After spending day one hitting up the major tourist attractions and day two exploring some local favorites, your third day in São Paulo will be spent getting to know some of the different cultures that make this such a diverse city. From Liberdade, the center for the largest concentration of Japanese people outside of Japan, to the Italian Bixiga neighborhood, this will be a day of different cuisines — so come hungry. You’ll top it off with a drink at one of the city’s many rooftop bars.
Breakfast
Photo: Coffee Lab/Facebook
For breakfast today, stop by a fresh fruit store and purchase some of the many exotic fruits you will find on offer. Golden kiwis are a must-try. Wash this down with a coffee somewhere like Coffee Lab in Vila Madalena, where coffee lovers can experiment with different blends and pressing processes.
Liberdade
Photo: Diego Grandi/Shutterstock
After a leisurely breakfast, make your way to Liberdade by metro. This is a particularly good idea on a Saturday or Sunday, as it holds a street market with traditional Japanese, Chinese, and Korean trinkets and snacks on these days. If you’re not in the neighborhood on one of these days, take a stroll around enjoying the traditional Japanese-themed decor. Stop by the Museum of Japanese Immigration for a history lesson on the influence of the Japanese in São Paulo. Pop in and out of the shops selling souvenirs and spices. Catch your breath in the Jardim Oriental, a small garden on Galvão Bueno that lets visitors relax away from the bustle of Liberdade. Then, head to Restaurante Tia Tia and order a sushi boat and some pork gyozas. You won’t be disappointed. The salmon hot rolls are a particular standout.
Bixiga
Photo: Alf Ribeiro/Shutterstock
After learning a little about the importance of the Japanese in Brazil, make your way over to Bixiga. Here, you will find a traditional Italian neighborhood packed with cantinas and pizzerias. If you are lucky enough to be here in August, you will be able to visit the Feast of Our Lady Achiropita, a celebration for the patron saint of the neighborhood during which food stalls are set up all over the area for people to sample different Italian foods. The church in the area, Nossa Senhora Achiropita, is also worth a visit. Round off your day here with dinner at Cantina C…Que Sabe!, a wonderful Italian cantina that serves spectacular pasta.
Drinks at Skye
Photo: Hotel Unique/Facebook
To finish the day and enjoy your last night in São Paulo, go to the amazing Skye Bar on top of the Hotel Unique in Jardins. The bar has some delicious cocktails that customers can sip whilst gazing out over the São Paulo skyline, with the bar offering 360-degree views of the city. It is the best place to finish your trip in style.