‘Peaceful’ is a relative term midweek on bustling Avenida Faria Lima, with all the cars, buses thundering past; but if peace is to be found at all, then it’s in the tranquil gardens of the Museu da Casa Brasileira. Sheltered behind the museum’s fine colonial mansion, Itaim lunchers can choose from an imaginative Brazilian menu featuring unusually interesting salads like chicken with a tuna and caper dressing, as well as plentiful heartier options.

The menu executivo is good value – go for the perfectly al dente fettucini marinara, if it’s available. The service can be lacklustre by São Paulo standards, but the drinks selection encourages lingering in the shaded patio – for those not plunging back into the working day, that is. For a more relaxed lunch, go at 11am on a Sunday to see the beautiful garden transformed into a venue for a preprandial live classical and jazz music session.

Note, Quinta do Museu has closed, but has been replaced by a branch of Santinho