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.
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
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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
$
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
$
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
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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
$
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
$
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
$
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
$
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
$
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
$
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
$
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
$
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
$$$
Basavilbaso 1328, Retiro
11 4893-9444
Oozing with class and sophistication BASA is where you’ll find impeccably groomed attractive locals in search of fine cuisine and delectable drinks. Serving up some up the city’s most instagrammable cocktails (see the featured image for this article), the menu is original and innovative – think ginger beer mixed with grapefruit and Jagermeister.
http://www.basabar.com.ar/
Mon-Fri 12PM-3PM, 7PM-2AM, Sat 8PM-2AM
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Av. de Mayo 1396, Centro
11 3221-6500
Few places in downtown BA offer as spectacular a view of the skyline as the Tango Hotel’s recently opened Dome Roof Top Bar. Overlooking the Parisian style Avenida de Mayo, Dante’s Divine Comedy inspired eccentric Palacio Barolo and neighboring San Telmo’s golden rooftops, the sixth-floor garden is the ideal spot to sip on a cocktail and escape the bustle of busy streets below.
http://www.tango-hotel.com.ar/
Wed-Fri 6PM-12AM
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Posadas 1086, Retiro
11 4321-1200
If you didn’t quite have the budget to stay in The Four Seasons Hotel, splurge on a few drinks at their Pony Line Bar. Inspired by Argentina’s elite high-class polo lifestyle, expect excellent service, elegant decor and cocktails to match. If daytime is more your thing head to restaurant Elena on a Sunday for the city’s most extravagant brunch that includes everything from patisserie to a seafood bar.
https://www.fourseasons.com/buenosaires/dining/lounges/pony_line/
Elena: Mon-Sun 7AM-12:30AM Pony Line Bar: Mon-Thurs 11AM-2AM, Fri 11AM-3AM, Sat 6PM-3AM, Sun 5PM-1AM
$$$
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