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Rodrigo Oliveira

Mocotó

Rodrigo Oliveira is chef-owner of Mocotó Restaurant and Cachaçeria in São Paulo, Brazil. Born and raised in São Paulo, the 42-year-old chef is responsible for the new moment of what once was a modest northeastern house.

His father, José de Almeida, opened Mocotó, which focuses on northeastern Brazilian (Sertaneja) cuisine, in 1973, with simple and inventive recipes.

Considered one of the most influential Brazilian’s chef and gastronomic personality

Rodrigo has been attracting the attention of the country and the world, appearing in publications such as Food & Wine, The Restaurant, Le Figaro, Financial Times, and El País, among others. He’s also been winning awards and stars in other periodicals such as Michelin, Prazeres da Mesa, Folha de Sao Paulo, and was 43rd on the 2019 Latin America’s Best Restaurants list.

Anthony Bourdain called it “the hottest restaurant in town!” Mocotó also draws attention for the different types of cachaça (Brazilian eau de vie produced from sugar cane) it offers, with labels from all the regions of the country. The bar, dedicated to cocktails, has become a reference for connoisseurs.

Blend of Tradition and Innovation

At Mocotó happens the meeting of the traditional kitchen with the innovation proposed by Rodrigo. Among its main concepts it is the inclusiveness. An experience for everyone, in a restaurant that welcomes the most different palates, social and cultural levels. A kitchen that, as Rodrigo Oliveira defines, “It is made with the eyes on the world and the feet grounded in ‘Sertão’.”

The recognition of the work came from different directions. It is at the 43rd place in the list of the best restaurants in Latin America by the British magazine Restaurant, it received the label of Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide and the best Restaurant Good and Cheap by Veja São Paulo magazine.