5 Foods You Must Try in Buenos Aires
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Are you planning to travel to Buenos Aires and you want to be sure you try the best Argentine foods? Keep reading...you’re in the right spot.
And also be sure to check out this activity list I created with over 50 things you have to do in Buenos Aires, Argentina!
I’ve lived in Buenos Aires for 2.5 years and while there are many uniquely Argentine foods you’ll want to eat, I’m sharing with you 5 basic foods you will not want to miss out on while you’re here. And trust me, you would definitely be missing out if you travelled all the way to Argentina and didn’t try these 5 foods! What a bummer!
Be sure to check out our YouTube video that includes lots of video and photos of these delicious foods →
Is your mouth watering yet? Good….let’s talk Argentine food!
#1 - Medialunas
These are small croissants but they’re slightly sweeter than what you’re used to. There are 2 types to choose from - Medialunas de grasa or medialunas de manteca. Medialunas de grasa are thinner, sometimes even a little crunchy and less sweet. But the favorite among Argentines are medialunas de manteca. They’re plumpier and have more bread inside of them with a light sweet glaze on top.
They’re great with your morning drink of choice. Not only do Argentines have them as a breakfast food but they’re also a staple at their merienda, which is a small snack in the afternoon (usually around 4:30pm) to hold them over until dinnertime (usually 8:30-9pm). If you’re from the USA, waiting until 9pm for dinner is hard...so a snack is definitely needed!
Be sure to go to any cafe or any bakery and order a few for yourself to really enjoy. I’m sure you’ll go back each morning for more!
#2 - Provoleta
Provoleta is a big chunk of provolone cheese that they typically cook in a cast iron skillet or on the parrilla. It’s cooked until it’s crispy on the outside and the middle is still soft and gooey. It’s typically topped with herbs or dried tomatoes or pancetta. It’s definitely a favorite here in Buenos Aires. You will find provoleta served everywhere here - from the food trucks to the high end steakhouses. Typically the food trucks will serve it in a sandwich and nicer steakhouses will serve it as an appetizer.
You can also find provoleta in the grocery stores here already cut into 2-inch thick slices. All you have to do is put it in the oven when you get home! Disfruta!
#3 - Alfajores
Do you like sweets? I hope so because you’re going to love this sweet treat. Alfajores are a cookie dessert made of two shortbread cookies sandwiched together with dulce de leche. The dulce de leche is super creamy. And if the alfajores are made right, the shortbread cookies are soft so they hold their shape but as soon as they hit your mouth they start to crumble and melt away. Que rico! So delicious!
Sometimes they will also sprinkle the cookie with coconut or even dip the entire cookie in chocolate. There are definitely many variations to try. You should count how many unique ones you find on your trip to Buenos Aires!
#4 - Empanadas
I’m sure you’re familiar with empanadas but they had to go on this list. Because the empanadas here in Argentina are next level compared to the ones you may have already had. Basically an empanada is a dough that is either baked in the oven or fried and can have many different fillings. Everything from meat, cheese, vegetables, corn, chicken, etc.
The fillings will also differ depending on where you are located in Argentina. If you’re way down south in Ushuaia, you’ll find empanadas filled with crab. In Bariloche (the beginning of the Patagonia region in the West), empanadas will be filled with a local river fish. Of course you’ll find the typical meat filled ones everywhere but trying new fillings when you travel around Argentina is lots of fun and delicious.
A lot of empanada places also have sweet empanadas filled with dulce de leche. Be sure to try those too! And yes, Argentines will basically put dulce de leche on or in anything they can!
#5 - The Meats
Obviously you know Argentina is famous for their meat, especially their steaks. But the choripan is also a popular street food here in Buenos Aires. It’s a sausage split down the middle, sandwiched in a baguette and topped with chimichurri sauce. In lieu of a sauce, a mix of diced onion, bell peppers and tomatoes is also a popular topping.
When you come to Argentina, you’ve got to try some of the meat. And of course you’ll be able to find their mouthwatering meat anywhere from food trucks to expensive steakhouses. Basically anyplace that says, “Parrilla”...they will be serving you steak and other meats (and some sides!).
There you have it! These are the foods I recommend you have to try when you travel to Buenos Aires. Let me know down in the comments what foods you’re looking forward to trying the most.
Okay, I didn’t want to only give you food. And since you’re still with me on this blog post….
There are also many beverages that are unique to Argentina that you have to be sure to try while you’re visiting! But here are two classics to get you started!
*Beverage Bonus*
#1 - Mate
Mate is a tea made from the yerba mate plant that is drunk from a special cup also called a mate with a very specific straw called a bombilla. The preparer will put loose mate leaves in the mate cup, with the straw already in position. Then you add warm water on top (not boiling water like regular tea). The leaves will settle down and you can take a strong short sip. You take a few sips then pass it around to your friends/family in your group. You’ll see people sitting in groups sharing a mate all over the city and in the workplace.
And it’s super common to see people walking around Buenos Aires with a mate cup in their hand, and a thermos kit over their shoulder or under their arm. I would say mate is more common/culturally important than coffee in Argentina.
#2 - Malbec
You guys knew this one was coming. Malbec. Argentina’s Mendoza region produces world-renowned Malbecs and they are divine. And when you’re here in Argentina, the wine produced here is pretty cheap in cost. You can easily find delicious Malbecs that cost anywhere from $7 - $40 USD. And $40 will get you a realllly nice bottle of wine.
But the best way to experience Argentinas Malbecs is by taking a quick one or two day side trip to Mendoza and visit the wineries to experience Malbec first hand. You’ll be able to taste many different variations and bottled years and they’re a pretty generous pour at those tastings! The most generous I’ve experienced globally!
Alright guys, that’s gonna round out the list of foods and beverages you must try when you’re visiting Argentina. If you try everything on this list, I promise, not only will you eat some terrific food but you’ll get a great taste of Argentine culture.
Moving to or visiting Buenos Aires? Be sure to check out this activity list I created with over 50 things you have to do when you’re in Buenos Aires!
Check out some of the blogs below for more Argentina content to help you plan your trip!
