Asado: The Essence of Argentine Cooking

In Buenos Aires, nothing compares to an asado. A deeply traditional barbecue that unites people around a wood-fired grill is more than simply a meal; it’s an experience. Although the beef is always the main attraction, no asado would be complete without the addition of chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage) and luscious, smokey sweetbreads. Everything is expertly slow-cooked, with only a little seasoning a large dollop of chimichurri and salt—to bring out the flavours.
Visit El Ferroviario in Liniers for a real asado. Locals love this traditional parrilla, where families and groups of friends congregate for lengthy lunches filled with laughter. It’s the ideal location to get a firsthand taste of authentic Argentine food because of its laid-back, friendly attitude. Whether you’re a meat enthusiast or a first-time traveler, Buenos Aires’ asado is a unique culinary experience.

A warm, golden empanada is one of the most important foods to eat in Buenos Aires. A must-try street snack in Argentina, these flaky pastries are stuffed with tasty ingredients like cheese, meat, or chicken. The distinctive twist in their fillings—minced meat sautéed with onions, olives, and hard-boiled eggs—encased in a flawlessly handmade dough is what really distinguishes Buenos Aires-style empanadas.
Visit La Cocina in Recoleta for some of the city’s greatest empanadas; they provide well prepared classic flavours. Go to Vecindá in Chacarita if you’re searching for a meatless substitute.

The King of Street Food, Choripán

Choripán, the epicentre of street food culture in Buenos Aires, is one of the delicacies you just must eat. A grilled chorizo sausage is sandwiched between a crispy bun in this traditional sandwich, which is then garnished with salsa criolla and chimichurri. Together with the freshness of the toppings, the first taste is an explosion of juicy, smoky pleasure that makes it impossible to resist.
Visit Nuestra Parrilla in San Telmo Market, a renowned restaurant renowned for its robust flavours and regional charm, for a genuinely authentic experience. They provide a range of housemade sauces, each of which gives this easy dish a special edge. Choripán embodies the rich, robust essence of Argentine cooking, whether it is consumed as a snack or as a substantial meal.

Argentina’s Response to Schnitzel in Milanesa

The milanesa, a thin breaded, fried cutlet prepared from beef or chicken, is a real comfort food mainstay in Buenos Aires. There are several ways to eat it, ranging from the traditional dish with crispy fries or mashed butternut squash on the side to the decadent a la napolitana version, which is topped with cheese, gammon and tomato sauce. The sandwich form is a well-liked on-the-go option for people who want a fast snack.
Bar Oriente in Villa Ortúzar offers a fine version of this popular dish, among of the best in the city. In Buenos Aires, this crispy treat is a must-try whether you’re in the mood for a substantial dinner or a quick snack.

Provoleta, a delicacy that transforms thick slices of provolone cheese into a golden, gooey beauty, is the real centrepiece of each asado. Perfectly grilled, this delectable appetiser is garnished with a sprinkle of olive oil and aromatic oregano. It is a staple on every parrilla menu as it is frequently served hot.
Visit El Ferroviario, a restaurant renowned for its substantial quantities and genuine flavours, for a genuinely unforgettable experience. This tasty cheese dish is a must-try in Buenos Aires, whether it is eaten on its own or with a tender steak.

A must-try when visiting Buenos Aires is the city’s famous pizza. Pizza Porteña is thick, cheesy, and incredibly decadent, in contrast to the thin and crispy Italian counterpart. The most well-known version is fugazzetta, which has layers of melted cheese and caramelised onions. Each bite is flavourful, rich, and utterly fulfilling.
Visit La Mezzetta in Villa Ortúzar for a must-try experience. Here, this rich meal is served the old-fashioned way, hot and dripping with cheese. Whether you enjoy pizza or are simply searching for something new, this Argentine pizza is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Light, crustless sandwiches are popular in cafés and social gatherings in Buenos Aires. A classic, the Sándwich de Miga is sometimes stuffed with hearts of palm, cheese, gammon or egg salad. It’s ideal for a fast nibble at parties or as an afternoon snack because of its delicate layers.
Visit Las Violetas, a sophisticated, historic café that offers these exquisite delights along with Argentine pastries, for a very unique experience. It is a must-try when discovering the city’s culinary heritage because of its elegant atmosphere and mouthwatering flavours.

In Buenos Aires, sorrentinos are a must-try if you enjoy pasta. Usually loaded with gammon, mozzarella and ricotta, these bigger ravioli-like pasta pockets provide a rich and filling taste. This meal, which is often served with either a creamy sauce or tuco (a slow-cooked tomato sauce), is flavourful and comforting.
Tita La Vedette in Chacarita serves innovative sorrentinos with colourful dough and unusual fillings for a change of pace. Their vegan selections are particularly noteworthy; alternatives like cashew cream and matsutake mushrooms give this Argentine classic a contemporary spin.

The helado in Buenos Aires is really wonderful, and Argentines take their ice cream extremely seriously. Made with premium ingredients, this artisanal delight is well-known for its rich and creamy texture, elevating each scoop. Although there are other flavours available, dulce de leche is the most notable; for added decadence, it is sometimes combined with brownies, almonds, or chocolate pieces.
To have a memorable time, go to Obrador Florida in Palermo. Only seasonal flavours that vary throughout the year are used in this shop’s small-batch, premium gelato creations. What really sets their helado apart is the freshness of the ingredients.

Alfajores, a traditional Argentine treat, are soft sandwich cookies filled with rich dulce de leche and frequently covered in chocolate or lightly dusted with coconut. These sweets, which have the ideal ratio of sweetness to texture, are adored nationwide.
Ada Café in Balvanera serves a creative assortment of alfajores for a distinctive twist on this classic delicacy. Their version with dark chocolate and raspberries is a real game-changer, giving this well-loved sweet a daring twist

Layers of coffee-soaked cookies, silky dulce de leche, and cream cheese combine to create chocotorta, a rich and creamy delicacy that is a favourite in Argentina. This easy yet decadent cake is a favourite for both café menus and domestic parties because it doesn’t need to be baked.
While several cafés and bakeries offer their own variations, Maru Botana is renowned for its very rich rendition of this traditional treat. Anyone with a sweet craving should try it because of its rich flavour and smooth texture.

Medialunas, Argentina’s take on croissants, are the perfect way to start the day. These sweet, crescent-shaped pastries have a delicious caramelised glaze and are a tad thicker than their French equivalents. At breakfast or during merienda, Argentina’s beloved afternoon tea custom, they go well with a strong cup of coffee.
Visit La Garage in Palermo, a popular destination for warm, fresh medialunas, for a genuinely buttery, flaky experience. This traditional dessert is a must-try in Buenos Aires, regardless of whether you prefer them plain or filled with dulce de leche.

Fernet con Coca, a distinctively Argentine beverage that residents usually sip during parties and asados, is an essential element of any genuine Buenos Aires experience. This cocktail, which is a real representation of Argentine nightlife, has a strong, acquired flavour and is made by combining Coca-Cola with the bitter, herbal liqueur Fernet.
Order one at Chori, a trendy restaurant in Palermo that specialises in matching traditional dishes like choripán with Argentina’s national beverage, for a fantastic introduction. This classic blend is worth trying, regardless of your familiarity with it or preference for strong flavours.