Quick answers — eating in Buenos Aires
- Best restaurant overall
- Aramburu
- Best value
- Anafe (ARS 30,000 - 55,000 / USD 30 - 55)
- Strongest cuisines
- Mexican & Latin, Steak & grill, Modern European
- Dishes to try
- Asado, Empanadas, Dulce de Leche, Choripán
- Booking window
- For MICHELIN-starred restaurants like Aramburu or Don Julio, book at least 1-2 months in advance, especially for weekend evenings. Online booking is often available.
Booking well in advance is crucial for top restaurants, often weeks or months ahead. Dress code typically ranges from smart casual to elegant, especially for starred establishments. Tipping is customary, usually 10% of the bill if service is good. Dinner hours generally start later, with most diners arriving between 8:30 PM and 10:00 PM.
Mexican & Latin
Best Mexican and Latin American restaurants in Buenos Aires
Latin American kitchens have some of the fastest-moving cooking anywhere: masa ground in house, ceviche cured to order, and Nikkei menus mixing Peruvian and Japanese technique.
Aramburu
One MICHELIN StarModern Argentine · Recoleta · ARS 150,000 - 250,000 / USD 150 - 250
Gonzalo Aramburu
Aramburu offers an intimate, theatrical dining experience with a multi-course tasting menu that evolves seasonally. Chef Gonzalo Aramburu's innovative approach elevates indigenous Argentine ingredients, presented with precision and artistry in a minimalist, elegant setting. It's a journey through the country's diverse landscapes on a plate, pushing boundaries with creative technique.
Order: Varies seasonally, but expect creative use of regional produce like 'Pacú' or 'Yerba Mate'
El Preferido de Palermo
Bib GourmandTraditional Argentine · Palermo Soho · ARS 40,000 - 70,000 / USD 40 - 70
Pablo Jesús Rivero (owner), Guido Tassi (chef)
Originating as a almacén and vermutería, El Preferido offers elevated traditional Argentine comfort food in a lively, charming setting. The menu features expertly prepared classics like milanesas, empanadas, and a notable charcuterie program, often utilizing produce from their own garden. It's a vibrant spot for a taste of authentic Buenos Aires with exceptional ingredients.
Order: Milanesa de Bife de Chorizo, Empanadas, Tortilla de Papas
Picarón
MICHELIN SelectedArgentine / Iberian · Villa Crespo · ARS 50,000 - 90,000 / USD 50 - 90
Javier Rodríguez
Picarón offers a unique fusion of Argentine and Iberian flavors, specializing in dishes cooked over open fire and in a wood-fired oven. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, celebrating rustic culinary traditions with a modern touch. Expect expertly prepared grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables, showcasing deep, smoky flavors in a convivial setting.
Order: Cochinillo (suckling pig), wood-fired vegetables
Alo's
MICHELIN SelectedSeasonal Argentine · Palermo Hollywood · ARS 60,000 - 100,000 / USD 60 - 100
Alejandro Feraud
Alo's offers a refined, ingredient-driven dining experience focusing on seasonal Argentine produce, much of it sourced from their own organic garden. Chef Alejandro Feraud creates contemporary dishes with a strong connection to nature and traditional flavors, served in a bright, modern space. It's a testament to sustainable cooking and fresh, vibrant ingredients.
Order: Varies based on seasonality, but often features elevated garden vegetables
Osaka
MICHELIN SelectedNikkei · Palermo Soho · ARS 70,000 - 120,000 / USD 70 - 120
Leandro Santini (Executive Chef)
Osaka delivers a sophisticated Nikkei culinary experience, blending Japanese precision with Peruvian flavors and ingredients. The restaurant boasts a sleek, contemporary design, providing an elegant backdrop for its vibrant ceviches, tiraditos, and inventive sushi rolls. It's a dynamic exploration of two rich culinary traditions, resulting in bold and harmonious dishes.
Order: Ceviche Osaka, Tiradito Nikkei, Nigiri Fusión
Corte Comedor
Bib GourmandModern Argentine · Palermo Soho · ARS 35,000 - 60,000 / USD 35 - 60
Santiago Garat
Nestled within a butcher shop, Corte Comedor offers a unique dining concept centered around exceptional quality meats and seasonal produce. The rustic yet refined ambiance complements a menu featuring creative cuts and robust flavors, often prepared over an open fire. It’s an authentic, down-to-earth experience for meat lovers, celebrating Argentine culinary heritage.
Order: Varied cuts of dry-aged beef, house-made charcuterie
Anafe
Bib GourmandContemporary Argentine · Colegiales · ARS 30,000 - 55,000 / USD 30 - 55
Micaela Najmanovich and Nico Arcucci
Anafe offers a modern, playful take on Argentine cuisine with global influences, served in a lively, unpretentious setting. The menu encourages sharing small plates, featuring bold flavors and creative combinations of fresh, seasonal ingredients. It’s a popular spot for its dynamic energy and inventive dishes, perfect for a casual yet memorable dining experience.
Order: Croquetas de Asado, Chipá con queso de cabra, seasonal pasta
Steak & grill
Best steak and grill restaurants in Buenos Aires
Grill rooms are about sourcing and fire: ask where the beef comes from, how long it was aged, and order one cut to share rather than two on separate plates.
Don Julio
One MICHELIN StarParrilla / Steakhouse · Palermo Soho · ARS 80,000 - 150,000 / USD 80 - 150
Pablo Jesús Rivero (owner), Guido Tassi (chef)
Don Julio is an iconic parrilla celebrated for its exceptional quality Argentine beef, sourced from grass-fed Aberdeen Angus and Hereford cattle. The ambiance is vibrant and rustic, with a focus on perfectly grilled meats, house-made charcuterie, and an impressive wine cellar. It represents the quintessential, refined Argentine steakhouse experience, attracting both locals and international visitors.
Order: Bife de Chorizo, Ojo de Bife, Entraña
Modern European
Best modern European restaurants in Buenos Aires
Modern European is the catch-all for kitchens that borrow technique from France, produce from their own region and ideas from everywhere — usually tasting-menu only.
Julia Restaurante
MICHELIN SelectedModern European · Villa Crespo · ARS 70,000 - 120,000 / USD 70 - 120
Julián Condomí Alcorta
Julia Restaurante, a cozy and understated gem, focuses on contemporary cuisine with strong European influences, emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients. The tasting menu showcases refined techniques and balanced flavors in a minimalist, intimate setting. It's a thoughtful culinary experience perfect for those seeking sophisticated, unpretentious dining with a creative edge.
Order: Varies seasonally, but often features innovative fish or pasta dishes
Budget
Where to eat cheaply in Buenos Aires
Las Pizarras Bistró
This bistro in Palermo Soho offers a daily changing menu written on chalkboards, focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients with a creative twist. Expect elevated comfort food and excellent wine pairings. Around ARS 20,000-35,000.
La Mezzetta
A legendary pizzeria in Villa Ortúzar, famous for its 'fugazzeta rellena' (stuffed onion and cheese pizza) and bustling, no-frills atmosphere. It's a classic Buenos Aires institution. Around ARS 5,000-10,000.
Chori
Located in Palermo Soho, Chori specializes in gourmet choripanes, offering creative variations of Argentina's beloved street food sausage sandwich. Quick, delicious, and authentically flavorful. Around ARS 4,000-8,000.
Café Tortoni
An iconic historic café in Monserrat, perfect for experiencing classic Buenos Aires. Enjoy coffee, churros con chocolate, or traditional medialunas in a stunning Belle Époque setting. Around ARS 3,000-7,000.
Empanadas de 1810
With several locations, this casual spot is renowned for its wide variety of delicious, traditional Argentine empanadas, baked to perfection. A great, quick, and authentic meal. Around ARS 1,500-3,000 per empanada.
Local dishes
What to eat in Buenos Aires
Asado
More than just barbecue, Asado is a culinary ritual featuring various cuts of beef (like vacío, entraña), pork, and offal, grilled slowly over coals. It's a communal experience, often lasting hours. Experience it at a traditional parrilla such as Don Julio or La Cabrera, where the quality of the meat and expertise of the grill master shine through, served with chimichurri and salsa criolla.
Empanadas
These savory turnovers are a staple, filled with a variety of ingredients like spiced ground beef (carne), chicken (pollo), ham and cheese (jamón y queso), or vegetables. Each region of Argentina has its distinct style. They're perfect for a quick snack or a light meal. Look for them fresh out of the oven at local bakeries or dedicated empanada shops, often served with a hint of spicy sauce.
Dulce de Leche
A thick, caramel-like spread made from slowly heating sweetened milk, dulce de leche is ubiquitous in Argentina. It's used as a filling for alfajores, spread on toast for breakfast, or drizzled over ice cream. Its rich, sweet flavor is deeply ingrained in the local palate. You can find high-quality versions at supermarkets or specialty food stores throughout the city.
Choripán
A quintessential Argentine street food, choripán is a grilled chorizo sausage served in a crusty bread roll, typically slathered with chimichurri sauce. It's a simple yet incredibly satisfying snack, often enjoyed at football matches, outdoor markets, or as an appetizer before a main asado. Look for food carts near parks or markets for the freshest versions.
Milanesa
Argentina's take on schnitzel, the milanesa consists of a thin slice of beef or chicken, breaded and fried. It's a comfort food staple, often served with a fried egg on top ("a caballo") or topped with tomato sauce and cheese ("napolitana"). It's a hearty and satisfying dish found in almost every restaurant and home. Pair it with a side of mashed potatoes or fries.
Pizza a la Piedra
While Italian in origin, Buenos Aires has its own distinct pizza culture. "Pizza a la piedra" refers to thin-crust pizzas baked in a stone oven, often with generous amounts of mozzarella and minimal sauce. "Fugazza con queso," a focaccia-like pizza with onion and cheese, is another local favorite. Enjoy a slice at a traditional pizzería, often standing at a counter.
Medialunas
These crescent-shaped pastries are similar to croissants but typically sweeter and softer, often glazed with syrup. They are an essential part of an Argentine breakfast or afternoon snack (merienda), usually accompanied by coffee. You'll find them fresh and warm in every _confitería_ (bakery/cafe) and supermarket, available in both _de grasa_ (savory) and _de manteca_ (sweet) versions.
Alfajores
A beloved Argentine confection, alfajores are two soft, buttery cookies joined by a filling, most commonly dulce de leche, and often coated in chocolate or powdered sugar. They vary in size and richness, from small, simple versions to gourmet creations. They make excellent souvenirs or a delightful treat with coffee, found in bakeries, cafes, and supermarkets everywhere.
How to book a table in Buenos Aires
- · For MICHELIN-starred restaurants like Aramburu or Don Julio, book at least 1-2 months in advance, especially for weekend evenings. Online booking is often available.
- · Many fine-dining establishments require a credit card guarantee or a non-refundable deposit to secure your reservation, particularly for tasting menus. Check their policy when booking.
- · Consider booking lunch at top restaurants. It often offers a similar culinary experience to dinner but at a more accessible price point and with easier reservation availability.
- · Be aware of strict no-show and cancellation policies. Late cancellations or not showing up can result in charges to your credit card, so inform them promptly of any changes.
FAQ
Buenos Aires restaurant questions travellers ask
What is the best restaurant in Buenos Aires?
Aramburu in Recoleta is the benchmark table — Modern Argentine, led by Gonzalo Aramburu, one michelin star, around ARS 150,000 - 250,000 / USD 150 - 250 per person. Order the Varies seasonally, but expect creative use of regional produce like 'Pacú' or 'Yerba Mate'
Where is the best Mexican and Latin American restaurant in Buenos Aires?
Aramburu in Recoleta is the Mexican and Latin American table to book in Buenos Aires (ARS 150,000 - 250,000 / USD 150 - 250 per person). Other strong options: El Preferido de Palermo, Picarón, Alo's.
Where is the best steak and grill restaurant in Buenos Aires?
Don Julio in Palermo Soho is the steak and grill table to book in Buenos Aires (ARS 80,000 - 150,000 / USD 80 - 150 per person).
Where is the best modern European restaurant in Buenos Aires?
Julia Restaurante in Villa Crespo is the modern European table to book in Buenos Aires (ARS 70,000 - 120,000 / USD 70 - 120 per person).
Where can I eat well in Buenos Aires without spending a fortune?
Anafe is the best-value table on this list at roughly ARS 30,000 - 55,000 / USD 30 - 55 per person. Beyond fine dining, locals point to Las Pizarras Bistró, La Mezzetta, Chori.
How far in advance should I book restaurants in Buenos Aires?
For MICHELIN-starred restaurants like Aramburu or Don Julio, book at least 1-2 months in advance, especially for weekend evenings. Online booking is often available. Many fine-dining establishments require a credit card guarantee or a non-refundable deposit to secure your reservation, particularly for tasting menus. Check their policy when booking.
What food is Buenos Aires famous for?
Asado, Empanadas, Dulce de Leche, Choripán, Milanesa — the dishes most worth eating where they come from. More than just barbecue, Asado is a culinary ritual featuring various cuts of beef (like vacío, entraña), pork, and offal, grilled slowly over coals. It's a communal experience, often lasting hours. Experience it at a traditional parrilla such as Don Julio or La Cabrera, where the quality of the meat and expertise of the grill master shine through, served with chimichurri and salsa criolla.
Planning the rest of Buenos Aires?
The full Buenos Aires guide has a seven-day itinerary, neighbourhoods, museums and the mistakes to avoid.
Read the Buenos Aires travel guide