Best Restaurants in
Buenos Aires
From the world's best steakhouse to hidden neighborhood gems. Our curated guide to the top 40 restaurants in Buenos Aires.
Price Guide
Top 20 Restaurants
The best of Buenos Aires across all categories
Don Julio
Parrilla • Palermo
The most famous parrilla in Argentina and officially the world's best steak restaurant. Don Julio has earned the #1 spot on the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants list for three consecutive years. The bife de chorizo here is legendary, aged in-house and cooked to perfection over wood coals. The wine cellar is extraordinary, and the service matches the reputation.
El Boliche de Dario
Parrilla • Palermo
Locals' favorite parrilla that tourists haven't completely discovered yet. No frills, no pretension—just consistently excellent meat at fair prices. The entraña (skirt steak) here is considered by many porteños to be the best in the city. Cash only, loud atmosphere, futbol on TV.
La Cabrera
Parrilla • Palermo
Upscale parrilla famous for generous portions and their legendary parade of 20+ free side dishes. Yes, it's touristy. Yes, it's genuinely good. The happy hour (40% off from 7-8pm) makes it a relative bargain for the quality. The ojo de bife is exceptional, and the service is polished.
Desnivel
Parrilla • San Telmo
Classic San Telmo institution since 1988. Unpretentious, huge portions, authentic neighborhood vibe. The milanesa napolitana here is legendary—larger than your face and crispy perfection. No reservations, communal tables, old-school Buenos Aires charm.
El Pobre Luis
Parrilla • Belgrano
Belgrano neighborhood gem famous for their house-made chorizo and futbol memorabilia covering every wall. A local institution since 1986, this is where Belgrano residents go for their Sunday asado. The morcilla (blood sausage) and chorizo are made in-house.
Caldén del Soho
Parrilla • Palermo
Modern parrilla that respects tradition while refining technique. The open-fire kitchen is visible from the dining room, showcasing masterful grilling. Excellent selection of Argentine craft beers alongside traditional wines. The bife ancho (ribeye) is a standout.
Tegui
Contemporary Argentine • Palermo
Chef Germán Martitegui's flagship restaurant—consistently ranked among Latin America's 50 Best. A tasting menu journey through modern Argentine cuisine. Creative, technically brilliant, and worth the splurge for food enthusiasts. The only Argentine restaurant to consistently rank in Latin America's top 10.
El Preferido de Palermo
Traditional Argentine • Palermo
Historic bodegón (traditional tavern) dating back to 1952, revived by the Tegui team. Classic Argentine comfort food done right—milanesas, pastas, seafood. The atmosphere is old Buenos Aires with a light renovation. Counter seating offers the best experience.
Las Cuartetas
Pizza • Centro
Iconic pizzeria since 1932 on Corrientes, Buenos Aires' theater district. The fugazzeta (onion and cheese pizza) is legendary—thick, cheesy, and utterly satisfying. No frills, fast service, standing room at the counter for quick slices. A Buenos Aires institution.
El Cuartito
Pizza • Centro
Football-themed pizzeria serving thick-crust Argentine pizza since 1934. Walls covered in futbol memorabilia. The napolitana (tomato, garlic, cheese) is the classic order. Another Corrientes institution with fast service and generous portions.
El Sanjuanino
Empanadas • Recoleta
Best empanadas salteñas in Buenos Aires, hands down. Tiny storefront, always packed. The carne picante (spicy meat) empanada is the move—juicy, flavorful, with the perfect crust. Also serves excellent locro and humitas.
La Americana
Empanadas • Almagro
24-hour empanada factory that's been operating since 1955. Order by the dozen, any style. The jamón y queso is legendary—cheesy, salty, perfect comfort food. Open all night for post-bar cravings.
Sacrifice
Vegetarian • Palermo
Upscale vegetarian restaurant with creative dishes that even meat-lovers enjoy. Beautiful space, thoughtful wine list, and dishes that don't try to imitate meat—they celebrate vegetables. The cauliflower steak and homemade pastas are standouts.
Artemisia
Vegetarian • Palermo
Cozy garden restaurant with seasonal vegetarian menu. Weekend brunch is excellent—think avocado toast with an Argentine twist, fresh juices, and great coffee. The tarta de verduras (vegetable tart) is legendary.
Café Registrado
Café • Palermo
Third-wave coffee shop in a work-friendly space. Good WiFi, plenty of outlets, serious baristas who know their beans. The flat white is excellent, and the avocado toast is among the best in BA. Laptop-friendly weekdays, more social on weekends.
Café Tortoni
Café • Centro
Historic 1858 café, touristy but beautiful. Come for the atmosphere and history, not the coffee (which is mediocre). The stained glass, marble tables, and tango shows in the back room make it worth a visit. A Buenos Aires landmark.
Sarkis
Middle Eastern • Palermo
Armenian restaurant with legendary status in Buenos Aires. Massive portions, incredible value, no reservations. The kebbe, falafel, and hummus are the best in the city. Come hungry—portions are family-style and huge.
Gran Dabbang
Indian • Palermo
Indian-Argentine fusion that's creative, flavorful, and always packed. Chef Mariano Ramón brings Indian spices to Argentine ingredients with delicious results. Book ahead—this place is always full for a reason.
Hierro Parrilla
Parrilla • Palermo
Premium parrilla with some of the best meat in Buenos Aires. The Hierro bife de chorizo is exceptional. More upscale than traditional parrillas, with excellent service and a great wine list.
Fogón Asado
Parrilla • Palermo
Asado tasting menu experience with counter seating around the open fire. Watch the asador work while enjoying multiple courses of Argentine beef. A unique dining experience that educates while it feeds you.
Best Parrillas (Steakhouses)
Where to get the perfect Argentine steak
Don Julio
$$$The most famous parrilla in Argentina and officially the world's best steak restaurant. Don Julio has earned the #1 spot on the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants list for three consecutive years. The bife de chorizo here is legendary, aged in-house and cooked to perfection over wood coals. The wine cellar is extraordinary, and the service matches the reputation.
Why we love it: It's not just hype. The consistency, the sourcing, the wine list, the atmosphere—everything just works. Worth every peso.
El Boliche de Dario
$$Locals' favorite parrilla that tourists haven't completely discovered yet. No frills, no pretension—just consistently excellent meat at fair prices. The entraña (skirt steak) here is considered by many porteños to be the best in the city. Cash only, loud atmosphere, futbol on TV.
Why we love it: This is where porteños take their friends. No Instagram aesthetic, just incredible meat at honest prices.
La Cabrera
$$$Upscale parrilla famous for generous portions and their legendary parade of 20+ free side dishes. Yes, it's touristy. Yes, it's genuinely good. The happy hour (40% off from 7-8pm) makes it a relative bargain for the quality. The ojo de bife is exceptional, and the service is polished.
Why we love it: Despite the tourist reputation, the meat is genuinely excellent and the happy hour value is unbeatable.
Desnivel
$Classic San Telmo institution since 1988. Unpretentious, huge portions, authentic neighborhood vibe. The milanesa napolitana here is legendary—larger than your face and crispy perfection. No reservations, communal tables, old-school Buenos Aires charm.
Why we love it: Old-school Buenos Aires. Nothing has changed in 30 years, and that's exactly how it should be.
El Pobre Luis
$$Belgrano neighborhood gem famous for their house-made chorizo and futbol memorabilia covering every wall. A local institution since 1986, this is where Belgrano residents go for their Sunday asado. The morcilla (blood sausage) and chorizo are made in-house.
Why we love it: Belgrano's best-kept secret. The house-made sausages alone are worth the trip.
Caldén del Soho
$$$Modern parrilla that respects tradition while refining technique. The open-fire kitchen is visible from the dining room, showcasing masterful grilling. Excellent selection of Argentine craft beers alongside traditional wines. The bife ancho (ribeye) is a standout.
Why we love it: Modern without being pretentious. The open kitchen lets you watch the masters at work.
Hierro Parrilla
$$$Premium parrilla with some of the best meat in Buenos Aires. The Hierro bife de chorizo is exceptional. More upscale than traditional parrillas, with excellent service and a great wine list.
Fogón Asado
$$$Asado tasting menu experience with counter seating around the open fire. Watch the asador work while enjoying multiple courses of Argentine beef. A unique dining experience that educates while it feeds you.
Best Pizza
Las Cuartetas
$Corrientes 838, Centro
Must try: Fugazzeta
El Cuartito
$Talcahuano 937, Centro
Must try: Napolitana
Las Cuartetas
$Corrientes 838, Centro
Must try: Fugazzeta
Best Empanadas
El Sanjuanino
$Posadas 1515, Recoleta
Must try: Empanadas de carne picante
La Americana
$Gascon 530, Almagro
Must try: Jamón y queso
El Sanjuanino
$Posadas 1515, Recoleta
Must try: Empanadas de carne picante
La Americana
$Gascon 530, Almagro
Must try: Jamón y queso
Vegetarian & Vegan
Sacrifice
$$Palermo
Upscale vegetarian restaurant with creative dishes that even meat-lovers enjoy. Beautiful space, tho...
Artemisia
$$Palermo
Cozy garden restaurant with seasonal vegetarian menu. Weekend brunch is excellent—think avocado toas...
International
Tegui
$$$$Contemporary Argentine
Palermo
La Parolaccia
$$Italian
Palermo
La Birreria
$$Pub
Palermo
- 1.Book top parrillas (Don Julio, etc.) 30-60 days ahead online
- 2.Walk in at opening (7pm) for places that don't take reservations
- 3.Dinner is late—9pm is early, 10pm is normal for locals
- 4.Many top restaurants are closed Sunday night and Monday
- 5.WhatsApp is commonly used for reservations—ask your hotel to book
- 6.Bring cash—some top parrillas are cash-only
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