Rubaiyat

Rubaiyat, on Avenida Faria Lima in Itaim Bibi, is a premium steakhouse belonging to the Rubaiyat Group, a family business that has raised and sourced cattle since 1957 and built its restaurants around that vertical integration—the group controls its own farms, meaning the beef served has traceable origins rather than being bought on the open market. The menu draws on both Brazilian and Argentine steakhouse traditions, featuring grass-fed picanha (sirloin cap), bife ancho (ribeye) and a rotating selection of farm-raised beef cuts presented as a tasting format for guests who want to sample several cuts in one meal. The dining room is polished and contemporary, reflecting Itaim Bibi's identity as one of São Paulo's main business and finance districts, with a clientele that mixes corporate dinners, business lunches and special-occasion diners drawn by the group's reputation for quality beef. An extensive wine cellar, one of the more serious lists among the city's steakhouses, is a significant part of the draw, pairing full-bodied reds from Argentina, Chile and Europe with the richness of the grilled beef. Because Rubaiyat draws heavily from the surrounding business district, weekday lunches can be busy with corporate groups, while dinner tends to draw a mix of business entertaining and families marking special occasions. Reservations are recommended for dinner, particularly on weekends, and the restaurant is well set up for groups given its scale and private-dining-friendly layout.