Deli Paris (Vila Madalena)

Deli Paris
Rua Harmonia, 484
http://deliparis.com.br/

I LOVE this place. Maybe it's because I have spent an inordinate amount of time here coffee and eating sweets while waiting out rainstorms in Vila Madalena. It's a true French cafe, with fresh, crusty breads and cases full of cakes and sweets. You'll have the most difficult time deciding what to pick, so bring a friend with whom to share. Recent visits have included the chocolate/lemon tart, the banana/chocolate tart, chocolate eclair, a mont blanc. None have disappointed.

The service is friendly, the tables are cozy, and it's a great place to watch the rain come down. Hurry!

N'o Cafe (Vila Madalena)

N'o Cafe
Rua Harmonia, 506
Vila Madalena
http://www.no-cafe.com/

Cristallo (Vila Madalena)

Cristallo
Rua Wisard, 179
Vila Madalena
http://www.cristallo.com.br/

Janhavi and I ducked into this coffee shop/bakery to get out of one of Sao Paulo's summer rainstorms. I was just in the mood for some coffee, and she was hungry for a bit more. The place is actually kind of sterile and modern...not as comfy as I usually like my coffee shops...the black and white sleek decor was actually a bit of a turn-off.

Best things: Colher chocolate (chocolate spoons!) with your coffee and low-fat cappucinos.

Worst things: The staff let street kids in the store to bother patrons. There was some weird jam on Janhavi's sandwich. The decor.

In the end...with so many cute cafes in VM, I probably wouldn't stop in here again.