INSIDE JACÓ’S VIBRANT NEW MENU
words by ANOUK WOUDT
Jacó, led by chef Iago Jacomussi, continues to carve out a distinct place in São Paulo’s dining scene with the launch of its new menu. Located in Vila Madalena, the restaurant has quickly gained recognition, earning a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide Brazil and the title of Young Chef 2025 for Jacomussi. The latest menu reflects a moment of confidence, through a delicious mix of creativity and precision.
Inspired by the concept of “bistronomy”, the menu blends international influences with ingredients sourced close to home, often from the surrounding neighborhood. Each dish is stripped back to just a few elements, allowing flavors to speak for themselves. There is a clear willingness to take risks, seen in combinations such as grilled fish with crisp skin paired with mushroom and katsuobushi dashi, green grapes, charred cucumber, and mascarpone cream.
The menu is designed for sharing and free sequencing, reinforcing Jacó’s casual approach despite its technical rigor. New additions sit comfortably alongside dishes that have become signatures since the restaurant’s opening in early 2024, including fideuá with grilled mussels, charcoal-dough dumplings with tucupi broth, and cauliflower with tzatziki and curry-tahini emulsion.
Vegetables remain central to the kitchen’s identity, sourced from small producers and treated with the same care as meat and fish. Desserts follow the same restrained logic, from Basque cheesecake with fig compote and native honey to a rich chocolate cake inspired by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
The setting mirrors the cuisine. Housed in a renovated 1970s residence by Clube architecture studio and Agência TPBA, Jacó balances minimalism with openness. The space opens onto the street in the evenings, creating a fluid transition between restaurant, bar, and neighborhood. The bar program, led by Francisco Barbara, favors clean, umami-driven cocktails, while the wine list curated by Marcelo Fonseca is designed to support the menu without overshadowing it.
With this new menu, Jacó reinforces its standing as a leading innovator in São Paolo’s gastronomical scene. The dishes emphasize depth of flavour and juxtaposition, all while maintaining a delicately sophisticated presentation, creating a palatable and unique dining experience.
