Exploring the Art of Fine Dining: Two of São Paulo’s Most Innovative Michelin-Starred Restaurants

Evvai – A Michelin-Starred Fusion of Italian and Brazilian Cuisine

Evvai, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in São Paulo, is a testament to Chef Luiz Filipe Souza’s innovative approach to fine dining. Blending Italian traditions with Brazilian influences, Evvai’s Oriundi cuisine celebrates the immigrant heritage that shaped Brazil’s culinary landscape.

The tasting menu is an artistic journey, featuring meticulously crafted dishes that highlight seasonal Brazilian ingredients while honoring classic Italian techniques. Signature plates include refined handmade pastas, seafood crudos, and expertly balanced flavor pairings, complemented by a carefully curated wine and cocktail selection.

Elegant yet contemporary, Evvai offers an immersive dining experience where storytelling, flavor, and craftsmanship come together in perfect harmony.

Tuju – Where Innovation Meets Sustainability

Tuju, known for its Michelin-starred excellence and Green Star sustainability, is a true reflection of São Paulo’s modern gastronomy. Chef Ivan Ralston crafts a menu that merges Brazilian biodiversity with avant-garde techniques, resulting in dishes that are both visually striking and rich in flavor.

The restaurant’s philosophy revolves around hyper-local sourcing, with many ingredients coming from its on-site urban garden. Expect a tasting menu filled with unexpected textures, native Brazilian ingredients, and refined presentations that push the boundaries of contemporary cuisine.

With a focus on sustainability, creativity, and an ever-evolving menu, Tuju offers a cutting-edge gastronomic experience that showcases the best of Brazil’s culinary future.

Evvai: A Michelin-Starred Exploration of Oriundi Cuisine

At Evvai, Chef Luiz Filipe Souza masterfully blends Italian tradition with Brazilian innovation, creating a tasting menu that celebrates São Paulo’s diverse culinary heritage. The OR242 menu is an elegant progression of meticulously crafted dishes, showcasing hyper-local ingredients and refined techniques.

Tasting Menu Highlights

• Melon, Puxuri & Chickpea – A delicate, palate-awakening starter featuring a unique Amazonian spice.
• Manioc Bread & Cheese Selection – Traditional cheese bread made with rare cheeses from Marajó Island, paired with polvilho biscuit and Grana Padano whey.
• Wagyu Bresaola, Lizards & Smoked Tea – A rich yet delicate preparation highlighting aged Wagyu beef and deep umami notes.
• Pupunha Heart of Palm Tagliatelle & Bottarga – A stunning pasta-inspired dish that transforms heart of palm into silky ribbons, topped with salted fish roe.
• Fish of the Day with BORI Special Urucum & Pancetta – A delicate seafood dish elevated with indigenous urucum (annatto) and crispy pancetta.
• Xinxin Chicken & Marsala – A Brazilian take on Marsala chicken, infused with Afro-Brazilian xinxin sauce, known for its nutty and coconut-based richness.
• Cotechino with Black Bean Broth & Goat Pepper – A deep, smoky dish featuring traditional Italian cotechino sausage in a bold black bean broth with a Brazilian spice kick.
• Green Corn & Cerrado Vanilla with Oscietra Caviar – A luxurious balance of sweet, creamy corn and vanilla, topped with one of the world’s finest caviars.
• Yellow Fruits, Soursop & Manduri Honey – A refreshing, tropical interlude featuring rare Manduri honey from the Cerrado region.
• Rebel, Rebel Tiramisu – A playful yet sophisticated reinterpretation of the classic Italian dessert.
• Mignardises – A final indulgence of petit fours, completing the meal with elegance.

With two Michelin Stars, Evvai’s tasting menu is a sensory journey through Brazil’s rich flavors and Italian heritage, making it one of São Paulo’s most essential fine dining experiences.

Tuju: A Michelin-Starred Celebration of Brazilian Biodiversity

Indulge in luxury and excitement

Renowned for its Michelin Star and Green Star, Tuju is a culinary destination that merges sustainability with innovation. Chef Ivan Ralston crafts a hyper-seasonal menu, featuring rare and locally sourced ingredients that showcase Brazil’s rich biodiversity. The “Rain Season” tasting menu is an exploration of flavors, textures, and techniques, designed to honor Brazil’s natural ecosystems while delivering a world-class dining experience.

Tasting Menu Highlights

• Oyster with Watermelon & Cucurbitaceae – A delicate start that pairs fresh oyster brininess with the sweetness of watermelon and squash-family flavors.
• Yellowtail with Cambuci, Turnip & Seaweed – A fusion of the ocean and Brazilian native fruits, highlighting cambuci’s tartness against buttery fish.
• Crab with Corn & Avocado – A creamy, umami-packed dish that can be elevated with Oscietra caviar for an extra indulgence.
• Pumpkin with Palm Heart & White Curry – A silky, spiced composition featuring Brazilian palm heart and a fragrant white curry sauce.
• Tomato with Eggplant & Yuzu – A balance of acidity and depth, where fermented eggplant and citrusy yuzu create a refreshing bite.
• Squid with Caruncho Pork & Shell Jus Gras – Tender squid meets rich Brazilian pork and a decadent seafood reduction for a bold and layered dish.
• Fish of the Day with Fragrant-Pepper Pil Pil & Asparagus Bean – A tribute to Brazilian spices, this dish elevates fresh fish with a unique pil pil sauce and local vegetables.
• Lamb with Scarlet Eggplant & Watercress – A hearty yet refined dish showcasing Brazil’s diverse produce and a perfectly executed lamb preparation.
• Mango with Pesto & Mate – A tropical and herbaceous combination where Brazilian mate tea adds a bold twist to ripe mango.
• Cocoa with Cardamom & Baru Nut – A sophisticated dessert blending Amazonian cocoa, warm spices, and the nutty richness of Brazil’s native baru nut.

A Sustainable & Immersive Dining Experience

With a deep commitment to sustainability, Tuju sources from local producers, urban gardens, and Amazonian farmers, ensuring that each dish represents Brazil’s natural abundance. Paired with wine or non-alcoholic beverage selections, this tasting menu is a culinary journey through Brazil’s most vibrant flavors, making Tuju a must-visit for food lovers seeking a refined yet conscious dining experience.

Evvai vs. Tuju: A Michelin-Starred Showdown

Both Evvai and Tuju are extraordinary restaurants, fully deserving of their two Michelin stars, and stand among the finest dining experiences I’ve ever had. Each represents a distinct yet equally trailblazing approach to haute cuisine, making them pillars of São Paulo’s gastronomy.

Tuju is the temple of high-end gastronomy in São Paulo—a place where culinary precision meets scientific innovation. The chef is a mad scientist, a master of his craft who constantly explores new techniques and flavors. The restaurant itself is upscale, sleek, and luxurious, the epitome of refined dining. Everything about Tuju exudes the pinnacle of Brazilian fine dining, elevating tradition through cutting-edge execution.

Evvai, on the other hand, delivers just as much luxury but injects it with punk rock energy. Chef Luiz Felipe Souza isn’t just a master in his craft—he’s a rebel pushing the boundaries of fine dining. His approach blends the refinement expected of a two-Michelin-starred restaurant with the raw, expressive energy of David Bowie’s avant-garde style and Warhol’s pop culture influence. His dishes don’t just taste exceptional—they tell a story, break rules, and challenge tradition in the most playful, unexpected ways.

While both restaurants left an incredible impression on me, I slightly preferred Evvai. It wasn’t just about the food—it was the fun, rebellious nature of the experience. Evvai felt like a fine-dining revolution, while Tuju felt like the perfected pinnacle of high-end cuisine. Both chefs are trailblazers in the world of gastronomy, and I have immense respect for their unique approaches to redefining fine dining in Brazil.

Tuju represents the luxury I’ve always embraced, a standard of excellence and precision. But Evvai embodies the spirit I’ve always wanted to live by—breaking norms, respecting tradition while reshaping it, and proving that fine dining can be both punk and Michelin-worthy at the same time.

São Paulo is home to some of the most exciting restaurants in the world, and while I still need to explore D.O.M. and Rio’s fine dining scene, there’s no denying that Tuju and Evvai stand at the forefront of Brazil’s culinary revolution.