SÃO PAULO – Tuju, a restaurant in São Paulo, has been awarded three Michelin stars in the 2026 guide, becoming one of the first two establishments in Latin America to receive the top distinction. The recognition reflects the restaurant's approach to gastronomy rooted in climate research and local terroir.
Partners Katherina Cordás and Ivan Ralston founded and lead Tuju, which has positioned itself as a destination for contemporary Brazilian cuisine.
The restaurant operates its own research institute, a rare feature among Brazilian restaurants. The institute studies São Paulo's local climate and directly informs menu development.
Tuju structures its menu around four climatic elements: humidity, rain, wind and drought. Research by the restaurant found that seasonality in São Paulo is dictated primarily by humidity rather than traditional seasonal cycles, guiding ingredient selection and preparation.
Erratic rainfall patterns in the region present a continuous challenge, requiring constant adaptation in ingredient sourcing and menu design.
The award was given alongside Evvai, another São Paulo establishment that also received three Michelin stars in 2026.
The Michelin Guide also recognized Tuju, A Casa do Porco and Corrutela—all in São Paulo—for their commitment to mindful gastronomy, a distinction each received for the second consecutive year.
Across the region, the Michelin Guide awarded 44 Bib Gourmand restaurants in 2026, a category recognizing high-quality dining at accessible prices.
