It is well known that Buenos Aires has won over countless travelers, offering so much to do that many simply lose the urge to leave.
A big part of the Argentine capital's charm comes down to its remarkable food scene, so here are some of its best restaurants:
Café Dorrego
Crusty and flaky. The staff at Cafe Dorrego might not appreciate being described that way, but their croissants certainly would. Tucked into a corner of Plaza Dorrego in the heart of San Telmo, this traditional cafe is full of character and full of elderly regulars sipping espresso. Follow their lead and order the classic Argentine combo: coffee and medialunas (little half-moons, essentially croissants).
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Peanut shells scatter across the harlequin-tiled floor, old gin bottles line the walls, and the worn tables carry the signatures of past guests. The best people-watching happens on Sundays, when the square springs to life with the bustle of 200 antique stalls.
La Cabrera
A rare quiet moment inside the buzzing La Cabrera. This restaurant is so famous for its "steak so tender you can cut it with a spoon" that even with a reservation, you may still find yourself waiting in line before your table is ready.
Once inside, waiters in crisp white shirts and berets (known as "boinas") bring out enormous cuts of grilled meat on wooden boards.
For the full Argentine steakhouse experience, nothing beats a "Bife de Chorizo" paired with a bottle of Malbec. The truly committed can finish with a "Volcán de Chocolate" for dessert.
Astrid & Gastón
Colonial romance meets Peruvian perfection. The global rise of Peruvian cuisine is mirrored in the growth of Astrid & Gastón: after first opening in Lima in 1994, the restaurant has since spread to Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Spain, Mexico, and Argentina.
Set in a colonial townhouse trimmed with red and gold paneling, the atmosphere is thoroughly romantic. The full experience opens with a pisco, followed by a seven-course tasting menu that ranges from Peruvian classics like ceviche and cuy (guinea pig) to seafood, soups, beef, and, finally, baked apple with dulce de leche.
Casa Saltshaker
Duck breast with smoked eggplant puree and mango chutney at Casa Saltshaker. Simply reading the menu is a pleasure in itself. Puerta cerrada ("closed door") restaurants are a hit in Buenos Aires. At Casa Saltshaker the concept is simple: guests book a table online and come to chef Dan Perlman's home for a five-course family-style dinner.
The dishes often draw on global events, like a nod to Asia for Chinese New Year. Dan's motto is "food and conversation," so it is a great choice if you are traveling solo or love meeting new people.
Casa Coupage
Casa Coupage is another underground restaurant, but here the focus is squarely on wine tasting. It has separate tables, so it feels more like a restaurant than someone's home. Two sommeliers take center stage, guiding guests through pairings of Argentine wines and food, making it a fine pick for wine lovers.
Faena Hotel
Philippe Starck's conversion of a 1900s red-brick grain silo into the Faena Hotel includes no fewer than six restaurants and bars.
Among them: the all-white El Bistro with its macrobiotic menu (grains, vegetables, fish); El Mercado with its brick patio and traditional Argentine dishes (steak and chips); and the alluring El Cabaret, where dinner sets the stage for the Rojo Tango show.
Elena, Four Seasons
Sundays at the Four Seasons are known for the best brunch in town, and the experience at Elena, the hotel's new restaurant, lives up to that reputation.
It is hard to imagine a bigger spread of meat, cheese, pasta, sushi, pancakes, chocolate, sweets, and ice cream on a single buffet. It is like combining Whole Foods with Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. And it is not just for tourists: Sunday brunch here is practically a rite of passage for well-heeled porteños.
The Argentine Experience
Want to get acquainted with the thriving culinary scene of Buenos Aires? Look no further.
At The Argentine Experience, guests learn how to make empanadas themselves and how to order the perfect steak, which matters a great deal, because the steaks here are outstanding. Some TripAdvisor reviewers call this restaurant the highlight of their trip to Buenos Aires. What more could you want?
El Obrero
El Obrero is the real deal: a traditional Argentine bodega serving classic local ingredients and delicious dishes.
Take a moment for the decor: the walls are covered with photos of famous guests, past and present (Bono of U2 and Francis Ford Coppola, to name just two). The draw? The beef (fairly cheap and always tasty) and the atmosphere.
i Latina
Refined Buenos Aires-style dishes at i Latina, which also happens to be a great option for vegetarians. Fantastic wines complement the wonderful flavors, not to mention presentation that earns top marks.
