Cafés and Snacks

Situated in deepest, darkest Jardins [1], Galeria dos Pães (Rua Estados Unidos 1645, Jardim América, tel. 11/3064-5900, www.galeriadospaes.com.br [2], 24 hours daily) is a mélange of bakery, delicatessen, wine shop, and café. Though it never closes, this superpadaria is always packed, though the clientele changes hourly. The breakfast buffets, featuring more than 50 items, are a great start to any day, while creative sandwiches (named for famous painters) make for practical lunches. After a night out on the town, revelers often stop by and ward off potential hangovers by downing bowls of nourishing broth from the late-night soup buffet.

Chocoholics will go cocoa louco at Chocolat du Jour (Rua Haddock Lobo 1672, Jardim Paulista, tel. 11/3062-3857, www.chocolatdujour.com.br [3], 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat.). The interior of this celebrated Paulistano chocolatier resembles a swanky jewelry shop, except that the coveted bling on display in glass cases is edible. The outstanding truffles are made with a secret mixture of Belgian and Brazilian chocolate. Kids will love the chocopop (chocolate-covered popcorn). A small café serves espresso and hot chocolate.

If São Paulo [4] had an equivalent to the infamous Deux Magots in Paris, it would be Santo Grão (Rua Oscar Freire 413, Jardim Paulista, Sao Paulo, tel. 11/3082-9969, www.santograo.com.br [5], 9 a.m.–1 a.m. Mon.–Thurs., 9 a.m.–2 a.m. Fri.–Sat., 9 a.m.–midnight Sun.), except that this clubby, modern café is frequented by a hipper, less touristy public than its Left Bank doppelgänger. Nonetheless, as a people-watching scene, it is unparalleled. The extensive variety of gourmet cafés (including an aromatic house-grown blend) are prepared and served with the utmost care. Salads, sandwiches, and light gourmet meals are available, as is breakfast. However, nothing goes better with a freshly pulled demi-tasse than a Nutella crepe topped with cream sorvete. A second smaller café is nearby (Av. Alameda Santos 1940, tel. 11/3285-5922).

A charmingly retro diner/luncheonette, Frevo (Rua Oscar Freire 603, Jardim Paulista, tel. 11/3082-3434, www.frevinho.com.br [6], 10:30 a.m.–1 a.m. Sun.–Wed., 10:30 a.m.–2 a.m. Thurs.–Fri., 10:30 a.m.–3 a.m. Sat., R$10–20) has been serving up snacks, sandwiches, and decadent sundaes since 1956. The pièce de résistance is the legendary beirute sandwich. The traditional version combines cheese, tomatoes, oregano, and a hearty slab of roast beef.