15 best restaurants to eat in Buenos Aires according to locals
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Buenos Aires, you’re in for a real treat. The city is a paradise for food lovers, where every neighborhood hides a gem – from legendary parrillas serving world-class steaks to century-old cafés, cozy trattorias, and innovative spots blending flavors from around the globe.
Argentines are passionate about food, and eating out is more than just a meal; it’s a social ritual, a way to connect and celebrate life. In this guide, I’m sharing my favourite spots I tested myself or were recommended by the locals.
If you’re new to this blog, you must know that I visited Buenos Aires 6 or 7 times…I lost count. The last time I spent 3 weeks in August this year and made it my goal to eat my way through Buenos Aires.
15 best restaurants to eat in Buenos Aires according to locals
I’ve gathered the 15 best restaurants to eat in Buenos Aires according to the locals (tried and tested), the places where porteños themselves go for pizza, choripán, pasta, wine, and of course, unforgettable cuts of beef.
In no particular order, those are the best restaurants in Buenos Aires. Feel free to check them one and enjoy your stay in the capital of Argentina.
El Cuartito
Unlike some other pizza places, El Cuartito remains as traditional as I remember from my previous visits to Buenos Aires years ago. If you only want to eat pizza once in Buenos Aires, El Cuartito is the place. However, this place is beloved by locals and became a popular attraction for tourists (including food tours). It’s almost always full with a line of people waiting on the street. Your best bet would be to arrive at an opening time at 12:30 (Mondays is closed). They accommodate guests so well: you can order a slice, or two types of pizza half-half or even reheat the pizza for you.
But, I must warn you about sometimes (and I’ve been having many discussions regarding this issue). Pizza in El Cuartito is an ultimate heaven if you love cheese melting right and left. Which team are you? There’s never too much cheese on pizza or it is possible to have too much cheese on pizza?
What for: pizza, fugazza, fugazzeta
Parrilla Aires Criollos
No trip to Buenos Aires is complete without experiencing an authentic parrilla, and Aires Criollos delivers just that. This traditional steakhouse is beloved by locals for its no-frills atmosphere and focus on what really matters: perfectly grilled meat. From juicy bife de chorizo to tender entraña, every cut is cooked to perfection over the wood-fired grill. Portions are generous, the service is warm, and the prices are far more down-to-earth than some of the city’s trendier steakhouses. If you want a genuine porteño dining experience without the tourist gloss, Aires Criollos is where you’ll find it.
What for: meat
Banchero
When it comes to pizza in Buenos Aires, Banchero is practically a legend. Founded in La Boca in 1932, this pizzeria is credited with inventing the city’s famous fugazzeta – a thick, doughy base stuffed with mozzarella and topped with onions.
Locals still flock here for a slice of nostalgia and comfort, and the atmosphere feels wonderfully old-school. Don’t expect Italian-style thin crusts – Buenos Aires pizza is indulgent, cheesy, and unapologetically heavy, and Banchero is one of the best places to taste this local tradition in its purest form. This year, I went to Banchero in La Boca (there are other branches, too), because this is the place I remember so vividly from my previous trips. It became a bit commercial now, but the place is still great.
What for: pizza and milanesa
Pizzeria Los Inmortales
Another institution in the city’s pizza scene, Los Inmortales has been serving its famous pies since 1952. Located along Avenida Corrientes (which is the heart of Buenos Aires’ theater district), his pizzeria is where families gather after a show or friends meet before a night out. The walls are lined with caricatures and photos of the many Argentine celebrities who’ve dined here over the decades, adding to the lively, nostalgic charm. Their mozzarella pizza is a classic, dripping with cheese and flavor, and best enjoyed with a cold beer. Eating here isn’t just about food; it’s about being part of a timeless Buenos Aires ritual.
What for: pizza
Niño Gordo
Niño Gordo is unlike any other dining experience in Buenos Aires. Tucked away in Palermo, this lively restaurant fuses Asian flavors with Argentine flair, creating dishes that surprise and delight in equal measure. Think smoky meats cooked on the parrilla, but seasoned with Japanese, Chinese, or Korean influences , a true reflection of the city’s global spirit. The quirky, neon-lit interior feels playful and a little eccentric, making it as much about the atmosphere as the food. Locals love it for its creativity, and visitors often leave calling it one of the most memorable meals of their trip.
What for: Asian dishes with Argentinian twist
Reliquia
We celebrated a birthday, a romantic dinner in Reliquia (it’s listed on Michelin guide). It’s a small place with just a few tables and a homey atmosphere. As it is run by a group of young people; you can quickly feel the vibe but also professionalism at the same time.
It is a creative cuisine, but nothing weird as it sometimes happens. Every dish we ate was spectacular. I especially loved agnoloti with duck stuffing in light sauce. They seem to be changing their menu periodically, so I’m not sure you’ll have a chance to try the same dish.
What for: creative dishes
Parrilla Peña
If you want a no-nonsense parrilla where locals go for their weekly steak fix, Parrilla Peña is the place. Tucked away near Avenida Córdoba, this spot has none of the tourist polish but all the authentic flavors. The meat portions are generous, juicy, and grilled to perfection, while the service feels like family. The empanadas here are also legendary. Prices are very reasonable for the quality, which explains why it’s always buzzing with porteños.
What for: meat
La Alacena trattoria
Buenos Aires has a strong Italian influence, and La Alacena Trattoria is where that heritage truly shines. Loved by locals in Palermo, this cozy eatery specializes in fresh, handmade pasta with creative twists. Think pillowy gnocchi, silky tagliatelle, and ravioli stuffed with seasonal ingredients (I tried the ones stuffed with pumpkin in Bolognese and bacon sauce). The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, almost like eating in a friend’s home, and the flavors are rich without being heavy.
It’s comfort food that feels both familiar and special, perfect for a break from the city’s endless parrillas. La Alacena Trattoria has earned a Bib Gourmand distinction, highlighting its quality food at good value.
What for: pasta
Cafe San Juan
Located in San Telmo, Café San Juan is one of those places that doesn’t try to be trendy but ends up being effortlessly cool. The menu changes with the seasons and often reflects what’s freshest at the nearby market. Expect hearty dishes with a modern Argentine flair, beautifully presented but still deeply satisfying. Locals love it for its lively, unpretentious vibe and the chance to try something beyond the usual steak-and-fries formula. If you’re looking for a more creative side of Buenos Aires dining, Café San Juan is a must.
What for:
Parrilla Don Julio
No list of Buenos Aires dining would be complete without Parrilla Don Julio, one of the city’s most famous steakhouses and a favorite among both locals and visitors. Ranked among the world’s top restaurants, it still manages to feel welcoming and authentic rather than pretentious. The meat is sourced from grass-fed cattle and cooked to perfection on the grill, with cuts that melt in your mouth.
Pair it with a glass of Malbec (they have one of the biggest wine cellars in Argentina) and homemade chimichurri, and you’ll understand why Argentines are so proud of their beef. It’s best to book ahead, as tables here fill up quickly, but the experience is worth every effort. Don Julio is featured in the MICHELIN Guide with 1 MICHELIN star.
What for: meat
El Preferido de Palermo
In the heart of Palermo, El Preferido de Palermo has become a favorite among locals who appreciate traditional Argentine comfort food done right. The star of the menu is their milanesa, a perfectly breaded and fried cutlet that comes in portions so large it practically covers the entire plate. Served with simple sides like mashed potatoes or fries, this dish is pure comfort on a plate. The restaurant itself has a nostalgic charm with pastel-pink walls and an old-fashioned vibe, making it feel like you’ve stepped into a classic Buenos Aires cantina with a modern twist.
What for: milanesa (cutlet)
Madre Rojas
If you want to pair Argentina’s famous beef with its equally celebrated wines, Madre Rojas is a place locals whisper about with a smile. Tucked away in a quieter part of the city, this restaurant focuses on high-quality cuts of meat paired with an excellent selection of Malbec and other regional wines. It’s not just about eating, but about savoring the harmony between the grill and the vineyard. The atmosphere is laid-back yet refined, perfect for a long evening of dining the way Argentines love best: slowly, with good company and great conversation.
What for: meat and Argentinian wine
Choripanería al Paso (San Telmo market)
Few things are more Argentine than a choripán, the humble yet delicious chorizo sandwich. At the Choripanería Al Paso in San Telmo Market, locals line up for this street-food classic, served hot off the grill with chimichurri or salsa criolla. It’s simple, it’s affordable, and it’s bursting with flavor, the kind of food that captures the spirit of Buenos Aires in one bite. Eating a choripán here, surrounded by the buzz of San Telmo Market, feels like joining in on a tradition that’s as much about community as it is about food.
Be prepared to wait to be seated. They are quite busy. I tried one of the most classic options: choripan criollo. It was excellent.
What for: classic choripan
See also:
- Visiting Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires.
- How to Spend 3 Days in Buenos Aires: Food, Culture & Hidden Gems
- 10 best traditional coffee shops in Buenos Aires according to the locals
- Charming excursion from Buenos Aires to Lujan. Argentina off the beaten path.
- First Time in Buenos Aires? Avoid These 12 Common Mistakes
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