Contemporary

Although it’s been around for over a decade, Spot (Alameda Ministro Rocha de Alameda 72, Cerqueira César, noon–3 p.m. and 8 p.m.–1 a.m. Mon.–Fri., 1–5 p.m. and 8 p.m.–1 a.m. Sat.–Sun., R$20–30) has never gone out of style—you can tell by the cooler-than-thou crowd who squeeze into this sleek glass box surrounded by the skyscrapers of Avenida Paulista [1]. While it can get a little noisy, the people-watching is great fun. The varied if not overly inspiring menu offerings—an attractive array of appetizers and salads, pastas, and grilled meats—are ideal for a snack or a full-fledged meal.

Mestiço (Rua Fernando de Albuquerque 277, Cerqueira César, tel. 11/3256-3165, www.mestico.com.br [2], 11:45 a.m.–midnight Sun.–Mon., 11:45 a.m.–1 a.m. Tues.–Thurs., 11:45 a.m.–2 a.m. Fri.–Sat., R$20–30) usually refers to a person of mixed ethnicity. It’s an appropriate name for this perpetually hip, but down-to-earth eatery that traffics in culinary influences as diverse as Bahia [3] (home state of the owner/chef) and Thailand. As colorful as the creatively presented food is the spacious interior, whose pastel-hued walls are covered with a constantly changing selection of art.