Museu Casa Brasileira

Frommer's Review

Built in 1945, this big yellow Palladian villa was long the home of Fábio da Silva Prado, the patriarch of one of São Paulo's leading establishment families. Inside the museum displays the usual assortment of haute-bourgeois artifacts: ornate jacaranda-wood furniture, fancy porcelain, silver plates, the token oil painting by Portinari. If you've seen similar collections elsewhere -- like at Rio's Museu Chácara do Céu -- there's no need to come here. If you missed out, the standard collection is well displayed in this museum. The lithographs of 18th-century Rio in the staircase are a nice bonus.

Tip: The best part of the museum may be the restaurant, the Quinta do Museu, housed in the mansion's kitchen. Seating is in the old dining room or on the back patio under the shade of a rubber tree. The menu includes light lunches, including grilled salmon, salads, and sandwiches, as well as a hearty afternoon tea (R$15-R$29/US$6.25-US$12). Better yet, there's a large lawn where kids can run around while adults dine in peace.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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