I secretly love small, lesser-known museums: with no crowds and no lines, my visits often lead to delightful discoveries. The Museu da Casa Brasileira fits the bill on all accounts. It's housed in a neoclassic mansion that was built as a private residence in the 1940s. Inspired by Italian architecture and decorated with sculptures, the white building now cuts a lonely figure at the busy intersection of Avenida Faria Lima and Avenida Europa, surrounded by modern highrises. The museum specializes in design and architecture. The permanent collection showcases Brazilian furniture and household objects from the 17th to the 21st centuries, and includes designer furniture created by renowned architects Lia Bo Bardi and Paulo Mendes da Rocha. The museum also boasts a lovely restaurant, managed by the skillful team that also operates Restaurant Capim Santo, serving up an excellent buffet lunch as well as a la carte meals and snacks. Guests can eat outside on a spacious terrace overlooking the garden, where the museum hosts free concerts most Sundays at 11am. Check the website for the schedule of upcoming performances.