The mortadella sandwich is the market's most famous order — a towering stack of mortadella between two slices of bread. The pastel de bacalhau, a fried salt cod pastry, is another local staple worth trying.
Discover Authentic São Paulo: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for São Paulo, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Our map pins local favourites such as Ibirapuera Park, MASP and the Museum of the Portuguese Language, alongside our Mercure hotels.
Top 5 Things to Do in São Paulo
Mercado Municipal (Mercadão)
A cathedral-like market hall stacked with fruit, spices and cured meats. The move is the mortadella sandwich piled absurdly high, or a pastel de bacalhau (salt cod pastry) eaten standing at the counter.
Avenida Paulista & MASP
São Paulo's most iconic avenue, home to the Museu de Arte de São Paulo — instantly recognisable for the red concrete pillars holding the glass gallery above open ground. On Sundays the avenue closes to traffic entirely.
Beco do Batman
A graffiti-covered alley in Vila Madalena that's grown into a full outdoor gallery, with artists still repainting sections regularly. The surrounding streets have bars and small galleries worth a wander too.
Ibirapuera Park
São Paulo's answer to Central Park, with lakes, museums and joggers looping the paths from early morning. It's the easiest way to get green space and quiet inside a city of this size.
Rua Oscar Freire
The Jardins neighbourhood's boutique strip, lined with designer stores and shaded terraces. Even if you're not shopping, it's a pleasant walk from the hotel to window-browse.
Explore São Paulo's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in São Paulo
We've mapped local spots across São Paulo, from Niemeyer landmarks to two-Michelin-star dining. Ready to dive in?
Parks & museums
Ibirapuera Park
Every weekend, thousands of Paulistanos come here to jog, cycle, do yoga or picnic. It's a cultural hub too, home to the Museum of Modern Art, the Afro Brazil Museum and buildings by Oscar Niemeyer. Join them.
Ibirapuera · Park and museums · Perfect for a weekend outing
MASP – São Paulo Museum of Art
Lina Bo Bardi's red-legged landmark on Avenida Paulista shows major European and Brazilian artists in surprising ways, plus temporary exhibitions. A new 14-storey extension now stands alongside the original.
Avenida Paulista · Art museum · Made for art lovers
Museum of the Portuguese Language
Can a museum be devoted to a language? This one is, and it's considered the world's leading example. Interactive and playful, it fills the beautiful Luz Station, opposite the Pinacoteca.
Luz Station · Museum · Great for curious minds
Casa das Rosas
A historic mansion near Avenida Paulista turned home for poetry, literary events and exhibitions. Step off the avenue and slow down.
Avenida Paulista · Cultural centre · Ideal for culture
Vila Madalena
Bohemian Vila Madalena: street art, bars and live music. Wander through the graffiti of Beco do Batman, then catch the sunset from Praça Pôr do Sol.
West Zone · Neighbourhood · Perfect for nightlife
Água Branca State Park
One of the city's most traditional parks: 137,000 m² of green space to walk, work out and spot local wildlife.
West Zone · Park · Ideal for a quiet walk
Minhocão
A 3.4 km elevated expressway that closes to cars at weekends and on holidays. Then it belongs to walkers, cyclists and street life – come on a Sunday.
Centre · Urban landmark · Made for Sundays
Parque do Povo
A green space between Itaim Bibi and Pinheiros, with bike paths and room to move. Lace up.
Itaim Bibi · Park · Great for a run
Parque das Bicicletas
44,545 m² in Moema for cycling and skating, pump track included, plus a playground and an outdoor gym.
Moema · Park · Perfect for cycling
Japanese Immigration Museum
Three floors and more than 97,000 items tell the story of Japanese immigration to Brazil – right in Liberdade.
Liberdade · Museum · Ideal for history
Museu dos Aflitos (MUSA)
In the grounds of the Capela dos Aflitos, a museum keeping alive the memory of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade in São Paulo.
Liberdade · Museum · Ideal for history
Centro Cultural Vila Itororó
A 1920s housing complex built from the rubble of the Theatro São José, now a cultural hub. Look closely at the details.
Bela Vista · Cultural centre · Great for architecture
Food & chocolate
Bar da Dona Onça
Inside Niemeyer's Copan building, chef Janaína Rueda's lively gastropub serves traditional Brazilian cooking: a daily lunch special, and a tasting menu inspired by her childhood memories.
Copan building, city centre · Restaurant · Perfect for Brazilian comfort food
Fábrica de Dengo
100% Brazilian, fair-trade chocolate. The three-storey flagship has a café, bar, restaurant and a mini factory where you can create your own bar.
São Paulo · Chocolate flagship · Made for chocolate lovers
Tuju
Two Michelin stars, three floors, one idea: refined seasonal cooking built on Brazilian ingredients, led by chef Ivan Ralstone.
São Paulo · Fine dining · Ideal for a special occasion
A Baianeira
Chef Manuelle Ferraz's restaurant at MASP serves hearty dishes from Bahia and Minas Gerais in a bright room full of traditional objects.
Avenida Paulista · Restaurant · Great for regional cooking
Balaio
Star chef Rodrigo Oliveira's second restaurant, on the ground floor of the Instituto Moreira Salles. Modern Brazilian cooking, perfect after an exhibition.
Avenida Paulista · Restaurant · Perfect for lunch
Coffee Lab
A speciality coffee house roasting on site, with expert baristas and classes that celebrate Brazilian coffee culture. Ask what's brewing.
Vila Madalena · Coffee house · Made for coffee lovers
De Segunda
Young chefs Julia Tricate and Gabriel Coelho cook creative, affordable takes on Brazilian food in a relaxed room.
Itaim Bibi · Restaurant · Ideal for eating like a local
Pinheiros Municipal Market
Some 39 stalls under one roof: fresh produce, gourmet groceries, craft beer and restaurants. Shop, then stay for lunch.
Pinheiros · Market · Great for food shopping
FAQ
Yes — Jardins is central, walkable and close to Avenida Paulista, with easy metro access to the rest of the city via Consolação station just two blocks from the hotel.
Yes, part of Avenida Paulista closes to cars on Sundays, turning the avenue over to pedestrians, cyclists and street performers.
Jog, cycle or picnic, then visit the Museum of Modern Art and the buildings designed by Oscar Niemeyer inside the park.
MASP on Avenida Paulista and the Museum of the Portuguese Language in Luz Station are two highlights.
Bar da Dona Onça, in the Copan building, serves traditional Brazilian cooking by chef Janaína Rueda. For fine dining, Tuju holds two Michelin stars.
Where to Sleep in São Paulo
These Mercure hotels appear on our map:
- Mercure Sao Paulo Nacoes Unidas Hotel
- Mercure São Paulo Berrini
- Mercure São Paulo JK
- Mercure Sao Paulo Vila Olimpia
- Mercure Sao Paulo Moema
- Mercure Sao Paulo Ibirapuera Privilege
- Mercure São Paulo Moema Times Square
- Mercure Sao Paulo Pinheiros
- Mercure Sao Paulo Jardins
- Mercure Sao Paulo Alamedas
- Mercure Sao Paulo Pamplona
- Mercure Sao Paulo Paulista
- Mercure Sao Paulo Bela Vista
- Mercure São Paulo Grand Plaza Paulista
- Mercure São Paulo Barra Funda