What are the 38 best restaurants in Buenos Aires, according to a prestigious American site

An article published yesterday in a prestigious American site presented the 38 best restaurants in the Metropolitan Area of ​​Buenos Aires (AMBA). The note highlights that although for a long time the Argentine palate was dedicated to eating "grilled meats", today "a new generation of foodies has awakened an interest in dishes centered on vegetables, emerging patisseries, vermouth bars and wine".

According to the author of the ranking, published by Eater, in these gastronomic venues you can find "the emblematic foods, the most popular resources, some hidden gems and some interesting openings".

Here are the places highlighted by the specialized media:

1. Alos

Alo's is located in San Isidro and its open kitchen is the work of Alejandro Féraud. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this modern bistro quickly became a hit for its unique way of reversing traditional Argentine flavors.

The premises are located on Calle Blanco Encalada at 2120, in Boulogne, San Isidro. [$$$$]

2. Narda dining room

Narda Comedor, by chef Narda Lepes, is in Bajo Belgrano. Her proposal is a kitchen that puts vegetables in the main plan. Many items are inspired by Lepes's travels through Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, and a talented team of cooks serves dishes for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.

The place is located in Mariscal Antonio José de Sucre at 664. [$$$]

3. Dining Court

Although Uruguayan chef (and disciple of Francis Mallmann) Santiago Garat constantly changes the menu, you can expect them to serve the best quality homemade sirloin, brisket, pork loin and chorizo. The spicy lamb appetizers or the seasonal vegetable garnishes are unmissable. And whoever comes to this place cannot forget to knock on the door at Corte Carnicería, one of the best in the city, to buy sausages, pork and dried beef.

The store is located at Avenida Olazábal 1395. [$$$]

4. Kitchen

Located in the Saavedra neighborhood, this bakery and cafeteria in the north of the city makes baked goods. Sweet and savory matches are often found at birthday parties and family gatherings, but it's always a good time to enjoy a sweet glazed puff pastry filled with ham and cheese. Many customers can go for chipás, pastrami bites on pletzalej and croissants filled with raspberry jam. The Kitchen recently expanded its original venue and now has ample indoor and outdoor patio seating.

The premises are located at Núñez 3400. [$$]

5. Grotto ice cream parlor

While Argentina may be famous for its meat, the unsung hero of the food scene is ice cream. The Italian-style ice cream is already a big business in Buenos Aires, especially in this family-owned ice cream parlor in Belgrano that has been manufacturing in an artisanal way for more than 43 years. If it's too difficult to choose between the 50 flavors, there are three that are the most popular: dulce de leche, sambayón and chocolate. Good tip: when ordering half a kilo or more, the ice cream will arrive covered with homemade caramelized almonds.

You can find this place in Mariscal Antonio José de Sucre 2356. [$]

6. Cooktop

After hosting wildly popular pop-ups, chefs Mica Najmanovich and Nicolas Arcucci opened Anafe, where the vibe is laid-back but the dishes are anything but relaxed. Chefs reinterpret Eastern European, Italian and Middle Eastern cuisines in small plates that emphasize texture, freshness and flavor. Vegetarians won't leave hungry either, as more than half the menu is meatless. The list to drink features an excellent selection of boutique wines. And there is still room for dessert.

The premises are located in Virrey Avilés 3216. [$$$]

7. Atelier Force Two

Francisco Seubert started baking sourdough bread in his house after watching some instructional videos on YouTube, and later sold it outside specialty coffee shops in the City. Today, he is the co-owner of Atelier Fuerza Dos, one of the fastest growing bakeries in the country. With a team of young bakers, Atelier Fuerza Dos has the mission of highlighting the baking culture of Argentina, honoring the most traditional baked goods such as ricotta cake, pastafrola, palmeritas, alfajores, coquitos and chipá. The store is intended for those who want to stop by for a quick coffee and pastries to go, due to limited space.

The premises are located at Delgado 1461. [$]

8. Mishiguene

Chef Tomás Kalika's unique Jewish restaurant recreates Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Israeli and Middle Eastern dishes using fresh ingredients and modern techniques, in a way that intrigues and evokes nostalgia. Bone-in pastrami can leave several diners speechless.

The premises are located at Lafinur 3368. [$$$$]

9. Cavia House

Casa Cavia looks straight out of a Vogue fashion magazine photo shoot. This old house shares space with a cultural center, which is also a bar, flower shop, cafeteria and restaurant. A good idea is to sit in the garden, to enjoy lunch from Monday to Friday, an afternoon snack or a drink before dinner. Chef Julieta Caruso designed the restaurant's menu, which tends to draw inspiration from seasonal ingredients, while the bar serves some of the best cocktails in the neighborhood.

The premises are located at Cavia 2985. [$$$$]

10. Catalino

Catalino began as a closed-door restaurant, a popular business model in Buenos Aires that has been a trend in the last decade. Now, its doors are open to the public for "sincere cuisine", thus known as cuisine made with agro-ecological ingredients.

Those who discover this place can relax on the patio and try dishes such as choripán with chimichurri and salsa criolla, wild boar ribs and flan with homemade dulce de leche for dessert.

The premises are located at Maure 3126. [$$$]

11. The Mezzetta

It's clear why Argentines take pizza culture so seriously: over 60% of the population is of Italian descent. Many say that the slice of cheese and onion fugazzeta at La Mezzetta strikes the perfect balance between quality and consistency.

The store is located at Avenida Álvarez Thomas 1321. [$$$]

12. Strange Brewing

For decades, Argentines who like beer in Buenos Aires almost exclusively consumed Quilmes. In recent years, however, the City has seen a craft beer boom. There may be dozens of breweries in every neighborhood, but few are as welcoming as this little brewery and tavern.

The store is located at Delgado 658. [$$$]

13. The Carnage

After centuries of the same traditional grilled meat, a restaurant modernized the typical grill. La Carnicería puts a twist on classic steakhouse food with dishes that excite all the senses. When sitting at the bar, a good option is to drink a lemon verbena gin and tonic and try the smoked chorizos, caramelized sweetbreads, beef tiraditos and steaks. The cabbage steak is one of the stars for those who are vegetarian.

The premises are located at Támesis 2317. [$$$]

14. Three Monkeys

There are only ten seats at Bar Tres Monos, the little cocktail spot on Palermo Soho's Calle Thames. Sebastián Atienza used to bartend at the popular Florería Atlántico before opening his own place to focus on cocktails with a distinctive Argentine personality. In the place you can try drinks like Dame un Tiki -which has rum, pineapple, celery, fernet and Hesperidin-. Tres Monos was ranked 33rd in the world's 50 best bars in 2021.

The premises are located in Guatemala 4899. [$$]

15. The Favorite of Palermo

It was a sad day when El Preferido de Palermo closed. Palermo's iconic bodegón had survived since 1952. Fortunately, it reopened under the watchful eye of Don Julio's restaurateur Pablo Rivero, who not only renovated the entire space, but called in chefs Guido Tassi and Martín Lukesch to take over. from the kitchen.

Open daily for lunch and dinner at Jorge Luis Borges 2108. [$$$]

16. The Force

On a corner on the border of Chacarita and Villa Crespo, La Fuerza keeps the history of the aperitif alive with a contemporary take on the vermouth bars of the past. The food doesn't disappoint either, especially for those looking for Buenos Aires nostalgia on a plate. The stuffed fainazzeta, a mixture of fainá and fugazzeta, is one of the favorites. Also the milanesa with fries on horseback. The team behind La Fuerza also reopened and renovated Roma Bar, a historic café specializing in pizza and empanadas.

The store is located at Avenida Dorrego 1409. [$$]

17. NaNum

In recent years the food scene has witnessed a growing interest in Korean flavors. Most of the traditional Korean restaurants are still located in Koreatown, but there are also places like Na Num. The place is run by Marina Lis Ra, the daughter of Korean immigrants, who mixes her roots with her Argentine heritage with dishes like tortilla de turnip and potato, kimchi tamale, gochujang ribs and the house favorite, kimchi fried rice.

The place is located at Roseti 177. [$$$]

18. Don Julio

Buenos Aires' most famous upscale steakhouse captures the hearts and stomachs of locals and travelers alike. It is the place to experience what the grill is all about: chorizo ​​steak, loin and brisket, crispy gizzards and malbec wine. Arrive early (or late) for dinner to avoid long waits for a table.

The premises are located in Guatemala 4699. [$$$$]

19. Donnett

Argentina has long had a reputation for steak, but recent studies have shown that a significant portion of the population considers itself vegan or vegetarian. These diners will find a spot in Chacarita, where chef-owner Manuela Donnet transformed a still life-style restaurant into this vegan and agroecological haven. Mushrooms are the star of the dishes. Donnet mushrooms, sautéed portobellos with fermented cashew cream, and grilled oyster mushrooms with lemon are a few options. The chickpea fainá cake with tomato and pesto is a must at this place.

The store is located at Avenida Jorge Newbery 4081. [$$$]

20. Anchovy Bakery

Despite the fact that in his past life he was a pilot, actor, doctor, director and activist, serial entrepreneur Enrique Piñeyro says that his most challenging role so far is his new vocation: restaurateur. His industrial-style restaurant, specializing in grilled meats, river fish and pasta, temporarily closed during the pandemic and will reopen in February this year. But that shutdown gave his team time to focus and open a bakery around the block serving dreamy croissants, breads and churros with hot chocolate.

The premises are located in Aguirre 1562. [$$$]

21. Our Secret

Chef and grill teacher Patricia Ramos tends the fire and the huge chunks of meat at Nuestro Secreto. This upscale Four Seasons restaurant is tucked away in a conservatory overlooking the hotel's pool, which is also home to the award-winning Elena Restaurant and the Pony Line Bar.

The store is located at Posada 1086. [$$$$]

22. Roux

This restaurant near the Recoleta cemetery became the place of reference in that neighborhood for those looking to eat and drink well. Ideal for a relaxed dinner, Roux serves fresh Mediterranean fish and seafood dishes that are a nice counterpoint for those looking to break away from the traditional cuts of beef in Argentina. Small groups can request the chef's table, which is a private sector in the cellar.

The place is located in Peña 2300. [$$$]

23. Big Dabbang

Gran Dabbang offers just the right style for those traditional palates who choose meat and empanadas in the City. It uses fresh, local produce to blur the lines between Latin American and Asian cuisines; and chef-owner Mariano Ramón, who has spent time in the UK and India, is a master at combining flavors and textures. It is open on Monday nights.

The store is located at Avenida Raúl Scalabrini Ortiz 1543. [$$$]

24. Aramburu

Hidden in the Pasaje del Correo, in Recoleta, this restaurant that bears the surname of its chef and owner, Gonzalo Aramburu, serves one of the last tasting menus left in the City. Tables can be requested with a view of the kitchen, to watch as the chefs prepare an 18-course menu using seasonal local ingredients, foams, liquid nitrogen clouds and carefully selected wine pairings.

The premises are located in Pasaje del Correo, Vicente López 1661. [$$$$]

25. Middle East Bakery

On Fridays and Saturdays, also known as shawarma days, a huge queue forms in the street for lunch at this Armenian bakery, which has been in business since 1972. Middle Eastern and Armenian specialties include Bethlehem salad (eggplant and roasted red pepper), lahmacun and manté.

The premises are located at José A. Cabrera 4702. [$]

26. The Kitchen

Empanadas are ubiquitous in Buenos Aires. They come in all shapes and sizes, baked or fried, with fillings of all kinds of flavors. You will find them on every street, but there is something special about this place in Recoleta. The chicken empanada is spectacular, as is the Pikachu, loaded with cheese, onion and slightly spicy red pepper leaves.

The premises are located at Avenida Pueyrredón 1508. [$]

27. Julia Restaurant

The menu changes seasonally, but standouts include avocado-topped calamari, watermelon tartar, rib eye with black and white garlic puree, and flan. The restaurant opened unassuming, to focus on the important things: seasonality, flavor, technique, and ingredients.

The store is located at Loyola 807. [$$$]

28. The Cupboard

This quaint spot just outside the trendy epicenter of Palermo is the kind of restaurant everyone wants in their neighborhood. The chef and owner, Julieta Oriolo, channels her Italian roots to create simple and tasty homemade dishes. She tries the fresh handmade pastas like cavatelli, tortellaci and Tia Carmelia's bolognese lasagna. Most of La Alacena's pastas, sauces, freshly baked bread and pastries are available to go from the bakery next door.

The premises are located in Gascón 1401. [$$$]

29. Rock Grill

One of the few remaining traditional bodegones in Buenos Aires, Parrilla Peña transports diners back in time with unpretentious food and service. Each meal begins with a complimentary fried empanada, followed by dishes like provoleta, bife de chorizo, Provençal fries, and mixed flan (with dulce de leche and cream) for dessert. I ordered the house table wine.

The premises are located at Rodríguez Peña 682. [$$]

30. The Greyhounds

Many local specialty coffee shops look more like Brooklyn than Buenos Aires, but Los Galgos revives the city's nostalgic cafe culture. Located on a historic corner in Tribunales dating back to the 1930s, the café serves up a well-done cortado, as well as great food throughout the day. Ham and cheese toasties attract courthouse workers for breakfast. Then a noisy crowd packs in for lunch of milanese with fried eggs and Russian salads, or scrambled gramajo. Cocktail aficionados travel from afar to enjoy pre-dinner appetizers.

The store is located at Avenida Callao 501. [$$]

31. Don Ignacio

The king of Milanese is located in the residential Almagro. The portions are huge and the prices are cheap. Argentinian food at its finest.

The store is located at Avenida Rivadavia 3439. [$$]

32. Chilla

Chila is one of the only places in Puerto Madero that is really worth visiting. Chef Pedro Bargero takes diners on a cross-country quest with carefully selected ingredients in a seasonal tasting menu of modernized, iconic Argentine dishes. The dishes are as beautiful as they are delicious, especially the desserts by pastry chef Ana Irie.

The store is located at Avenida Alicia Moreau de Justo 1160. [$$$$]

33. Cafe San Juan

Run by celebrity chef-owner Leandro “Lele” Cristóbal and his right-hand woman Mercedes Solís, this San Telmo favorite is known for its Spanish and Italian-influenced porteño dishes like pastas, milanesas and porchettas. If you're looking for a quick bite, stop at La Vermutería, at the front of the restaurant. Above the kitchen, you'll also find a workshop and production space, where the restaurant regularly hosts cooking classes and special events. During the pandemic, Café San Juan offered cheap daily meals for the neighborhood and regularly provided dishes to hospital workers and community centers.

The premises are located at Chile 474, in the City. [$$$]

34. Nilson

Every month, Nilson changes the carefully selected wine list to feature a handful of the best bottles from Argentina, which are available by the glass. And he keeps it simple with the food menu, which includes sandwiches and local cheeses. Those who are hungry can go to neighboring stalls such as Nuestra Parrilla, to enjoy choripan, or Beba Cocina, to enjoy croquettes and empanadas.

The store is located at Carlos Calvo 463, Mercado de San Telmo. [$$]

35. Urondo

Since Urondo is located near Buenos Aires's Koreatown, the cuisine incorporates Korean flavors into the porteño menu, which includes black pudding, gizzards, kimchi, and lots of meat.

The place is located at Beauchef 1204. [$$$]

36. The Railwayman

El Ferroviario is a gigantic meat palace located on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, in an abandoned train station behind a parking lot. It serves more than 1,000 dishes per night. This place has all the makings of a great steakhouse: the portions are large and the prices are cheap. To avoid long waiting times, reservations are a must.

The place is located at Avenida Reservistas Argentinos 219. [$$$]

37. A Korean Song

There are over a hundred Korean restaurants in the city, most located in private homes in the Flores and Floresta neighborhoods. For years, opera singer Chung An Ra, owner of A Korean Song, has welcomed the Argentinian and Korean communities to her favorite Koreatown venue, where she serves homemade dishes like kimchi jjigae, meaty japchae and bo ssam.

The store is located at Avenida Carabobo 1549. [$$$]

38. Yiyo El Zeneize

When Egidio Zoppi, an eccentric antiquarian from Genoa, emigrated to Buenos Aires at the beginning of the 20th century, he changed professions and opened a wine and preserves distributor. The business became a popular dispensary and a place frequented by tango singers, poets, artists and gauchos. A century later, Zoppi's grandson and great-grandson took over the space, discovering a treasure trove of memorabilia and a cellar with more than 2,000 vintage bottles of Campari, Cinzano and local spirits aged in perfect condition. They restored the interior and continued the legacy of the place in the form of a cantina, serving an updated version of traditional Argentine drinks and dishes.

The store is located at Avenida Eva Perón 4402. [$$$]