Are you one of those people who, even before leaving for Buenos Aires, are already dreaming of a good Argentine barbecue? Or maybe drowning in dulce de leche? Media lunas for breakfast? What’s not lacking in our neighbors’ capital is good food! But before you fall into the temptation of falling for tourist pranks in Puerto Madero and spending a fortune on meals that aren’t even that good, how about checking out our tips on how to eat cheaply in Buenos Aires and still leave there licking your chops?
The tips were gathered during the two seasons that I lived in Buenos Aires, and in a few more short visits. There’s typical Argentine food, there’s international food, there’s self-service and there’s a hamburger restaurant. There are restaurants for all tastes! And the best part: the prices for fancy meals are nowhere near those charged in Brazilian capitals. Come with me?
Read too:
• What to do in Buenos Aires: complete guide to attractions
• Where to stay in Buenos Aires: hotel and hostel tips
• Places to drink craft beers in Buenos Aires
• How to save in Buenos Aires: 8 tips for spending little
• Cubierto: what is table service in Argentine restaurants
8 restaurants to eat cheaply in Buenos Aires while still filling your belly
This restaurant seems unanimous. Absolutely everyone who gave us tips on where to eat in Buenos Aires mentioned Sarkis, to the point that it is often considered the best restaurant in the city.
But if you’re thinking that you’ll find barbecue and chorizo steak there, you can stay out of the rain. Sarkis is an Armenian food restaurant. That’s right!
It turns out that, at the beginning of the 20th century, the city received a wave of immigrants from Armenia who were fleeing the genocide caused by the Turks. These people ended up becoming part of Buenos Aires life, influencing the culture and, why not, the gastronomy.
Almost a hundred years after this sad episode, Sarkis is not only the most famous Armenian restaurant in the region, but also one of the hottest. And we at 360meridianos join the chorus to say that you need to have dinner there on your trip to Buenos Aires. The problem is just getting into the place. Every day there is a huge queue. The best way is to arrive early, at 8pm, to try to secure a table. On the three occasions I was at the restaurant, the tactic never failed.
If you’re in doubt about what to order, take my advice and try the lamb kafta with yogurt accompanied by piaf rice. As a starter, a good option is our well-known raw kibe. And if you have room for dessert, the glass of soverte with whiskey and nuts won’t disappoint. Look, the waiter even laughed at my shocked face because of the size of the dessert. In fact, all the dishes in the restaurant are more than well served and at a very reasonable price.
In total, we paid 300 pesos for the meal for two, with tip. Although inflation has already caused this price to rise considerably, the price in relation to the real has not increased so much and this continues to be a great option for eating very well in Buenos Aires without emptying your pockets.
Address: Calle Thames, 1101
Better known as “the best burger in Buenos Aires”, Burguer Joint is just a small door near Plaza Serrano, a trendy bohemian and gastronomic area in Palermo. If we weren’t paying attention, we wouldn’t even realize that the place is famous, but the restaurant is revered by food lovers. hamburgers throughout the city. And, look, whether it’s the best I can’t say, but it’s very good. The menu is inspired by the typical flavors of different countries, such as Jamaica, the United States and Mexico.
Things there work in a very unpretentious way. You arrive, go to the cashier, pay for your order and wait. When it’s ready, you pick up the burger yourself, which is served in a lunch box. The combo with fries and soda costs 100 pesos, but for 10 pesos more you can exchange the soda for a glass of craft beer, which is also delicious.
Address: Jorge Luis Borges, 1776
-
Naturally Granix (vegetarian)
Argentine cuisine is even more focused on meat consumption than Brazilian cuisine. At least that was my impression during the time I lived in Buenos Aires. My scales and I were tired of having to resort to pizzas, empanadas and pasta every time we wanted a dish without the presence of animals. So it was great to discover a 100% vegetarian restaurant right in the city center.
Naturally Granix is a buffet-style restaurant that serves a range of vegan and vegetarian dishes. There are a lot of options and can be a help for those who adopt one of these diets and are lost in a carnivorous city.
And the best thing is that they work on an all-inclusive basis and you pay a fixed amount to eat whatever you want, including dessert and a soft drink. It may not be the cheapest meal by Buenos Aires standards, but the variety of dishes available is good and, if we convert, it continues to pay off.
Address: Galeria Guilmes – Calle Florida, 165
Aquí me Quedo is located in a busy block in San Telmo, right next to the market and close to Mafalda, one of my favorite places in the neighborhood because of the little shops and the atmosphere on the street on weekends.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants there and what we chose for a pleasant Sunday afternoon was this very cool Mexican restaurant. It’s a good place to order a beer and chat for a while. On the menu, nachos, tacos, sandwiches and bites.
Address: Corner of Calle Chile and Defensa
You may already be asking yourself: “But how come a list of restaurants in Buenos Aires doesn’t have any that serve parrilla?” So, my friends, I introduce you to Don Julio.
A very traditional house in the city, the restaurant is a favorite among locals and not so well known among the tourist crowds. The meats are tender and tasty, the atmosphere is pleasant and calm, decorated with bottles of wine signed by customers. The bill was around 200 pesos per person.
Address: Calle Guatemala, 4691
Some say that this small restaurant serves the best empanadas in Buenos Aires. I don’t know if it’s that much, but they’re really very good, that’s what they are. The place is discreet and very simple, with the feel of a neighborhood restaurant, but it is very traditional and has friendly waiters. Good stop for those exploring Recoleta or the parks of Palermo.
Address: Calle Posadas, 1515 (Recoleta)
Calle Sánchez de Bustamante 1788 (Palermo)
I didn’t know that breaded steak was a typical Argentine food until I came here and came across them everywhere. They are on executive menus, in street food stalls, by the kilo restaurants and even in sandwiches. And one of the best places to enjoy this popular food in the country is at Club de la Milanesa.
It was a blog reader, Renata Nobre, who told us about this place for the first time. But to be honest, we only tried the Club’s milanesas for the first time in Córdoba, but it is part of a chain of restaurants present in the largest cities in Argentina. In Buenos Aires alone there are eleven branches. There is one close to the Recoleta Cemetery. Here’s a tip if you’re passing by.
The place has a pleasant and beautiful atmosphere, great to sit and enjoy lunch calmly. On the menu, you can choose milanesas with different sauces and toppings. The portions are huge, take up an entire plate and even come with a garnish of your choice. It is also possible to order dishes for two or three people.
My favorite is the Patagonian milanese, which comes with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, arugula and herbs. The one with four cheese sauce is also delicious. Expect to spend around 110 pesos per person.
In addition to the chef’s dish, the restaurant also serves pasta, salads, bites and portions.
Click here to check the different addresses.
Another really cool place for those who want to try warm, typically Buenos Aires empanadas. Casa de la Nona has two units in Belgrano and serves different flavors of empanadas and pizzas. You can eat in, order takeaway or even order delivery. The empanadas are delicious and perfect to satisfy your hunger in the middle of the day. I lived close to one of the units and splurged at least once a week.
Addresses: Cabildo 222 / Moroe 2886
Official site
Travel insurance for Argentina
Taking out travel insurance is essential, even for countries as close as Argentina and Uruguay. No matter how close it is to home, it is best to travel protected so as not to suffer from unforeseen events.
The good news is that it is possible to take out good travel insurance for around 10 reais per day. To do this, we recommend using a search engine like Seguros Promo, which compares the main insurance companies and ensures that you find the best value for money, according to your needs.
Furthermore, blog readers are entitled to an exclusive discount coupon: 360MERIDIANOS05. See some of the offers below and choose yours:
Where to stay in Buenos Aires
The main neighborhoods to stay in Buenos Aires are:
- center
- San Telmo
- Recoleta
- Palermo
The first two are for those who want to save money, stay close to everything and don’t mind clutter. Recoleta and Palermo have more expensive accommodation, but they are more upscale and beautiful neighborhoods. You can find out more about the regions in our post Where to stay in Buenos Aires.
Recommended accommodations in Buenos Aires:
Find hotels in Buenos Aires
