Marakuthai started out as a relaxed, upscale restaurant on Ilhabela before its beachside success spawned this urban sister. And though the much-praised restaurant’s name might suggest a straight up-and-down Thai joint, in fact Indian, Moroccan and Brazilian also get a look-in on the menu with dishes like the khiri khiri starter – prawn balls in a cashew crust with a saké and chilli sauce (R$24).

The presentation is flawless, from the green tea in tall glass jugs with mint, herbs and citrus fruits to the food, thoughtfully laid out on attractive platters: all in all, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Nevertheless, we’d love to see a touch more oomph to the menu.