The fashion and beauty industries are filled with interesting people from all over the world who have great taste — the types you can rely on for excellent travel recommendations. So, we’re asking them about their favorite food, shopping and wellness spots in their cities. Consider this series your fashion and beauty person’s guide to travel.
It only takes a quick glance at Patricia Bonaldi’s brand, PatBo, to see just how much her Brazilian heritage informs her artistry. Season after season, the label showcases its cultural pride through distinct handcrafted details, bold colors and sensual silhouettes. Fourteen years in, PatBo has evolved into an internationally beloved name — shown regularly at New York Fashion Week and worn by celebrities including Beyoncé, Olandria, Suki Waterhouse, Chloe Bailey and Selena Gomez. But its Brazilian core hasn’t changed even a little bit.
Bonaldi has an especially strong tie to the vibrant city of São Paulo. It’s where PatBo opened its first-ever store in 2014 (and still has a flagship).
“São Paulo is a city in constant reinvention, and that is something I deeply admire,” Bonaldi tells Fashionista over email. “My relationship with São Paulo is one of admiration and creative and professional connection. It’s a place where different cultures, styles and references coexist, and that has always been a major source of inspiration for me.”
Naturally, we asked the designer for her advice on the perfect fashion-forward São Paulo itinerary. Below, Bonaldi shares all the best places to drink, dine, shop, sleep and more.
What’s one food/dish everybody who goes to São Paulo should try?
I would say a good Brazilian moqueca. It’s a dish that so elegantly reflects the richness of our cuisine — full of color, aroma and personality. I love how authentic Brazilian ingredients come together to create something so sophisticated, with layers of flavor and presence.
Where is your favorite place in São Paulo to get breakfast?
I really enjoy having breakfast at Fasano. It has such an elegant, calm and welcoming atmosphere. It’s one of those places where you can start the day slowly, even within the rhythm and intensity of the city.
Where is your favorite place to get lunch?
I love having lunch at Maní. It’s a restaurant that beautifully translates Brazilian ingredients with both sophistication and creativity. I find it inspiring to see our culinary culture expressed in such an original and refined way.
Where’s your favorite place to get coffee?
I really like Suplicy Cafés. Beyond excellent coffee, it’s a pleasant space for small pauses throughout the day.
Where is your favorite place to get dinner in São Paulo?
One of my favorite places for dinner is Taraz, at Rosewood São Paulo. It represents the city’s new culinary scene very well — sophisticated, creative and rooted in Brazilian ingredients reinterpreted in a contemporary way. It’s more than a dinner — it’s a complete experience of atmosphere, aesthetics and flavor.
If you were planning a trip for yourself in São Paulo, where would you stay?
I would choose Rosewood São Paulo. It reflects the new Brazilian luxury — sophisticated, contemporary and deeply connected to art, design and local culture. I love the feeling of being in a space that celebrates Brazil in such an authorial and elegant way, without excess, but with a strong identity.
What’s one tourist attraction you think is well worth the visit?
Avenida Paulista. I think it represents São Paulo very well: movement, culture, architecture, art and diversity all in one place. Especially on Sundays, when the avenue takes on an even more special energy.
If you had time to visit only one museum or gallery while in São Paulo, which would you pick?
I would choose MASP. Beyond being an architectural icon, its collection is extraordinary. Art has always been a major source of inspiration for me, especially when it comes to color, form and storytelling.
Where do you shop for fashion, beauty, etc. in São Paulo? What do you think are the most unique stores you frequent?
I really enjoy the Jardins neighborhood, especially for its curated selection of both Brazilian and international brands. I also love visiting smaller, more artisanal stores where I can find pieces with identity and craftsmanship.
What’s a good place to buy souvenirs in São Paulo? Is there a spot you like for its specific item?
I like Feira da Benedito Calixto for finding pieces with a Brazilian soul — handcrafts, decorative objects and vintage items. I think these are souvenirs that carry history and authenticity.
What’s the place to take in nature in/around São Paulo?
I really like going to a farmhouse in Atibaia. It’s a place where I can truly slow down and reconnect with nature. I love the simple sophistication of the countryside — the silence, the greenery and this slower rhythm that contrasts so beautifully with the intensity of the city.
What’s your favorite recent discovery in São Paulo?
My most recent discovery has been observing the growing movement of new Brazilian creatives — artists, designers, chefs and entrepreneurs who are reinterpreting Brazil in very interesting ways. São Paulo continues to be a major stage for this.
