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Best Restaurants in Buenos Aires

Best Restaurants in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires Buenos Aires Fd, Argentina Travel Guide

Culinary Overview

Cultural Context & Flavors

Argentine cuisine is heavily influenced by European immigration, particularly from Italy and Spain. This fusion created an unique culinary identity. Beef remains central, reflecting the country's vast pampas and cattle ranching history.

The city's a population with people from different backgrounds ensures a wide array of culinary experiences, blending local specialties from across Argentina with international influences.

Ingredients & Regional Notes

  • Beef: Cuts like bife de chorizo, ojo de bife, and vacío, often cooked a la parrilla.
  • Dulce de Leche: Caramelized milk spread in countless desserts.
  • Empanadas: Savory pastries with beef, chicken, ham and cheese fillings.
  • Chimichurri & Salsa Criolla: Common sauces for grilled meats.

Dining Customs & Meal Times

Late Dinners

Dinner typically starts around 9:00 PM or later, especially on weekends. Restaurants may appear empty earlier.

Tipping Propina

A 10% tip for good service is customary, usually given in cash directly to the waiter.

Meal Structure

Desayuno (light breakfast), Almuerzo (substantial lunch, often a set menu), Merienda (afternoon snack), Cena (late main dinner).

Beverage Highlights

  • Malbec Wine: Argentina's celebrated red, frequently from Mendoza.
  • Fernet con Coca: A popular local drink, Italian amaro mixed with Coca-Cola.
  • Mate: Traditional herbal infusion, a national social ritual.
  • Café & Submarino: Excellent espresso and hot milk with chocolate bar.

Must-Try Dishes

Signature Dishes

Asado

Traditional Argentine barbecue with various cuts of beef, sausages, and offal, cooked slowly over coals. Find it at parrillas (steakhouses).

Essential for a true Argentine culinary experience.

Empanadas

Baked or fried turnovers with savory fillings like beef, ham and cheese, or fowl. Widely available at bakeries, cafes, and restaurants.

Great for a snack or light meal, try different fillings.

Choripán

A grilled chorizo sausage in a crusty bread roll, typically topped with chimichurri. A popular street food.

Find at choripán stands or parrillas for an authentic local bite.

Snacks & Seasonal Foods

  • Street Food: Bondiola sandwich (pork shoulder), Pancho (hot dog), Garrapiñadas (sugar-coated nuts).
  • Desserts: Alfajores (dulce de leche cookies), Medialunas (croissants), Flan con Dulce de Leche, Helado (artisan ice cream).
  • Seasonal: Pastel de choclo (corn casserole in winter), Locro (hearty stew on public holidays), Carbonada (sweet and savory stew).
  • Appetizers: Provoleta (grilled provolone cheese with oregano and chili).

Doneness Tip for Steak

Order "A Punto" Medium

When ordering steak at a parrilla, "a punto" (medium) is a common Argentine doneness, which is slightly rarer than what you might expect in other cultures.

Explore Parrillas

Many parrillas focus on perfectly grilled meats; exploring different ones adds to the experience.

Dining Options

Fine Dining

Buenos Aires has world-class dining experiences.

  • Don Julio (Palermo): World-renowned parrilla. Reservations required.
  • Aramburu (Recoleta): Michelin-recognized with exquisite tasting menus.
  • Elena (Four Seasons, Recoleta): Elegant setting with diverse Argentine/international dishes.

Mid-Range Eateries

Many excellent parrillas, bodegones, and themed restaurants.

  • La Cabrera (Palermo): Popular parrilla, known for large portions and lively atmosphere.
  • El Preferido de Palermo: Revitalized bodegón with modern Argentine cuisine.
  • Las Violetas (Almagro): Historic confitería with beautiful interiors and traditional pastries.

Markets & Street Food

Discover affordable eats and local favorites.

  • Budget Eateries: Empanada shops, Pizzerias (Güerrín, El Cuartito), Choripán stands.
  • Markets: Mercado de San Telmo, Mercado de Belgrano, Mercado de los Carruajes (Puerto Madero).
  • Menú Ejecutivo: Many restaurants offer set lunch menus for a good price.

International Cuisine

Diverse Options

Buenos Aires has abundant international cuisine. Find excellent Italian, Spanish, Peruvian, Japanese, and Chinese restaurants.

Chinaa town in Belgrano provides a concentration of Asian eateries.

Explore Neighborhoods

Different neighborhoods often specialize in or have a strong presence of certain international cuisines.

Palermo has a mix, while Microcentro provides more traditional European options.

Special Dietary Considerations

Vegetarian/Vegan

Increasingly available, especially in Palermo. The happycow application is useful.

Gluten-Free

Growing awareness; look for "sin TACC" options. Carry a translation card.

Halal/Kosher

Limited; some kosher options in Once. Halal options scarce.

Communication

Communicate clearly in Spanish; translation cards help for intricate allergies.

Culinary Experiences

Classes & Tours

  • Cooking Classes: Learn to make empanadas, asado, or traditional desserts.
  • Food Tours: Explore culinary neighborhoods, local specialties, and market tastings (e.g., parrilla tours).
  • Wine Tastings: Sample Malbec and other Argentine wines.
  • Estancia Visits: Ranches outside the city sometimes offer traditional asado lunches.

Unique Dining Concepts

"Closed-door" Restaurants

Exclusive, often home-based dining with unique, multi-course menus in an intimate setting. Advance booking is required.

These provide a personal and memorable culinary journey.

Tango Dinner Shows

Combine a traditional Argentine dinner (often asado and wine) with a professional tango performance.

A quintessential Buenos Aires evening activity.

Food Festivals & Events

Annual Culinary Highlights
BA Food Week
Buenos Aires Market
Taste of Buenos Aires
Feria Masticar
Check local event calendars for current happenings.
Dietary Translation Cards

For intricate allergies, carrying a translation card in The spanish language helps articulate your needs to the servers.

Online Resources

Apps like HappyCow or online forums can help locate specific dietary options and provide recommendations from other travelers.

Search local expat groups for up-to-date advice.

Recommended Platforms for Experiences

Cooking Classes
Food Tours
Tango Dinner Shows
  • Esquina Carlos Gardel
  • Rojo Tango
  • Señor Tango

Local Dining Tips

When dining at a parrilla, order your steak A punto (medium) for a more common Argentine doneness, which is slightly rarer than in some other cultures.

  • Explore bodegones for traditional local eateries with generous portions.
  • Try pizza at local pizzerias, which offers an unique Argentine style.
  • Embrace the late dinner culture; restaurants get lively after 9 PM.
  • Always try helado (gelato) from artisan heladerias.