Mixologist Gustavo Rômulo offers a surprising bit of knowledge: the cashew is technically a fruit, not a nut. Most evenings he tends bar at Caju — Portuguese for “cashew” — where he highlights Brazil’s beloved export in imaginative cocktails and displays the striking cashew apple with its vivid red bottom still attached.
© MARRIOTT
There are many discoveries like this across São Paulo, Brazil’s vast economic and cultural center — many best enjoyed after work hours. At Caju, live jazz often stretches late into the night, creating a relaxed soundtrack for dinner and drinks. For visitors who also appreciate visual thrills, the city does not disappoint.
One of São Paulo’s most iconic landmarks, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP), is a standout both inside and out. The Brutalist gallery appears to float above a pedestrian boulevard, an exterior as arresting as the collection within. Paintings and sculptures, including works by Edgar Degas, are frequently displayed on suspended easels rather than fixed to walls, offering unobstructed 360-degree views and reducing crowding around individual pieces.
PHOTO: © CARLY THORNELL
Reserve a few hours to wander Vila Madalena, a neighborhood that functions as an open-air gallery. Colorful murals line pedestrian-friendly streets and are frequently refreshed — some even come to life through augmented-reality apps that animate sanctioned graffiti when viewed through a smartphone. By day, the area is a draw for photographers and social feeds; by night, bistros, bars and clubs amplify the vibrancy with energetic samba. Shoppers hunting an outfit for an evening out will find the flagship Farm Rio boutique nearby, spread across three floors of bold tropical prints.
São Paulo hosts a sizeable and lively LGBTQIA+ community and one of the world’s largest Pride celebrations. The Largo do Arouche and Consolação districts form the core of the city’s gay nightlife, featuring an eclectic mix of venues — clubs, bars, saunas and pop-up parties — that welcome diverse crowds and creative expression.
Evenings are also a great time to visit Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo’s equivalent of Central Park. Shaded pathways, sweeping lawns and vendors selling coconut water in the shell make for a pleasant sunset stroll. For panoramic city views and a menu rooted in regional flavors, consider Vista Restaurante, which showcases ingredients and dishes inspired by Brazil’s five distinct climatic zones. From there it’s a short walk to the Arístoteles Planetarium, whose saucer-like architecture delights both children and adults alike.