Devour Buenos Aires
A Latin American city heavy with European influences, Buenos Aires is the best of both worlds. Equally confident and classy, there’s no question why it’s the most visited South American city. A unique cultural life thrives here, from the old-timey cafes, European architecture and bustling streets to the devoted soccer fans and carnivorous porteños (the city’s residents). Here are 16 restaurants to try on your next visit to this seductive city.
Tomo 1
Credit: Tomo I
Coming in at number 18 in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014, Tomo 1 has been serving fine French-Argentine food since the 1970s. It’s located in the Hotel Panamericano and features a soft-lit dining room with golden hues and sophisticated decor. The food is satisfying and never too heavy, featuring items like Patagonian lamb gigot with roasted artichokes and fava beans, and pork blade bone with Andean potatoes.
Tomo 1 / Lavalle, Buenos Aires / +54 11 4326 6695
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Oporto Almacen
On the very northern edge of Buenos Aires in the Nuñez neighborhood, lies Oporto Almacen, a bustling local restaurant, wine bar, and rotisserie. Led by chef Tomás Di Lello, every floor of this three story eatery is usually packed with people, so make reservations and get ready to dine on simply made, well-executed fare like beef tartar and savory osso buco.
Oporto Almacen / 1711 Ireland, C1429DKA CABA / +54 11 4703 5568
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Sucre
Credit: Erika Rojas
Built with concrete and metal, this industrial-style restaurant features an eye-catching glass wine cellar and an open kitchen. Chef Fernando Trocca draws inspiration from Italy, Spain, Japan and Peru to alter his Argentine dishes and add creative flair. Try the tender Patagonian lamb with harissa and roasted cauliflower or the wet-aged Black Angus tenderloin with burnt carrots.
Sucre / Mariscal Antonio José de Sucre 676, Buenos Aires / +54 11 4782 9082
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La Cabrera
Meat cookery at it’s finest; La Cabrera is one of many parrillas, or steakhouses, in beef-loving Buenos Aires. What makes it a stand out? The utter perfection of seasoning and sear, the slight crunch, the amazingly moist meat.
La Cabrera / José Antonio Cabrera 5099, C1414BGQ CABA / +54 11 4831 7002
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Alameda Sur
Credit: Travel Channel
For a delicious, easy and cheap sandwich on the go, head to this little stand with outdoor seating. Order the choripan, a simple chorizo sandwich with nothing but toasted bread, chorizo, and a smear of spice herbed sauce.
Alameda Sur / Calabria, Buenos Aires
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La Mar Cebicheria
Clean and cool, executive chef Gaston Acurio’s latest cebicheria has found it’s home in the Palermo Hollywood Buenos Aires. With a variety of ceviche, anticucho, rice dishes, and lightly battered fish, La Mar Ceibicheria is the place for Argentinians and tourists alike to get their fix of spicy, fresh, Peruvian dishes. The flavors are spot on and the service is great.
La Mar Cebicheria / Arevalo 2024, Buenos Aires / +5411 4776 5543
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Oviedo
Credit: Oviedo
Restaurant founder Emilio Garip hand-selects his seafood, which arrives at the restaurant twice per day—be assured it’s the freshest there is. Try the daily catch served with pickled vegetables and a selection of small hot and cold plates.
Oviedo / Antonio Beruti 2602, CABA / +54 11 4822 5415
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Chila
Chila is an Argentine restaurant that embraces a modern approach. When it comes to proteins, they’ve got just about everything a carnivore could want including goat, duck, beef, quail, deer, lamb and rabbit. Buenos Aires-based chef Soledad Nardelli introduces novel ingredients to traditionally prepared meats and the outcome is a burst of flavors that keep people coming back for more.
Chila / Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1160, C1107AAX CABA / +54 11 4343 6067
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Aramburu Restó
Credit: Paul Bacarat
After finding Aramburu, a feat within itself, diners can expect an interactive meal full of molecular experiments—like creating edible watercolors or grilling your own prawns on a hot stone. Feast on modern Argentine dishes like sandalwood-infused smoke and vacuumed-packed salmon, suckling pig with chocolate and pear puree, and bife de chorizo (strip steak) and connect with the chefs, as they will be in and out of the dining room, plating tableside.
Aramburu Restó / Salta 1050, C1103ACY CABA / +54 11 4305 0439
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Tegui
After walking through Tegui’s unassuming black metal door surrounded by graffiti, you may be surprised to see such an elegant dining room, further elevated by the steel and glass open kitchen that shines at the back room. Known for his willingness to take risks and for his playful personality, head chef Germán Martitegui creates eclectic tasting menus that range in influence and style from week to week. If you visit Buenos Aires, Tegui is a must.
Tegui / Costa Rica 5852, C1414BTJ CABA / +54 11 4770 9500
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Pura Tierra
Credit: Eduardo Torres
In an intimate converted house in the Belgrano neighborhood, north of the city center, Pura Tierra showcases authentic Argentine cuisine and local ingredients. Chef Martin Molteni uses ancestral cooking techniques to draw out the top flavors of his hand-selected ingredients. Pick from three menus: one that changes on a monthly basis, another devoted to their most popular dishes, or a tasting menu. You can’t go wrong.
Pura Tierra / February 3, 1167, C1426BJI CABA / +54 11 4899 2007
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Café Las Violetas
Credit: Travel Channel
Located in the Almagro neighborhood, Café Las Violetas is an historic café, patisserie and restaurant with stained glass windows, marble topped tables and fantastically high ceilings. Wait in line for high tea service or stop by for an afternoon pick me up of dulce de leche stuffed cookies.
Café Las Violetas / Av Rivadavia 3899, C1204AAD CABA / +54 11 4958-7387
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La Brigada
Serving up some of the best meat in the world, yes, I said it, La Brigada is an institution in Buenos Aires. I think of it as meat heaven, and I know you will too after tasting the melt in your mouth steaks that are so tender you could cut them with a spoon. The atmosphere is comfortable, with a sports bar vibe and futball jerseys lining the bar. It’d be a shame not to make it here on your visit.
La Brigada / Estados Unidos 478, C1101AAJ CABA / +54 11 4361-5685
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El Baqueano
Credit: El Baqueano
Specializing in Argentina’s native, alternative proteins like llama, alligator, chinchilla, hare and wild boar, Chef Fernanado Riverola’s creates sophisticated dishes like wild boar carpaccio or alligator meat brochette.
El Baqueano / Chile 499, C1098AAI Buenos Aires / +54 11 4342 0802
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Feria de Mataderos
Credit: Travel Channel
This market is about an hour outside of the city by bus, but is a great place to go and really immerse yourself in Argentine culture and tradition. Every Sunday (March through December), the Matadero’s neighborhood draws thousands of people who come to browse the more than 700 stalls selling crafts, watch performances, and of course, eat Argentinian street food like empanadas, tamales, pastries and locro (a corn and meat stew). Don’t miss the dulce de leche pancakes from Los Panqueques de Mataderos to finish out your visit.
Feria de Mataderos / Av Lisandro de la Torre and Pens Avenue s/n, 1072 CABA
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El Rey del Chori
Some of the greatest food I’ve eaten in Buenos Aires was expressed in the form of choripan, chorizo sandwiches. El Rey del Chori, is one of my favorites, but you can only get it on Sundays in the San Telmo Market. The market itself is a great way to spend your Sunday, but the sandwiches are the main event. Top yours with spicy chili oil and the beloved Argentine condiment of chopped onion, green and red pepper, tomato and zippy vinegar. Superb.
El Rey del Chori / México and Defensa, San Telmo (Sundays only)
Feature Image Credit: Jimmy Baikovicius