Finding good, affordable restaurants in São Paulo seems like an impossible task amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life. However, for over 25 years, the Bom Prato chain has been surprising diners by serving full meals for just R$ 1! The project has now established itself as Brazil’s largest chain of affordable restaurants, serving 145,000 meals a day.
The program’s goal is to offer healthy, balanced meals at extremely low prices to the entire population. Although the primary target audience consists of people in vulnerable situations, any citizen can dine at a Bom Prato restaurant. That’s why it’s a great option for anyone on a tight budget looking for an affordable lunch in downtown São Paulo or in outlying neighborhoods.
Affordable restaurant in São Paulo: how does Bom Prato work?
Created in 2000 by the state government, the project relies on subsidies to offer meals at nominal prices. As a result, the price has remained fixed for over 20 years: just R$ 0.50 for breakfast, and R$ 1 for lunch and dinner. In addition, homeless individuals registered with the State Secretariat for Social Development (SEDS) eat for free.
Thanks to the work of nutritionists, the kitchens serve healthy, high-quality meals. Lunch and dinner, for example, always include rice, beans, a main course (meat, chicken, or fish), a side dish, a salad, juice, and a dessert (usually a piece of fruit).
It’s important to note that not all locations offer all three meals. So, it’s a good idea to check the hours of each Bom Prato restaurant before visiting.
How to Enjoy a Good, Inexpensive Lunch in São Paulo
Anyone can eat at the restaurant, with no income restrictions or requirement to register in advance. Service begins at 7 a.m. with breakfast. Later, the doors open at 10:30 a.m. for lunch, with priority service for seniors, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. The general public can then access the cafeteria at 11 a.m.
Bom Prato restaurants operate with a fixed daily quota of meals, so it’s common to see lines forming well before opening time. Finally, families enjoy an extra perk: children up to age 6 eat for free!
There are 45 Bom Prato locations in the city of São Paulo, including both permanent and mobile locations. Most locations are open Monday through Friday, but there are five locations in São Paulo that are open every day: 25 de Março, Brás, Limão, São Mateus, and Refeitório Mauá.
🍽️ Check out all the locations on the state government’s website
