Brazil’s oldest pizzeria is in São Paulo, maintains centuries-old Italian recipes and was once the scene of a former president’s celebration

Collage: Mauro Holanda/Divulgação | Agência Brasil/Wikimedia Commons

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You already know that Basilicata is one of the oldest Italian bakeries in São Paulo. But there is another traditional establishment in the city that has been serving Italian delicacies for over a century: Pizzaria Castelões!

Opened in 1924, the canteen has become a cultural and gastronomic symbol in Brás, and has even been awarded the “Seal of Cultural Value” by the City Hall. Castelões is the perfect place to try out centuries-old recipes in an atmosphere reminiscent of old São Paulo.

Photo: Disclosure Castelões Cantina e Pizzaria has Italian origins

The origins of Cantina e Pizzaria Castelões are intertwined with the Brazilian passion for soccer. A century ago, a group of friends would get together to play ball and, at the end of the match, they would have a get-together in the place where Castelões is today. One day, the “players” Vicente Donato and Ettore Siniscalchi had an idea: should they build a pizza oven to add to the celebration?

So the friends – both of Italian descent – included pizzas in the party, and they tasted so good that they became famous throughout the neighborhood. Vicente and Ettore then decided to found Cantina Castelões to cater for all those interested. With authentic recipes, Castelões soon became a destination for those who wanted to taste the real Italian pizza made according to tradition.

Today, under the command of Fábio Donato, Vicente’s grandson, Pizzaria Castelões continues to preserve the family’s century-old secret. The ingredients have evolved in quality, but the basis of the recipe remains faithful to the original preparation brought from Italy a hundred years ago, guaranteeing the authenticity of each pizza made there.

Vicente Donato and Ettore Siniscalchi, founders of Castelões. Photo: Disclosure São Paulo’s oldest pizzeria hosts presidential celebration

In these 101 years, Castelões has witnessed famous customers and memorable encounters. Former president Fernando Henrique Cardoso (FHC) was a loyal customer and celebrated his 1994 victory there, for example. Hebe Camargo, Luiz Gonzaga and Regina Casé are also among the celebrities who have fallen in love with the city’s oldest pizzeria.

To try Castelões’ pizzas, just visit Rua Jairo Góes, 126, in Brás. Service is available from Tuesday to Sunday, from 6pm to 11pm, or by delivery via iFood.

The menu offers 18 flavors, many of them present since the opening: Margherita, Napolitana, Calabresa, Tuna and the traditional Castelões. The flavor, which takes special mozzarella, fresh tomato sauce and slices of pepperoni, has already made its way to other pizzerias in the city.

Photo: Monica Kaneko/Wikimedia Commons