São Paulo is Brazil’s foodie capital, and here is where it all comes from. Fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses and pretty much every other edible item you can think of are displayed appetizingly in a great hall lit by lovely stained-glass windows from the beginning of the twentieth century.

For a more authentic experience, go when the pros go, during the week. Don’t forget to check out the opening hours beforehand, right here: http://www.oportaldomercadao.com.br/index.php?page=english

Make sure that you arrive with an empty stomach. Plan to try the culinary specialties served on the premises: the Bologna sandwich (sanduiche de mortadela) – which is everything indulgent that you can imagine on a sandwich. I would suggest trying this notoriously mouth-watering dish at Bar do Mané (Anthony Bourdain tried his first Mortadela here).  In addition, try the fried crusty shell filled with cod (pastel de bacalhau). Both are a meal in themselves, chased with a caipirinha or a cold beer and followed by a piece of tropical fruit.

Address: Rua da Cantareira 306 | Centro, Sao Paulo, State of Sao Paulo 01024-000, Brazil (Bom Retiro)