Cafés and Snacks

Ponto Chic (Largo do Paissandu 27, Centro, tel. 11/3222-6528, www.pontochic.com.br [1], 8 a.m.–midnight Mon.–Sat.) earned its name from the fact that when this now famous luncheonette first opened in 1922, it immediately became the “chic point” for the city’s intellectuals, artists, and soccer stars to meet. Then, as now, the most popular item on the menu was the sanduíche Bauru, a hefty sandwich of roast beef with tomato, cucumber, and a deliciously gooey melted mixture of four cheeses, all served on French bread. Invented here, it has since gone on to become a São Paulo [2] culinary icon. A side order of crisp fries is the perfect accompaniment.