What Foods to Eat in Buenos Aires? With its rich culinary heritage and diverse cultural influences, Buenos Aires offers a unique and delicious gastronomic experience. From succulent steaks to mouth-watering pastries, the city boasts a range of traditional and modern dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. In this guide, I’ll introduce you to 10 must-try foods in Buenos Aires and where to get them. So, whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a curious traveler, get ready to explore the city’s culinary delights!

Read also: best hotels to stay in Palermo, Buenos Aires

My 10 Foods to Eat in Buenos Aires

Empanadas

A couple of countries do have empanadas on the menu but Argentina’s empanadas are the most delicious for me. You can buy it as on-the-go food, as a starter, or just as dinner. Often after a busy day, I order empanadas. For many people an easy take-out or delivery option. The outside is a soft but crunchy baked dough with different fillings. My favorites are ham and cheese, onion and cheese, corn filling, and meat.

Where to eat empanadas: order them as a starter in any restaurant or as on-the-go food at El Hornero in San Telmo which is my favorite place.

Also, you can learn to make empanadas at the Argentine Experience.

Foods to Eat in Buenos Aires - Empanada
Argentina Empanadas

Parrilla

Probably you heard already thousands of times to try the Argentine BBQ tradition. For me, it was a surprise how tasty food can be made on the parrilla. An absolutely traditional way of cooking in Argentina. Going to a parrilla restaurant (steakhouse) or Sundays with the family. Traditionally you order first Provoleta. That’s provolone cheese melted in an iron pan.

Be aware if you order a mix of parrilla that you will get a chicken, and possibly intestines (chinchulines). My favorites are vacio (flank steak), entraña (skirt steak) and tira de asado (flanked ribs). The bife de chorizo is not that common for Argentines.

Where to eat Parrilla? >> Check out my top Argentine steakhouses in Buenos Aires.

Tira de Asado - best food in Buenos Aires
Tira de Asado

Locro

Next on the list of Foods to eat in Buenos Aires is Locro. It is a traditional thick and hearty stew that is popular in the Andean regions of South America, particularly in Argentina. Locro is typically made with a base of pumpkin or corn, potatoes, beans, and a variety of meats such as beef, pork, or sausage. Mostly we eat Locro on national holidays such as the 9th of July or the 25th of May.

Where to eat Locro? All year round you can eat Locro at Pulpería Quilapán in San Telmo. On national holidays many restaurants will offer the dish too.

Locro Argentina Foods to Eat in Buenos Aires
Locro, a traditional Argentina dish

Most popular Foods to Eat in Buenos Aires, the Alfajor!

An Alfajor is a sweet confectionery. Mostly eaten when you are in the mood for a sweet snack. Also, it’s common that Argentines eat an Alfajor with breakfast together with a coffee or maté. It’s a crumbly cookie made with cornstarch or flour with dulce de leche in between.

The popular Alfajors for visitors are the ones from Havana. But the traditional way is buying it in a Kiosko. My favorite brands are Jorgito, Vaquita and Blanco y Negro.

Where to eat Alfajor? Buy it in a Kiosko or order it when ordering a coffee or tea in a bar.

Alfajor Argentina things to eat in Buenos Aires

My favorite Alfajores Buenos Aires
My favorite Alfajores

Choripan

My friend’s favorite food to make for party’s, Choripan. A small piece of baguette with a sausage between and on top of the typical Chimichurri sauce. Mostly we make the sausage on the parrilla which gives that extra flavored taste.

Also, popular is eating a Choripan on the Costanera side. The Costanera is the river banks of the Rio de La Plata. There are local vendors who are making delicious Choripans. You can choose your toppings there too. Perfect when visiting the Reserva Ecologico behind Puerto Madero.

Where to eat Choripan? My favorite location is near the Reserva Ecologico (link to map).

Choripan Costanera Buenos Aires on the go food
Choripan: baguette, sausage, and Chimichurri

Milanesa

We continue with another meat dish. But not all Argentinians are meat fans. In Buenos Aires city there are many vegetarian and vegan bars.

Milanesa is a traditional dish on weekdays. Easy to make and many children are a fan of it. It is a thin slice of cow or chicken breaded. Cooked in the oven or fried. On top, there is tomato sauce with cheese. There are dozen of varieties to make. With blue cheese, onion, … It’s served together with mashed potatoes.

Where to eat Milanesa? Almost all Argentine cuisine restaurants do have Milanesa on the menu. Try the Napolitana. A simple but tasty Milanesa.

Milanesa in Buenos Aires Food to eat
Milanesa

Continue the list Foods to Eat in Buenos Aires

Dulce de Leche

Dulce de Leche is immensely popular in Argentina. It is made by slowly heating sweetened milk until it thickens and caramelizes, giving it a rich, creamy texture and a deep, complex flavor. Dulce de Leche is used in my pastries, ice cream, and many other sweet things. It’s the number one sweet favorite of many people. But on the other hand, personally, sometimes it’s too much and I prefer other sweet toppings. You will definitely be able to taste it when having breakfast in Buenos Aires.

Where to eat Dulce de Leche? During your breakfast, you will get it. You also can taste it within the Alfajor or buy it in a supermarket to take home.

Dulce de leche favorites Secrets of Buenos Aires
My Dulce de Leche favorites

Yerba Maté

Together with something sweet such as dulce de leche is Maté. You will see it on the streets or if you saw Lionel Messi drinking it. That is Maté. The tea has a slightly bitter and earthy flavor. Maté tea is often shared among friends or family members, with each person sipping from the same gourd and passing it around.

I shared Maté with my non-Argentine friends and often they don’t like it. But it’s definitely worth a try to figure out if you are a fan of it or not.

>> I wrote a complete article about Yerba Maté and why you should try it.

What is Yerba Mate Argentina

Argentine Pizza

Don’t expect an Italian pizza in Buenos Aires. It’s a bit different though. Despite the fact that many Italians have emigrated to Argentina, a separate style of pizza has emerged here. Combinations such as hearts of palm with cocktail sauce or lots of cheese on top are not uncommon. Argentines even like a lot of cheese on the pizza.

It is also very common to order a pizza with two different styles. Super handy if you don’t eat that much and want to share a pizza.

My favorite is Güerrin near the Obelisco. A super fun and busy atmosphere to experience. It’s one of my favorite Foods to eat in Buenos Aires

Where to Eat Pizza? I made a list of my favorite pizzerias in Buenos Aires. Click on the link.

Guerrin Buenos Aires Pizza Foods to Taste

Medialunas

A half moon or medialuna is a mini-croissant but it doesn’t have the same dough structure or fluffiness as a traditional French croissant. It’s often sweeter with a transparent sugar topping on it. A medialuna is sweet and delicious. Makes it perfect to eat with coffee or during breakfast. If you stop at a cafe, ask for a coffee or thee with a medialuna. A very Argentine traditional thing to do and eat.

Author

My roots in Buenos Aires started as a tourist. After some great adventures in Argentina, I moved in 2017 to the metropolitan city of Buenos Aires. I felt a need for correct and honest information for tourists. That's why I love to write to you. Sharing my discoveries in Buenos Aires. I hope you enjoy the city as much as I do! Buenos Aires ❤️

Write A Comment

Secrets of Buenos Aires