Meals in Argentina are more leisurely and on a later schedule than in the United States. Argentinians eat 4-5 meals per day.
Breakfast is simple, and lunch doesn’t begin until 1-2:00 p.m., and can last a few hours. During this time, many businesses will be closed. Dinner times in Argentina are much later than in most of the United States, and many restaurants will not open until after 7:00 p.m. On weeknights, dinner for most Argentinians begins after 9:00 p.m., and on weekends even later. Meals are meant to be enjoyed and expected to be unrushed. You will have to ask for the check, as it is considered rude to provide a check without the patron having requested it. If you would like Knowmad to assist you with making restaurant reservations, please note that we must be notified at least 2 weeks prior to your dates of travel, especially if traveling during December or early January.
Price guide for the approximate cost of a main dish at each restaurant (please note that prices and restaurant hours are subject to change without notice): $ = Under 10 $$ = 10-20 $$$ = 20-40 $$$$ = Over 40
Covid-19 has affected restaurants’ hours of operation in South America as in the United States. Please refer to their websites For additional information and to make a reservation, as doing so may require you to enter payment information to confirm the reservation. We recommend making reservations at least 2 months in advance for the Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter holiday dates; and further in advance if looking to dine at a particular restaurant. If calling or making reservations from outside of Argentina dial +54 before the complete phone number.
BUENOS AIRES – RECOLETA
- ROUX – Price: $$$$ Roux has a sophisticated menu and beautifully presented plates. This French-Argentinian restaurant is small, so it’s best to make reservations.
- SOTTOVOCE – Price: $$$ Classic Italian restaurant deemed one of the best by locals.
- PIZZERíA GüERRíN – Price: $$ Founded in 1932 by Genoveses immigrants, it has become very popular around the city due to its history. Try the specialty pizza “de mozzarella with faina” or “the fugazzeta rellena.”
- EL SANJUANINO – Price: $ Known for having some of the best empanadas in town, San Juanino is a relaxed, casual establishment with a local feel. Quaint and close to Casa Sur Recoleta.
BUENOS AIRES – PALERMO
- DON JULIO – Price: $$$ A rustic but charming steakhouse, Don Julio is the place to go if you’re looking to pair Argentinian beef and wine.
- LA CABRERA SUR – Price: $$$ The perfect place to enjoy some of Argentina’s best steak and parilla. Be sure to stop by or call to make reservations because it’s a porteño favorite!
- MISHIGUENE – Price: $$ Serving classic recipes from Israeli, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisine with a modern Argentine twist.
- SACRO – Price: $$$$ A high-end vegan restaurant and bar with unique dishes like activated charcoal empanadas, dosa, carrot baos, sweet potato ravioli, and palta lime pie. They also serve a variety of superfood cocktails and cold-pressed juices.
- NIÑO GORDO – Price: $$$$ Restaurant and bar that brings Asian – porteño innovative flavours. Lovely décor, red lighting, Manga and figurines all around.
- LA CARNICERIA – Price: $$$ Modern parrilla sources grass-fed meat from a family farm in the Pampas. It’s small and smoky ambience. Be sure to start with their provelta!
- CHORI – Price: $$ Argentina’s most iconic street food, where the homemade chorizo, fresh-baked bread, and creative toppings all join forces in sandwich harmony.
- LAS FLORES – Price: $$-$$$ This new space fuses creative gastronomy and gluten free in an environment full of native flora.
- CASA COUPAGE – Price: $$$$ A delicious dinner inside the dining room of an Argentine house that dates back to 1890, and home of the host. This closed door dinner will come with amazing wines and a blind tasting alongside a multi-course meal in a wonderfully unique experience.
BUENOS AIRES – SAN TELMO
- PULPERIA QUILAPAN – Price: $$ Travel back through time to the colonial Buenos Aires with this restaurant’s amazing historical atmosphere. Enjoy some traditional Argentinian dishes and wine from penguin-shaped pitchers, unique to Argentina.
BUENOS AIRES – PUERTO MADERO
- CABAÑA LAS LILAS – Price: $$$$ Known for its traditional Argentine meat from the family-owned business, this restaurant has a warm atmosphere with a focus on the quality of its dishes.
- PAROLACCIA DEL MARE – Price: $$$ Select from a variety plates of pastas and seafood as you enjoy this restaurant’s pleasant setting with beautiful views of the Puerto Madero waterfront. Reservations strongly recommended.
- AMARRA – Price: $$$$ This Modern, but sophisticated décor, offers eclectic Gourmet food putting a modern twist on traditional Argentine dishes. Good option for vegetarians and vegans.
- LA CABAÑA – Price: $$$$ This traditional Argentine grill has 80 years worth of “parrilla” history, including presidents and international artists as previous patrons
BUENOS AIRES – BARS AND NIGHTLIFE
- GRAN BAR DANZÓN – Price: $$$ Sushi and wine bar located in Recoleta. This place fills up, so arrive by 9 p.m!
- 878 – Price: $$$ Located in Palermo, there is no sign on this hidden bar – it simply looks like a house from the outside!
- PRESIDENTE BAR – Price: $$ A stylish period building is the home of this bar, characterized by an old-school glamor and cosmopolitan energy.
- EL BOTICARIO – Price: $$ Filled with apothecary jars, Boticario honors the pharmacists who dispensed alcoholic elixirs to treat all sorts of ailments
MENDOZA
- AZAFRÁN – Price: $$-$$$ A rustic chic setting with open air seating, an extensive wine list, and innovative and delicious dishes make Azafrán a great choice for a casual meal. Reservations can be made at http://azafranresto.com/en
- ANNA BISTRO – Price: $$$ One of Mendoza’s most beautiful restaurants with a wonderful garden area, cool music and carefully prepared, creative international dishes.
- EL MERCADITO – Price: $-$$ El Mercadito serves a variety of healthy meat and vegetarian options in a charming area with many restaurants and bars nearby. Perhaps take a stroll after dinner to see the bustling nightlife in Mendoza.
CALAFATE
- LA TABLITA – Price: $$-$$$ Argentinian through and through, La Tablita is known for its delicious Patagonian lamb.
- ISABEL COCINA AL DISCO – Price: $$-$$$ Experience a traditional Patagonian ranch meal cooked in plow discs. Reservations are recommended. To make a reservation contact your Operations Specialist.
- PURA VIDA – Price: $$ This café’s friendly atmosphere and their healthy vegetarian and gluten-free options make for a great experience. Keep in mind that they do not make reservations by phone, and it’s best to just stop by around 7:30 to get a table for dinner.
- BORGES Y ALVAREZ – Price: $$ With a nice atmosphere and music, this restaurant offers a very wide range of drinks and a library for those who enjoy reading.
CHALTÉN
- LA CERVECERÍA – Price: $$ The town’s only microbrewery, this popular pub also serves hearty locro (stew), empanadas, ceviche, and more.
- LA TAPERA – Price: $$ Great quality food and generous portions. With excellent service and a warm atmosphere, you feel like you are right at home. Reservations are not accepted.
- AHONIKENK – Price: $$ After a long hike, this restaurant is the best spot to try Patagonian Lamb.
BARILOCHE
- EL BOLICHE DE ALBERTO – Price: $$ This no-frills grill serves up mouth-watering beef and wonderful tomato and basil empanadas and fries. Boliche is such an institution it has gained a reputation and now has a few locations.
- IL GABBIANO – Price: $$$ Located near the Llao Llao Hotel, this family-owned gem is a sure bet for excellent Italian.
- CERVECERIA MANUSH – Price: $$-$$$ The combination of quality beer, burgers, meats, and local fresh fish makes the Manush experience.
- LA CASITA – Price: $$ Regional food. Offers you the best of its home-made cooking, the attention of its owners and a cozy, atmosphere
- EL PATACON – Price: $$$ the best cuts of Argentine meat, gourmet dishes, regional food, vegetarian and celiac options.
- LA SALAMANDRA PULPERÍA – Price: $$$ A rustic local favorite known for its beef.
USHUAIA
- CHEZ MANU – Price: $$$ A bakery, café, and bar, Ramos Generales also functions as an informal historical museum of the city.
- REINAMORA – Price: $$$$ Located at Los Cauquenes Resort & Spa, they offer European gourmet cuisine and traditional Patagonian dishes, such as crab or lamb, and are great for a warm experience overlooking the Beagle Channel.
- KUAR – Price: $$ Enjoy a range of excellent dishes from more refined meals to unique appetizers and tapas. Pair your meal with a local craft beer.
- ALMACEN DE RAMOS GENERALES – Price: $$-$$$ A very local, charming and historic place, open all day long, you can have lunch and dinner. To start with, we suggest trying the best soups in town, the Patagonia lamb or pastas and their Patagonic fruits pie.
- KAUPE – Price: $$$ This word means “to be at home” in the selk-nam language. This local home turned into a restaurant, offers a wonderful fish & seafood menu and a great view.
SALTA
- EL BAQUENO COCINA – Price: $$$$ Above Salta city on Cerro San Bernardo, enjoy the expansive views and modern cuisine.
- MA CUISINE – Price: $$-$$$ International cuisine with a French flair is served in this small, friendly restaurant. Don’t be surprised if the chef comes to join you while you dine!
- DONA SALTA – Price: $$-$$$ A warm restaurant with a family-like atmosphere, it serves typical dishes of Salta and of the Argentine Northwest. Its specialities are the empanadas salteñas (baked or fried pastry stuffed with different kinds of meat, cheese or vegetables), grilled meats, tamales, baby goat casserole, humitas (prepared with fresh corn, sautéed onions and spices) and pastas.
- CAFE DEL TIEMPO – Price: $$-$$$ At Balcarce 901, this café offers international cuisine and drinks at all hours. It has a terrace, which is ideal to enjoy snacks and drinks listening to live music. The menu includes dishes with llama meat, snacks and international dishes such as chop suey.
- CASA ADOBE – Price: $$ Traditional Argentine food with a casual atmosphere, located in the city center.
CACHI
- LA MERCED DEL ALTO – Price: $$$ High class restaurant in a rustic setting, serving regional food and local wines.
- EL CORTIJO – Price: $$$ Specializing in local, Andean cuisine and with an extensive wine list.
CAFAYATE
- BAD BROTHERS – Price: $$-$$$ Wine bar and restaurant known for its wine selection. A reservation is recommended.
- PACHA COCINA DE AUTOR – Price: $$ A modern take on traditional Argentine foods and wines from the Calchaquí Valley.
PURMAMARCA
- EL MESÓN – Price: $$-$$$ Regional Jujeña food, made with local products and often ancestral techniques.
- LA COMARCA – Price: $$$ Fusion of regional, international and modern foods with relaxing views of the Quebrada.
- EL MANANTIAL DEL SILENCIO – Price: $$$ High quality Argentine food made from local ingredients and with vegetarian options available.
TILCARA
- EL NUEVO PROGRESO 1917 – Price: $$-$$$ A centric restaurant with regional foods with a gourmet touch. A reservation is recommended.
- LA PICADITA – Price: $$ Savor Argentine cuisine and Malbec wines while enjoying live music in the evenings.
- EL PATIO – Price: $$ Excellent regional food such as empanadas and milanesas, in a cozy restaurant with a patio.
- BIEN ME SABE – Price: $$ Restaurant with a mix of Argentine and Italian cuisines and with a relaxed atmosphere.
PUERTO IGUAZÚ
- AQVA – Price: $$$ A standout in Iguazú, Aqva’s specialties are local fish, meat, and home-made pastas.
- EL QUINCHO DEL TÍO QUERIDO – Price: $$$ Primarily known for its parrilla, occasional live music complements a lively atmosphere.
