Hello, adventure seeker! Ready to take a real Sao Paulo Pub Crawl through São Paulo’s vibrant Republica neighborhood? Hold on to your palate, because we’ve got a tasty itinerary for you. You’ll be exploring six diverse spots including bars, a restaurant, resto bars, and an ice cream shop—all within a kilometer!
Imagine a pub crawl through the heart of downtown Sao Paulo, specifically the effervescent Republica neighborhood, characterized by its eclectic mix of art, culture, and flavors. This is a scene where local artisans, gourmet chefs, and mixologists come together to present an unforgettable and electrifying night-time experience.
Each stop in this curated Republica pub crawl is unique, adding a fresh twist to your night while giving you a taste of Sao Paulo’s dynamic spirit and rich culinary diversity. Whether you’re a local, a frequent visitor, or experiencing the city for the first time, you’ll find this guide to a Republica pub crawl in Sao Paulo indispensable, offering a unique perspective and insider knowledge that will make your evening truly memorable.
To help you navigate this journey, we’ve assembled a few key phrases and food/drink recommendations. With these, you’ll be able to order like a local and navigate through the city’s bustling streets. Let’s get started!
Chapter 1 of sao paulo pub crawl: Starting at Fel
Our journey begins at the heart of Republica, the Copan building. Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, this iconic edifice houses more than 5000 people and is the start of your tour. The first stop is Fel, an exclusive cocktail bar situated right here in Copan.
Choosing a cocktail is very personal, right? What about celebrating that you are in front of the best bartender in the city and order your favorite classic drink? For whiskey lovers, they make a great Penicillin. If you want to try the best version of a local favorite, ask for a Caipirinha with cachaça artesanal.
Chapter 2: Moving on to Orfeu
The next stop is just a few steps away. Orfeu is a resto bar adored by locals for its modern twist on Brazilian food. Orfeu is a place that locals go for Brazilian food with a modern twist.
It has a great selection of “comida de boteco” (that’s what we call appetizers and bar finger food), and also traditional Brazilian popular main dishes. It is a great place either for a long Saturday lunch with friends with cold beer or a nice dinner with cocktails.
The “Dadinhos de tapioca” are an appetizer made of a kind of manioc flour served with pepper jelly. One portion should be enough for 2 people, but if you are hungry, try the “Polenta”. They are sticks made of corn flour, fried and served with grated cheese. Very popular in the southern part of Brasil.
For drinks, they have great Cachaça creations. I’ll suggest two: “Jorge Amado”, inspired by a traditional cocktail from the coast with passion fruit and cloves; and “Maria Bonita”, a more traditional one with lemon. Cold beer is also highly recommended. Try an “Original” if you are not in the mood for hard liquor.
Chapter 3: A Quick Bite at Casa do Porco
Up next, we have Casa do Porco, one of São Paulo’s most renowned restaurants.
The literal translation is “Pork House”. It has been named the 7th best restaurant in the world and it is so good because its owners, Jefferson Rueda and Janaína Rueda, are the real masters in cooking pork meat.
Like other famous restaurants, it is really hard to get a table here. No, reservations don’t just work and the usual way to get in is waiting at least 3 hours in line. Luckly, there is a much easier way to taste their unique food: the “Comida Rapida” stand, a little window just outside the main restaurant where you can get a delicious pork sandwich and also “torresmo”, a very famous Brazilian snack made of fried pork skin.
Today, the suggestion is to try this amazing sandwich at the stand and after that, you are going to stop at 2 more places owned by the same chefs of Casa do Porco.
Intermission in sao paulo pub crawl: Choose Your Path
At this point, you have a choice: would you like to continue to a cool bar for more drinks, or are you ready for a sweet treat? Either way, the city’s delights await!
Chapter 4A: More Drinks at Regô (optional)
If you opt for drinks, the next stop is Regô, a trendy bar where mixology reigns supreme. Rego doesn’t require much explanation. It is a cool place at the corner of Rego de Freitas and Epitacio Pessoa street. Like Fel, it’s cozy and with high level bartenders.
There already? Take a counter seat and relax! My favorite cocktail there is Guimarães Rosa, a mix of Cachaça, lime and Cumaru (amazonian seasoning). Another to-go is the Patativa, also Cachaça-based but with an orange and matcha twist.
Chapter 4B: Sweet Treat at Sorveteria do Centro (optional)
If dessert is your calling, make your way to Sorveteria do Centro, an old-style Italian ice cream shop with a Brazilian twist.
Based on the three main flavours, they make special kinds of sundaes in cones. The most famous is #1, called “Leitão”. It is milk-based, with chocolate, caramel and… bacon! 🐷
Basically, all options are amazing. If you don’t feel like pork in your ice-cream and want something really sweet, try #3 – Brigadeiro (very famous Brazilian candy, it’s kind of a chocolate fudge made with condensed milk) or #4 – Torta de Limão (lemon pie with toasted marshmallow on top of it).
For lighter and not-so-sweet options, try #2 Cascão (with fresh Guava) or #5 Merengão (fresh strawberries). And if you are a cherry person, #6 Floresta Negra is your right choice!
Chapter 5: Finishing at Bar da Dona Onça
To wrap up your journey, visit Bar da Dona Onça. This São Paulo classic is known for its cheetah theme and superb Caipirinhas. It is right next to Fel, also in Copan, so you are going back to today’s starting point. A true São Paulo’s classic spot! 😎
I know you have probably eaten a lot today, so I prepared some suggestions based on my favorite starters to share. Dona Onça is also owned by the Casa do Porco people, so the kitchen is amazing. If you have a little more time in Sao Paulo, it is worth going back another day for lunch or dinner.
My absolute favorite here is the Steak tartare, which goes by the name of Carne de Onça. It comes like appetizers in a little toast. After that, here is a good place to try the Pancetta de porco frita, fried pieces of pork belly with a delicious pepper sauce.
If you don’t want things so “meaty”, maybe try two other Brazilian ultimate favourites: Pastel and Coxinha. The first is kind of a fried dumpling with minced meat or Catupiry (brazilian famous creamy cheese). Second is a dough made with potatoes or manioc, filled with a delicious seasoned chicken, also fried.
Conclusion
You’ve just experienced a delightful gastronomic tour of São Paulo’s Republica neighborhood. As you wind down your journey, enjoy the lively scenes of downtown São Paulo and reflect on the delicious cachaça cocktails, the mouth-watering Brazilian dishes, and the unique flavors of local ice cream.
Remember, this guide is more than just a one-time itinerary—it’s an invitation to explore São Paulo’s culinary and cocktail landscape at your own pace. Whether you’re a local looking to discover hidden gems or a tourist seeking an authentic Brazilian experience, our journey through downtown São Paulo is sure to satisfy your adventurous spirit!
Not feeling like drinking today? How about an amazing Izakaya experience?