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).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby São Paulo attractions

1. Mercado Municipal de Pinheiros

0.18 MILES

A smaller, cleaner and more manageable version of São Paulo's far larger and more chaotic Mercado Municipal, Mercado Municipal de Pinheiros has served…

2. Instituto Tomie Ohtake

0.47 MILES

This cultural institute, founded by Ruy Ohtake, São Paulo’s most prominent contemporary architect, is dedicated to his Japanese-born mother – one of São…

3. Beco do Batman

0.7 MILES

One of São Paulo's premiere street-art locations, 'Batman's Alley' has slowly risen from secret location for band promotional shots and Brazilian films to…

4. Galeria Milan

0.74 MILES

Displays the work of some of the city’s most cutting-edge contemporary artists, both well-established names and up-and-coming newbies.

5. Galeria Nara Roesler

0.97 MILES

Nara Roesler packs 40 years of experience curating Brazil's most sought-after contemporary artists (Vik Muniz, Tomie Ohtake) at this whitewashed gallery…

6. Museu da Casa Brasileira

1 MILES

Occupying an extravagant Palladian-style villa built by a local tycoon and his wife in the 1940s, this small but charming museum is dedicated to…

7. Rua Oscar Freire

1.34 MILES

Take a stroll down Brazil's 'Rodeo Drive', a leafy, tree-lined thoroughfare brimming with cafes, concept stores and flagship boutiques, top-end…

8. Museu do Futebol

1.85 MILES

Tucked under the bleachers of colorfully art deco Pacaembu Stadium, this fantastic museum is devoted to Brazil’s greatest passion – football (soccer). Its…