Both Evvai and Tuju are extraordinary restaurants, fully deserving of their two Michelin stars, and stand among the finest dining experiences I’ve ever had. Each represents a distinct yet equally trailblazing approach to haute cuisine, making them pillars of São Paulo’s gastronomy.

Tuju is the temple of high-end gastronomy in São Paulo—a place where culinary precision meets scientific innovation. The chef is a mad scientist, a master of his craft who constantly explores new techniques and flavors. The restaurant itself is upscale, sleek, and luxurious, the epitome of refined dining. Everything about Tuju exudes the pinnacle of Brazilian fine dining, elevating tradition through cutting-edge execution.

Evvai, on the other hand, delivers just as much luxury but injects it with punk rock energy. Chef Luiz Felipe Souza isn’t just a master in his craft—he’s a rebel pushing the boundaries of fine dining. His approach blends the refinement expected of a two-Michelin-starred restaurant with the raw, expressive energy of David Bowie’s avant-garde style and Warhol’s pop culture influence. His dishes don’t just taste exceptional—they tell a story, break rules, and challenge tradition in the most playful, unexpected ways.

While both restaurants left an incredible impression on me, I slightly preferred Evvai. It wasn’t just about the food—it was the fun, rebellious nature of the experience. Evvai felt like a fine-dining revolution, while Tuju felt like the perfected pinnacle of high-end cuisine. Both chefs are trailblazers in the world of gastronomy, and I have immense respect for their unique approaches to redefining fine dining in Brazil.

Tuju represents the luxury I’ve always embraced, a standard of excellence and precision. But Evvai embodies the spirit I’ve always wanted to live by—breaking norms, respecting tradition while reshaping it, and proving that fine dining can be both punk and Michelin-worthy at the same time.

São Paulo is home to some of the most exciting restaurants in the world, and while I still need to explore D.O.M. and Rio’s fine dining scene, there’s no denying that Tuju and Evvai stand at the forefront of Brazil’s culinary revolution.