Don Julio (Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants No. 1)
Area
Palermo · Guatemala 4699
As of 2026, this Buenos Aires food guide covers 15 restaurants by category — including Don Julio (Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants No. 1), La Cabrera (a Palermo favorite), Café Tortoni (founded 1858, Argentina's oldest café). See prices, locations and must-try dishes below.
Buenos Aires is Buenos Aires runs on beef — asado and parrilla steakhouses — plus empanadas, milanesa, and Malbec, and a European café culture. Don Julio (World's 50 Best), classic parrillas, and historic cafés like Café Tortoni are the icons. We've organized 15 restaurants across 8 categories. Each entry includes prices, hours, local tips, and a Google Maps link so you can plan straight from the page.
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Don Julio (Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants No. 1)
Palermo · Guatemala 4699 · Michelin & World's 50 Best
Don Julio (Latin America's 50 Best No. 1), Tegui, Aramburu — the special-occasion tier
Don Julio (Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants No. 1)
Don Julio · Palermo · Guatemala 4699
1
#1
MUST TRY
Bife de chorizo, ojo de bife — the World's 50 Best parrilla
A Palermo parrilla that topped the World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2021 and stays near the top. Chef-owner Pablo Rivero made dry-aged Argentine beef a fine-dining event. The top special-occasion pick.
$50-100
(USD $50-100/person)
12:30-24:00 (daily)
Local tip: Reservations essential, 1-2 months ahead. Smart-casual dress.
Submarino, churros con chocolate — a heritage classic
Founded in 1858, Argentina's oldest and most famous café and a longtime haunt of the writer Jorge Luis Borges. A must-see classic, with a basement tango show (USD $30-80).
$10-25
(USD $10-25/person)
08:00-24:00 (daily)
Local tip: Expect a 30-60 minute queue; mornings are best.
Empanadas + a neighborhood parrilla steak + a café cortado.
Mid-Range
$30-70/day
A full parrilla dinner with Malbec + a classic café + an ice-cream (helado) stop.
Luxury
$120+/day
Don Julio or a tasting-menu parrilla + premium Malbec pairings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about food and restaurants in Buenos Aires.
What food must I try in Buenos Aires?
This is steak-and-wine country at its best: bife de chorizo (sirloin — Don Julio of World's 50 Best fame, La Cabrera as a favorite), empanadas (El Sanjuanino), choripán (a grilled-sausage sandwich), provoleta (grilled provolone), dulce de leche (Rapa Nui's gelato is the best), mate (the herbal tea ritual), and Malbec wine from Mendoza.
Which are the Michelin / World's 50 Best picks?
Don Julio (the Palermo parrilla named No. 1 in Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants, USD $50-100, book 1-2 months ahead); Tegui (chef Germán Martitegui's modern room); and Aramburu — all special-occasion choices.
What are the best historic cafés?
Café Tortoni (founded 1858, Argentina's oldest café, a Borges haunt, with a tango show); Las Violetas (founded 1884, a heritage café); La Brigada (San Telmo, since 1985, a Maradona haunt); and the Alvear Palace (since 1932). All are heritage classics.
Which tango show is best?
Faena Rojo Tango (the honeymoon pick, USD $200-400); La Ventana (USD $80-150); Esquina Carlos Gardel (the celebrity room on Gardel's home corner, USD $100-200); Café Tortoni (since 1858, USD $30-80); and a Salón Canning milonga (USD $5-15) for the local, social side.
Steakhouse vs parrilla — what's the difference?
They're effectively the same thing — a parrilla is the grill. Don Julio (World's 50 Best), La Cabrera (a favorite), La Brigada (San Telmo, a Maradona haunt), Parrilla Peña (the value pick), and Fervor (Recoleta) are the top picks.
Is Florería Atlántico worth it?
Yes — this Retiro bar was named No. 1 in the World's 50 Best Bars (2024), entered through a working flower shop. USD $30-60; reservations essential.
What does a meal cost by budget?
Budget USD $3-25 (El Sanjuanino empanadas, Café Tortoni, Las Violetas, Rapa Nui gelato); mid-range USD $30-80 (La Cabrera, La Brigada, Parrilla Peña, Fervor, Florería Atlántico); luxury USD $80-400 (Don Julio, Tegui, Faena Rojo Tango, Esquina Carlos Gardel, Alvear).
How do I avoid scams and overcharging?
Bring USD $100 bills and use the favorable parallel ('blue dollar') rate via Western Union — the inflation makes this matter. Check the menu for a cubierto (a small bread-and-cover charge, USD $2-5, not a service tip). Avoid La Boca after dark, and use Uber over street taxis.
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Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
30+ countries visited
Live exchange rate verified
Argentina