Chacarita

Chacarita is Buenos Aires' neighborhood of the moment. Five years ago, it was a quiet, working-class area known primarily for its large cemetery and Feria de los Mataderos connection. Today, it's the city's most exciting dining destination. The transformation started along Jorge Newbery and Dorrego streets, where some of the city's most innovative chefs opened restaurants — attracted by cheap rents and a blank canvas.

Now the area between Federico Lacroze and the cemetery has become a culinary destination rivaling Palermo, with natural wine bars, specialty coffee roasters, and independent galleries joining the mix. What makes Chacarita special is that the gentrification is still early enough that old and new coexist. You'll find a cutting-edge chef next to a century-old almacén, a natural wine bar across from a traditional carnicería. This tension gives the neighborhood an energy that polished Palermo lost years ago.

For expats, Chacarita offers good value — rents are rising but still 30-40% below Palermo. The Subte B line (Federico Lacroze, Dorrego) and the Lacroze train terminal provide excellent connectivity.