Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotels and City Guide

Buenos Aires - Restaurants

Buenos Aires Dining – Local Cuisine and Customs

As Argentina produces the best beef in the world, the porteños (locals) are great meat eaters. They enjoy a light breakfast of bread with café con leche (the only time coffee with milk is served) or maté (tea) and a large lunch which explains why they only need to eat another large meal, usually a parrillada (mixed grill) with salad, after 21.30. Popular desserts consist of fresh fruit with dulce de leche, a delicious custard, pastries made with dulce de leche, or cheese and preserves.

Certainly not a vegetarian nation, steak houses, parrillas, abound. Steak in various cuts is always on the menu and accompanied by excellent red wine. House wine can be ordered by the jug, vino común, somewhat rough, but a dash of soda water can take the edge off it. Coffee is an Argentine given and is on tap throughout the day and night, but it is always strong espresso. Tea is served with lemon slices, unless you ask for un poquito de leche. A submarino is hot steamed milk containing a chocolate bar.

Buenos Aires is a very affordable place to eat out and because of its immigrant background, its diversity of cuisine ensures all visitors are catered for. Italian, Spanish, French, Nordic, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, Arab, Turkish and Armenian restaurants offer tourists an amazing gastronomic choice. Quick meals (not fast-food), minutas, including pizzas, pastas and salads are freshly prepared in restaurants and bars.

Puerto Madero is known for its superb restaurants.

Buenos Aires Restaurants

Galani
Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, Posadas 1086-88, Recoleta, Buenos Aires 1011
Tel: +54 11 4321 1200 | Fax: +54 11 4321 1201

Mediterráneo Restaurant
InterContinental Buenos Aires, Moreno 809, Monserrat, Buenos Aires 1091
Tel: +54 11 4340 7100 Fax: +54 11 4340 7199

Lola
Pres RM Ortiz 1805, Recoleta, Buenos Aires
Tel: +54 11 4802 3023

Catalinas
Reconquista 850, Retiro, Buenos Aires 1003
Tel: +54 11 4313 0182

Clark's
Sarmiento 645, San Nicolás, Buenos Aires 1041
Tel: +54 11 4325 1960

Plaza Grill
Marriott Plaza Hotel Buenos Aires, Florida 1005, Retiro, Buenos Aires 1005
Tel: +54 11 4318 3000 | Fax: +54 11 4318 3008

Dora
Avenida Leandro N Alem 1016, Retiro, Buenos Aires
Tel: +54 11 4311 2981

Bice
Alicia Moreau de Justo 192, Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires
Tel: +54 11 4315 6216

El Palacio de la Papa Frita
Lavalle 735, San Nicolás, Buenos Aires
Tel: +54 11 4393 5849

La Cabaña
Rodríguez Peña 1967, Recoleta, Buenos Aires
Tel: +54 11 4814 0001

Buenos Aires Tipping Advice

In restaurants tip about 10% of the bill. Some Argentines simply leave leftover change. Note that tips can’t be added to credit cards, so carry cash for this purpose.

Taxi drivers don’t expect tips, but it’s usual to round up to the nearest peso if the difference isn’t much. It also eliminates the problem of the taxi driver finding change.

It is customary to tip doormen, porters, concierges and hotel attendants, as well as attendants in cinemas, theatres and shows.

Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina