Bar do Juarez

I have been talking too much about high end, expensive, posh restaurants! Let me now give you one where you should go with your friends, to have a beer, eat great picanha and share a few laughs, in a totally relaxed place. Let me give you Bar do Juarez!

Bar do Juarez is actually a 4 restaurant chain spread around São Paulo, in some of the hippest neighbourhoods around (Brooklyn, Itaim Bibi, Moema and Pinheiros). But in all of them you find the same relaxed atmosphere – white tiles on the floor and walls, wooden furniture around and waiters moving quickly around, carrying major trays full of beers of great things to eat. There are TV sets around, usually playing soccer matches and the cheer sound of several conversations going around. There are some tables outdoor, facing the street, but flowing the restaurant into the city. Calmly. In a few words, a relaxed atmosphere, great to end the day or to start the night.

The food is simple and good, a perfect match for the ambience in there. There are crabs and shrimps, fried squids, pork ribs, empanadas and cod fish cakes – all of it great for a relaxed meal with friends. But, actually, my preference (and the main reason why I am writing this article) goes for a seven words entrée – picanha. You can order a picanha to share – it will come raw, and you (and your friends – don’t be a fool and order one for yourself only) will have to cook it in the grill / rechaud that will come along. Believe me – with beer always flowing (the running waiters will be always replacing your empty glass by a new filled one), friends around in a great conversation, those thin pieces of excellent meat will taste like the best meal ever! Trust me!

This is my place of choice to relax with some friends in São Paulo. And it is a great restaurant to have a great meal, while running away from those over-priced places around! A... (guess) cool dinner.

Where: São Paulo - Brazil

Address: Avenida Juscelino Kubischek 1164 – Itaim Bibi

Phone: +55 11 3078 3458

Website: http://www.bardojuarez.com.br

Expensive: It will depend on how much beer and meat you will eat – but, I would estimate around €25 (that was what I paid on my last visit)

Last visit: November 2011