Having lunch in one of São Paulo’s many self-service restaurants is almost a tradition for the locals. After all, one of the advantages of eating at a buffet restaurant is that you can try a little bit of everything and still keep your portions to a minimum.
However, with so many options around the city, the experience doesn’t always go smoothly. That’s why we’ve put together this list of some of the best self-service restaurants in São Paulo so you won’t regret it. Check it out!
Manai Gastronomia
Restaurante Manai was founded in 2009 and is now one of the self-service chains most loved by São Paulo residents looking for the best value for money. After all, with the option of an all-you-can-eat buffet in units spread across different regions of the capital, it’s easy to understand why.
The self-service buffet offers hundreds of options to suit all tastes and diets.
Where: Check out the unit nearest you here.
Tanka
For lovers of Asian cuisine, Tanka is a great option. That’s because the buffet is free. In other words, you can eat as much as you like and repeat as much as you like.
Self-service includes food, dessert, frozen yogurt, hot tea and coffee. The menu also includes Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Thai cuisine.
Where: Praça da Liberdade, 149, 1⁰ andar – Liberdade
Ráscal
Mediterranean cuisine with self-service buffet in São Paulo and also à la carte options. It may sound too good to be true, but Ráscal offers it.
Chef Nadia Pizzo, a native of Liguria (Italy), heads the kitchen where dishes with the soul of home cooking are prepared. Here, customers can enjoy homemade pasta with fresh sauce, salad with herbs and vegetables, bread and pizza made right there.
Where: Check out all the units here.
Recanto Vegetariano
Owner Altino Danesin has been welcoming customers to the Recanto Vegetariano e Vegano restaurant since 1981. Here, the self-service buffet offers a variety of recipes, such as heart of palm lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, leek rondele with ricotta and shimeji feijoada.
In addition, the vegetables are produced in-house and are 100% organic. In other words, the perfect place for those who want to take meat off their plates, as well as vegetarians and vegans.
Where: 1442 Florida Street – Brooklin
Casarão Aurora
Formerly Estação República, a famous self-service restaurant in the center of São Paulo, the 19th century mansion has changed its name. Now Casarão Aurora, the restaurant follows the tradition of lunch by the kilo.
Among the options are salads, cheeses, risottos, fish, meat and pasta, which vary daily. In addition, the desserts are mouth-watering, such as the new cheesecake with pitaya syrup.
Where: Aurora Street – 964 – Santa Ifigênia
Ripa na Brasa
The traditional restaurant in the East Zone has 29 years of history. Every day, customers will find a fresh and complete lunchtime buffet.
The best thing is that the menu is so varied that no one will miss it. From hot dishes to salads, sushi and barbecue, there’s something for everyone.
Where: Rua Tijuco Preto, 529 – Tatuapé
Via Palazzo
Finally, Via Palazzo offers an all-you-can-eat buffet, with lunch options and even Japanese food. And the best bit: from R$49.90, with a (non-alcoholic) drink and dessert at your disposal!
📍 Check out all the units here