The 38 Must-Visit Restaurants in Buenos Aires

Every Sunday, Los Talas del Entrerriano fires up the grill for over 70 racks of beef ribs, along with countless chorizos, blood sausages, and more. This sprawling meat haven in the suburbs may not offer the best steak you'll ever taste, but it perfectly captures the essence of the Argentine parrilla experience. The venue accommodates up to 450 diners at long picnic tables, while solo guests or small groups can enjoy the view from the U-shaped bar overlooking the organ meat grill. Outside, the highlight is a dramatic display of beef, goat, and pork roasted over open flames on iron crosses, with smaller cuts and chicken sizzling on a massive grill.

Whole cuts of beef sizzle away on the grills outside El Ferroviario, a massive meat haven situated in a former railway station on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Waiters dart between the outdoor grill and the dining hall, balancing plates loaded with various beef cuts. Serving over 1,000 diners nightly, this bustling venue embodies the essence of a great parrilla: generous portions, affordable prices, and a warm welcome for large groups. To avoid lengthy waits, it's essential to make a reservation.

When Egidio Zoppi, an eccentric antiquities dealer from Genoa, arrived in Buenos Aires in the early 1900s, he transitioned to running a wine and canned goods distribution business. This evolved into a beloved dispensa (general store) and local gathering spot for tango singers, poets, artists, and gauchos. A century later, Zoppi’s grandson and great-grandson uncovered a treasure trove of early 20th-century memorabilia and a wine cellar containing over 2,000 vintage bottles of Campari, Cinzano, and local spirits, all in pristine condition. They revitalized the space and carried on its legacy as a cantina, serving modern twists on classic Argentine beverages and dishes. 

Following a series of highly successful pop-ups, chefs Mica Najmanovich and Nicolas Arcucci launched Anafe, where the atmosphere is relaxed but the culinary creations are anything but. This husband-and-wife team skillfully blends Eastern European, Italian, and Mediterranean flavors into small plates that highlight texture, freshness, and taste. Vegetarians will find plenty of options, with over half the menu featuring meat-free dishes. Be sure to leave room for dessert, as Najmanovich, a trained pastry chef, excels in this area. If you can't enjoy a full meal, visit their cafe, La Ventana, located next door.

Ácido aims to leave a memorable impression, and it certainly does. Opened in March 2023 by 26-year-old chef Nicolás Tykocki alongside his father in the Chacarita area, this restaurant emphasizes bold, acidic flavors. The concise menu at Ácido transcends specific culinary categories, featuring an array of unique dishes such as Nashville-style fried chicken and cacio e pepe tteokbokki, each paired with a selection of small “satellite” plates meant for sharing. Be sure to check out the special abuela pop-ups, where grandmothers take over the kitchen for a day.

No trip to Buenos Aires is complete without a meal at a bodegón, a local tavern offering traditional Porteño cuisine, which is a delightful blend of Italian, Spanish, and grilled meat specialties. Since its establishment in 1958, Albamonte has attracted a loyal following eager for generous servings of fusilli with red sauce or pesto, veal milanesa served with fries and salad, and crispy thin-crust pizzas.

Before the beloved owner, Luis Acuña, passed away in 2013, he revealed the essential secrets to perfect asado: quality meat and good wood. Today, his lively parrilla in Chinatown continues to uphold these principles. The walls are adorned with football jerseys, and locals flock here for the salchichas parrilleras (twisted grilled sausages) and Uruguayan pamplonas: meat rolled with cheese, ham, and roasted red peppers, all grilled to perfection. Be sure to try the crispy sweetbreads, often dubbed the caviar of grilling.

For many years, beer enthusiasts in Buenos Aires mainly consumed Quilmes, the national brand. Recently, however, the city has experienced an explosive rise in artisanal breweries. While numerous cervecerías can be found in every neighborhood, few offer the warm, inviting atmosphere of this microbrewery and taproom, which also serves excellent pub food. Strange Brewing can get quite crowded, so arrive early or be prepared to sit on the curb.

Prepare for premium cuts of sirloin, skirt steak, rib-eye, pork loin, and house-made chorizo at this Belgrano steakhouse, which sources its meats from the butcher shop next door. If cured meats pique your interest, check out the nearby sister restaurant, Corte Charcuterie, where you can savor morcilla asturiana, salame criollo, and spianata enriched with hazelnuts and pistachios. 

Catalino started as a puerta cerrada (closed-door restaurant), a trendy concept in Buenos Aires over the last decade. Now open to everyone, they offer 'cocina sincera'—honest food made with agroecological ingredients. Enjoy a meal in the lovely patio oasis, featuring dishes like choripan (sausage sandwich) topped with chimichurri and criolla sauce, wild boar ribs, and flan drizzled with house-made dulce de leche for dessert.

Situated just a few blocks from Chacarita Cemetery and Los Andes Park, Picaron epitomizes the modern Argentine bistro of 2024. It offers a variety of choices to cater to diverse diners, including meat dishes and a selection of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, making it a great spot for groups with varying dietary needs. Notable dishes include maiale tonnato (a twist on the traditional Christmas dish vitel toné, featuring smoked pork), roasted sweet potatoes topped with oyster mushroom ceviche and ají amarillo cream, and corn ribs served with llanero cheese, salsa macha, and lime.

With over a hundred Korean restaurants scattered throughout the city, many are hidden within private residences in the Flores and Floresta neighborhoods. For years, opera singer An Ra Chung has been welcoming both Argentine and Korean patrons to her beloved establishment, Una Canción Coreana, where she serves traditional dishes like kimchi jjigae, japchae with meat, and bo ssam. The restaurant gained additional attention when Chung was featured in the documentary Una Canción Coreana.

Enrique Piñeyro, a serial entrepreneur with a colorful background as a pilot, actor, doctor, director, and activist, now takes on his most demanding role as chef and restaurateur at Anchoíta. This industrial-style Mytoury focuses on grilled meats, river fish, and pasta. While securing a table can be tough, you might find a spot at Panadería Anchoíta, their bakery just around the corner, or at the nearby wine and cheese bar, Anchoíta Cava.

Due to import restrictions and pricing, many Argentinians stick to local wines. Naranjo showcases a delightful range of lesser-known boutique selections. Situated in the micro-barrio between Chacarita and Villa Crespo, an area seeing a surge of new restaurants, this wine bar offers food that complements its offerings. Don't miss dishes like carrot hummus, halloumi paired with tomato and peach chutney, and rib-eye steak with chimichurri butter.

Self-taught pizzaiolo Juan Carlos Ortiz took years to refine his dough at Gordo Chanta, which translates to “bullshitter” in local slang. His journey began on a Palermo rooftop during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he started selling pizza for extra income. Now, his restaurant, situated on the Villa Crespo-Chacarita border, is a gastronomic hotspot. The wood-fired oven shines, crafting inventive pizzas with seasonal local ingredients like roasted cherries, stracciatella, tomato sauce, basil, and spicy honey. Gordo Chanta is celebrated for its unique Neapolitan-inspired pies, and the menu also features hits like burrata with roasted peaches and pesto, fainá (chickpea cake), and a fluffy bread smeared with black garlic butter that you won’t forget.

Once upon a time, finding good vegetarian options in Buenos Aires was nearly impossible. Thankfully, that has changed. While Chuí doesn’t explicitly label itself as vegetarian, its wood-fired dishes are completely meat-free. Nestled in a chic garden oasis, the venue features a spacious open-air kitchen surrounded by lush plants and trees. Before or after your meal, don’t miss the glass chambers where the team cultivates their own mushrooms.

A grilled ham and cheese sandwich on a medialuna (similar to an Argentine croissant) is the ideal Porteño breakfast, especially at Oli Café, located at the edge of trendy Palermo and Colegiales. The sunny dining area offers views into a glass-walled kitchen, creating a lively atmosphere for pastry chef and owner Olivia Saal’s menu, which blends classic viennoiserie, contemporary diner classics, and a touch of Jewish influence. Enjoy items like club sandwiches, babka, Caesar salads, crinkle fries, and an array of delightful cakes and pastries, including fosforitos: glazed treats filled with ham and cheese.

You would never guess that the beautifully presented dishes coming from the tiny kitchen of Julio Baéz’s 22-seat restaurant, named after his daughter, are crafted by just a few young chefs. The tasting menu frequently evolves, with recent standout offerings like a parrilla-grilled rib-eye and fernet ice cream complemented by grapefruit and mint. Baéz opened this down-to-earth Mytoury without the help of major investors to prioritize seasonality, flavor, technique, and quality ingredients. Reservations are a must, but if you can’t secure a spot, consider trying his sister restaurant, Franca, just down the street.

TV personality and cookbook writer Narda Lepes is a well-known figure in Argentina. Her restaurant, Narda Comedor, located in Bajo Belgrano, has the vibe of a communal dining hall where vegetables shine. Many dishes reflect Lepes’s culinary journeys across Asia, the Mediterranean, and Latin America, featuring must-try selections like napa cabbage with anchovy-herb aioli and the star dish, braised onion served with creamy potato mash in a rich meat broth. This all-day Mytoury offers breakfast, lunch, merienda (tea time), and dinner.

This pan-Asian parrilla, known as “Fat Boy,” perfectly marries Buenos Aires' passion for beef with Asian fusion, showcasing Japanese, Korean, and Chinese flavors alongside Argentine traditions. The dining area features two fish tanks with floating faux jellyfish and is adorned with 143 vibrant red chochin lanterns. For an up-close experience, sit at the bar and watch chefs craft remarkable dishes like miso chile-glazed sweetbreads, steak tataki with wasabi and shiso, and the renowned katsu sando: a beef milanesa tonkatsu with Japanese mayo nestled between slices of brioche.

While Argentina is renowned for its beef, the real hidden gem in its culinary scene is helado. This Italian-style gelato is immensely popular in Buenos Aires; stroll through any neighborhood and you’ll see locals queuing up at ice cream shops year-round. For those seeking unique flavors after exploring the classic heladerias, Obrador Florida is the place to go. Here, former graphic designer Mercedes Román crafts 12 rotating flavors using sustainably sourced fruits.

Gran Dabbang injects vibrant spice and creativity into Buenos Aires' traditional meat-and-empanadas scene. Chef and owner Mariano Ramón, influenced by his experiences in the U.K. and India, expertly combines flavors and textures using fresh, local ingredients to create dishes that merge Latin American and Asian influences. Imagine pacu fish marinated with hazelnut and turmeric, paired with mango raita and kirkiña (an herb akin to cilantro), manioc and goat cheese bread served with creamed corn and tomato chutney, and swiss chard pakoras complemented by carrot chutney. The restaurant, open on Monday nights, is a beloved spot among culinary professionals.

This legendary Palermo bodegón, which first opened its doors in 1952, has undergone a stunning transformation under the meticulous guidance of restaurateur Pablo Rivero from the Michelin-starred steakhouse Don Julio, alongside chef Guido Tassi. Indulge in elevated Porteño comfort dishes such as beef or chicken milanesa paired with perfectly crispy fries, house-made charcuterie, and sambayón ice cream. Be sure to make reservations as they are essential.

This charming trattoria located just outside the trendy heart of Palermo is the kind of neighborhood Mytoury everyone dreams of having nearby. Head chef and owner Julieta Oriolo brings her Italian heritage to life through delightful home-cooked dishes. Don’t miss the hand-crafted fresh pastas like cavatelli, tortellacci, and Aunt Carmelia’s lasagna bolognese. Most of the pastas, sauces, freshly baked breads, and pastries can also be purchased for takeaway at La Alacena Pastificio, the team’s pasta shop just a few blocks away.

Those who claim New York is the city that never sleeps clearly haven’t experienced the nightlife in Buenos Aires. Start your evening with a burger at the Flour Store in Almagro. Nearly a decade after the city embraced the burger and craft beer trend, this rib-eye smash burger on a freshly baked bun reigns supreme. Be sure to arrive right at opening time at 7 p.m. (12 p.m. on Saturdays) to avoid the line.

Located away from the tourist hotspots in residential Almagro, this local gem is renowned for its milanesa. Deep-fried, flattened cutlets of chicken or veal are generously topped with a variety of cheesy and meaty extras. The portions are large and the prices are affordable, showcasing Argentine comfort food at its best.

This is not your grandmother’s Shabbat dinner. The upscale Jewish restaurant Dinogoy, helmed by chef Tomás Kalika, reimagines Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Israeli, and Mediterranean cuisine with fresh ingredients and contemporary techniques that both captivate and evoke fond memories. The bone-in pastrami will leave you completely verklempt.

Over the years, Peruvian immigrants have influenced the traditional Argentine taste with unique flavors and spices (hello, cilantro and ají picante). La Conga, a Peruvian spot in the Once garment district, serves up incredibly large portions. Don’t miss the roast chicken; whether you choose a whole, half, or quarter bird, it comes with fries, salad, and sauces. If dining with friends, make sure to share papa a la huancaína (potatoes in cheese sauce), chaufa (fried rice), ají de gallina (chicken stew), and lomo saltado (stir-fried beef).

With over 60 percent of Argentina's population boasting Italian heritage, locals take their pizza very seriously, often engaging in spirited debates about which pizzeria offers the best Buenos Aires-style pie. When Roma, a ‘bar notable’ recognized for its cultural significance, faced closure after 90 years, the pizza-loving team behind La Fuerza Vermouth stepped in to revive this charming spot in Abasto. To dine like a local, begin with chicken and beef empanadas, then savor a wood-fired pizza al molde (thick crust), complemented by the house vermút con soda water.

Located in Recoleta, La Cocina serves a variety of empanada flavors, each meticulously sealed with traditional repulgue folds. The stewed chicken variety is a standout, as is the Pikachu, packed with cheese, onions, and a hint of spicy red pepper flakes. La Cocina also has a hidden second location in downtown’s Galeria Boston.

Sandwiches de miga, a beloved local treat akin to English tea sandwiches and Italian tramezzini, are often associated with special occasions. Crafting a miga sandwich is an art, and Confitería Caren in Recoleta has upheld this artisanal tradition for over 50 years. The shop operates exclusively for takeaway, so be sure to pick up a variety of flavors (including ham and cheese, chicken and celery, salami and cheese, and ham with hearts of palm and salsa golf) for a delightful picnic at nearby Parque Las Heras.

This charming bistro located near Recoleta Cemetery has become the neighborhood favorite for those seeking delightful food and drinks. Perfect for a relaxed evening, Roux features fresh Mediterranean seafood that offers a refreshing alternative to the typical meat-centric Argentine fare. Small groups can also enjoy the exclusive chef’s table situated in the wine cellar.

While many local cafes resemble trendy coffee spots rather than historic landmarks, Los Galgos breathes new life into Buenos Aires' classic café culture. Housed in a refurbished corner establishment in Tribunales that dates back to the 1930s, this cafe serves expertly crafted cortados alongside delicious food all day long. The toasted ham and cheese sandwiches are a breakfast favorite among courthouse staff. A lively lunch crowd indulges in hearty fried milanesa topped with fried eggs and Russian salads, or revuelto gramajo, a delicious egg scramble with ham or vegetables and crispy shoestring potatoes. Cocktail enthusiasts travel from afar for pre-dinner drinks and charcuterie picada platters. 

This is one of the last traditional no-frills steakhouses in Buenos Aires, and Parrilla Peña remains a dependable choice for high-quality food in a casual atmosphere. Every meal kicks off with a complimentary fried empanada, and seasoned diners typically opt for dishes like provoleta cheese, salad, bife de chorizo (sirloin), provenzal fries, and for dessert, flan mixto with dulce de leche and whipped cream. To truly blend in, order the house table wine, refreshing it with ice and a splash of soda water.

Nestled in the luxurious Pasaje del Correo in Recoleta, chef Gonzalo Aramburu’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant is renowned for its exceptional tasting menu. Be sure to request a table with a view of the kitchen, where you can observe the preparation of an 18-course menu that highlights local seasonal ingredients, complete with foams, liquid nitrogen clouds, and expertly paired wines.

Established in 1897, Mercado de San Telmo was one of the city’s first significant markets designed for European immigrants. Nowadays, the stalls have largely transformed from serving locals to catering to tourists. Despite its touristy vibe, the market is still worth exploring. Head to the Beba Cocina stall for traditional home-style empanadas, fainá, and tortilla Española. Then, swing by the adjacent Nuestra Parrilla for a choripán (sausage sandwich) before enjoying a glass of wine at Nilson.

In Buenos Aires, empanadas are everywhere, available in various shapes and sizes, whether baked or fried, each filled with flavors that reflect their origins. While you can find these tasty treats on nearly every street, there’s a unique charm to this small empanada spot in San Telmo, named after the folk hero Gauchito Gil, a gaucho saint reminiscent of Robin Hood. Roberto “Beto” Ormeño specializes in fried beef empanadas, drawing inspiration from his childhood in La Rioja province. On chilly days, indulge in regional specialties like locro, a hearty stew that’s especially favored during national celebrations.