Sao Paulo, the economic and cultural capital of Brazil, is a sprawling city, a city that can sometimes overwhelm those new to its manic charms. It’s worth the effort though, Sao Paulo is a vibrant and exciting place, and with D.O.M., run by the celebrity chef Alex Atala, a city that’s starting to gain an international reputation as the best place to dine out in Brazil. Opened in 1999, D.O.M sees Atala apply the experience and techniques he acquired working in some of France’s best restaurants to traditional Brazilian cuisine. What this means in practice is dishes such as shrimp with papaya mango salsa; duck with red wine, asparagus and sweet banana; and codfish brandade with black beans – innovative, unexpected combinations that work superbly together. The dining room has a sober, slightly corporate feel, but the food – and the satisfied smiles on the diners’ faces – more than speaks for itself.