Feeling Homesick in Buenos Aires?
Have you been living in Buenos Aires for a few months and you’re starting to feel homesick? Or maybe you’re nervous to move to Buenos Aires because you’re worried you’ll miss the USA?
Then this article is just for you, my friend.
Today I’m sharing how you can combat homesickness if you’re an American living in Buenos Aires, Argentina. You may miss home but there are many places you can go to help you feel like you’re back in the USA.
Let me know in the comments below what you’re going to try!
Moving to Buenos Aires? Check out this activity list I created with over 50 things you have to do when living in or visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina!
Here are 7 Places You Can Go to Combat Feeling Homesick in Buenos Aires:
Movies
Go to one of the many movie theaters in Buenos Aires. Movies filmed in the USA are in English and have Spanish subtitles. Once the movie theater lights are dimmed and the movie starts you are transported back to any typical American movie theater. And don’t forget some buttery popcorn and a Coca-Cola to complete the movie theater experience!
We spent many Fridays and Saturdays at the movie theater in Recoleta. We enjoyed escaping the city noise for a few hours and being entertained by movies we would have seen back home in the USA.
Kansas
Kansas is a great restaurant if you’re missing American food. But be warned, it is pricey. A meal here for two people will likely cost you around $60-$80 USD. Kansas has a few locations in and around Buenos Aires but we always went to the Palermo location. It was usually very busy on the weekends so expect to wait up to 45 minutes for a table.
But once you sit down in a booth and start reading the menu you’ll feel like you’re back home (except for the spanish lol). Typical appetizers include chicken wings, spinach dip and potato skins.
Their most popular entrees were BBQ ribs, hamburgers, pastas and steaks. For desserts you could get traditional American strawberry cheesecake or try a taste of Argentina with dulce de leche cheesecake!
My favorite go-to meal at Kansas was: spinach dip, caesar salad, grilled salmon, baked potato with all the American fixings and strawberry cheesecake! Literally made me feel like I was back at home but I was still able to practice my Spanish!
Another favorite from Kansas is the annual American Thanksgiving dinner. Each Thanksgiving, you can place an order for their traditional American dinner which typically includes turkey, cranberry, mashed potatoes and pumpkin or pecan pie just to name a few.
If you feel “stuck” in Buenos Aires over Thanksgiving and you’re missing home then I definitely suggest heading over to Kansas for a traditional meal that will make you feel like you’re back in the USA.
Chicken Bros
Craving chicken wings? Or any kind of American food? Then head over to Chicken Bros in Palermo. Chicken Bros was started by an American living in Buenos Aires so it’s the real deal. Their chicken wings are so delicious. One look at the menu and you’ll spot all your American cravings.
They also have events or specials on American holidays such as July 4th. And you can expect your favorite American football game to be on if it’s football season! Prefer to eat your messy chicken wings at home? They will deliver!
Malls
The malls in Buenos Aires may not have all the stores you’re used to, but there are lots of great stores and restaurants to choose from. And their malls have a very Western feel to them. Wander through the clothing stores, pick out some chocolate to take home and grab some food at the food court. After spending a few hours at any Buenos Aires mall you’ll feel a little less homesick.
My favorites were the Recoleta Urban Mall and Alto Palermo Shopping.
Starbucks
Honestly, I never went to Starbucks until I lived in Buenos Aires. I’m not a coffee drinker (tea for me!) but I loved the feeling Starbucks gave me when I was living abroad - feeling like I was back home. The food and drinks were familiar. And this may not sound like a big deal but they play American music.
Each Saturday & Sunday, Andrew and I would go to Starbucks for breakfast and it was so nice to just sit there and dream about our future life. It’s one of my favorite memories from living in Buenos Aires.
I would also go to Starbucks some days while Andrew was at work to get out of my apartment and be around people. I took a book and would sit there for an hour or so reading and eating a pan de queso.
While they have some South American favorites like pan de queso you can also find your American favorites too like blueberry muffins or a lemon loaf.
American Fast Food
Of course Buenos Aires has a plethora of American fast foods to choose from. Anything from KFC, McDonalds, Subway and Burger King. So if you’re craving a taste of home and you’re on a budget, head over to one of these places to pick up a good ole American burger or sandwich.
Jays American
Breakfast has never felt more American than at Jay’s. Jay’s is located on the edge of Recoleta and I only wish we had found it sooner! They serve their infamous American breakfasts all day. And when I say American breakfasts, think scrambled eggs, real bacon, hash browns, white toast, pancakes and waffles. They even use American cheese on their cheesy eggs.
Their big fluffy pancakes rival those I’ve eaten in the USA. But if you want to keep it a little Argentine, you can get a dollop of dulce de leche instead of syrup!
Their dining room is a bit small so be prepared to wait for a table if you go on the weekend. But they also offer takeaway if you prefer to take your breakfast back to your apartment.
And the prices are so low (compared to getting breakfast in the USA). Affordable, delicious and makes you feel like you’re back home? Sounds like the perfect weekend breakfast spot!
As you can see there are many places you can go when you start feeling homesick in Buenos Aires. Many Americans have settled in Buenos Aires and have brought the American culture with them to share.
There are probably many places I’ve left off this list. If you have a favorite spot to feel like you’re back in the USA or eat American food at, share in the comments below so all our readers can enjoy your favorite spots too!
Some of these places were my regular go-to’s whenever I was homesick and I hope this list helps you too when you’re missing home.
