Izakaya Matsu

São Paulo


Foodies in the know consider this São Paulo's best traditional izakaya (Japanese pub), where Sergio Ouba, Toshi Akuta and Adriano Silva slice, dice, boil and fry up a divine list of tavern-style Japanese small plates. Spiced karaaguê karê (fried chicken curry), perfectly breaded tonkatsu (fried pork ribs) and oodles of noodles delight sake-swilling patrons at the long balcony.

Get there early to avoid the less atmospheric, open-air seating upstairs – this area is cramped and has views of a typically Paulistano 'spaghettied' utility pole (maze of electrical wires).