Picchi

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Italian Cooking, Personal Signature

On Rua Oscar Freire in the Jardins neighbourhood of São Paulo, Picchi has been building a quiet, consistent case for what Italian cooking can look like when it takes root in Brazil. The restaurant opened in 2007 as chef Pier Paolo's first solo venture, and after years of growing recognition in both Italy and Brazil, it moved in 2014 to its current address in Regent Park — a more spacious house that matched an increasingly ambitious kitchen.

The premise is clear: rescue family recipes, respect seasonality, and explore what happens when classic Italian technique meets Brazilian artisan producers. The result is a cuisine that feels familiar and genuinely inventive at the same time.

The Chef Behind the Name

Pier Paolo grew up watching his mother and his paternal grandmother, Dona Isabella, cook every day. That early immersion shaped everything that followed. At seventeen he began staging with chef Alex Atala at the former Filomena in São Paulo. Then, in 1997, he moved to Europe for nearly a decade, working in kitchens including Mugaritz in Spain and the celebrated Guido Ristorante in Italy's Piedmont.

It was at Guido Ristorante, under chef Guido Alciati, that Pier Paolo developed his commitment to small producers and seasonal ingredients — a philosophy that runs through every menu at Picchi today. Back in Brazil, he led kitchens at Emiliano and Leopolldo Plaza before opening Picchi. In 2011 he became the first Brazilian to win the Festival Girotonno competition organised by the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners (ICIF).

Recognition That Speaks for Itself

The accolades have accumulated steadily. Picchi received its first Michelin star in 2017 and has held it continuously since. Gambero Rosso has awarded the restaurant its 2 Forks rating across multiple editions — including 2025 — placing it among the most recognised Italian tables outside Italy. The 50 Top Italy guide has listed Picchi among the best Italian restaurants in the world for several consecutive years, and Veja Comer & Beber named Pier Paolo Chef of the Year and Picchi the best Italian restaurant in São Paulo for 2024/2025.

Three Ways to Eat Here

The menu structure reflects the kitchen's range. The flagship Picchi tasting menu runs to twelve courses — the most complete expression of the chef's vision. Tradizione offers a more focused six-course journey through classic Italian cooking. For pasta lovers, Tutto Pasta is a dedicated four-course pasta menu, a confident statement from a kitchen that clearly knows its way around dough. À la carte is also available for those who prefer to choose their own path through the menu.

Wine pairing is offered alongside the tasting menus, and the restaurant can accommodate private events and group dining.