19 November 2025
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While the accent might not immediately give it away, São Paulo is a metropolis deeply influenced by Italian culture. Since the late 19th century, waves of Italian immigrants have shaped the city's cultural identity and enriched its food scene. The city's passion for pizza and pasta is unmistakable.
Italians played a crucial role in building São Paulo, evident in both the architecture (from the Edifício Itália to the Circolo Italiano, two downtown landmarks) and the pioneering restaurants that established themselves in the city decades ago, transforming the metropolis into a food destination.
Neighborhood cantinas, like those in Bixiga, defined the local way of enjoying Italian cuisine and paved the way for a new generation of establishments—from traditional to cutting edge. Today, the city's culinary landscape is more diverse than ever, featuring numerous spots inspired by the flavors of Italy. Below is our MICHELIN Inspectors' selection of the best Italian restaurants in the city.
Borgo Mooca: Italian with Creative License
Originally located in Mooca, often called the "most Italian of São Paulo neighborhoods," Borgo Mooca is now set in Santa Cecília. It captures the charm of simple cuisine and natural wines in a softly lit dining room, complete with caramel-toned leather and a terrace. The menu is a fusion of technique and Italian soul, with a hint of Brazilian influence.
Think dishes like beef tartare with velvety mushroom fondue and lard; zucchini flower stuffed with crab bobó; picanha with tagliatelle in smoked butter; porchetta lasagna; and spaghetti with anchovies. Borgo Mooca exemplifies traditional Italian cuisine with a touch of creative freedom, focusing on seasonal products while offering some contemporary takes on classics.
Fame Osteria: The Sophistication of Italian 'Cucina'
With One MICHELIN Star, Fame is one of São Paulo's most sought-after restaurants. Its reputation and intimate size make it unique: Roman-born chef Marco Renzetti serves a tasting menu for just 16 guests per seating, reinterpreting classic Italian flavors with elegance and precise technique. The dining room is managed by his wife, Erika Renzetti, who ensures a consistently graceful service.What began as a clandestine bar now attracts culinary enthusiasts with its minimalist yet warm atmosphere. Enter the discreet iron door and settle in for a full dining experience with full views of the open kitchen, where the chef expertly works the grills and crafts dishes—artisan pasta, risottos, and vegetarian options always earn a prominent place.
Fasano: Synonymous with Italian Elegance
Since 1982, Fasano São Paulo has been known for its elegance and excellence. Under the leadership of restaurateur Gero Fasano and Tuscan chef Luca Gozzani, the restaurant serves fine Italian dishes with sophistication reflecting in every detail. Service is impeccable and the space was designed by Isay Weinfeld and Marcio Kogan. The airy dining room, replete with a grand piano and soaring ceilings reminiscent of 1940s New York, stages a classical kitchen with contemporary accents, offering dishes like creamy burrata with Parma ham, lamb fillet with gnocchi, and a flawless panna cotta finale.
The wine cellar, headed by sommelier Manoel Beato, brings together remarkable labels from Italy and France. The attentive service—one of Fasano’s hallmarks—has expanded to other cities, including overseas, accompanying the opening of the brand’s major hotels.
Mondo: A Passion for Italy
On the bustling and iconic Oscar Freire Street, an elegant dining space with a glass façade and open kitchen houses one of São Paulo's most sought-after Italian destinations: Mondo. Since its opening, the restaurant has maintained a constant influx of selective patrons, especially in the evening, drawn by generous dishes balancing tradition and technical finesse.The menu delves into classics like ravioli al tuorlo—filled with ricotta, spinach, and melted parmesan—or pappardelle with ossobuco ragù, alongside fish and meat dishes that capture beauty in simple, carefully chosen products. With the Weekday Mezzogiorno menu, it's also an excellent choice for a speedy power lunch.
Mondo proves that the cuisine of Italy remains one of São Paulo's greatest passions.
Picchi: Dolce Vita Memories, Revisited
Located on the ground floor of the Regent Park Hotel in the vibrant Jardins neighborhood, flanked by elegant boutiques and art galleries, chef Pier Paolo Picchi revisits childhood memories to craft an Italian cuisine rich in sentiment and refined execution. With One MICHELIN Star, Picchi features dishes that marry tradition with the chef's creativity, generously incorporating seasonal Brazilian ingredients.
The à la carte menu boasts classics like gnocchi, spaghetti, tortelli, and pappardelle. The tasting menu, however, is where the chef's talent truly shines, offering a careful selection of personal recipes: the Tradizione, more classic in approach, and the Picchi, with a daring spirit. By night, the cozy dining room promises a romantic dinner, complemented by a wine list focusing on European, particularly Italian labels.
Piselli: Piedmont with a São Paulo Accent
For over two decades, Piselli, founded by Juscelino Pereira in Jardins, has been an emblem of perfected Italian classics. The name, meaning "peas" in Italian, speaks to the in-house signature: every dish decoration includes three peas. Inspired by Piedmontese cuisine, the kitchen champions clean flavors and high-quality ingredients.
Highlights include burrata calda al tartufo, baked atop delicate focaccia; tortelloni filled with mozzarella di bufala in tomato and fresh basil sauce; and the classic ossobuco alla milanese with saffron risotto. The recipe for success is simple: Italian hospitality and pure flavor.
Vinheria Percussi: 40 Years of Italian Tradition and Perfect Pairings
Silvia and Lamberto Percussi's establishment—with Silvia leading the kitchen and Lamberto overseeing the dining room and wine list—reached its 40-year milestone, reaffirming its importance in Brazil’s food and wine culture. Founded in 1985 as a small wine shop, the restaurant evolved into a reference for merging exquisite dishes with the perfect pairing. In its new location, it maintains the cozy ambiance and classic Italian cuisine that earned its fame.
Fresh pasta specialties shine, such as the flawlessly textured tonnarelli alla carbonara, the ossobuco in a rich and silky sauce, and the traditionally served tiramisu. The wine list, boasting over 300 labels, is a spectacle in itself—a reflection of Lamberto’s passion and rigor, one of the country's most respected sommeliers.
Zena Cucina: São Paulo Charm with Italian Soul
A favorite gathering spot for Italian food lovers, Zena Cucina offers an excellent quality-to-price ratio, earning a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand award. Named after the Genoese dialect term for “Genoa,” the restaurant transports guests to northern Italy with a laid-back atmosphere and Mediterranean flavors. Chef Carlos Bertolazzi crafts fresh pasta and personality-filled dishes in coordination with Dudu Pereira, who hosts a space divided between a cozy dining room and a welcoming terrace.
Highlights include delicately thin, generously filled focaccia; cassava gnocchi with ossobuco ragù; and, for dessert, chocolate-and-oat cannoli or dulce de leche with banana. A selection of wines and cocktails rounds out the experience, reinforcing the house’s light, welcoming spirit and winning over paulistanos’ hearts.
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Hero Image: © Leonardo Freire/Fasano.
