Restaurants and cafés | Food shops and markets | Eco food brands
Restaurants and cafés
Apfel
The clue is in the name: this German-inspired restaurant serves healthy vegetarian food at both its Jardins and Centro locations. The menu changes every day, and with the seasons. Much of the produce comes from the owner’s farm in nearby Cotia, and is used in delicious Brazilian dishes like tofu moqueca and veggie feijoada. Rua Bela Cintra 1343, Jardim Paulista (3062 3727, apfel.com.br) and Rua Dom José de Barros 99, Centro (3256 7909).
Casa Jaya
This environmental collective runs courses and events as well as a vegan restaurant, in addition to supporting programmes at Parque do Ibirapuera’s UMAPAZ – an open university dedicated to ecological education and peace studies. Rua Capote Valente 305, Jardim Paulista (2935 6987, casajaya.com.br).
Eco Forneria Integrale Pizzaria
Unlike most pizza places, Eco Forneria doesn’t use wood-fired ovens, but inexpensive, clean-burning gas ovens. And the entire pizza, from the dough to the toppings, is organic. Rua Fradique Coutinho 889, Vila Madalena (3817 4700).
Ekoa Café
The concept of conscientious eating lies at the heart of everything Ekoa produces and serves at its café in Vila Madalena. Following a trip to India to learn more about sustainability, owner Marisa Bussacos returned to Brazil and set up a series of partnerships with eco-friendly companies and social organisations which resulted in the establishing of Ekoa. Go for the once-a-month Green Drinks, with speakers invited to discuss everything to do with sustainability and environmental awareness. Rua Fradique Coutinho 914, Vila Madalena (3032 7842, ekoacafe.com.br).
Emiliano restaurant
Chef José Barattino is doing his bit to help promote a culture of sustainably grown food by sourcing all his produce for the Emiliano restaurant at local farms, which pledge to keep their premises free of child labour. Oil and waste recycling are another addition to the restaurant’s eco credentials. Rua Oscar Freire 384, Jardim Paulista (3068 4363, emiliano.com.br).
Goa
Chef and owner Augusto Pinto was one of the first chefs in São Paulo to use and promote organic ingredients, and continues to evangelise healthy, ecologically-aware eating through his courses and events. The restaurant’s sumptuous decor, with red velvet banquettes and wrought-iron chandeliers, contrasts with the simple, healthy, lunch-only menu. Rua Cônego Eugênio Leite 1152, Pinheiros (3031 0680, goavegetariano.com.br).
Tiger Restaurante
Being an environmentally responsible restaurant isn't just about the green credentials of the food: it's about striving to ensure that all elements of dining – from flatware to furntiture to lighting are ecologically sound. At Tiger, Asian cuisine is served on crockery with no chemical dyes or additives, and all the tables are made from recycled wood. Rua Jacques Félix 694, Vila Nova Conceição (3045 2200, tigerrestaurante.com.br).
Yam Gastronomia
The younger sister of Goa restaurant, Yam Gastronomia follows a similar ecologically-minded agenda, decked out with furniture made from recycled materials and serving a healthy vegetarian lunch menu. Rua Deputado Lacerda Franco 478 Vila Madalena, (3031 3543, yamgastronomia.com.br).
Food shops and markets
Agua Branca Organic Products Fair
Get vegetables, grains, dairy products, bread, ice cream, fruit, pasta – you name it – made without pesticides or chemical fertilisers, and certified by the Brazilian Organic Agriculture Association at the organic market on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings (7am-noon) in the Parque de Água Branca. Avenida Francisco Matarazzo 455, Barra Funda (3875 2625, parqueaguabranca.sp.gov.br).
Biodynamic Fair
The produce sold at this Thursday morning fair (7am-1pm) is grown without artificial fertilisers and pesticides, and in line with the lunar sowing and planting calendar. Rua São Benedito, between Ruas Américo Brasiliense and Alexandre Dumas, Santo Amaro.
Casa do Natural
Right next door to Ekoa Café this health food store and restaurant uses its food waste as fertiliser to help grow the vegetables used in its dishes. Head through the shelves of organic food stuffs and supplements to the large dining room, where a fixed price buffet serves a selection of salads and vegetarian hot dishes. Rua Fradique Coutinho 910, Vila Madalena, (3816 0706, alternativacasadonatural.com.br).
Ponto Verde Produtos Naturais
Working with both organic and biodynamic producers since 1985, Ponto Verde sells certified organic chicken and eggs, though they’re still trying to work out which came first. Rua do Estilo Barroco 442, Santo Amaro (5182 5161, lojapontoverde.com.br).
Quintal dos Orgânicos
This restaurant-cum-grocery-store has been fitted out with energy-efficient LED lights and recycled building materials and packaging. Stop by to try an organic breakfast or lunch inside the spacious store, or stock up on a selection of organic food, wine and cosmetics, and even organic cotton clothes. Rua Fradique Coutinho 1416, Vila Madalena (2386 1881, quintaldosorganicos.com.br).
Ecological food brands
Korin Agricultura Natural
Korin espouses the philosophies of Japanese farmer Mokiti Okada in selling its wide range of organically produced wares. Buy their hormone-free chicken and other products at this store, as well as in most Pão de Açúcar supermarkets. Rua Coronel Artur Godói 246, Vila Mariana (5579 9363, korin.com.br).
Produtos Mãe Terra
From granola bars and cookies to sugar and seasonings, the tasty Mãe Terra – ‘Mother Earth’ – brand of snacks, cereals, pastas and condiments are either 100 per cent organic or all-natural, offering a healthy and sustainable alternative to most other food brands available in supermarkets. The company, founded in 1979, offers tips for better eating and recipes such as curry rice and hamburger patties made of quinoa (an Andean power-grain). Mãe Terra products can be found in most Pão de Açúcar supermarkets and other speciality grocers (maeterra.com.br).
