The steak and the wine are truly divine, but dining in Buenos Aires goes far beyond meat and Malbec. Great global cuisine (for a fraction of what you’d pay in other culinary capitals) is offered alongside traditional Argentine fare. As we ate our way through B.A., we discovered dishes as diverse (and delicious) as the city herself.
Café
Opened in 1858, the elegant Café Tortoni once hosted Argentina’s artistic and political elite. Admire the ambience of B.A.’s oldest café over an order of café con leche y tres medialunas (a latte and three croissants, AR$13).
Parilla
It’s best to book ahead at the popular steakhouse, La Cabrera. But why not wait when there’s complimentary bubbly on hand? Come hungry and bring friends – the generous cuts of meat and side dishes are built for sharing (about AR$70 per person).
Empanadas
Savoury or sweet, we couldn’t get enough of these pocket-sized pastries. Cumanà (Rodriguez Peña 1149, Recoleta; +54-11-4813-9207) does a dulce de leche (milk caramel) version to die for (AR$3 each).
High End
The 11-course tasting menu at La Viniera de Gualterio Bolivar (AR$160 per person) showcases molecular touches (green apple foam, anyone?) and market-fresh ingredients. We swooned over the extensive wine list, including the splurge-worthy 2005 Colomé Reserva Malbec (AR$275 per bottle).
French
Say si to Oui Oui, a cozy French eatery. With two locations on the same street (the second is part café, part general store), it’s twice as hard to resist their authentic Croque Monsieur (AR$15) and assortment of baked goods.
Nordic
Olsen (Gorriti 5870, Palermo Hollywood; +54-11-4776-7677) brings Scandinavia to the Southern Hemisphere (think vodka, smoked salmon and model types). We enjoyed the three-course set lunch (AR$35) in their tranquil garden lounge.
Ice Cream
We were addicted to the decadent flavours (go granizado if you crave chocolate chips) at Heladeria Cadore (Corrientes 1695, Congreso; +54-11-4374-3688; from AR$7), a family-run shop in the bustling theatre district.
