Restaurants

Buenos Aires has only in the last few years begun to open more International restaurants, so you will find that the majority of food establishments still typically serve Argentinian cusine.

Argentina has four meals a day: breakfast, lunch, merienda, and dinner. Merienda is typically around 6-7pm, with dinner at around 10pm. Merienda is usually a snack similar to an afternoon tea. This could be medialunes or facturas (pastries), toast or toasted sandwiches, sweet cookies, or crackers. You’ll notice that people are often in cafes at around the time of merienda having a coffee and a snack.

If you’re a tourist, the following Argentinian foods and drinks are a must to experience the culture through food:

  • Asado
  • Parilla
  • Empanadas
  • Tortilla
  • Choripan
  • Locro
  • Dulce de leche (absolute must!)
  • Medialunes
  • Alfajores
  • Maté
  • Fernet

If you get invited to an asado (an Argentinian barbecue, usually on a Sunday with friends and family) this is a wonderful way to experience the culture, so take up the opportunity if you can, but plan for a long event because an asado is a bit of an Argentinian ritual. Take a bottle of wine or fernet with you.

Eating at one of the many Bodegones in the city is also a great Argentinian experience. A bodegón is a family style Argentinian restaurant that serves very typical local cuisine. You’ll be able to spot them by the Filete Porteño design in their signage. Bodegones can fill up by 10pm, so if you want to make sure that you’re not waiting in line then arrive early. This article in the Buenos Aires Herald lists some of the best Boodegones in the city.

 For Foodies, the best community for learning about the latest and highly rated restaurants and to join regular events is this private Facebook group (apply to join) is BA Foodies: https://www.facebook.com/groups/foodiesba/posts/1438525826945121/

Do you miss spicy food? Argentinian food often lacks spices and isn’t spicy-hot, but here are some places where you can satisfy your cravings for spicy flavors. When ordering food, clearly tell the waiter that you’re not Argentinian and you love spicy food.

  • Asian Cantina (Palermo Soho, Humboldt 1626) has several dishes that are full of flavor and spices, especially the beef randang.

  • Chuen Xiang Ge (Monserrat, Av. Independencia 1822) offers the best Sichuan (also written as Szechwan or Szechuan) cuisine in BA.

  • Delhi Mahal (Centro near Teatro Colon, Av. Córdoba 1147) has authentic Indian food, but to access Indian level spices, ask them to cook it at “Indian level spiciness – medium or high”. The Chana Masala was particularly flavorful and spicy. I’ve also done this after ordering for delivery via Rapi, calling them, and asking for the Indian medium spice level.
  • La Conga (Once, La Rioja 39) serves traditional Peruvian food. A large restaurant always full of Peruvian families, order the Ceviche with Leche de Tigrea at hot spicy level.
  • Mochica (Abasto, Agüero 526) serves classic Peruvian dishes. The ceviche has been reported to be spicy and the dishes have authentic flavors.
  • Punch Curry Bar (Palermo Soho, Costa Rica 4818) serves dishes from across Southeast Asia.
  • Sudestada (Palermo Soho, Guatemala 5602) has dishes from across Southeast Asia. Their curry is very spicy and steamed dumplings with black garlic oil are good as well.

Tip: Get 40% off at La Cabrera, a top-rated steakhouse: instead of booking weeks ahead, simply join the first-come-first-seated waitlist by arriving between 6:00-6:15 PM (or sometimes earlier on popular evenings). Dine and make sure to get your bill before 8:00 PM to enjoy the discount, valid on the full bill, including alcohol.

BA Foodies has created some amazing Google Maps lists with pins for many types of restaurants, which there is a list of at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/foodiesba/posts/1438525826945121/  and also at https://linktr.ee/foodiesbuenosaires.

These are some of the maps listed there:

Great list of Vegan & Vegetarian restaurants:
https://www.happycow.net/south_america/argentina/buenos_aires/

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