Must-see restaurants in Buenos Aires

  • Elena

    Recoleta & Barrio Norte

    If you’re looking to splurge on a night out, Elena is a great destination. Located at the Four Seasons hotel, this highly rated restaurant uses the best…

  • Café San Juan

    San Telmo

    After studying in Milan, Paris and Barcelona, chef Leandro Cristóbal took the helm at this renowned San Telmo bistro. Start with tapas, then delve into…

  • La Mar Cebicheria

    Palermo

    This gorgeous Peruvian-style cebicheria, located inside a smartly refurbished historic building with a large patio, is a welcome addition to the meat…

  • i Latina

    Buenos Aires

    Located in a lovely antique house on a residential block, i Latina is one of the city's best restaurants. The set menu consists of seven courses, all…

  • Chan Chan

    Buenos Aires

    Thanks to fair prices and quick service, this colorful Peruvian eatery is usually packed with people devouring plates of ceviche (seafood cured in citrus)…

  • Chila

    Puerto Madero

    Some of Buenos Aires’ best and most original cuisine is created by chef Pedro Bargero. His six-course, haute-cuisine dishes utilize only the best seasonal…

  • Don Julio

    Palermo

    Classy service and a great wine list add an upscale bent to this traditional – and very popular – corner steakhouse. The bife de chorizo (sirloin steak)…

  • Il Matterello

    La Boca

    This Genovese trattoria serves up some of the best pasta in town, including perfectly al dente tagliatelle alla rúcola (tagliatelle with arugula), and…

  • El Banco Rojo

    San Telmo

    A San Telmo youth magnet, this trendy joint serves up sandwiches, falafels, burgers and tacos, as well as a range of beers and spirits. Try the empanada…

  • L’Orangerie

    Recoleta & Barrio Norte

    Afternoon tea at the Alvear Palace Hotel's flower-filled tea room is a classic Recoleta experience for a special occasion. The formal tea, served from 4…

  • Aramburu

    Recoleta & Barrio Norte

    Chef Gonzalo Aramburu’s seasonal 17-course dinner is astounding; each artistically created plate is just a few bites of gastronomic delight. Expect…

  • Cadore

    Buenos Aires

    Cadore, one of BA's classic heladerías (ice-cream parlors), was founded by the Italian Olivotti family in 1957. Famous for its version of dulce de leche …

  • Cosi Mi Piace

    Palermo

    It's tough to top the gourmet thin-crust pies at this stylish pizzeria near Plaza Armenia in Palermo Soho. Grab a seat at the bar or sit with locals at a…

  • Pizzería Güerrín

    Buenos Aires

    This much-loved pizza joint on Av Corrientes has been feeding the masses since 1932. For a quick pit stop (and the cheapest prices), order a slice of…

  • Chori

    Palermo

    Elevating the humble Argentine chori (sausage) to new heights is this hip joint, its bright yellow walls decorated with smiling cartoon sausages. The…

  • Sunae Asian Cantina

    Palermo

    After honing her skills at her popular closed-door restaurant, chef Christina Sunae opened this colorful Asian-inspired eatery in Palermo Hollywood. The…

  • Nola

    Palermo

    Come for a cold beer and spicy gumbo at Nola, a casual and wildly popular New Orleans-style gastropub run by a chef from the US. Her Cajun cuisine is…

  • Gran Dabbang

    Palermo

    The rule-breaking, experimental fusion food conjured up by Mariano Ramón, one of the rising stars of the BA food scene, can be sampled in the small,…

  • El Sanjuanino

    Recoleta & Barrio Norte

    This long-running, cozy little joint has some of the cheapest food in Recoleta, attracting both penny-pinching locals and thrifty tourists. Order spicy…

  • El Refuerzo Bar Almacen

    San Telmo

    The small dining room fills up quickly at this almacén (grocery store)–style restaurant. There's an excellent wine list to match the menu of top-notch…

  • La Carnicería

    Palermo

    The menu at this modern parrilla is limited, but everything on it is spectacular, from the crispy provoleta (barbecued cheese), to the homemade chorizo …

  • Las Pizarras

    Palermo

    At this unpretentious but excellent bistro, chef Rodrigo Castilla cooks up an eclectic range of dishes such as grilled venison, rabbit stuffed with…

  • Siamo nel Forno

    Palermo

    Some place serves some of the city’s best Naples-style pizzas, made with quality ingredients and finished in a hot wood-fired oven so the thin crusts char…

  • Parrilla Peña

    Buenos Aires

    This simple, traditional, long-running parrilla (steakhouse) is well-known for its excellent quality meats and generous portions. Also on offer are…

  • Cafe Rivas

    San Telmo

    On a picturesque San Telmo corner looking out onto cobblestone streets, this beautiful cafe-restaurant has an immaculate wooden interior that exudes…

  • El Cuartito

    Buenos Aires

    Order a slice of pizza and a cold glass of beer – and eat it while standing up at the counter – to have the classic experience at one of Buenos Aires'…

  • Saigon Noodle Bar

    Buenos Aires

    This colorful, hipster-friendly Vietnamese-Argentine eatery is a cozy and casual – and affordable! – foodie haven in Retiro. Order spicy noodles or pho at…

  • Rapanui

    Recoleta & Barrio Norte

    Originally founded in Bariloche (in Argentina's lakes region), Rapanui specializes in deliciously creamy helado (ice cream), adorably shaped chocolates,…

  • Hierbabuena

    San Telmo

    Offering a wide selection of organic and vegetarian dishes, smoothies and juices, good-looking Hierbabuena is a great option in the neighborhood for…

  • Bao Kitchen Taiwan Bistro

    Buenos Aires

    This lively, modern Taiwanese kitchen, which opened around the corner from Plaza San Martín in 2016, is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Try the…

  • Status

    Buenos Aires

    Don't be put off by the fluorescent lights or the somewhat dated decor: this Peruvian gem near Plaza del Congreso is a neighborhood classic, serving up…

  • La Poesia

    San Telmo

    Step back in time at this traditional cafe-bar. Originally a gathering place for artists and poets, this cozy corner spot still retains its bohemian…

  • La Alacena

    Palermo

    There's much to love about this sunny corner cafe and restaurant: perfect Aperol spritzes, leisurely brunches, deliciously al dente pastas, outdoor tables…

  • Bulls BBQ Smoke House

    Palermo

    What happens when you apply Texas-style barbecuing techniques to Argentine beef and pork? Some of the best sandwiches, tacos and ribs in town. This casual…

  • El Refuerzo Provisiones

    San Telmo

    Grocery store–style restaurant serving wholesome pastas, casseroles, salads, cured meats and cheeses. Its sister restaurant, El Refuerzo Bar Almacen, is…

  • La Cabrera Norte

    Palermo

    Annex to the main branch of the famous parrilla that serves some of BA's best meats.

  • Pulpería Quilapán

    San Telmo

    Get a taste of life in the rural pampas without leaving the city at Pulpería Quilapán, a former colonial-era house that has been transformed into the kind…

  • Casa Saltshaker

    Recoleta & Barrio Norte

    Ex-New Yorker Dan Perlman is the chef behind this respected puerta cerrada (closed-door restaurant) that serves gourmet five-course menus – appetizer,…

  • Pan Y Arte

    Buenos Aires

    There’s a wonderful old-time atmosphere at this bohemian eatery. The menu includes a range of sandwiches, empanadas and picadas (a plate of appetizers)…

  • Cumaná

    Recoleta & Barrio Norte

    To sample Argentina’s regional cuisine, check out this colorful, budget-friendly eatery with huge picture windows and an old-fashioned adobe oven. Cumaná…

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