Buenos Aires, a true gem in Argentina, is a city where food, culture, and South American charm collide. Known for its legendary parrillas like Don Julio, it’s also home to unique culinary gems like Armenian dishes at Medio Oriente and secret courtyard dining at Casa Cavia. Named one of the top places to live and visit in Argentina, Buenos Aires offers dining experiences as vibrant as its tango culture.
Picture enjoying handmade pasta in historic bodegones, sipping cocktails at a chic rooftop bar, or exploring the city’s immigrant-inspired food scene. With its blend of tradition, innovation, and stunning settings, Buenos Aires is a food lover’s dream.
In this guide, discover 12 unforgettable restaurants showcasing why this city is one of the most beautiful places in Argentina.
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👉 Pro Tip:The Palermo Food Tour is a must! Taste authentic Argentine dishes, explore Buenos Aires’ trendiest neighborhood, and dive into local food culture. It’s an unforgettable way to experience this gem in Argentina!
Unusual places to eat in Buenos Aires
Ready to discover what Buenos Aires has on its menu? From buzzing pizzerias to secret empanada havens, we’re set to explore the city’s most extraordinary eateries. Join me as we uncover the quirkiest places to eat in Buenos Aires.
Craving a steak in a soccer-themed restaurant? How about enjoying homemade gelato in a courtyard garden? Buenos Aires’s dining scene is as diverse as its culture. Let’s dive into Buenos Aires’s most unique dining experiences after you fly to Argentina.
1. Parrilla La Brigada
- 📍 Location: San Telmo
- 💲 Price range: $30 – $70 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic Argentine Parrilla (Steakhouse)
- 🔥 Standout Features: Soccer-themed decor, tender meats, extensive Argentine wine list.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Steak connoisseurs (especially Argentine cuts!), San Telmo explorers, and soccer fans.
Prepare for a carnivore’s carnival at Parrilla La Brigada! This legendary San Telmo steakhouse is a Buenos Aires institution, famous for its soccer-themed decor and unbelievably tender steaks, often cut with a spoon at your table. ¡Que Lomo!
Ordering classic Argentine cuts like juicy bife de chorizo (sirloin strip steak) is a great plan. The incredibly tender lomo (tenderloin) or the flavorful asado de tira (short ribs) are also fantastic. Pair with a robust Argentine Malbec.
2. Pizzería Güerrín
- 📍 Location: Avenida Corrientes (Theater District)
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic Argentine Pizza (al molde – deep dish)
- 🔥 Standout Features: Historic pizzeria (since 1932), standing room “de parado” pizza eating, classic “al molde” thick-crust pizza.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Argentine pizza enthusiasts, thick-crust fans, budget diners, and theatergoers.
This ain’t your average slice! Dive into a Buenos Aires institution at Pizzería Güerrín, serving legendary “al molde” (deep-dish style) pizza since 1932. Get ready for a gloriously cheesy, wonderfully chaotic, and authentically Porteño experience!
Join the crowds and grab a slice “de parado” (standing at the counter). You should try their classic muzzarella (cheese pizza) loaded with molten goodness. The iconic fugazzeta (onion and cheese pizza) or a slice of jamón y morrones (ham and red peppers) are also must-haves.
3. Casa Cavia
- 📍 Location: Palermo Chico
- 💲 Price range: $40 – $80+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Upscale Modern Argentine / Seasonal
- 🔥 Standout Features: Historic mansion setting with a bookstore, perfumery, and flower shop, elegant courtyard, seasonal dishes, and sophisticated cocktails.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Romantic occasions, architectural lovers, cocktail drinkers, and experiencing Palermo Chico elegance.
Dine in a dream at Casa Cavia! Housed in a breathtakingly beautiful historic mansion in chic Palermo Chico, this spot is more than a restaurant – it’s an experience, complete with a bookstore, perfumery, and flower shop. It’s where culinary art meets architectural beauty.
Indulge in refined modern Argentine cuisine. Expect dishes like delicate fresh pasta creations with seasonal sauces. Perfectly cooked local fish like Patagonian toothfish, or their artful desserts, also showcase their sophistication. Enjoy an elegant brunch in the stunning courtyard.
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4. Sarkis
- 📍 Location: Villa Crespo
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Armenian / Middle Eastern
- 🔥 Standout Features: Large menu of classic dishes with generous portions for sharing.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Armenian food lovers, Middle Eastern feasts, and sharing dishes.
Prepare for an Armenian avalanche of amazingness at Sarkis! This Villa Crespo institution is legendary in Buenos Aires for its authentic, delicious, and incredibly generous Armenian and Middle Eastern fare. Get ready to queue – it’s always packed for a reason!
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Gather your friends and share an array of classic dishes. Dive into creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, and flavorful kibbeh nahye (raw kibbeh). Succulent grilled kebabs (beef, chicken, or lamb) or the rich mantı (Armenian dumplings) are also must-tries.
5. El Preferido de Palermo
- 📍 Location: Palermo, Buenos Aires
- 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Traditional Argentine Bodegón / Updated Classics
- 🔥 Standout Features: Historic “bodegón,” house-cured meats/charcuterie, quality ingredients.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Classic bodegones, charcuterie lovers, Palermo explorers, and traditional dining.
Step into a beautifully preserved piece of Palermo’s past at El Preferido de Palermo. This historic “bodegón” (classic BA bistro) has been stunningly updated, retaining its old-world charm while serving incredible traditional Argentine fare with a focus on quality.
Indulging in their exceptional house-made charcuterie and cheese boards is highly recommended. Savor classic dishes like perfectly executed milanesa de lomo (breaded beef tenderloin), comforting stews like locro (when available), or their excellent vitello tonnato.
6. La Cocina
- 📍 Location: Recoleta
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Empanadas (Focus on Northern Argentine style)
- 🔥 Standout Features: Regional Northern Argentine empanadas, budget-friendly meals.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Empanada fans, budget-conscious foodies, and quick bites.
Empanada excellence awaits at La Cocina! This tiny, unassuming spot in Recoleta is legendary for one thing: serving some of the best, most authentic regional empanadas in Buenos Aires. Forget fancy – this is all about flavor!
Choose from a variety of perfectly baked or fried empanadas. The carne picante (spicy beef) is a must-try. Creamy humita (corn filling) or the classic jamón y queso (ham and cheese) are also fantastic. It’s quick, incredibly delicious, and wonderfully affordable.
7. Daniel Bakery
- 📍 Location: Multiple locations in Buenos Aires
- 💲 Price range: $5 – $15 per person (Pastries/Coffee)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American-Style Bakery / Pastries / Coffee
- 🔥 Standout Features: New York-style cheesecake/red velvet, American-inspired baked goods, sweet treats/coffee.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Cheesecakes, American pastries, and coffee breaks.
Get your American sweet treat fix in BA at Daniel Bakery! This popular spot brings a taste of classic American baking to Buenos Aires, famous for its incredible New York-style cheesecake, rich red velvet cake, and other indulgent pastries. It’s a sweet escape!
Grabbing a slice of their legendary New York-style cheesecake – dense, creamy, and utterly satisfying – is essential. Their decadent red velvet cake or a classic chocolate chip cookie also hit the spot. Pair it with a quality coffee.
8. Chacarito Caribbean Food Station
- 📍 Location: Palermo (Often Food Truck/Casual Spot)
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Venezuelan / Caribbean Street Food
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Venezuelan arepas/patacones, street food/food truck vibe, affordable.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Arepa adventurers, fans of Caribbean street food, quick eats, and authentic Venezuelan bites.
¡Sabor Caribeño! Get a vibrant taste of the Caribbean at Chacarito Caribbean Food Station. This spot brings the sunny flavors of Venezuela and the islands to BA, often in a lively street food or casual eatery setting. Get ready for an explosion of tropical taste!
Dive into delicious and hearty arepas (cornmeal patties). The reina pepiada (chicken and avocado) or carne mechada (shredded beef) are fantastic fillings. Don’t miss out on crispy patacones (fried plantains) or their refreshing papelón con limón.
9. El Buen Sabor Africano
- 📍 Location: Balvanera (Once area), Buenos Aires
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: West African (Often Senegalese focus)
- 🔥 Standout Features: Flavorful stews (mafe/yassa), traditional dishes served with rice/couscous.
- 🎯 Perfect For: West African food, adventurous eaters, savory stews, and cultural immersion.
Journey to West Africa at El Buen Sabor Africano (“The Good African Taste”)! This hidden gem in Balvanera offers a rare and authentic taste of Senegalese and West African cuisine. Prepare for a delicious discovery of unique spice blends.
Indulging in rich and flavourful traditional stews like mafe (peanut stew with chicken or lamb) is a great idea. Tangy yassa (onion and lemon stew with fish or chicken), or hearty thieboudienne (fish and rice), are also must-tries, served with rice or couscous.
10. Rapa Nui
- 📍 Location: Multiple locations in Buenos Aires
- 💲 Price range: $8 – $20 per person (Ice Cream/Chocolates)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Artisan Ice Cream (Helado) / Chocolates
- 🔥 Standout Features: Patagonian artisan helado/chocolate, unique ice cream, high-quality chocolates.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Ice cream fans, chocolate lovers, and high-quality desserts.
Prepare for a sweet avalanche of Patagonian perfection at Rapa Nui! This legendary artisan heladería (ice cream shop) and chocolatería brings the incredible flavors of Patagonia to Buenos Aires. Forget plain vanilla – this is ice cream elevated to an art form!
Trying their unique helado flavors is essential. The dulce de leche granizado (caramel with chocolate chips) is a classic. Rich chocolate Patagónico or fruity sorbets like frambuesa (raspberry) are also fantastic. Don’t leave without sampling their exquisite chocolates.
11. Don Julio
- 📍 Location: Palermo Soho, Buenos Aires
- 💲 Price range: $70 – $150+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: High-End Argentine Parrilla (Steakhouse)
- 🔥 Standout Features: Grass-fed beef/organic produce, exceptional wine list, classic parrilla experience.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Steak connoisseurs, wine lovers, fine dining, world-class Argentine beef, and Palermo Soho splurges.
Experience Argentine parrilla perfection at the world-renowned Don Julio in Palermo Soho. Consistently ranked among the world’s best, this spot elevates the steakhouse experience with exceptional quality grass-fed beef, organic produce, and an incredible wine program.
Savoring perfectly grilled cuts like ojo de bife (ribeye) or entraña (skirt steak) is a must. Their provoleta (grilled provolone cheese) or house-made chorizo are excellent starters. While a splurge, Don Julio delivers unparalleled Argentine culinary excellence.
12. Asian Cantina
- 📍 Location: Retiro / Microcentro
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Pan-Asian / Southeast Asian Fusion
- 🔥 Standout Features: Diverse menu (Thai/Vietnamese/Chinese etc)
- 🎯 Perfect For: Asian fusion, Thai/Vietnamese/Chinese flavors, casual eats.
Take a whirlwind tour of Asia’s best flavors at Asian Cantina! This vibrant spot offers a diverse and delicious journey through various Southeast Asian cuisines, all under one roof. It’s a United Nations of deliciousness! The modern, lively atmosphere makes it great for a casual lunch.
Explore a menu featuring fragrant Thai green curry with chicken or vegetables. Fresh Vietnamese summer rolls with peanut dipping sauce, or savory Chinese dumplings (potstickers), are also popular. Their spicy noodle dishes are also worth trying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the quirkiest restaurants in Buenos Aires
Are you searching for more information about where to eat in Buenos Aires? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about Buenos Aires’ most unique restaurants.
What food is Buenos Aires known for?
Buenos Aires is famous for its steak. The beef here is top-notch, often grilled to perfection on a parrilla (barbecue). Don’t miss trying empanadas and pizza, too.
What is a typical Argentinian breakfast?
A typical Argentinian breakfast is simple: medialunas (croissants, but sweeter) paired with a café con leche (milky coffee). Sometimes, toast with dulce de leche or cheese and ham is common.
Is Argentinian food spicy?
No, Argentinian food isn’t typically spicy. The cuisine here focuses more on natural flavors, especially beef without heavy spices. However, you can always find chimichurri sauce on the side for a bit of a kick.
Why do Argentinians eat so much meat?
Argentinians eat a lot of meat due to the country’s vast cattle farming, which makes beef plentiful and affordable. It’s a cultural thing, too, with asado (barbecue) being a popular social activity. Meat is just a big part of life here, celebrated in many dishes and gatherings.
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