Jun Sakamoto

Jun Sakamoto, tucked into a quiet street in Pinheiros, is widely regarded as one of the finest Japanese restaurants outside Japan and holds a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide São Paulo. Chef Jun Sakamoto, who moved to Brazil from Japan and opened the restaurant in the late 1980s, built his reputation on a strict, traditional omakase format served at a 35-seat sushi counter, where the chef and his team select each course based on what is freshest that day. The menu draws on both imported Japanese ingredients and high-quality Brazilian seafood, sourced to match the standards of Edomae-style sushi while adapting to what is locally available, resulting in an omakase experience that is distinctly Brazilian in sourcing even as its technique remains rigorously Japanese. Seasonal sashimi selections rotate according to what is at its peak, and the counter seating means diners can watch each piece of nigiri assembled and served immediately, in keeping with traditional sushi-counter etiquette. The dining room is understated and quiet, designed to keep attention on the food and the chef's craftsmanship rather than on decor, with minimal noise and a formal, almost ceremonial service style. Because the restaurant seats only 35 and has built a decades-long reputation among both local devotees and international visitors seeking out one of Brazil's best sushi experiences, reservations are essential and should be made well in advance—often weeks ahead for popular dinner times. There is no walk-in availability during busy periods, and last-minute cancellations are the only realistic way to secure a same-week table.