The Iglesias family has over the years mastered the art of raising cattle. Their excellent home-reared beef is served in restaurants that combine austerity with an elegant modernity, and impeccable service. The branches on Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima and Alameda Santos are both favourites for business meetings. To see and be seen, however, park up among the beautiful people under the giant fig tree of the sister restaurant, A Figueira Rubaiyat, in Jardins. International jetsetters will also find a Rubaiyat restaurant in Madrid as well as Buenos Aires. It’s big business – the whole portfolio was bought by an investment fund for a whopping $59.5 million in 2012.

Other location Alameda Santos 86, Paraíso (3170 5100).