The story
In the Itaim Bibi neighborhood of São Paulo, Banzeiro brings the authentic flavors of the Amazon rainforest to the city. Opened in 2019 by chef Felipe Schaedler, this is the São Paulo outpost of a restaurant that began in Manaus in 2009, and it has quickly become a reference for Brazilian cuisine from the North.
Chef Schaedler’s path to the kitchen was shaped by his move to the Amazonas interior as a teenager. He abandoned law studies to pursue gastronomy, inspired by his family’s business in Itacoatiara. His commitment to exploring the ingredients and knowledge of the forest made him a leading voice of his generation in Amazonian cooking. By 2014, Forbes had named him one of the 30 most influential Brazilians under 30, and he has been awarded the title of Chef of the Year by Veja Manaus three times.
The kitchen at Banzeiro is driven by an intense, ongoing research into native ingredients. Schaedler works directly with producers to source items like mushrooms cultivated by Yanomami tribes, saúva ants, rustic tubers, edible flowers, and local fruits. This dedication to the region’s biodiversity defines the menu, which combines classics from the original Manaus restaurant with exclusive São Paulo creations. Standouts include pirarucu (a giant Amazonian fish) grilled over coals and costelinhas de tambaqui (tambaqui ribs). The cocktail list, by Alex Mesquita, also highlights forest flavors in original combinations.
The restaurant’s commitment to quality and value has been recognized by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand award, a distinction it has held since 2020. Banzeiro offers a genuine taste of the Amazon in a setting that is both elegant and welcoming, a space where the culture of northern Brazil is honored in every detail.
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