Kotori

São Paulo is home to Brazil's large Japanese community, and Kotori in Pinheiros shows a modern side of that influence. The restaurant, linked to the team behind the Tan Tan bar, focuses on yōshoku, the Japanese style of cooking that adapted Western-influenced dishes to Japanese tastes. Chef Thiago Bañares adds his own touches and works Brazilian ingredients into the menu, and the Michelin Guide awarded it a Bib Gourmand in its 2026 Brazil selection for good cooking at a moderate price.

The dishes highlighted by the Michelin inspectors give a good idea of the style. Eryngii mushrooms come with a roast chicken broth, tucupi, a condiment from northern Brazil, and wholegrain mustard. Dry-aged fish is grilled over charcoal, and for dessert the rabanada, Brazil's version of French toast, is made with Japanese shokupan milk bread and served with milk ice cream and toffee sauce. The bar mixes both creative and classic cocktails, and there is a good selection of sake, which pairs well with the grilled dishes.

The Michelin Guide describes the setting as modern and trendy. There is counter seating, which makes Kotori a good choice for solo diners, as well as an outdoor terrace where pets are allowed, and the dining room is air-conditioned. Valet parking is available.

Kotori serves dinner from Tuesday to Friday between 19:00 and 23:00, and on Saturdays it opens for lunch from 12:00 to 16:00 as well as dinner from 19:00 to 23:00. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Bookings are handled directly by the restaurant, so call ahead, particularly for weekend evenings.

The restaurant suits couples and solo travellers looking for a lively, well-priced dinner with a creative edge, and anyone interested in how Japanese cooking has evolved in Brazil beyond sushi. It is on Rua Cônego Eugênio Leite in Pinheiros, and its web pages sit within those of Tan Tan, so a cocktail at the bar makes an easy addition to the evening. Pair dinner with a visit to Liberdade on another day to see the more traditional side of Japanese São Paulo, from its torii gate on Rua Galvão Bueno to the weekend fair on Praça da Liberdade.