Local dining is famous for the quantity and quality of meat offered, but visitors may chose from a wide variety of regional dishes and cuisine influenced by the immigrants who settled here from across Europe and Asia.
In Buenos Aires there are
Italian, Spanish, Japanese, French, Nordic, Mexican Chinese, Arab, Turkish and
Armenian restaurants.
There are also a number of restaurants that serve aphrodisiac, vegetarian
and macrobiotic food. The variety of restaurants covers
a range from sophisticated to fast food chains
satisfying every taste and every pocket.
The most popular meal is "el asado" or "parrillada", a mixed grill of steak and other cuts which no visiting carnivore should miss. A traditional parrillada includes meat, sausages, chinchulines (small intestines), riñones (kidneys) and morcilla (blood sausage), but don't let that put you off unless you are a vegetarian. It is prepared over charcoal or a wood fire and accompanied by chimichurri, a tasty marinade and often served with different types of salads and/or fried potatoes.
There are also restaurants often referred as "Parrilladas" that strictly serve barbecued meat and chicken. Some of them are called "Tenedor Libre" and they are "All You Can Eat" for a fixed price.
There are a number of local fast-dishes called
"minutas". Not to
be confused with fast-food chains food. These are dishes that take a short
time to prepare but are not as unhealthy as the famous fast food. They are
often served in restaurants and bars, and the most popular are: "milanesa"
(breaded meat) with fried potatoes, the empanadas (dough filled small
portions of ground meat, olives, boiled egg and spices. There are many
other combinations, too)
, pizzas,
salads and pasta
among others.
As dessert, it is common to see Porteños having fresh fruits, ice cream or flan with "dulce de leche" (sweet caramel). We recommend that you try the flan because it is delicious and a typical delicacy.
In
Buenos Aires people are used to eating dinner rather
late, around
10pm, in both homes and public places.
The Argentine people drink mate. A traditional drink very similar to the taste of ‘tea’, to know more about it click here.
For a list of restaurants by cuisine and neighborhood, visit www.restaurant.com.ar.