Izakaya Issa

"Brazil has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan, and São Paulo is its beating heart. You’ll find plenty of izakayas across the city, but this one, just off the main drag of the historic Japanese neighborhood Liberdade, is a must-visit. It’s small—there’s bar space for around eight people, and only a few tables—so expect a wait. The kiwi caipirinhas are strong, and there’s a short-but-sweet menu of Brazilian and Japanese sake. But Issa is most famous for its food, including steaming-hot takoyaki balls studded with morsels of octopus, or smoky aubergine covered in bonito flakes." - tome morrissy swan

"Brazil has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan, and São Paulo is its beating heart. You’ll find plenty of izakayas across the city, but this one, just off the main drag of the historic Japanese neighborhood Liberdade, is a must visit. It’s small—there’s bar space for around eight people, and only a few tables—so expect a wait. The kiwi caipirinhas are strong, and there’s a short-but-sweet menu of Brazilian and Japanese sake. But Issa is most famous for its food, including steaming-hot takoyaki balls studded with morsels of octopus, or smoky aubergine covered in bonito flakes." - Tomé Morrissy-Swan

"The Japanese neighborhood of Liberdade contains the city’s best izakayas. Issa, led by the incomparably warm Dona Margarida, offers a traditional selection of grilled specialties. Sit at the bar and start with an order of pork ribs with boiled turnip immersed in warm broth. Then explore the diverse menu, from the creamy takoyaki to all kinds of udon. And don’t miss the selection of sake and shochu." - Rafael Tonon