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The Best Puerto Madero, Retiro and Centro Restaurants, Bars and Cafes

Holly Stanley

By | November 2, 2018

cocktail in champagne glass at BASA restaurant in Centro, Buenos Aires

What are the best restaurants in Buenos Aires? Tips on the best bars, restaurants, and cafes in the Puerto Madero, Retiro, and Centro neighborhoods.

Let’s bounce around Buenos Aires’ neighborhoods Centro, Puerto Madero and Retiro exploring the notable cafes, restaurants and bars. Our list is up to date, tested and true by our staff who live in Buenos Aires.

Recommended Restaurants

Unique plate of food at Tanta restaurant in Buenos Aires

Tanta

Esmeralda 938, Centro

Peruvian food has become all the rage here in recent years – to taste some of the most refined examples of the cuisine try Tanta. Serving up classics like Papa a la huancaina and ceviche, their Pisco sours are also pretty punchy. Looking out onto a jungle style garden, it’s an oasis away from a sometimes chaotic city center.

https://www.tanta.com.ar/
Mon-Sat 12PM-12AM
$$$

Fugazza onion style pizza on wooden plate in Guerrin pizzeria

Pizzería Güerrin

Av. Corrientes 1368 011 4371-8141, Centro

Meters away from the Obelisk and slap bang in the middle of theater land, one of Buenos Aires’ most iconic eating establishments, Güerrin, is where to find the real-deal Porteño pizza. A slice of days gone by, pizza can be bought by the porción meaning you can easily sample a few flavors. Start off with a fugazzeta (onion and cheese) as well as a napolitano (ham, cheese, and tomato). Make sure you try the fainá (a chickpea cake) that is customarily served with the pizza.

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Mon-Sun 10AM – 2AM
$

bar of Dada restaurant in Centro Buenos Aires

Dadá Bistro

San Martin 941, Centro
011 4314-4787

Small but definitely not lacking in choice – you’ll find a huge selection of Malbecs and expertly mixed cocktails, Dadá Bistro is where the locals hang out. With an extensive menu serving up plenty of Argie classics you’ll find everything from pasta to salad and of course stellar quality beef.

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Mon-Sat 11AM-5AM
$$

Exterior of Farinelli restaurant in Buenos Aires, Centro

Farinelli

Arroyo 900, Retiro
011 4328-7998

Including an in-house bakery, an ample selection of freshly made salads and home cooked quiches, Farinelli is ideal for a light lunch which on sunny days can easily be taken away and eaten in nearby green space, Plaza San Martín. Also serving freshly made juices, and BLTs, head here for a leisurely Saturday brunch.

http://www.farinelli.com.ar/Mon-Fri 8AM-8PM, Sat 11AM-4:30PM
$$

Steak on the gill at Le Grille restaurant in Puerto Madero

Le Grill

Alicia Moreau de Justo 876, Puerto Madero
011 2850-9050

A high class parrilla (steakhouse) on the snazzy Puerto Madero strip, with an excellent view of Buenos Aires’ iconic Puente de la Mujer bridge, the kitchen at Le Grill sends out huge portions of juicy steaks that are cooked to perfection. Combined with bountiful mountains of melt in your mouth French fries – a meat lovers’ idea of heaven.

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Tues-Sat 6PM-11PM, Sun 12:30PM-3:30PM
$$$

Chic table overlooking port at Chila, Puerto Madero

Chila

Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1160, Puerto Madero
011 4343-6067

Sleek and undeniably chic, for foodies looking to splash out a little, Chila offers a wine-paired tasting menu that shakes up traditional Argentine cooking, giving old favorites a new twist. Using seasonal ingredients that are produced all across the country, the wine is equally exciting to match – forget a bog standard Malbec from Mendoza and instead expect to try wine from boutique bodegas coming from Patagonia all the way up to Salta.

http://www.chilaweb.com.ar/
Tues-Sun 8PM-11PM
$$$

Chopsticks and sushi on plate at Osaka, Puerto Madero

Osaka

Los Molinos Building, Juana Manso 1164, Puerto Madero
011 5352-0404

Buenos Aires has a bit of a thing for sushi. You’ll find it all over the city at varying degrees of quality and taste, but if you’re looking to go for the best, Osaka, a Japanese-Peruvian fusion in Puerto Madero serves up refined and delicate portions.

http://www.osaka.com.pe/
Mon-Sun 12:30-4PM 8PM-Midnight
$$$

Top Cafés

Outdoor seating and people at Shelter cafe Buenos Aires

The Shelter Coffee

Arroyo 940, Retiro
011 4326-3463

Shelter Coffee is Retiro’s place for quality coffee, using organic beans that are then filtered the old fashioned way. Choose one of their irresistibly indulgent cinnamon buns – who could ask for a better start to the weekend? Situated on the pretty postcard street Arroyo, take a seat outside and enjoy people watching in one of the city’s most exclusive areas.

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Mon-Fri 9AM-8PM, Sat 10AM-6PM
$

Patrons and waiter at busy Galgos cafe, Centro, Buenos Aires

Los Galgos

Av. Callao 501, Centro
011 4371-3561

First opened in the 1930s, visit Los Galgos to step back in time to old school Porteño café culture. Wood paneled and complete with original flooring, you’ll see both young and old sipping on cortados and having snacks. Ideal for a quick breakfast, give their buttery medialunas (croissants) and ham and cheese toasties a taste. Come sundown, head there for an aperitif in the form of a fernet (local liquor) or vermouth.

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Mon-Wed 8AM-Midnight, Thurs-Sat 8AM – 1AM
$$

Sandwiches and menu at Cafe Paulin, Buenos Aires

Café Paulin

Sarmiento 635, Centro
011 4325-2280

Keeping it classic, Café Paulin offers a huge range of traditional porteño sandwiches that should always be ordered from the bar. Always packed, in the know locals go here for huge portions, fresh ingredients and cheap prices.

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Mon-Fri 6AM-9PM Sat 6AM-4PM
$

Coffee and dessert on table at Cafe Union

La Unión Café

Esmeralda 266, Centro
011 6091-8729

A stones’ throw from the Obelisk and the busy super wide Avenida 9 de Julio, a quick coffee and pastry here should set you up well for a busy day of exploring.

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Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM
$

Exterior of Santa Cafe in Centro Buenos Aires

Santa Café

Moreno 818, Centro
011 4342-4509

Serving up true Colombian coffee, it’s one of a few Centro located hot spots for caffeine addicts. Reasonably priced, there are often deals on morning specials which are well worth a try.

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Mon-Fri 8AM-7PM
$

On The Go Lunch Spots

Cubano style sandwich in halves at Latino Sandwich, Centro Buenos Aires

Latino Sandwich

Tacuari 185, Centro
011 4328-1872

With an overwhelming variety of on-site made sandwiches including classic Argentine options like the must-try milanesa, you’ll also find familiar flavors like BBQ pork. Its huge portions and low prices mean that by 2 PM it’s full to the brim with hungry suited and booted workers. Make sure to arrive early, take a ticket and don’t be afraid to a bit of shouting and shoving the porteño way.

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Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM, Sat 10AM-4:30PM
$

baked empanadas at La Cocina

La Cocina

Florida 142, Centro
011 4326-2641

Legendary locale La Cocina serves up some of the city’s best empanadas. Freshly baked in-house, and served piping hot onto customary metallic dishes, the La Cocina front and interior is totally unassuming. A fool-proof choice, the spicy meat packs a punch but make sure to try other traditional flavors like humita (corn with white sauce) and pickachu (spicy cheese).

Mon-Fri 12-4 PM, 7 PM-Midnight
$

Packed full arepa at Guaica

Guaica

Florida 537, basement, shop no. 315, Centro
011 4328-1872

To get your teeth into another Latin American cuisine, head to Guaica for a selection of some of BA’s best Venezuelan arepas. Situated in an undeniably retro looking mall just off Florida street, don’t be put off by the quirky surroundings, the end result is indeed worthwhile. The arepas (a cornbread sandwich) come in a variety of forms, the all-around winner being the one filled with shredded cheese, avocado, and pulled meat.

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Mon-Wed 12PM-6PM, Thurs-Fri 12PM-7PM, Sat 12PM-4PM
$

Giant bacon cheeseburger at DOGG, Centro Buenos Aires

Dogg

Lavalle 1134, Centro
011 4787-0861

When you get that irrepressible urge for a meaty badass burger, head to Dogg for a double or even triple patty. Offering an endless list of toppings and sauces like unusual brie cheese and more common bacon, there’s also a huge wall of hot sauces to spice up your fries.

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Mon-Wed 8AM-5PM, Thurs 11:30AM-5PM, Fri 8AM-5PM
$

To go pasta cups at CoRE in Centro

CoRE Italian Street Food

Maipu 819, Centro
11 4315-0037

Sometimes only a big bowl of comforting carby pasta will do. Popular with those working locally looking for a quick grab and go lunch, you can pretty much find any imaginable combo going and mix and match to your heart’s content.

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Mon-Tues 8AM-7PM, Wed-Fri 9AM-7PM
$

Bars in Buenos Aires’ Centro, Puerto Madero and Retiro

Florist level at hidden bar Floreria Atlantico, Retiro, Buenos Aires

Florería Atlántico

Arroyo 872, Retiro
11 4313-6093

What started out as a florist with a secret underground cocktail bar that only a few in the know locals attended, it has in the last few years transformed into one of Buenos Aires’ most talked about watering holes. Nowadays filled with wealthy businessmen looking to impress younger dates and tourists looking for a slice of sophistication, most of the locals have moved on – saying this, the drinks definitely don’t disappoint.

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Mon-Wed 6PM-2AM, Thurs 6PM-2:30AM, Fri 6PM-4AM, Sat 8PM-4AM, Sun 8PM-2AM
$$$

Exterior BASA restaurant in Retiro

BASA

Basavilbaso 1328, Retiro
11 4893-9444

Oozing with class and sophistication BASA is where you’ll find impeccably groomed attractive locals in search of fine cuisine and delectable drinks. Serving up some up the city’s most instagrammable cocktails (see the featured image for this article), the menu is original and innovative – think ginger beer mixed with grapefruit and Jagermeister.

http://www.basabar.com.ar/
Mon-Fri 12PM-3PM, 7PM-2AM, Sat 8PM-2AM
$$$

Open roof bar at Dome in Centro

Dome Roof Top Bar

Av. de Mayo 1396, Centro
11 3221-6500

Few places in downtown BA offer as spectacular a view of the skyline as the Tango Hotel’s recently opened Dome Roof Top Bar. Overlooking the Parisian style Avenida de Mayo, Dante’s Divine Comedy inspired eccentric Palacio Barolo and neighboring San Telmo’s golden rooftops, the sixth-floor garden is the ideal spot to sip on a cocktail and escape the bustle of busy streets below.

http://www.tango-hotel.com.ar/
Wed-Fri 6PM-12AM
$$

Orderly display of desserts at Elena restaurant Retiro

Pony Line / Elena

Posadas 1086, Retiro
11 4321-1200

If you didn’t quite have the budget to stay in The Four Seasons Hotel, splurge on a few drinks at their Pony Line Bar. Inspired by Argentina’s elite high-class polo lifestyle, expect excellent service, elegant decor and cocktails to match. If daytime is more your thing head to restaurant Elena on a Sunday for the city’s most extravagant brunch that includes everything from patisserie to a seafood bar.

https://www.fourseasons.com/buenosaires/dining/lounges/pony_line/
Elena: Mon-Sun 7AM-12:30AM Pony Line Bar: Mon-Thurs 11AM-2AM, Fri 11AM-3AM, Sat 6PM-3AM, Sun 5PM-1AM
$$$

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