Must-see restaurants in Salta & the Andean Northwest

  • Chirimoya

    Salta

    Colorful and upbeat, this artsy, world-class vegan restaurant is the most inventive and consistently excellent kitchen in the entire region. Here pasta is…

  • Sopra Tutto

    Catamarca & La Rioja

    Excellent homemade pasta plates, beautifully presented and flavorsome, are produced in this warm, cozy corner trattoria that doubles as a pasta shop…

  • Piattelli

    Cafayate

    The indoor-outdoor setting overlooking picture-perfect vineyards at this upmarket, yet slightly corny, winery 3km from Cafayate makes a fine lunch stop…

  • Pacha

    Cafayate

    A lovely bistro, half a block off Cafayate's main plaza. The Buenos Aires–trained chef sources ingredients (and wines) carefully and crafts a menu with…

  • Aladdin

    Salta & the Andean Northwest

    The marketing of this restaurant will look familiar to fans of the Disney film, but you've made the trek from the center of town for the authentic…

  • 1900

    Catamarca & La Rioja

    Beyond-the-call service is the key to this wood-paneled local steak house, a block down from the plaza. It’s very popular, but it hates to turn people…

  • Krysys

    Jujuy

    The best parrilla option in Jujuy is this central, upscale place offering all your barbecued favorites in a relaxed atmosphere. But there’s plenty more on…

  • El Nuevo Progreso

    Quebrada de Humahuaca

    An engaging, artsy ambience here is combined with delicious tourist-oriented cuisine. Think imaginatively prepared llama dishes, excellent meat plates,…

  • El Rancho de Ferrito

    Catamarca & La Rioja

    A block west and seven north of Chilecito's plaza, this inviting local restaurant is worth every step. You’ve seen the menu before – except for house…

  • Restaurante El Museo

    Salta & the Andean Northwest

    Set in the venerable adobe Jesuit chapel 1km from the center, this place makes an atmospheric venue for a lunch of traditional local specialties, such as…

  • Ashpamanta

    Salta & Jujuy Provinces

    A tasty chef-driven vegetarian chalet set in the middle of adorable downtown Cachi, Ashpamanta does fresh pastas and pizzettas with local goat cheese,…

  • Quinoa Real

    Salta & Jujuy Provinces

    On the brushed-up central block, this tourist-oriented spot offers a menu of local ingredients. Llama features heavily, such as in tasty empanadas, plates…

  • Black Pan

    Salta & the Andean Northwest

    Black Pan is a hip spot, exceptionally well branded, and beloved by Tucumán’s young and upwardly mobile. Its standard is a 120g burger with cheddar cheese…

  • La Céfira

    Salta

    This cute hole-in-the-wall, well-lit and decorated with original art, is set a few blocks south of the center, but it's worth the walk here for the menu…

  • Madre Tierra

    Jujuy

    This place is a standout. The design is creative and inviting, the vegetarian food (there’s a daily set menu) is excellent, and the sandwiches and pizzas…

  • Viejo Jack II

    Salta

    Far enough out of the tourist zone to be authentic, this down-to-earth parrilla (steak restaurant) in Tres Cerritos is popular with locals for its…

  • Orígenes

    Catamarca & La Rioja

    Smart and enthusiastic, Orígenes occupies a corner of a handsome 19th-century school now turned into a cultural center. It draws on local traditions but…

  • El Molle de Maiz Pérez

    Salta & Jujuy Provinces

    This one-man show takes place in an attractive room, with cardón tables on upturned logs. There are a few quirks (just go with the flow), but the food –…

  • Shitake

    Salta & the Andean Northwest

    With a tasty array of vegetarian dishes in its buffet (lentils, stir-fried vegetables and soy-based meats, roasted potatoes, quiches, pizzas and more),…

  • Vaikuntha

    Salta

    An adorable vegan joint with pastel brushed chairs, exposed brick walls, rattan lanterns, and classic rock on the sound system. It does a small menu of…

  • Ma'koka

    Quebrada de Humahuaca

    With an eclectic music mix and interesting texts on the area and the Andes in general, this excellent bookstore-cafe also has the best coffee in town,…

  • Rincón Florido

    Salta & Jujuy Provinces

    A curious and heartwarming lunch stop just beyond Angastaco's municipal building. Three courtyard tables in a family home are vine-shaded and watched over…

  • Bonnie Parker

    Salta

    A stylish corner coffeehouse, with arts-and-crafts tiled floors, exposed brick walls, and vintage vitrolas (vintage record players) stacked on shelves…

  • Salsa Criolla

    Catamarca & La Rioja

    Carnivores will find it worth the trek, just over 1km west of the center following Prado, to this high-class all-you-can-eat parrillada. It doesn’t try to…

  • Parrilla Restaurants

    Cafayate

    A long way from the mannered tourist scene around Cafayate's plaza, this string of no-frills grill houses makes a worthwhile dinner escape. The Gallito is…

  • Africana

    Jujuy

    A corner pizza parlor with a wood-burning brick oven, timber furniture, African masks on walls and an array of ingredients to lay atop your pie or stuff…

  • Cerro la Señorita

    Quebrada de Humahuaca

    For the best lunch option head three blocks uphill from Iglesia de Uquía and turn left. Cerro la Señorita has delicious home cooking and baking using…

  • Casa de las Empanadas

    Cafayate

    Decorated with the scrawls of contented customers, this no-frills place has a wide selection of empanadas that are all delicious. Local wine in ceramic…

  • Borussia

    Catamarca & La Rioja

    A cavernous and, dare we say, hip restobar on Chilecito's plaza that gets a crowd for big football games on their large screens. It serves pizza, burgers…

  • Mercado del Sur

    Jujuy

    Jujuy’s lively Mercado del Sur is a genuine trading post where indigenous Argentines swig mazamorra (a cold maize soup) and peddle coca leaves. Simple…

  • Bartz

    Salta

    An eclectic tapas list is the lure at this cafe-restaurant north of the center. Influences include Spanish, Greek, Japanese and more. The chef puts…

  • Shitake 2

    Salta & the Andean Northwest

    You can expect the same tasty veggie buffet that made the original branch a hit with locals. Platters and bowls piled with lentils, stir-fried vegetables…

  • Rancho de Félix

    Salta & the Andean Northwest

    Rancho de Félix is an expansive and warm thatched barn that's incredibly popular for lunch. Regional specialties such as locro and humitas are served;…

  • Setimio

    Salta & the Andean Northwest

    Wall-to-wall bottles decorate this smart wineshop and restaurant, with a menu that features Spanish-style tapas, fine salads and well-prepared fish dishes…

  • Umai

    Salta

    A sushi spot with a stylish minimalist dining room near Plaza Güemes. It does a range of classic and creative rolls, including a list of panko-encrusted…

  • Ma Cuisine

    Salta

    The refreshing crisp interior of this likable place sees a variety of changing dishes – pasta, fish and meat, all well prepared and served with noodles or…

  • Bar Richmond

    Catamarca & La Rioja

    The best choice on Plaza 25 de Mayo, this bright and tasteful place serves up delicious pizzas à la parilla. Think wood-fired flatbreads layered with…

  • Kuntur

    Quebrada de Humahuaca

    An adorable and deservedly popular place where the hands-on chef prepares llama myriad ways, quinoa risotto, goat-meat cazuelas (stews), pizza, pasta and…

  • Oliver

    Salta & Jujuy Provinces

    This homey, multilevel restaurant and wine bar on the plaza is a reliable choice for tasty pizza, bruschetta, picadas (shared appetizer plates) and a…

  • Pacha Manka

    Quebrada de Humahuaca

    A century-old house has been converted to one of the town's better and most stylish restaurants. It trades in mostly traditional cuisine pepped up with a…