Restaurants in SP specialize in panini, a typical Italian sandwich

Synonymous with fast food in Italy, the panino —panini, in the plural— is a sandwich typical of the European country, usually made with bread with a crispy crust and airy inside, stuffed with cold cuts, cheeses and vegetables, and pressed to make it flat.

In the capital of São Paulo, panini is on the rise and has gained specialized establishments, such as Coliseum, recently opened in Pinheiros, and an annex of Temperani Trattoria, a restaurant headed by the Italian Antonio Maiolica, in soft opening in Itaim Bibi.

Next, find out where to try different versions of the recipe.

Coliseum

It was during a family trip to Italy that advertising executive Celso Alfieri and his son, Caio Alfieri, fell in love with traditional panini shops. Back in Brazil, they opened the restaurant, where they serve nine types of sandwiches, made with naturally leavened schiacciata bread. The barbaro (R$62) is filled with prosciutto crudo (raw ham), burrata, confit tomatoes and arugula.
R. Fernão Dias, 37, Pinheiros, west region, tel. (11) 99222-4554, @coliseum.panini

Foglia Bakery

Chefs Franco and Lorenzo Ravioli, father and son, dedicate a section of the menu to panini. Among the suggestions is the verdicchio (R$63.39) filled with marinated and grilled zucchini, sautéed mushrooms and burrata on artisanal bread.
R. Domingos Fernandes, 548, Vila Nova Conceição, southern region, @fogliaforneria

I generate Panini

This is the most informal restaurant in the Fasano group, dedicated to Italian sandwiches, served here on ciabatta bread. The most recent additions to the menu include the turkey breast sandwich with arugula and sun-dried tomato paste (R$73) and the roast beef sandwich with parmesan, mustard and arugula (R$86).
R. Iguatemi, s/nº, Itaim Bibi, west region, tel. (11) 3079-7575

Locale Caffè

At this Italian-inspired café and bar, the panino comes in six flavors. One of them is the Brazilian (R$56), with smoked picanha, coalho cheese, caramelized onion, mango chutney, mayonnaise and watercress. The salmon (R$62) combines the cured fish with avocado cream, sour cream and arugula.
JK Iguatemi Shopping Mall – av. Pres. Juscelino Kubitschek, 2,041, Vila Olímpia, south region, tel. (11) 93097-0357, @locale.caffe

Maiolino Panino

The delivery service is dedicated to panini, made with bread made daily. The most popular one is made with ribs cooked in beer, Dijon mustard mayonnaise, vinaigrette and molasses. With potato chips, the order costs R$49.
@maialino_panino. Delivery via iFood and deliverydireto.com.br/maialino

Pecorino

The chain has just launched a line of panini and a delivery service all their own. The ciabatta bread comes with fillings such as buffalo mozzarella, zucchini antipasto, tomato, arugula pesto and garlic mayonnaise (R$49).
R. Serra de Bragança, 888, Vila Gomes Cardim, east region, @pecorinobr

Salt ZN

The pizzeria offers savory options, such as prosciutto crudo with arugula, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and parmesan (R$57), as well as sweet options, such as the one filled with the house’s dulce de leche (R$39).
R. Augusto Tolle, 135, Santana, north region, @saltznpizzabar

Shihoma Deli

A more casual version of Shihoma, it serves quick meals and panini. One of them is made with porchetta, tonnato sauce (made with mayonnaise and tuna), citrus marmalade and arugula (R$55).
R. Harmonia, 161, Vila Madalena, west region, @shihomadeli

Temperani Trattoria

In the annex called Chef Antonio’s Italy, chef Antonio Maiolica serves panini like the tonnato (R$49), with roast beef, tuna mayonnaise and mixed greens.
R. Joaquim Floriano, 466, Itaim Bibi, west region, @temperanitrattoria

Via Focaccia SP

Baker Marcos Carnero is dedicated to making panini with seasonal ingredients. The so-called Sergio Leone (R$40) combines sun-dried meat, mashed cassava, kale and tomato vinaigrette. The panini is available for take-out and will soon be available for delivery.
Orders via WhatsApp (11) 93342-9609. @viafocacciasp