Best Argentine Chefs

Gonzalo Aramburu 

 Gonzalo Aramburu

Found behind a shabby unmarked door in San Telmo district, Aramburu is an ambitious tasting-menu-only restaurant that sees traditional Argentine dishes and ingredients reinterpreted using molecular gastronomy techniques. The protagonist is chef patron Gonzalo Aramburu, an alumnus of some of the best kitchens in Europe including Restaurante Martín Berasategui in Spain and Joël Robuchon’s erstwhile Jamin in Paris.

Dining here is imaginative and fun: guests are encouraged to sear their own shrimp on a hot stone, create edible watercolours and even garnish the plates. The kitchen is fully open and chefs regularly interact with the dining room, bringing out dishes and finishing plates tableside. Proceedings start with a selection of high-impact bites and small plates but Aramburu knows he will ultimately be judged on his skill with meat. He certainly impresses with his famed bife de chorizo (strip steak) and suckling pig with chocolate and pear puree.

Tuesdays through Saturdays; from 8:30 pm to 11:00 pm.

Aramburu: Salta 1050. http://www.arambururesto.com.ar/home.html

Smoky Forest - Aramburu - San Telmo 

Fernando Rivarola

At El Baqueano in San Telmo, Rivarola has created a menu that includes lots of things you don’t expect to find anywhere—carpaccio of llama, caiman dumplings, chinchilla, etc.—and omits one thing you expect to find everywhere—beef. By (mostly) limiting himself to indigenous products, each prepared and presented without gimmickry, Rivarola won a reputation as of the country’s most original chefs.

El Baqueano: Chile 499, San Telmo; www.elbaqueano.com

Appetizer - El Baqueano 

Leandro Cristóbal

With his skewed baseball cap, inked limbs, and skater drawl, Cristóbal looks and sounds like a 40-year-old Justin Bieber. At Café San Juan, he even has his mom working the till and pouring the wine. But there’s nothing casual about Cristóbal’s cooking. Start with his famous rabbit pâté, move on to the juicy rib-eye and leave room for chocolate mousse or lychee ice-cream. Reservations are essential.

Café San Juan: Avenida San Juan 450, San Telmo. Phone Lumber: 4300-1112.

Francis Mallmann

Argentine chef Francis Mallman combines his prestigious French culinary background with traditional Patagonian fire and earth cooking methods to create sensational dining experiences.

One part Oscar Wilde, one part Charlie Trotter and one part unique; Mallmann is probably Argentina’s best-known living chef. At Patagonia Sur, the Buenos Aires branch of his empire, you can try sophisticated versions of local comfort food: humita (creamed corn) with crispy ham, tenderloin with crushed potatoes, wobbly flan with dulce de leche...

Patagonia Sur: http://www.restaurantepatagoniasur.com; Rocha 801 esquina Pedro de Mendoza – La Boca.

Patagonia Sur - Francis Malmann's Restaurant in Buenos Aires 

Pablo Massey

As a disciple of Francis Mallmann, Pablo stands out for his versatile cuisine, combining elements both classical and modern, rustic and refined. After training internationally in the finest restaurants, as well as creating dining spaces and original products in the Buenos Aires culinary scene, Massey has returned to his childhood neighborhood, Palermo Chico.

In the intimate setting of Casa Cavia, he sets out to kindle the flames of what he calls, “the most ancient of human pleasures: satiating hunger and thirst.”

Casa Cavia: Cavia 2985, Palermo. www.casacavia.com

Dante Liporace

The renowned chef, Dante Liporace, of great international standing (Maskana, Las Margas Spain together with Pedro Subijana, elBulli on two occasions, chosen as Argentine representative before Girona and Mistura Gastronomic Forum, among others) inaugurated Tarquino restaurant.

One dish you’ll never forget is his “Provolone pizza,” in which the heaviest of Buenos Aires staples is transformed into something as light as dandelion petals. Ask ahead if you want to try Liporace’s brilliant “Sequence of the Cow,” a nine-course homage to the heifer that takes you from nose to tail.

Tarquino: http://www.tarquinorestaurante.com.ar/

Pizza Foam with Parmesano Reggiano by Dante Liporace 

Soledad Nardelli

Chila Restaurant - In our opinion, the best restaurant of Puerto Madero.

If one dish exemplifies New Argentine Cuisine’s approach to tradition, it’s Soledad Nardelli’s souffle de dulce de leche: the sweet brown gloop that fuels every Argentine childhood quite literally raised to a new level. At Chila, Nardelli’s smart restaurant in Puerto Madero, you can also try Patagonian scallops, trout, and lamb; Mendozan pears; quinoa from Jujuy and duck from the Pampas. The menu is a love letter to Argentina’s regions, and to their bounty.

Chila: Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1160, Phone: +54 11 4343-6067. www.chilaweb.com.ar

German Martitegui

Tegui, named after head chef Germán Martitegui, has been named one of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants. According to a New York Times review in 2010, Mr. Martitegui wanted Tegui to be under the radar. “I think people need to be hidden. That was the idea with this place.” he said adding that he had not advertised, relying solely on word of mouth. Reservations are highly recommended.

Once inside, a plush bar complete with comfy sofas erases the somewhat gritty first impression. If seated toward the back of the main rectangular dining room, (the narrow space seats only 45) you may be able to see the impressive kitchen at work. The dining room decor is black and white lit by large lamp posts.

The service is timed very well, directed by the chief waiter, and all courses arrive at the right time. You can choose from the menu or order the wine tasting ten course menu.

 The minimalist menu (5 choices for starters and entrees) featured Mediterranean-style seafood dishes. Whatever you order, prepare for an excellent dining experience.

Tegui: www.tegui.com.ar; Costa Rica 5852.

Culinary Tours of Buenos Aires.

The intention of our tours is to show that real, Porteño cuisine is not only delicious, but quite approachable as well. The tours combine eating wonderful Argentine food and a walking tour of Buenos Aires best neighborhoods. We hope that you join us so that we can show you what makes this country and this city so special.

For booking your tour and further information, please contact us.