Stepping into the world of museum restaurants in Sao Paulo, where art and food seamlessly blend, makes for a truly captivating experience. The city, famed for its vibrant food scene, houses unique dining spots tucked within its art and culture hubs that offer much more than a quick bite between exhibits.
The Painted Palate: Museum restaurants sao paulo
These dining venues, nestled within Sao Paulo’s museums and art galleries, offer a journey through Brazilian cuisine in an artistic and cultural setting. Let’s discover some of the top museum restaurants in Sao Paulo.
1. A Baianeira at Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP)
Housed in MASP, one of the most iconic museums in Brazil, A Baianeira offers a gastronomic journey through the North Eastern Bahia region. The museum’s impressive collection of European art provides a fitting backdrop to Chef Manuelle Ferraz’s exquisite creations.
One standout dish is the fillet mignon au poivre made with “carne de sol”, a popular type of meat from the northeast part of Brazil. As for dessert, their beautifully assembled table of traditional Minas Gerais cheeses and sweets like Doce de Leite, Goiabada, chocolates and nuts is a delightful finish to your meal. The atmosphere is cool, artsy, and chic, and it’s open only for lunch, making it a daytime gem among museum restaurants in Sao Paulo. You can make a reservation here.
A Baianeira also has an unity in Barra Funda.
2. Pipo at Museu da Imagem e do Som (MIS)
Pipo, nestled in the Museu da Imagem e do Som, is a modern and stylish restaurant that offers a menu inspired by comfort food classics. Helmed by Chef Felipe Bronze, Pipo is a testament to the magic that can occur when familiar ingredients are taken to new, innovative heights. The steak tartare feels like a whole hamburger in your mouth, and the popcorn sundae is a mind-blowing dessert you can’t miss.
Pipo sets itself apart with its open kitchen featuring a big parrilla-style grill, and a team working in high spirits. Once I was there, it was raining so much and the restaurant had a minor electricity breakdown. It was dark for only a few seconds, but enough to make the kitchen’s system go down. The team was so well organized that costumers felt nothing was wrong, because the chef had so much control of all dishes that they didn’t even need the system. A true outstanding performance!
You can make your reservation here.
3. Balaio IMS at Instituto Moreira Salles (IMS)
Celebrity chef Rodrigo Oliveira showcases his culinary prowess at Balaio IMS, located within the Instituto Moreira Salles. Recently gaining even more fame with the chef joining the Masterchef Brasil jury, the restaurant has become a highly sought-after spot.
The menu is a reflection of Brazil’s multicultural diversity, with dishes like Amazonian pirarucu but also duck, a tradition more from the center part of Brazil. Every dish offers a modern twist to traditional Brazilian cuisine, enhancing your cultural experience. The panoramic view of Avenida Paulista from the 5th floor and the classic Brazilian cool atmosphere are the cherries on top of this gastronomic delight.
Don’t forget to taste the amazing French toast, locally known as “rabanada” for dessert – in the menu is “Brioche caramelizado”. You can take a look at their full english menu here. Reservations are a good choice, you can get one here.
4. Capim Santo at Museu da Casa Brasileira
Set within the Museu da Casa Brasileira, Capim Santo offers a diverse à la carte Brazilian menu amidst a spectacular outdoor setting. Surrounded by beautiful trees and tropical nature, dining here is a blissful experience.
The menu, created by Chef Morena Leite, is diverse with many fish options and inventive dishes like tapioca ravioli. Its combining tradicional recipes, like ceviche, with Brazilian ingredients, like Pupunha, that the magic happens. Their extensive vegan menu is a delight for vegan food lovers.
The outdoor area is amazing, making the experience at Capim Santo unforgettable are the excellent drinks making it a perfect spot for a long, leisurely Saturday lunch.
A Brush with Gastronomy: Museum Restaurants in Sao Paulo
These museum restaurants in Sao Paulo offer a unique break from traditional dining settings. They allow patrons to immerse themselves in a cultural journey, creating a multi-sensory dining experience that is not only about nourishing the body, but also the soul.
*Editor’s note: for A Baianeira, Pipo and Balaio there is no need to purchase a museum ticket to get in the restaurant. You’ll only need it at Capim Santo. Museum ticket is around $15-20BRL/person.
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