São Paulo is Brazil's most populous state and the economic engine of South America, dominated by São Paulo city — the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere and a global capital of art, gastronomy, and finance. Beyond the metropolis, the state stretches to the Atlantic coastline of Santos, Guarujá, Ubatuba, and Ilhabela, and up into the cool mountain air of Campos do Jordão.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you São Paulo through its food.
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Tour formats
Different ways to experience São Paulo's food scene.
Market tours
Mercado Municipal tours are São Paulo's most iconic food experience — a deep dive into the city's historic 1933 market, its stained-glass architecture, and legendary mortadella sandwiches
Street food tours
Liberdade street food tours are the best way to experience São Paulo's unique Japanese-Brazilian fusion snacks in the largest Japanese community outside Japan
Neighborhood tours
Multi-district tours covering Centro, Liberdade, Bixiga, and Jardins showcase São Paulo's full immigrant culinary tapestry in a single outing
Heritage tours
Bixiga Italian heritage walks trace the roots of São Paulo's pizza and pasta culture back to early 20th-century Italian immigration
Private tours
Private gastronomy tours suit travelers who want a customized, higher-end itinerary combining fine dining reservations with market visits
Cooking classes
Take a piece of São Paulo home with you.
São Paulo Home Cooking Class
Learn to prepare classic São Paulo comfort food — feijão tropeiro, farofa, and brigadeiro — in a home kitchen setting with a local cook, followed by a shared meal.
Sushi and Temaki Workshop in Liberdade
Hands-on class in Liberdade covering sushi rice preparation, temaki rolling technique, and knife skills for sashimi, taught by a Japanese-Brazilian chef.
Bixiga Pasta and Pizza Making Class
Make fresh pasta and stretch São Paulo-style pizza dough with a Bixiga trattoria chef, exploring the techniques Italian immigrant families brought to the city.
Brigadeiro and Coxinha Workshop
A fun hands-on session making Brazil's two most beloved snacks — chocolate brigadeiro truffles and shredded chicken coxinha — perfect for travelers short on time.
DIY self-guided food tour
Create a self-guided São Paulo food day following this route through the city's most iconic culinary districts
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Stop 1: Padaria Bella Paulista (8AM) — classic Brazilian breakfast of pão de queijo, fresh juice, and coffee, open 24 hours
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Stop 2: Mercado Municipal (10AM) — explore the historic market and split a giant mortadella sandwich at Bar do Mané
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Stop 3: Liberdade (12PM) — walk Japantown and browse the weekend street fair for temaki and Japanese pastries (Saturday-Sunday only)
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Stop 4: Bixiga (2PM) — coffee and cannoli at a Bela Vista Italian cantina, admiring the neighborhood's immigrant-era architecture
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Stop 5: Jardins (4PM) — browse Alameda Lorena for Lebanese sweets and specialty coffee
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Stop 6: Itaim Bibi churrascaria (7PM) — end the day with a picanha rodízio dinner at Rubaiyat
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Reserve tables at São Paulo's top fine dining restaurants (D.O.M., Jun Sakamoto, A Casa do Porco) weeks in advance through official websites
Visit the Mercado Municipal on a weekday morning to avoid the heaviest weekend tourist crowds
Liberdade's street food fair only runs Saturday and Sunday — plan a weekend visit to experience it fully
São Paulo has more Japanese restaurants than any city outside Japan — Liberdade is the most concentrated and affordable area to explore them
Comida a quilo (pay-by-weight) buffets are the best way to sample a wide range of Brazilian dishes affordably at lunch