The best restaurants Argentina

Timetable

Whether in winter or summer, restaurant opening hours vary, as they do almost everywhere in the world. In urban centers, restaurants often have fixed hours and do not offer continuous service, so you can have lunch from 12pm to 3pm and dinner from 8pm to 11pm. In Buenos Aires, you can eat at almost any time of the day or night. There's no need to show up too early, as most of them don't open until 9pm. In most cases, food can be served until 1 a.m.! In certain regions of Patagonia, such as El Chaltén and Ushuaia, some establishments close in winter and only reopen in high season: in some towns, you may be spoilt for choice, with only one address ready to welcome you. You should also be aware that for dinner, restaurants never fill up before 8pm, especially in Bariloche, where the raclette and fondue machines don't start warming up until 10pm.

Budget & Tips

For breakfast, confiterías and cafés are the best choice. Some offer fixed-price formulas(media luna, one coffee, one orange juice). For lunch, quick menus such as menú ejecutivo are recommended. It will then be easier to devote a substantial part of your budget to the "good restaurants", which are all the more enjoyable to frequent in the evening. It's easy to cut back on your restaurant budget, as long as you're not too fussy about your diet: pizzas, hot dogs, empanadas or creamy pasta dishes, cheap dishes often rhyme with good calorie intake! However, you'll often manage for less than 10 euros and leave with a full stomach. The other option is to go to the supermarkets and do your own shopping, so you can prepare your own meals if your accommodation has a kitchen or if you have a van. Upscale restaurants often offer à la carte dishes, as menus are not commonplace. Deer, wild boar, llama, trout, salmon or even crab - local products often demand a price tag, but this is still reasonable compared to the European market: expect to pay around 15 or 20 euros for a dish. In town, all forms of payment are accepted, but in more remote areas, the bill is usually paid in cash. However, if a credit card is accepted, you'll have to pay a small additional fee.

Good to know: some restaurants offer a 10% discount for cash payments. If you've bitten off more than you can chew, you'll be pleased to know that even if the practice is still not widespread, it's not at all frowned upon to ask for a doggy-bag. It's a great way to save money for the next day's meal! Last but not least, if you book a restaurant online on certain sites, you can get discounts of up to 40% when you settle the bill, as in some establishments in Paris.

What costs extra

In Argentina, the IVA is the equivalent of our VAT. It is set at 21% in Argentina. It's also a good idea to leave a tip (around 10% of the bill), even if it's not compulsory. Unaccustomed to this practice, Europeans, and especially the French, find it hard to play the game, despite the fact that it's a very local reflex that's firmly rooted in the local mentality. Finally, a minimum of 5% of the final score is required. Very often, the cubierto, or tableware, is not included in the bill. It ranges from AR$350 to AR$450 per person. A fairly common Hispanic practice.

The local way

Of course, there's nothing more local than eating an asado prepared in the open air, in full respect of Argentine know-how. It's great to be a meat-eater in Argentina, but vegetarians aren't exactly a dime a dozen..

Kids

Your children are welcome in the majority of restaurants, with the exception of certain top-of-the-range addresses which, promising calm and privacy, do not allow children under 18 to eat there. Finally, you should know that several restaurants offer a menu specially concocted for them.

Smokers

Smoking is not permitted in restaurants, although some terraces are sometimes equipped for smokers.

Tourist traps

In Buenos Aires, it's best to avoid tango restaurants, which, with very few exceptions, are very expensive and always disappointing. Off the beaten track, when the crowds thin out, it's rare to find a tourist trap, but like any self-respecting capital, Buenos Aires (and Salta, for example) is teeming with restaurants that are far too expensive for the quality on offer. Usually, you'll come across touts in front of the restaurant or on the sidewalk who will try to get you in, offering you lengthy menus and endless dish options: this is where you have to watch out! A menu offering dozens and dozens of dishes is often a sign that the food is not homemade. A short menu is a sign of quality and fresh produce. And don't be fooled, especially in Buenos Aires, where some restaurants are notorious for pickpockets: just as you're settling down at your table, the restaurant lets in some smart guys who will discreetly take your bags off your hands.