Argentines seem to live for their food. The dining experience is high on their list of daily activities, although most eat their main meal very late, usually at 2200 or later. Traditional and modern parrilla (grill) restaurants serve up a cornucopia of meats to a discerning clientele, while pizza and pasta restaurants are found on every street corner. But there has been a food revolution in recent years and many international influences have crept in, including modern Mediterranean and Asian food. Argentina also has some of the world's best wines, which shouldn't be missed. A service charge is not usually automatically added to the bill and a tip is appreciated. Prices are quoted in Pesos.
The restaurants below have been classed into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over $150)
$$$ ($95 to $150)
$$ ($60 to $95)
$ (up to $60)
Price indicators below are for a three-course meal, without wine.
The restaurants below have been classed into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over $150)
$$$ ($95 to $150)
$$ ($60 to $95)
$ (up to $60)
Price indicators below are for a three-course meal, without wine.
Gastronomic
El Bistro
It would be worth visiting the new Faena Hotel + Universe just to experience the décor of this Philippe Starck designed restaurant. The bizarre interior is a dream world of pure red and white furnishings interspersed with unicorn heads mounted on the wall. The surreal surroundings don't detract from the sophisticated international cuisine served up by attentive staff.
Martha Salotti 445
Tel: (011) 4010 9200.
Website: www.faenahotelanduniverse.com
Price: $$$$
It would be worth visiting the new Faena Hotel + Universe just to experience the décor of this Philippe Starck designed restaurant. The bizarre interior is a dream world of pure red and white furnishings interspersed with unicorn heads mounted on the wall. The surreal surroundings don't detract from the sophisticated international cuisine served up by attentive staff.
Martha Salotti 445
Tel: (011) 4010 9200.
Website: www.faenahotelanduniverse.com
Price: $$$$
La Bourgogne
The traditional, plush interior of the Alvear Palace Hotel flows flawlessly into the exquisite La Bourgogne. This is one of the best restaurants in town, where the city's elite and VIP visitors from abroad come to dine. Chef Jean Paul Bondoux delights the most demanding gourmands with a refined blend of French and International cuisine, or diners can opt for meats cooked on the rotisserie grill.
Avenida Alvear 1891
Tel: (011) 4805 3857.
Website: www.alvearpalace.com
Price: $$$$
The traditional, plush interior of the Alvear Palace Hotel flows flawlessly into the exquisite La Bourgogne. This is one of the best restaurants in town, where the city's elite and VIP visitors from abroad come to dine. Chef Jean Paul Bondoux delights the most demanding gourmands with a refined blend of French and International cuisine, or diners can opt for meats cooked on the rotisserie grill.
Avenida Alvear 1891
Tel: (011) 4805 3857.
Website: www.alvearpalace.com
Price: $$$$
MAAT
This 'Private Gourmet Club' allows non-members in to dine three times before they have to join the club. Superlative French cuisine with just a hint of Argentine and Italian influence is served up with a suitably refined wine list. The service is equally sublime. Open for breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. Make sure to have a cocktail in the library before or after your meal.
Sucre 2168, Belgrano
Tel: (011) 4896 1818.
Website: www.maatcluprivado.com.ar
Price: $$$$
This 'Private Gourmet Club' allows non-members in to dine three times before they have to join the club. Superlative French cuisine with just a hint of Argentine and Italian influence is served up with a suitably refined wine list. The service is equally sublime. Open for breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. Make sure to have a cocktail in the library before or after your meal.
Sucre 2168, Belgrano
Tel: (011) 4896 1818.
Website: www.maatcluprivado.com.ar
Price: $$$$
Trendy
Baez
This sophisticated place is popular with the city's young and fashionable crowd. The minimalist interior is complemented by an eclectic mix of delicious dishes, drawn from Mediterranean, Argentine and Japanese cuisine. Diners can enjoy a snack, such as a sushi dish, sipped down with a refreshing cocktail at the bar or sit down to something more substantial.
Baez 240, Palermo
Tel: (011) 4777 1313.
Website: www.baez.restaurant.com.ar
Price: $$
This sophisticated place is popular with the city's young and fashionable crowd. The minimalist interior is complemented by an eclectic mix of delicious dishes, drawn from Mediterranean, Argentine and Japanese cuisine. Diners can enjoy a snack, such as a sushi dish, sipped down with a refreshing cocktail at the bar or sit down to something more substantial.
Baez 240, Palermo
Tel: (011) 4777 1313.
Website: www.baez.restaurant.com.ar
Price: $$
Bo Bo
This sumptuous diner beneath the hotel of the same name is one of Palermo's hotspots. Décor is warm and inviting, with dark wood finishes. Cuisine is a smart and well-presented mix of Mediterranean and Eastern influences fused with home-grown favourites. Main courses range from grilled salmon spiced with cinnamon to thrice cooked Patagonian lamb.
Guatemala 4883, Palermo
Tel: (011) 4774 0505.
Website: www.bobohotel.com
Price: $$$
This sumptuous diner beneath the hotel of the same name is one of Palermo's hotspots. Décor is warm and inviting, with dark wood finishes. Cuisine is a smart and well-presented mix of Mediterranean and Eastern influences fused with home-grown favourites. Main courses range from grilled salmon spiced with cinnamon to thrice cooked Patagonian lamb.
Guatemala 4883, Palermo
Tel: (011) 4774 0505.
Website: www.bobohotel.com
Price: $$$
Te Mataré Ramirez
This fun Palermo eatery claims to be an aphrodisiac restaurant. Perhaps a bit risqué, the dishes include such delicious concoctions as 'The Empire of Desires', which is a dish of noodles with chicken goujons and vegetables in a hot and spicy oriental marinade. Some evenings there are shows, including laid-back jazz performances and romantic cabaret.
Gorriti 5054, Palermo
Tel: (011) 4831 9156.
Website: www.tematareramirez.com
Price: $$$
Other location:
Primera Junta 702, San Isidiro
Tel: (011) 4747 8618.
This fun Palermo eatery claims to be an aphrodisiac restaurant. Perhaps a bit risqué, the dishes include such delicious concoctions as 'The Empire of Desires', which is a dish of noodles with chicken goujons and vegetables in a hot and spicy oriental marinade. Some evenings there are shows, including laid-back jazz performances and romantic cabaret.
Gorriti 5054, Palermo
Tel: (011) 4831 9156.
Website: www.tematareramirez.com
Price: $$$
Other location:
Primera Junta 702, San Isidiro
Tel: (011) 4747 8618.
Thymus
The inventive menu is international in flavour at this popular eatery located in the former home of famous Argentine sculptor Martín Vergara. The creative team has selected a unique set of dishes to wow a smart and fashionable clientele. Duck, cashew and cheese creme brûlée is just one of the unusual combinations on offer.
Lerma 525, Palermo
Tel: (011) 4772 1936.
Website: www.thymusrestaurant.com.ar
Price: $$$
The inventive menu is international in flavour at this popular eatery located in the former home of famous Argentine sculptor Martín Vergara. The creative team has selected a unique set of dishes to wow a smart and fashionable clientele. Duck, cashew and cheese creme brûlée is just one of the unusual combinations on offer.
Lerma 525, Palermo
Tel: (011) 4772 1936.
Website: www.thymusrestaurant.com.ar
Price: $$$
Budget
Galerias Pacifico
Most shopping malls contain food halls where you can pick up cheap and simple rápida meals. At Galerias Pacifico there is a choice of parrilla (grill) cooked steaks, pastas and pizzas, deli salads, sushi and burgers.
Calle Florida and Calle Córdoba
Tel: (011) 5555 5110.
Website: www.galeriaspacifico.com.ar
Price: $
Most shopping malls contain food halls where you can pick up cheap and simple rápida meals. At Galerias Pacifico there is a choice of parrilla (grill) cooked steaks, pastas and pizzas, deli salads, sushi and burgers.
Calle Florida and Calle Córdoba
Tel: (011) 5555 5110.
Website: www.galeriaspacifico.com.ar
Price: $
La Vieja Rotisería
This is a fine place to taste quality Argentine meat at a low price. This parrilla cafe is extremely popular and atmospheric, where guests can taste a variety of cooked meats and steaks without breaking the bank.
Defensa 963, San Telmo
Tel: (011) 4362 5660.
Price: $
This is a fine place to taste quality Argentine meat at a low price. This parrilla cafe is extremely popular and atmospheric, where guests can taste a variety of cooked meats and steaks without breaking the bank.
Defensa 963, San Telmo
Tel: (011) 4362 5660.
Price: $
Social Paraíso
Social Paraíso is a popular lunchtime hangout in Palermo Viejo. With a bargain set menu, it presents one of the best budget options in the city. The small and friendly place has simple décor and a good atmosphere. The food is always delicious and dishes range from wholesome staples to more exotic combinations.
Honduras 5182, Palermo Viejo
Tel: (011) 4831 4556.
Price: $
Social Paraíso is a popular lunchtime hangout in Palermo Viejo. With a bargain set menu, it presents one of the best budget options in the city. The small and friendly place has simple décor and a good atmosphere. The food is always delicious and dishes range from wholesome staples to more exotic combinations.
Honduras 5182, Palermo Viejo
Tel: (011) 4831 4556.
Price: $
Personal Recommendations
Artemisia
Even carnivorous Buenos Aires is not without its vegetarian restaurants. In bohemian Palermo Viejo, this wonderful restaurant serves simple homemade natural cuisine. Pasta, rice and soup dishes are brimming with vegetable content, and all can be accompanied by delicious homemade bread.
Cabrera 3877, Palermo Viejo
Tel: (011) 4863 4242.
Website: www.artemisiaresto.com.ar
Price: $$
Even carnivorous Buenos Aires is not without its vegetarian restaurants. In bohemian Palermo Viejo, this wonderful restaurant serves simple homemade natural cuisine. Pasta, rice and soup dishes are brimming with vegetable content, and all can be accompanied by delicious homemade bread.
Cabrera 3877, Palermo Viejo
Tel: (011) 4863 4242.
Website: www.artemisiaresto.com.ar
Price: $$
La Strada
Good honest Italian food is served at this smart modern restaurant in Recoleta. Complete with pavement cafe, it is a good place to watch people come and go on one of the district's main thoroughfares. The specialty of the house is, of course, pasta, which comes in many regional varieties. They also serve a knock-out tiramisu.
Vicente López 2028, Recoleta
Tel: (011) 4801 1771.
Price: $$
Good honest Italian food is served at this smart modern restaurant in Recoleta. Complete with pavement cafe, it is a good place to watch people come and go on one of the district's main thoroughfares. The specialty of the house is, of course, pasta, which comes in many regional varieties. They also serve a knock-out tiramisu.
Vicente López 2028, Recoleta
Tel: (011) 4801 1771.
Price: $$
Sudestada
South East Asian food is available at this fashionable corner restaurant in Palermo. Tables are tended by friendly staff, serving predominately Vietnamese dishes with Thai and Malaysian influences. There are plenty of noodle dishes to choose from, cooked with the freshest local ingredients. This is a fun restaurant, which fuels the clientele who invariably move on to the surrounding bars and clubs.
Guatemala 5602, Palermo
Tel: (011) 4776 3777.
Price: $$
South East Asian food is available at this fashionable corner restaurant in Palermo. Tables are tended by friendly staff, serving predominately Vietnamese dishes with Thai and Malaysian influences. There are plenty of noodle dishes to choose from, cooked with the freshest local ingredients. This is a fun restaurant, which fuels the clientele who invariably move on to the surrounding bars and clubs.
Guatemala 5602, Palermo
Tel: (011) 4776 3777.
Price: $$
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