An elegant side street of Pinheiros, one of São Paulo’s nicest neighbourhoods, is home to Manì, an incredibly innovative culinary venue. Chefs Daniel Redondo and Helena Rizzo created a menu that uses local ingredients and a mix of Catalan and French haute cuisine. From starters such as the guacamole bonbons with corn biscuits, or the octopus sticks with potato confit and sweet paprika, to the famous feijoada, a typical Brazilian stew with beans and pork, and the coconut panna cotta with rum and white chocolate ice cream; Manì’s menu offers delicious surprises at every turn.

With world-class chef-proprietor Helena Rizzo at the helm, Maní has made its way to the top of the restaurant charts in São Paulo. A sophisticated take on Brazilian country cuisine meshed with modern cooking techniques, dishes like chicken and rice with okra might not sound like much, but one bite will be enough to explain why local and visiting foodies beat a path to Maní's door.

For nearly two decades, widely-respected chef Helena Rizzo has served up her stunning, Mediterranean-influenced take on Brazilian food in the upmarket Jardins neighborhood. The tasting menu will set you back around $120, but ordering a la carte will do just fine. Signature dishes include cashew ceviche and a rich squid fideuá, like a paella with tiny Spanish pasta instead of rice.

Mani Ranked overall at #36 of the top 50 restaurants in the world, Mani specializes in manipulating the traditional flavors of Brazilian cuisine to create a well-received modern spinoff, which has earned Mani’s chef Helena Rizzo the 2014 title of Vueve Clicquot World’s Best Female Chef. Portions are small, but uniquely imaginative, with the signature dish being traditional baked maniocas (much like a cassava) prepared in a nontraditional fashion using the juice of the manioc, coconut milk, and white truffle oil. Mani is a high profile restaurant, so it is best to make your reservations in advance.

Try Mani or D.O.M., both of which consistently earn spots on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list (as voted on by world-renowned chefs, restaurateurs and restaurant critics). Earning its second Michelin star in 2018, Tuju is a standout for its innovative and exquisite seasonal cuisine. These venues spotlight Brazilian cuisine through robust flavors and authentic foods but are typically expensive and booked weeks – if not months – in advance.

Contemporary Brazilian-European fusion cuisine is the focus here, with accomplished chef Helena Rizzo coming up with dishes based on four principles: product, memory, technique and invention. This all takes place in a former residence in the leafy neighborhood of Jardim Paulistano. Here, each aspect of the experience comes together harmoniously and is the reason Maní has been named among the world’s best restaurants.

R. Joaquim Antunes, 210 - Jardim Paulistano, São Paulo - SP, 05415-010, Brazil. Maní offers contemporary Brazilian cuisine crafted by chefs Helena Rizzo and Willem Vandeven, incorporating organic ingredients whenever possible. The restaurant features an informal atmosphere, with both a tasting menu and à la carte options that blend traditional Brazilian ingredients with a modern twist.

Boasting one coveted Michelin star, Maní mixes European and Brazilian influences – a popular fusion among high-end restaurants right now – to great effect. “Every time I go they get better and better,” says Rafael Cagali. “It has a lot of Brazilian elements but with a very modern twist.” Think foie gras bonbons with guava, cashew fruit ceviche or fish wrapped up in banana leaf.

Em sétimo lugar ficou o restaurante da chef gaúcha Helena Rizzo, que ganhou o título de melhor chef mulher do mundo pela Revista Restaurant, em 2014. O Maní exala paixão através da sua cozinha brasileira, autoral, orgânica e contemporânea. O local carrega a simplicidade e os valores da gastronomia brasileira através de ingredientes sazonais e respeito pelo pequeno produtor.

Helena Rizzo e o chef belga Willem Vandeven: simbiose perfeita no já tradicional Maní (Carolina Vianna/Divulgação). A chef Helena Rizzo quase dispensa apresentações. Eleita a melhor do mundo pela lista The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, em 2014, é jurada do aclamado MasterChef Brasil e, desde 2006, está no comando do multipremiado Maní.

Maní Manioca, led by acclaimed chef Helena Rizzo, is a sensation in Latin American gastronomy. The menu features innovative vegetarian dishes like cashew fruit ceviche, a vegan take on the Peruvian classic. Don’t miss the unique ice cream flavors made from Brazilian fruits such as açai, bacuri, and cumaru.

The fantastic restaurant that serves organic, natural food was opened in 2006. Maní has maintained its one star in the Michelin guide, true to the delicious, fresh food it offers. Chef Rizzo creates exceptional dishes based on technique, product, memory, and invention.

Housed in a contemporary space in the Jardim Paulistano neighborhood, Maní is led by star Chef Helena Rizzo. The cuisine here is a blend of traditional Brazilian flavors with modern culinary techniques. Its dishes are both a visual treat and a delight to the palate.