Maní

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A White House with a Golden Soul

Tucked into a charming white house bathed in warm light on Rua Joaquim Antunes in the leafy Jardim Paulistano neighbourhood, Maní has been one of São Paulo's most cherished dining destinations since it first opened its doors in 2006. The name, the setting, and the food all share the same quiet confidence: rooted, honest, and quietly extraordinary.

The Chefs Behind the Vision

Maní is the creative partnership of two remarkable culinary minds. Helena Rizzo, born in Rio Grande do Sul, discovered cooking as a medium for something deeper — a way to express her dreams, her restlessness, and her artistic force through the language of the plate. Her cooking is personal, evocative, and deeply Brazilian.

Alongside her stands Willem Vandeven, a Belgian chef whose reverence for ingredients was shaped early in life by his parents, who ran a shop selling fresh vegetables, charcuterie, and cheeses. That upbringing forged in him a rare respect for produce and provenance — a sensibility that perfectly complements Helena's vision.

Together, they have built something singular: a cuisine that is authorial, seasonal, and uncompromisingly Brazilian.

Contemporary Brazilian Cuisine, Organically Sourced

At Maní, contemporary Brazilian cuisine is not merely a category — it is a philosophy. The kitchen draws on Brazil's extraordinary biodiversity, favouring organic ingredients whenever possible, and weaves them into dishes that feel both grounded in tradition and thrillingly modern. Every element on the plate tells a story of place, people, and purpose.

This approach to contemporary Brazilian cuisine has earned Maní recognition far beyond São Paulo's city limits, with the restaurant featuring in The World's 50 Best Restaurants three consecutive times — ranked 46th in 2013, 36th in 2014, and 41st in 2015 — placing it firmly among the most celebrated dining rooms on the planet.

An Atmosphere Like No Other

Beyond the accolades, what guests return for is the feeling of Maní itself. The solar warmth of the house, the attentive yet unhurried service, and the sense that every meal is a moment carefully considered. It is a place where fine dining feels genuinely welcoming — elegant without pretension, special without being distant.