Where to Eat in Buenos Aires

Don Julio Steakhouse - Palermo Soho

Don Julio

Gurruchaga 2107

A classic and traditional parrilla, it ticks all the right boxes with above-average meat selection and a huge and varied wine list. The décor is rustic-chic, and the leather tableclothes and exposed brick walls stacked up with signed wine bottles add to the warm atmosphere. All in all, this lovely place is an absolute must-visit.

El San Juanino

Posadas 1515

Home-made empanadas, locro ( a thick Argentinian stew ) and lovely local wines.

Order some house wine in a penguino pitcher, a sifón of soda water (and few empanadas if you want a splurge), and you’ll be set for the night.

Baked Empanadas - El Sanjuanino 

Best Choripan

San Telmo, Bosques de Palermo, Costanera

I’m a huge proponent of the mobile choripan carritos: lomo sandwiches, bondiolas and my beloved choripans, my favorite spots in the city to get frisky with some dirty street food sausages are on the Costanera Sur (Mi Sueño & Alameda Sur), El Rey de Chori &Nuestra Parrilla in San Telmo and Puestito del Tito in the Bosques de Palermo.

Choripan - Buenos Aires 

Oui Oui

Nicaragua 6099, Palermo Hollywood

A longtime Palermo brunch favorite, Oui Oui still offers pretty solid breakfast specials including my personal favorite, the Tony: eggs benedict, potatoes and coffee or tea for 42 pesos. Croissants, baguettes, salads and pain au chocolate, all listed on the blackboards. Get there early-ish on Sundays, or be prepared to queue.

Benedict Eggs - Oui Oui 

Mark’s Deli & Coffee House

El Salvador 4701

Order an icy lemonade or loiter over coffee at this bright and pleasant corner spot; On a sunny weekend day, call ahead to nab a table on the pavement among the chattering Argentinian girls and their dogs.

La Crespo

Thames 612, corner of Vera Street. Palermo

Bagel cravings are hardly ever satisfied in Buenos Aires, but here is one place that’s got it right. La Crespo’s version is packed with the house smoked salmon, green onion cream cheese, red onions and capers, all on a home-made toasted sesame seed bagel. La Crespo also serves up house specialities like knishes, strudel and goulash at affordable prices. The hot pastrami sandwich is a must. It’s the closest thing you’ll get to the real Jewish deli deal in Buenos Aires.

Marfa

Santa Fe 5299, Palermo Hollywood

Marfa’s Delivery include: Wraps, sandwiches and veggie burgers are all in the 30 peso range. My usual order (to share between 2): Teriyaki chicken wrap + broccoli, red pepper veggie burger + soup of the day.

Dadá

San Martin 941.

Inside this tiny, cheerful space, owner Paulo and his family weave their magic, managing both charm and serve clients with a menu that’s colourful and imaginative as the lighting and furnishings that adorn the restaurant. The menu changes regularly but it’s the classics like the lomo Dada, the rib-eye steak, the salmon and guacamole dips that continue to stand out. Chilled lagers, good cocktails and a fine boutique with list complete a very pretty picture.

DADA - Downtown Buenos Aires 

Sarkis

Thames 1101, Villa Crespo

Very popular Middle Eastern / Armenian restaurant that is a favorite for the Armenian community, locals, families and tourists. If you like food, and are in Buenos Aires for a good amount of time, hitting up Sarkis is kind of obligatory. Order the Belén salad (eggplant, roasted red pepper, almond, golden raisin mix), Lamb or beef kafta complete (shlong in yogurt sauce), chicken kebab, tabbouleh, babaganoush, and stuffed grape leaves. Don’t order: Falafel or hummus, unless you like peanut buttered-garbanzos.

Falafel - Sarkis 

Falafel One

Araoz 587, Villa Crespo

Arguably one of the best falafel spots in the city, this tiny comida arabe kiosco-sized spot serves a mean falafel, shawarma, tabbouleh, yogurt sauce and all the fresh vegetable fixings at extremely accessible prices. The owner is from Syria, and knows a thing or two about Middle Eastern cooking. Prices are in the 20 and 30 peso range.