You know that day when you just want to try something different? Or better still, exotic food! We love everyday food, but sometimes we want to break out of the routine and try something new. Besides, everyone knows that São Paulo is one of the most important cities in the world for gastronomic tourism. Its cuisine is so diverse that it appeals to both street food and the most demanding palates.
If you prefer to play it safe, our list has more “easy to digest” options. But if you want to go big, we’ve also found restaurants serving the most exotic snacks of all!
Tantra Restaurant
Since 1998, the restaurant has been offering Asian food in a unique way. The biggest difference is the Mongolian Grill buffet, a rotation of exotic meats such as shark and wild boar.
📍Check out the location nearest you on the website.
Svanen Scandinavian Food
For those who have always wanted to know what a Nordic meal is like, Svanen is the option. On Sundays, it serves the Smorgasbord, a buffet of 40 different dishes that was worshipped by the Vikings.
📍Rua Morais de Barros, 1009 – Campo Belo
Friend of the King
Iranian chef Nasrin welcomes those interested in Persian cuisine to her living room. As well as being the chance to enjoy a new cuisine, you’ll have an intimate and welcoming experience.
📍Rua das Orquídeas, 612 – Mirandópolis
Biyou’Z
The restaurant specializes in Cameroonian cuisine and offers food from other countries on the African continent. A true cultural and gastronomic experience through the dishes.
📍Alameda Barão de Limeira, 19 – Campos Elíseos
D.O.M.
Chef Alex Atala’s two Michelin-starred restaurant uses Amazonian ants and surprises with the taste of all its dishes.
📍Rua Barão de Capanema, 549 – Jardins
Valadares
The bar, which opened in 1962, is a true gastronomic heritage of São Paulo. There, you can try two exotic food options: ox testicles breaded in garlic, fried or with farofa, and breaded frog! You only have to go there to find out if it’s really good, but the success of almost 60 years proves that it is!
📍Rua Faustolo, 463 – Lapa
Banzeiro
Banzeiro delights by bringing Amazonian cuisine to the middle of São Paulo. There, you’ll find grilled tambaqui, pirão, moqueca, ant drink and much more!
📍Rua Tabapuã, 830 – Itaim Bibi
Jacaré
From the name, I’ll let you guess what’s different about this restaurant! And if you answered “alligator meat”, your answer is correct. Those who have tried it say that the flavor is similar to fish, but softer and with a texture similar to chicken breast.
📍Rua Harmonia, 305 – Vila Madalena
Esfiharia Effendi
You’ve certainly heard of the Armenia station on Line 1-Blue of the subway. But have you ever stopped to try the cuisine of the country that the station is named after? Esfiharia Effendi serves typical food from Armenia, an Asian country which, although little mentioned, has also had considerable immigration to São Paulo. There you can try Armenian esfihas, with their super light dough, and other typical delicacies such as raw kibbeh, hummus and herissah (pictured, which takes shredded meat and whole wheat).
📍Rua Dom Antônio de Melo, 77 – Luz
The Scandinavian
Finally, another place to try exotic food (i.e. with ingredients very different from those in Brazil) is O Escandinavo. It was the first Nordic cuisine restaurant in Brazil and only works with products imported from Scandinavia or made in-house.
📍Rua Mourato Coelho, 1365 – Pinheiros