation with basturma—thin slices of seasoned cured beef—is the ... read more

Av. Ipiranga, 1187, Sao Paulo 01039-000
11-3311-9855

Normandie Design Hotel

Au courant hotel is a surprise find in the center. White lobby with glossy black banquette sets the colorway for the rest of the place. Unusually wide corridors befit the shopping-bag-laden Brazili... read more

Av. Sao Luis, 272, Sao Paulo 01046-000
11-3151-5299

Alberta #3

Bob Dylan presides over the festivities at this downtown bar from the same people behind Astronete, who named it after the folk singer's almost-eponymous song. Bulbed letters of bar's sign serve as... read more

Largo do Arouche, 346, Sao Paulo 01219-010
11-3331-6283

La Casserole

Classic French bistro gives romantic a run for the money. Original location faces color-flecked, famous 24-hour flower market in the center’s Largo D’Arouche, a dreamy plaza that could ... read more

Av. Ipiranga 318/324, bloco C, Sao Paulo 01046-010
11-3259-0157

Bar do Museu

It's worth every minute of getting lost to find low-key Bar do Museu, hidden on the second floor of an office building with I.D. required for entrance. Dark, authentically old-time bar was once a c... read more

R. Basilio da Gama, 70, Sao Paulo 01046-020
11-3257-7580

Almanara

This legendary Arab restaurant tunneled the way for others of its kind when it opened, eventually taking the chain route, but quality has stuck like its herbed meat between your teeth. The tidy loc... read more

Av. Sao Joao, 677, Sao Paulo 01035-000
11-3333-3030

Bar Brahma

Brazilian singer and MPB hero Caetano Veloso put into history the corner where Bar Brahma sits in his song "Sampa," a stunning, mid-20th-century locale whose chandeliers and architecture have been ... read more