Buenos Aires Restaurants

With a population of 13 million, Buenos Aires rivals the world’s largest cities and has the shops, entertainment, and restaurants to match. Puerto Madera, its shopping district, has been renovated to encompass boutiques, eateries, and clubs, while San Telmo, once a neglected wasteland, now features thriving flea markets and exuberant tango dancers. The Argentine capital also boasts parks and boulevards that compete with Europe’s grand outdoor facilities.

Feeding 13 million people sounds like quite an undertaking, but the chefs at Buenos Aires’ finest restaurants aren’t daunted. That’s because they have at their disposal the Pampas, Argentina’s grazing plain that reaches the Andes and provides a home to the many cows that end up on Argentine tables. Carnivores will delight in the parrillas of Buenos Aires, steakhouses that contain huge grills on which all parts of the cow are roasted for everyone to admire. Even if you dislike meat, there are plenty of other options to choose from, including avocado salads, grilled fish and chicken, and empanadas (pastry shells stuffed with meats and cheeses, and then baked or fried).

Since almost half of all Argentineans claim Italian heritage, you’ll also find delightful Italian restaurants brimming with homemade pastas, pungent cheeses, and a wide range of South American and European wines. Dessert at Argentine and Italian eateries alike usually consists of some variation on dulce de leche, a thick caramel that comes in the form of candy, ice cream, or crepe filling. Argentineans usually top off their meals with herbal tea rather than coffee, which may take some adjustment. Still, if you’re an aficionado of hearty cuisine, you’ll find Buenos Aires a bonanza of flavors.