Buenos Aires

Abuela Pan

It feels cosy, homey. It’s off the tourist frenzy. Amazing authentic home-made cooking. A wonderful vegetarian restaurant with great food and service. Try the Giant espanada. The food is made with full of love. Service is friendly.

Cabaña Las Lilas

Probably the best place to eat meat in the Puerto Madero neighborhood. It's a highly rated restaurant among travel guides and sites, although not a local's favorite. Don't miss the ojo de bife! This place had the reputation of being the best place to eat steak in Buenos Aires. The steaks are enormous and succulent. If you eat here, count on them having to roll you out as you will be near explosion (probably best to wear trousers with elasticated waists!) It's a constant struggle not to stuff yourself with the mouth watering appetizers before your steak even arrives. When it does, you may chuckle at the little plastic cow figurine jabbed into the meat, smiling at you and bearing the words “Estoy jugoso," - "I am juicy" (meaning rare). You can also share an order of steak, which the restaurant will serve on separate plate. The doneness is different in Argentina than in the U.S., for medium rare, order rare.

Churrasquería La Planchita

The attention is excellent as is the quality of its products. A fantastic variety on the menu. Homemade and fresh flavor. The lentil dish is very good. Generous portions. The food is delivered quickly. Excellent treatment by all the staff.

Dadá Bistro

This small restaurant makes the top lists among locals, and is a highly recommended one in tourist guides. Try the Lomo Dadá, one of the house specialities. Recommended to arrive before 21:00, otherwise you'll have to wait.

El Cuartito Pizza

One of the traditional pizzerias of Buenos Aires, since 1934 El Cuartito maintains most of its original environment and quality in their food. Don't miss the 'fugazzeta rellena con jamon' (fugazzeta with the crust filled with ham), it's delicious. You can go and eat inside, or ask for delivery (they deliver up to 23:30, ask for covered zone).

Horno Argentino, Cumaná

Rustic, reasonably priced Argentinean food, tamales, empanadas, calzones, locro, pizza, different stews. They also have mate w/ toasts in the afternoon. It's usually crowded with young people. Prices are really cheap.

12:00 - close

La Biela

Very nice cafe just outside of the cemetery, shaded by an enormous rubber tree. In very ancient times, it was a saying: If you are not greeted at La Biela, you do not exist. When the bill comes, remember that the largest part of the cost was not the meal, but the right to show yourself there.

La Biela Cafe

A great place to settle in for a few hours outside, under the huge ancient tree. "Biela" translates as "piston rod", and racers used to gather here a long time ago. It was a favourite dining place of the Argentinian writers Jorge Luis Borges and Adolfo Bioy Cesares, and there are statues of them at the front.

La Perla

A bit overpriced, but very nice if you want a view of the old bridge.

Las Cholas

Great parrilla specializing in Northern Argentine found in Las Cañitas. The rooftop seating upstairs is a great environment. Don't expect to see many tourists here, just a lot of Porteños out for a three-hour weekend meal. Try the Humita (made with mashed corn, cheese and spices) and Tamales (a sort of flour with minced beef) or anything off of the parrilla is great. Do not skip dessert.

Lo de Nestor Bar cooperativa

Great place, people and atmosphere. The service and attention is excellent. The dishes are super abundant. An endearing place with a lot of mystique. Beautiful decoration. It is a friendly place. There are dishes of the day. The place works as a cooperative.

Los Inmortales

As a consequence of the Italian immigration, Buenos Aires has a strong tradition in pizzas (pastas as well). 'Los Inmortales' is considered one of the most traditional pizza restaurants in the city, and one of the first 'pizzerias' to offer the "pizza a la piedra" (thin crust). One of five locations.

Sun-Thu 09:00-01:00; Fri Sat 09:30-01:30

Miranda

High-end but friendly parrilla shows off the best of Argentinean meat. Pasta dishes, grilled vegetables, and salads for the side or a meal.

Nuestra Parrilla

Always a great vibe and atmosphere. The choripan to be loved. You can find this place by following that mouth-watering smell. It’s a very small and unassuming (maybe even intimidating?) place with some of the best meat+fire combinations. The service is very friendly and they take such pride in making sure you have a good meal.

Parrilla Bar Polo

Very good local restaurant specializing in beef. Great atmosphere. The staff is friendly. Steak and fries are very good. Enjoy the local experience. Hole-in-the-wall with perfectly acceptable grilled meat. Try the vacío, it'll melt in your mouth.

Parrilla Peña

This is probably the best place in BA to try an "asado de tira" (ribs), the most traditional piece of an Argentine asado. You can also try other different meat cuts, but the "tira de asado" is the distinctive dish. A waiter said the "porcion de tira" is enough for three or more whereas the single tira (una tira), together with some fries or salad was enough for two. Be aware that if you order a "parrillada", the cuts for the "asado" are completely different, they don't even taste the same.

Pirilo

You can feel so much history and love for food in this place. Tiny place with an old atmosphere. One of the most stubbornly traditional pizzerias left in the city. While you can order whole pizzas, the main draw is the pizza sold by the slice at the counter.

Pizzería Güerrin

Similar to El Cuartito, very traditional, local noisy atmosphere, not very expensive. The place is best known for the muzzarella pizza, although you'll find other types as well. You can order a portion along with a glass of moscato.

Siga la Vaca

A must-visit restaurant while in Puerto Madero. You eat cheaper on week days lunch than on weekends, and get unlimited salad, pasta, meat, and bottled water. Also included in the price are one bottle of red wine and one dessert per person. Not very popular among locals.

Sudestada

Asian fusion dishes from Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. Exotic twists on Argentinean meats including beef, pork, and rabbit. Vegetarian friendly. Reservations recommended

The Night Market

Excellent Asian food in a wonderfully decorated space. You purchase tokens (Yuan) which you use to pay for dishes at one of three of the market's "vendors" located in the back of the restaurant. Place your order, grab a table, and wait for the food to be delivered to you. This is not an "Argentinian" restaurant but it is an experience you won't find anywhere else on the continent.

Mon-Thu 20:00-00:00, Fri-Sat 20:00-01:00, closed Sun

Veggie Medio Oriente

Very tasty and they serve plenty. Best vegan meal. The vegiebomba is super delicious. Good quality and large portions. Menu with creative and tasty options. Great Middle Eastern food. Excellent attention.

Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00, Sat 11:00–17:00

Bistro 1745

This cafe is inside the grounds of an old monastery in the CBD. The large garden courtyard is surrounded by high white walls and is a marvellous spot to sit and relax. The cafe serves empanadas and other light meals

Cadereyta

Excellent Mexican meat and fish dishes in a fun space. Small outside courtyard. Bar.

Cafe San Juan

Very nice meals at somewhat higher than average prices. A reservation is recommended.

Circolo Italiano

For those looking for Italian food in Recoleta, Il Circolo Italiano is one of the best options for its price/atmosphere/food value. The place offers an executive menu during weekdays at lunch worth trying. You can also go for dinner inside this beautiful house.

Desnivel

"Parrilla" at an excellent price, but the surroundings and presentation are sub-par. If you can't tear yourself away from shopping long enough to sit down, you can get choripan and sandwich de lomito to go starting at $2.

Di Tommaso

Di Tommaso is an Italian, family-owned restaurant. The family is originally from Caserta, and has kept the recipes from generation to generation. Try the pizzas, risottos or pastas, specially the lasagna.

El Gijon

Popular local spot with good food and wine. The chicken and rice are excellent as is the service.

AR$50,000 for two including wine

El Nuevo Castels

This place is amazingly popular on Saturday nights with cheerful locals queueing onto the footpath. The food is good and the strawberry dessert magnificent. The staff are usually too busy to chat but are very efficient. A fun spot.

$50,000 for two including wine and dessert