2 Days In São Paulo: Immersed in the City's Vibrant Heart!

Kelvin July 06, 2025

São Paulo Sights & Bites: A Feijoada Welcome!

Hello from São Paulo! My trip kicked off this afternoon with a landing at Congonhas airport, followed by checking into the Pullman Sao Paulo Ibirapuera.

Soon after, we took a quick Uber to the Jardins district, right in the heart of São Paulo. Today's plan: try Feijoada at A Figueira Rubaiyat.

For those unfamiliar, Feijoada is a traditional Brazilian dish – a black bean stew mixed with various meats. One story I heard about its origin suggests it dates back to the slavery era, where enslaved people would cook leftover meats from their masters with black beans. Of course, nowadays, we don't cook with leftover meat, but the precious recipe for this rich dish has been passed down, and now we can all enjoy it. Don't be put off by the beans; they're incredibly soft, mushy, and a bit creamy, adding a lot of depth and flavor to the entire dish.

A Figueira Rubaiyat is a buffet-style restaurant. It was busy, so we had a short wait for a table, but it was worth it. The entrance has a transparent roof, letting in plenty of sunlight, which created a nice atmosphere. We were seated further inside the restaurant, which is quite large! For the stew, you'll find various meat options like ribs and offals, if you're feeling adventurous. There are also other sides and snacks such as rice, salad, and fruits. And definitely try the cashew juice – I'd only ever had cashew nuts before, so the fruit was a new experience for me. Overall, it was a good meal with tasty food and a great vibe.

Stay: Pullman Sao Paulo Ibirapuera(Official/Qantas Hotel)

A busy restaurant interior with many patrons seated at tables under a high ceiling and a large, tree-like structure providing natural ambiance.
Soaking in the great vibe of A Figueira Rubaiyat, with its spacious layout and sunlit atmosphere.
A wide view of a buffet table laden with multiple large copper pots filled with different components of Feijoada, including rice and black beans, with a chef standing behind and diners in the background.
The extensive buffet at A Figueira Rubaiyat, offering a generous spread of Feijoada and all its traditional sides.
A close-up of a white plate filled with Feijoada, showing dark bean stew, various cuts of meat, white rice, green collard greens, and bright orange slices, with cashew juice in the background.
I assembled myself a delicious and colourful plate of feijoada. Deliciosa!

After our meal, we explored the shopping mall next door. There, we found APTK, a premix cocktail store. I discovered one of my favorite Brazilian cocktails, Caipirinha, in a bottle! I decided to pick one up as a gift for my friend in the UK, my next stop.

Dine: A Figueira Rubaiyat (Google Maps)

Day 2: City Views & Street Art Exploration!

What better way to see a sprawling city like São Paulo than with a private tour? My friend and I signed up for one, hoping to pack as much as possible into a single day. We started off with a short hop across Ibirapuera Park from my hotel.

Our first stop was a rooftop with a stunning view of the city's skyline. This really gave me a sense of just how metropolitan São Paulo is – endless buildings stretching to the horizon!

A wide view of the sprawling São Paulo city skyline under a hazy sky, with a large green park and roads in the foreground.
A glimpse of São Paulo's truly metropolitan expanse from a stunning rooftop view.

Ibirapuera Park itself is incredibly relaxing. We saw people skateboarding around, and there are various artworks scattered throughout the park, adding to its charm.

People skateboarding in front of a large, colorful mural under a concrete overhang, with small orange cones on the ground.
Experiencing the relaxing and artistic vibe of Ibirapuera Park, complete with local skateboarders and vibrant murals.
The striking, white angular building with a prominent red entrance of the Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium, surrounded by green parkland.
The distinctive architecture of the Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium in Ibirapuera Park.

Next, our tour took us to Batman Alley, the "hippie" area of São Paulo. This neighborhood absolutely bursts with personality, thanks to the incredible amount of graffiti and street art covering nearly every wall.

A large, colorful mural of a stylized woman's face with bright blue hair and sunglasses, painted vibrantly on the side of a red building in an urban setting.
Every corner turned in Batman Alley was a new world, with art bursting from every wall and telling its own story.
Me standing centered in front of a large, colorful mural depicting stylized wings with a fantastical background, making it appear as though the person has wings.
Did I had a Redbull earlier that day?
A striking black and white mural featuring two mirrored faces composed of target-like circles with numbers, painted on a textured concrete wall.
Interesting painting - what do you see?

We spotted some cool vintage cars around, adding to the area's unique vibe, and the locals were super nice too!

Two classic Volkswagen Beetles parked amidst the vibrant street art of Batman Alley.
Two classic Volkswagen Beetles parked amidst the vibrant street art of Batman Alley.

While wandering, we popped into a charming shop that sold art decorations and small items like plates and cups. Everything was beautifully crafted and felt truly unique, though it could be a bit pricey – but that's the nature of one-of-a-kind pieces!

The inviting entrance of a shop selling unique art decorations, with colorful murals on the walls.
A shop selling unique art decorations, hidden behind colorful walls.
Inside the art decoration shop, showcasing a variety of handmade goods and artistic pieces.
Inside the art decoration shop, showcasing a variety of handmade goods and artistic pieces.

Continuing our exploration of Batman Alley, we met a very interesting artist named Mattias. His stall, "Monster Marathon," showcased a whole universe of his unique monsters. These "monsters" are incredibly stylish and colorful, and each one comes with its own funny or ridiculous story. I became a big fan and just had to bring one home with me!

Artist Mattias at his 'Monster Marathon' stall in Batman Alley.
The "Monster Marathon" stall in Batman Alley. Introducing you the mastermind - Mattias.
A colorful and intricate mural of Mattia's Monster Marathon.
You know where to find the monsters, right at Batman Alley!
A vibrant street mural depicting comic book characters Batman and Flash in dynamic poses, surrounded by blue and red lightning bolts on a wall.
Even superheroes seemed to have found their home among the incredible street art and lively atmosphere of Batman Alley!

Don't forget to grab a "chopp" (draft beer) while you're there! There are some individual breweries in the area that brew truly excellent chopps. And you know what, the people here are so passionate; they even offered to top up our beers after we'd had almost half! How can you not love this place? And when I thought that was it, we found some graffiti with QR codes next to them. Scan it, and with AR technology, the artwork on the wall suddenly comes alive! What a show!

After that, we had a brief visit to the artery of São Paulo, Paulista Avenue. This avenue is home to many important buildings, such as the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP), with its distinctive suspended design.

The iconic MASP building on Paulista Avenue.
The iconic MASP building on Paulista Avenue.

On the day we visited, it was a Sunday, so the road was completely blocked off from traffic, allowing everyone to freely walk on the wide avenue. Along the sides of the road, there were many stalls selling various products – from refreshing sugar cane juice to beautifully crafted leather bags, you name it!

Lively street market stalls lining Paulista Avenue on a Sunday.
Lively street market stalls lining Paulista Avenue on a Sunday.

Then, we visited the Mercadão, the biggest public market in São Paulo. It's housed in a grand, very colonial-style building that's incredibly well-maintained. The exterior is a lovely pale yellow color, adorned with many sophisticated carvings and details on the walls and roof. The arched windows are elegantly tinted with drawings, adding to its charm.

The impressive pale yellow exterior of the Mercadão (Municipal Market).
The impressive pale yellow exterior of the Mercadão (Municipal Market).
A wide view of the bustling interior of Mercadão, showcasing its architecture and various stalls.
Inside the hustling and bustling Mercadão. It is packed with locals and tourists.
A vibrant stall inside Mercadão, laden with jars of pickled goods and bags of spices.
If you want to get anything, just visit this store in Mercadão!
A wide shot of Mercadão from the upper level.
Another view inside Mercadão, this time from the upper stairs.

Farewell Feast: Brazilian BBQ!

Later that day, after our tour, my friend and I headed to a Brazilian BBQ restaurant. We picked Fogo de Chão Moema this time, as it was conveniently on the way to Congonhas airport, where my friend would fly back home to Brasília.

For sides, salads, and cold cuts, they have a fantastic buffet. There were delicious cheese balls and crispy chips, among many other fresh options. I even got to see more of those interesting cashew fruits at the buffet! Everything was incredibly fresh.

A server at Fogo de Chão slicing juicy meat from a skewer onto a diner's plate.
Would you like to try this cut? Yes, please!
A view of the lively dining area at Fogo de Chão, with a server carrying a large skewer of meat.
Waitstaffs are walking around with skewers of meat, what a day to be a meat lover!
A close-up of fresh fruits, including vibrant cashew fruits, on the buffet spread.
Fresh cashew fruit is offered in the buffet.

For the meat, servers continuously came around to our table with long skewers of different cuts. They were all incredibly juicy and tender, and they kept coming until you signaled that you'd had enough. It was a very satisfying experience – meat-lovers will definitely be in heaven here!

As my friend and I parted ways, the flavors and memories of São Paulo lingered, a perfect culmination to our adventures in this vibrant city.

Dine: Fogo de Chão Moema (Google Maps)

Looking Back: My Unforgettable Brazilian Journey

Reflecting on my entire adventure across Brazil, from the vibrant energy of Rio de Janeiro to the untouched wilderness of Chapada dos Veadeiros, the architectural marvels of Brasília, and the dynamic urban sprawl of São Paulo, I'm filled with immense gratitude. This trip wasn't just about visiting a new country; it was about immersing myself in a rich tapestry of culture, nature, and incredible experiences. I am especially lucky and grateful to have had such a wonderful friend by my side. Their guidance, insider knowledge, and companionship truly transformed this journey, leading me to hidden gems and the very best of what Brazil has to offer. This precious memory will stay with me forever, and I know for certain that this first visit will definitely not be my last. Next up, follow me to the UK!

Kelvin

Posted by Kelvin

Exploring the world is my passion, and I’ve figured out how to do it in comfort without spending a fortune. I love making the most of my trips, often using points to upgrade my experience. Follow along as I share how I travel smart and in style.

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