The Complete Food Guide to
Buenos Aires
From sizzling asados to medialunas at dawn. Everything you need to eat like a local in the Paris of South America.
Argentine Food Culture
The Meat Obsession
Argentines consume 55kg of beef per person annually (double the US average). Asado isn't just barbecue—it's a ritual. Sunday asados with family are sacred, lasting 4+ hours of slow-cooking over wood coals.
The cuts: Vacío (flank steak, juicy), entraña (skirt steak, flavorful), bife de chorizo (sirloin, the classic), ojo de bife (ribeye), asado de tira (short ribs). Don't ask for well-done—medium is as far as locals go.
Meal Times
- BreakfastLight—coffee and medialunas (croissants). Most cafes open 8am.
- Lunch1-2pm, the main meal. Many restaurants offer menú del día (set lunch).
- Merienda5-7pm afternoon snack. Coffee with facturas (pastries) or toast with dulce de leche.
- Dinner9-11pm. Restaurants empty before 9pm. Reservations for 9:30pm are early.
Coffee Culture
Forget drip coffee—it barely exists here. Argentines drink espresso-based drinks, usually small and strong.
Espresso with a splash of milk
Half espresso, half milk
Mostly milk, drop of coffee
Espresso with hot water
Vegetarian Survival
Traditional Argentine cuisine is meat-heavy, but Palermo and other neighborhoods now have excellent vegetarian options. The struggle is real in traditional parrillas and small towns.
Survival tips: Look for "vegetariano" or "vegano" signs. Empanadas come in cheese/onion and corn (humita) varieties. Most restaurants now offer at least one vegetarian main. Dietéticas (health food stores) sell tofu, seitan, and plant-based milks.
Must-Try Foods
Asado
The national dish. Various cuts of beef slow-cooked over wood coals. A social event as much as a meal.
Pro tip: Go to a parrilla on Sunday afternoon for the full experience.
Empanadas
Handheld pastries filled with meat, cheese, corn, or ham. Each region has its style—Salteñas are spicy, Tucumanas are juicy.
Pro tip: Order 'carne picante' for spicy meat, 'humita' for corn.
Milanesa
Breaded and fried meat cutlet. The Argentine schnitzel/wiener schnitzel. Often served napolitana style with ham, cheese, and tomato sauce.
Pro tip: Milanesa napolitana with fries is the ultimate comfort food.
Pastel de Papa/Choclo
Shepherd's pie variations. Pastel de papa is meat with mashed potato topping. Pastel de choclo is meat with corn puree topping.
Pro tip: Homier restaurants (comedores) make the best versions.
Facturas
Sweet pastries for breakfast or merienda. Medialunas (croissants) are the classic—'de manteca' (butter) are sweet, 'de grasa' (lard) are savory.
Pro tip: Vigilantes are long glazed pastries, perfect with coffee.
Dulce de Leche
Caramelized milk spread. On toast, in alfajores, on ice cream, straight from the jar. Argentina's gift to the world.
Pro tip: Havanna and Cachafaz make the best alfajores (cookie sandwiches).
Mate
Herbal tea made from yerba mate leaves. Shared from a gourd with a metal straw (bombilla).
Pro tip: Never move the bombilla once placed. Say 'gracias' when done (means you don't want more).
Helado
Argentine ice cream is Italian-style gelato and it's incredible. Dulce de leche and sambayón (egg custard) are must-tries.
Pro tip: Freddo, Persicco, and Un Altra Volta are the top chains.
Provoleta
Grilled provolone cheese, often with oregano and olive oil. The ultimate asado starter.
Pro tip: Order it 'a la provenzal' with garlic and parsley.
Best Parrillas
Don Julio
The most famous parrilla in BA. Book weeks ahead or arrive at 7pm sharp. Worth the hype for the bife de chorizo and legendary service.
Must try: Bife de chorizo, provoleta, papas fritas
Tip: Make reservations online 30+ days ahead. Walk-ins possible at opening (7pm).
El Boliche de Dario
Locals' favorite. No-frills, consistently excellent meat. The entraña here is legendary among porteños.
Must try: Entraña, vacío, chorizo
Tip: Cash only. Arrive early (8pm) or late (11pm) to avoid waits.
La Cabrera
Upscale parrilla with generous portions and 20+ free side dishes. Touristy but genuinely good.
Must try: Ojo de bife, the free side dish parade
Tip: Happy hour (7-8pm) offers 40% off. Share one portion between two people.
Desnivel
Classic San Telmo institution. Unpretentious, huge portions, authentic neighborhood vibe.
Must try: Bife de lomo, milanesa napolitana
Tip: Perfect post-San Telmo market lunch. Expect to wait on weekends.
El Pobre Luis
Belgrano neighborhood gem. Famous for their house-made chorizo and futbol memorabilia.
Must try: Chorizo Pobre Luis, morcilla
Tip: Reservations recommended. Great for watching football matches.
Cheap Eats
Las Cuartetas
Iconic pizza joint since 1932. Fugazzeta (onion and cheese) is the move here.
Must try: Fugazzeta, pizza con jamón y morrones
El Cuartito
Football-themed pizzeria serving thick-crust Argentine pizza since 1934.
Must try: Napolitana, muzzarella
El Sanjuanino
Best empanadas salteñas in the city. Tiny place, always packed.
Must try: Empanadas de carne picante, humita, queso y cebolla
La Americana
24-hour empanada factory. Order by the dozen, any style.
Must try: Jamón y queso, carne suave, caprese
The "Menú del Día" Hack
Most restaurants offer a set lunch menu (menú del día or menú ejecutivo) weekdays 12-4pm. For $8-15 USD you get: starter (soup/salad), main course, drink, and sometimes dessert/coffee. It's the best value in the city. Look for chalkboards outside restaurants advertising "Menú $X.XXX".
Vegetarian & Vegan
Sacrifice
Upscale vegetarian with creative dishes that even meat-lovers enjoy. Beautiful space.
Must try: Cauliflower steak, homemade pastas
Artemisia
Cozy garden restaurant with seasonal vegetarian menu. Weekend brunch is excellent.
Must try: Tarta de verduras, brunch menu
Vegan Fox
100% vegan fast-casual. Burgers, bowls, and comfort food.
Must try: Fox burger, loaded fries
Bio Solo Organico
Organic vegetarian restaurant with market attached. Great for healthy lunches.
Must try: Daily menu, fresh juices
International Cuisine
Sarkis
Armenian restaurant with legendary status. Massive portions, come hungry. No reservations.
Must try: Kebbe, falafel, tabbouleh, hummus
Gran Dabbang
Indian-Argentine fusion. Creative, flavorful, always packed. Book ahead.
Must try: Curry del día, naan, kofta
Sushi Pop
Reliable sushi chain with fresh fish and creative rolls. Multiple locations.
Must try: Sashimi, specialty rolls
Thai Street
Authentic Thai in a casual setting. Spicy, fragrant, properly Thai-level heat.
Must try: Pad thai, green curry, tom yum
Café Culture
Café Registrado
Third-wave coffee in a work-friendly space. Good WiFi, plenty of outlets, serious baristas.
Must try: Flat white, avocado toast
Felix Felicis & Co
Australian-style cafe with excellent coffee and brunch. Laptop-friendly weekdays.
Must try: Cold brew, eggs Benedict
Café Tortoni
Historic 1858 cafe, touristy but beautiful. Come for the atmosphere, not the coffee.
Must try: Chocolate con churros
LAB Tostadores de Café
Serious coffee roasters. Minimal space, not great for working, but best beans in town.
Must try: Pour over, espresso
Delivery Apps
Rappi
The biggest delivery app in Argentina. Restaurants, groceries, pharmacy, and even cash delivery (yes, really). Essential app for expats.
- • Rappi Prime subscription gives free delivery
- • Cash or card payment options
- • English interface available
PedidosYa
The main competitor to Rappi. Sometimes has different restaurant options and better promotions. Worth having both.
- • Often cheaper delivery fees
- • Good grocery delivery (Disco, Carrefour)
- • Ya+ subscription for free delivery
Grocery Shopping
Supermarket Chains
- CarrefourLargest selection, mid-to-high prices. Good imported goods section.
- CotoBest prices, chaotic experience. Worth it for the savings.
- DíaDiscount chain, basic selection, cheapest option.
- DiscoPremium chain, excellent quality, higher prices.
- JumboChilean-owned, good quality, moderate prices.
Ferias (Farmers Markets)
Feria de Mataderos
Mataderos (Sundays)
The most authentic feria. Live folklore music, traditional foods, crafts. A must-visit.
Feria de San Telmo
Defensa Street (Sundays)
Touristy but fun. Antiques, street performers, food stalls.
Mercado de Belgrano
Juramento 2527, Belgrano
Covered market with excellent butchers, produce, and small restaurants.
Mercado de San Telmo
Carlos Calvo 418, San Telmo
Beautiful historic market. Mix of tourist shops and serious food vendors.
What to Bring From Home
- • Spices: Curry powder, specific Asian spices, quality vanilla
- • Sauces: Hot sauce (Cholula, Sriracha), soy sauce, fish sauce
- • Baking: Baking powder, chocolate chips, brown sugar
- • Snacks: Peanut butter, specific chips/candy
- • Specialty: Maple syrup, quality olive oil
- • Note: Most things are available but expensive (imported)
Cooking at Home
Where to Buy Meat
Skip the supermarket meat section. Go to a carnicería (butcher shop) for quality and better prices. Neighborhood butchers know their regulars and will give you the best cuts.
What to ask for: "Un kilo de vacío" (flank steak), "medio kilo de entraña" (skirt steak), "bife de chorizo" (sirloin). Specify "para la parrilla" (for grilling) or "para la plancha" (for pan).
Asado at Home
If you have a balcony, you can have a parrilla (grill). Buy a small brasero (charcoal grill) at any hardware store. Weekend asados are the best way to make Argentine friends.
Basics: Carbon (charcoal) from the supermarket, starter cubes, chimichurri (make your own or buy), coarse salt. Cook slow over indirect heat. Expect 2-3 hours for the full experience.
Argentine Recipes to Learn
Chimichurri
Parsley, oregano, garlic, vinegar, oil, red pepper flakes. The essential asado sauce. Make a big jar—it keeps for weeks.
Tortilla de Papas
Spanish-style potato omelet. Slice potatoes thin, fry gently, mix with eggs, cook until set. Perfect any time of day.
Milanesa
Pound meat thin, dip in egg, coat in breadcrumbs, fry until golden. Serve with lemon. Comfort food at its finest.
Dining Etiquette
Tipping & Bills
- •10% is standard—leave cash even if paying by card
- •Service charge (cubierto)—usually $2-5 USD, not a tip
- •Splitting bills—not common; one person usually pays
- •Card vs cash—cash preferred for tips; cards accepted most places
Reservations & Dress
- •Reservations—essential for popular parrillas (book weeks ahead)
- •Dress code—mostly casual; Palermo is trendy casual
- •Arriving late—15-30 minutes is socially acceptable
- •Lingering—expected; meals are social events
Final Thoughts
Personal Favorites
- • Best overall experience: Don Julio (book ahead!)
- • Best value parrilla: El Boliche de Dario
- • Best empanadas: El Sanjuanino
- • Best coffee: Café Registrado (work) or LAB (quality)
- • Best ice cream: Freddo dulce de leche granizado
- • Best cheap eat: Las Cuartetas fugazzeta
Honest Warnings
- • Not every parrilla is amazing—tourist traps exist
- • Pizza is different (thick crust, lots of cheese)—embrace it
- • Spicy food is rare; ask for "picante" if you want heat
- • Vegetarians: plan ahead, but it's totally doable now
- • Coffee is small and strong—embrace the cortado life
- • Dinner at 9pm is early; locals eat at 10pm or later
Buenos Aires is a food lover's paradise. The combination of Italian immigration, gaucho traditions, and modern creativity makes for one of the world's most underrated food scenes. Come hungry, eat late, and don't skip the helado.