In a nation and a city with a rich culinary tradition and phenomenal food spanning from Portuguese to Italian and Lebanese to Japanese, why would I seek out a taqueria in São Paulo? In short, because the tacos are delicious. Looking for good Mexican food in São Paulo? Look no further than Lupe.
Great Mexican Food In São Paulo
Regular readers of Live and Let’s Fly will know that I seek out Mexican food wherever I am in the world. Like coffee, Mexican food is part of my travel ritual. That includes Mexican food in such far-flung places as:
(among many other places)
But while I’m happy with Taco Bell (yes, this is a weakness), I do appreciate authentic tacos. Visiting a taqueria was a given in São Paulo, but I did not even have to seek one out since my friend already had a favorite.
Lupe Bar y Taqueria is located Pinheiros district. It’s open for lunch from 12:00pm to 3:00pm then for dinner from 6:00pm 11:00pm. Since I had a plane to catch later that evening, we arrived right when it opened at 6:00pm and had the place to ourselves for about a half hour.
In audition to large indoor dining room, there’s also a spacious patio with tables and standing room.
The cocktails menu and drinks, by the way, were lovely, but my focus was on the tacos.
The guacamole is such a staple, but never gets old:
But the tacos are the highlight and truly worth going our of your way to get.
- Pork (Al Pastor)
- Poark (Carnitas)
- Fish
- Asado del Güero (Angus beef rib)
- Steak
- Vegetarian (onions, cheese, sweet pepper)
All tacos were lovely. Try them all. I did.
(Here’s the menu, by the way, but it is only in Portuguese…which is often a good sign)
CONCLUSION
While it is often fun to try the specialty cuisine of the nation you visit, there’ nothing wrong with seeking out your favorite food. Just like finding good coffee, finding tasty Mexican food has become a travel challenge I look forward to. In Sao Paulo, Lupe wins.
Tacos look good but I feel for whoever sits next to you on the plane ride home 🙂
“Looking for good Mexican food in São Paulo? Look no further than Lupe.” LOL!!!! Look no further because this must be the only place you can find Mexican food in Sao Paulo. Jokes apart, Mexican food is definitely not something people go for while in Sao Paulo. Similar for Indian, Thai or Chinese food. Now as you said, if you are looking for Italian, Pizzerias (separate from regular Italian food), Lebanese, Portuguese, Brazilian or Japanese food, you are in heaven in Sao Paulo.
Hey Matt!! Those Pastor tacos sure look mean!! By their looks, they could put on a serious match to some I’ve eaten while in Mexico City!! yum!
That first picture of the entrance reminds me of the Pier First class lounge bar entrance in Hong Kong
I would like to read your impression of Caio Alciati and João Marcelo Gertel’s taqueria LosDos. Salsa verde to complement tacos al pastor.
ayos