Best Parrilla: You probably heard of this place long before coming to Buenos Aires, and Cabaña las Lilas, Alicia Moreau de Justo 516 (tel. 11/4313-1336), deserves every bit of its reputation. It's expensive for sure, running about 142 pesos ($38/£27) for a complete meal, but it's worth it: The cuts of beef are so soft, they almost melt in your mouth. In spite of the price, it's casual too, so you can come in sneakers and shorts.
Best Cafe Experiences: Café Tortoni, Av. de Mayo 825 (tel. 11/4342-4328), might not have the best service in town, but its incredible history and beauty more than make up for it. This was and still remains Argentina's intellectual coffee spot of choice; and even the culture-seeking tourists don't overwhelm the space. Sit outside at La Biela, Av. Quintana 596 (tel. 11/4804-0449), in glamorous Recoleta, overlooking the world-famous Recoleta Cemetery. From the view to Iglesia Pilar to the wonderful shade of the gum trees on its sidewalk, this is Buenos Aires at its best.
Best Authentic Old Buenos Aires Dining: Buenos Aires is full of trendy places, but the surefire bets are where Porteños have eaten for decades. Ham hangs from the rafters and steaks are as thick as the crowds at the Spanish eatery Plaza Asturias, Av. de Mayo 1199 (tel. 11/4382-7334). The staff is so busy that you might get hurt while trying to find the restroom, with all the running around they do. For more than 40 years, fish lovers have flocked to Dora, Reconquista 1076, at Paraguay (tel. 11/4311-2891), an unpretentious, but high-quality and high-priced spot that has moved from its last location, yet still has the same level of service and quality.
Best Seafood: Argentina has a long coastline, but the turf, not the surf, has always provided chefs with culinary inspiration. Two places have defied this trend: Dora, Reconquista 1076, at Paraguay (tel. 11/4311-2891), the unpretentious seafood spot where businesspeople and those in the know have eaten for 40 years; and Olsen, in Palermo Viejo, at Gorriti 5870 (tel. 11/4776-7677), which prepares seafood with an interesting twist -- Scandinavian-style, with flavors different from those in other city restaurants.
Best Italian Restaurant: With more than half the residents of Buenos Aires from Italian immigrant stock, it's hard to go wrong in finding good Italian food: Most parrillas serve an excellent array of pastas, usually homemade on the premises. The best formal Italian dining experience in the city, however, is Piegari, Posadas 1042 (tel. 11/4328-4104), in the Recoleta la Recova area, near the Four Seasons hotel. The selection of food concentrating on northern Italian cuisine is superb, with a stunning array of risottos.
Best French Restaurant: La Bourgogne, Av. Alvear 1891 (tel. 11/4805-3857), in the Alvear Palace, is hands down the best French restaurant in Buenos Aires and the recipient of numerous awards. Yes, it's very formal and very expensive, but what else do you expect from such a place?
Best Restaurant for Kids: Garbis, Scalabrini Ortiz 3190, at Cerviño (tel. 11/4511-6600), is an Armenian restaurant chain, with what one British expat loves to call a "jumpee castle" where she can bring her kids. The best one is in Palermo Soho, and adults can eat in peace while the kids entertain themselves on the indoor playground.
Best Value Restaurants: Little-known family-run Juana M, Carlos Pellegrini 1535 (tel. 11/4326-0462), a small parrilla on the very end of Avenida 9 de Julio, in the Recoleta district, wins this distinction. There are great cuts of meat and an unlimited salad bar; and most meals with drinks are priced under the 18 pesos ($4.85/£3.40) mark. If you're in Puerto Madero, head straight to La Bisteca, Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1890 (tel. 11/4514-4999), a chain restaurant with an all-you-can-eat menu offering high-quality cuts of meat and a generous salad bar. It's a huge space, but the seating arrangements create a sense of intimacy; at these prices, it can't be beat.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
