You already know that São Paulo offers culinary options from all over the world. That’s why we’re always on the hunt for the best culinary selections from different countries. This time, we’ve put together a list of some Arab restaurants in São Paulo for you to enjoy.
This list features restaurants that promise to let you sample authentic Arab and Middle Eastern cuisine. So, check out the spots that will take you beyond Baghdad on a journey through a thousand and one colors, flavors, and aromas. There’s no shortage of baba ghanoush, hummus, dried curd, tabbouleh, raw kibbeh, kafta, shawarmas, and esfihas with different fillings!
Since 2020, Zain has been bringing the flavors of the Arab world to the East Zone in a relaxed and modern setting. Open Monday through Sunday from noon to 11 p.m., the restaurant offers much more than just esfihas. Plus, every Tuesday evening, the venue hosts performances of traditional Middle Eastern dances, making the experience even more incredible.
How about visiting the Arab restaurant Sainte Marie and enjoying the hospitality of the capital’s cutest chef, Stephan Kawijian? The restaurant’s founder invented a dialect that’s a mix of Lebanese (his homeland), Portuguese, French, and Spanish. All this blending results in “fofoñol, ” which you can read on the menus in the small dining room.
Esfihas and kibbehs were still virtually unknown in Brazil when Almanara opened in São Paulo. In 1950, the restaurant introduced the public to original family recipes brought from Lebanon, and they won over the palates of São Paulo residents. With 14 locations in São Paulo, the Praça da República branch offers an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Rose of Lebanon
This is one of those hidden gems in downtown São Paulo that has everything it takes to make it onto your list of favorite Arab restaurants in the city. After all, here, shawarmas, esfihas, and other traditional dishes are served at a fair price.
The restaurant is led by Syrian chef Bassem Koussa and also employs Syrian and Palestinian refugees on its staff. The restaurant prides itself on home-style cooking, and its generous all-you-can-eat menu features a selection of its best dishes in a single meal.
With a cozy and modern atmosphere, Baruk stands out for its intimate vibe and decor that combines artwork on the walls, dishes featuring Arabic paintings, and a photo exhibition that evokes the culture. The menu features options ranging from classics like esfihas and kibbehs to grape leaf or cabbage rolls and Beirut-style wraps, among others.
Halim Sultan came from Lebanon in 1964, but it wasn’t until 1972 that he opened his first business in Brás. Today, at Paraíso, he remains on-site , overseeing and participating in the preparation of every dish served. The Arab restaurant offers home-style, intuitive cuisine that blends and reimagines various Middle Eastern dishes.
Here, you can enjoy a tasting of traditional, artisanal Arab cuisine. In other words, guests help themselves at will and practice the “slow food” tasting method at one of the best Arab restaurants in São Paulo. The buffet includes a generous cold section with hummus, dried curd, baba ghanoush, raw kibbeh, and various salads, such as tabbouleh, fatouche, and much more. Hot dishes are served at the table, including esfihas, kibbehs, kafta, charutinhos, Moroccan rice, and other delicacies of your choice.
Arabia
Founded in 1988 by Leila Youssef and Sérgio Kuczynski, Arábia offers traditional Arab cuisine with influences from Lebanese cuisine. With kibbehs, esfihas, hummus, and traditional desserts, the restaurant has been named the best Arab restaurant in São Paulo seven times by the Comer & Beber awards.
With five locations in São Paulo and delivery available, Saj specializes in traditional Arab cuisine with a modern twist. Opened in 2008 by Paulo Abbud Filho, it serves Lebanese dishes in a charming and cozy atmosphere, perfect for a refined and special evening.
Casa Manish
After 14 years in Itaim Bibi, Manish has opened a second location in Pinheiros that offers a true immersion in Arab culture. Inspired by the markets of Byblos, Lebanon, the restaurant combines a welcoming atmosphere and Middle Eastern-inspired décor with a cuisine that explores the Arab repertoire beyond the classic breads, herbs, and olive oils, balancing family tradition with a more contemporary touch.
