Buenos Aires is a food city! They believe in taking life slowly and eating great food. Larry and I love to eat food so going to different restaurants in Buenos Aires was a match made in heaven. Below I’ll go through our favorite restaurants in Buenos Aires.
Restaurants in Buenos Aires
La Farola– Best Breakfast & Open Early and Late
This cafe was on the corner of where we were staying so it became a quick breakfast favorite before heading out for the day. The freshly made facturas definitely made breakfast my favorite meal of the day.
Av. Cabildo 2630, C1428AAV CABA, Argentina
Cafe Tortoni – Historical Cafe
This cafe is definitely a tourist trap, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good. There will be a line outside, it moves relatively quickly. The Dulce de Leche coffee is something I still dream about to this day. It is a cold brew coffee with dulce de leche. We also got a coffee with ice cream. The food was delicious as well.
Av. de Mayo 825, C1084 CABA, Argentina
El Torreón – Best Quick Lunch
Breakfast, lunch, and merienda are all served at El Torreón. They have a vast selection of foods that they serve all day. So you want breakfast for lunch? They have it for you. This one is a little more on the expensive side due to the neighborhood it’s in, but it is very filling.
I enjoyed a milanesa when we stopped by for lunch. Since it’s right down the street from my grandma’s house we did stop by a lot at El Torreon, it is truly a neighborhood spot. I will say milanesas are good basically everywhere so order it as much as possible. Luckily they also have sandwiches and bread to go for a picnic in a nearby park.
Echeverría 3202, C1428DTB CABA, Argentina
Pizzeria Güerrin – Best Pizza & Fugazetta
Argentina has its own specific traditional pizza. It is a little floppy like New York pizza, with much less sauce. It also tends to have olives, oregano, and a healthy dollop of olive oil. Pizzeria Güerrin is probably the most notable pizzeria in Buenos Aires. Go for the traditional mozzarella pizza and get a Jamon Fugazetta.
Fugazetta is a traditional pizza type with lots of onions. Keep in mind that the onions may not all be fully cooked. The Jamon Fugazetta has a nice layer of salty ham with a ton of cheese and onions. In Argentina, pizza and fugazetta is eaten with a fork and knife, you’ll understand when you get your slices.
Av. Corrientes 1368, C1043 CABA, Argentina
Don Julio – The best steakhouse in Buenos Aires and the World
Argentina and Buenos Aires are known for their steak! There are so many steakhouses in Buenos Aires and you’ll go to many different ones, but Don Julio is in a league of its own! It truly is the best steakhouse in the world.
Since it is so popular you do need a reservation well ahead of time. It is not a last-minute kind of place. For all the other steakhouses in Argentina, it is more expensive. However, with the intensity of flavor and freshness of the food it is SO worth the cost. Remembering that food in Argentina is already cheaper compared to the US, it’s a great deal.
Guatemala 4699, C1425 CABA, Argentina
Arredondo – Best Burgers
Burgers in Argentina a slightly different than burgers in the States. The patties are much thinner and cooked to a caramelized edge. This makes them so juicy and has a great depth of flavor. Additionally, Arredondo focuses on the bread for each type of hamburger. The bread really does make a difference.
Arredondo only offers hamburgers and beer. It is truly a neighborhood restaurant. We had to wait to be seated for about 20 minutes, then after we were seated you have to go up to order your food. Then you will be called to pick up your order when it’s ready. Get some ketchup, but only use it after you’ve tried your burger!
Virrey Arredondo 2562, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Maru Botana – Best Cake & Afternoon Snacks
For breakfast or a slice of cake, Maru Botana is your go-to. Located next to El Torreón, you can eat lunch and then walk over for dessert. I would highly recommend getting the Rogel while you’re here but be sure to have someone to split it with. It is a layered Dulce De Leche cake with Italian buttercream on top!
Echeverría 3240, C1428 CABA, Argentina
Rapanui – Best Chocolate Ice Cream
This is a delicious ice cream spot! Ice cream is a way of life in Argentina and you’ll find so many different shops. All of them are worth trying. What makes this one different is the fact that their chocolate is so deep and rich. I had the dark chocolate with Patagonian fruit ice cream. My sister also had the maracuya and kiwi ice cream. I highly recommend getting a tart ice cream flavor and rich chocolate or dulce de leche flavor.
Av. Elcano 3127, C1426 CABA, Argentina
Via Flaminia – Most Unique Ice Cream
This ice cream shop is one of the oldest ice cream parlors in the Buenos Aires province. Their claim to fame is the cones of ice cream that are flattened to a point and then dipped into chocolate. Larry and I both got those and they’re totally worth it. This ice cream parlor gives you all the traditional parlor vibes which make it fun to visit. Our top tip? Bring wipes! The ice cream dipped in chocolate melts quickly and can make a mess.
Check out how to get here on a day trip from Buenos Aires!
Gral. Justo José de Urquiza 919, B1641 Acassuso, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Rob-Gus – Best Baked Goods
This little local bakery has it all! Once they run out of patisserie then they’re closed. Everything is fresh and homemade. Get the desserts, like one of everything. The medialunas are also incredible so don’t pass them up! They wrap it all up in butcher paper then tie it with a string and you’re off. They don’t have a place to eat there, so head to a nearby park for a dessert picnic.
Zapiola 2075, C1428CXC CABA, Argentina
Brozziano Empanadas – Best Empanadas to Go
This place was about a block and a half from our apartment in Buenos Aires which means we had empanadas to go from here often. I personally loved the Caprese one and the sweet beef reminds me of the one my mom makes. This restaurant is really more of a to-go stand, there isn’t anywhere to sit or stay. It’s more about getting your empanadas and heading out. My recommendation? Get one of each flavor and test them all for your favorite.
Av. Cabildo 2740, C1428AAW CABA, Argentina
El Rey de las Papas Fritas – Best Potatoes
Literally translated to The King of the French Fries, this restaurant has potatoes made in all ways. My favorite way is papas souffle. These potatoes are sliced thin then fried, taken out of the oil, and fried at a hotter temperature. This change in temperature makes them puff up, hence, SOUFFLE! We got the milanesas and grilled chicken, but if I could just eat potatoes I would still eat here. The Spanish Tortilla is an excellent appetizer as well.
Av. Corrientes 1612, C1042 AAP, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Mi Tio – Best Milanesas
Milanesas are my FAVORITE food. Well, those and potatoes. Now you can get breaded and fried meat in just about any restaurant which means finding the best one is not easy. Mi Tio however takes the cake. They have meat and chicken milanesas. The milanesas are HUGE, pushing the potatoes right off the plates. The restaurant really leans into the idea that your eyes are bigger than your stomach.
What sets Mi Tio apart is the breading they use. It gives an excellent crunch and doesn’t get too oily. This is of the most importance. I prefer the beef milanesas over the chicken, but Larry prefers chicken. Additionally, they have milanesa sandwiches which are a must-have for lunchtime or picnics.
Estados Unidos 389, C1101AAG CABA, Argentina
Chori – Best Choripan
Choripan is a traditional Argentine sandwich. It has sausage or chorizo in a baguette. Sometimes they have some caramelized onions, mayo, tomatoes, etc. But the traditional kind has nothing else.
Chori is a choripaneria. They are a restaurant that specializes in these kinds of sandwiches. Since they specialize in this sandwich they are incredible. Go for the original with chimichurri and some fries.
Thames 1653, C1414 CABA, Argentina
Marcelo Restaurante- Best Fresh Pasta
Argentina is a country that is a decedent of Italy. Because of how many Italian immigrants made their way to Argentina, there is a strong influence on the food. One of which is through freshly made pasta. Not only are there fresh pasta shops to get your fresh pasta fix, but there are also fresh pasta restaurants. Marcelo Restaurante is one of them.
Traditionally in Argentina, the 29th of the month is gnocchi night for dinner. If you’re there on the 29th definitely get yourself some gnocchi, and get some even if you aren’t there on the 29th. Argentina also has its own created pasta called sorentinos. They are like raviolis but rounder and a little fatter.
Av. Callao 1764, C1024 CABA, Argentina
El Querandi- Best Tango & Dinner Show
Dinner and a show is a great way to enjoy Traditional Argentine Tango along with traditional food. We went to El Querandi in downtown Buenos Aires. It is regularly voted as one of the best tango shows. We enjoyed empanadas, mozzarella en carrozza, Patagonian lamb, and local steak. We also got local Merlot. The food was delish and the show was INCREDIBLE.
Perú 322, C1067AAH CABA, Argentina
Final Thoughts about Buenos Aires’ restaurants
Argentina has a great food scene. There are many local, fresh foods that are just impossible to pass up. Currently, the food in Buenos Aires is incredibly inexpensive for American travelers. You will want to have Argentine Pesos when you go to the restaurants. Finally, tips are not as high as in the US but definitely encouraged and only in cash. If you pay with a card there is often no option for adding a tip on the card.
Now that you know where you want to eat, its time to figure out what you want to do in the different neighborhoods of Buenos Aires.
