Best of Buenos Aires
Where locals eat in Buenos Aires
Start with El Preferido de Palermo in Palermo for the grilled meats and the tortilla, Banchero in La Boca for the fugazzeta, which this pizzeria claims to have invented in 1932 and El Cuartito in Barrio Norte for fugazzeta pizza. Here are all 12, with what to get at each.
- El Preferido de PalermoPalermo
Get: The grilled meats and the tortilla
Latin America's 50 Best #24 (2025) · Bodegón-style
- BancheroLa Boca · Argentine pizza
Get: the fugazzeta, which this pizzeria claims to have invented in 1932
Classic La Boca pizzeria and parrilla credited with inventing fugazzeta, a loud old-school Buenos Aires institution.
- El CuartitoBarrio Norte · Argentine pizza
Get: Fugazzeta pizza
Pizza and football memorabilia. Old-school Buenos Aires pizzeria since the 1930s, checkered tablecloths and fast counter service; known for thick fugazzeta.
- El FerroviarioLiniers · Argentine bodegón
Get: the asado ancho and roast suckling pig. The Club Ferroviario's dining room
Unpretentious Liniers bodegón popular for traditional Argentine home-style dishes and a neighborhood, no-frills feel.
- El ObreroLa Boca · Argentine bodegón
Get: the milanesa, ravioles and a seafood plate. Football scarves on the walls since 1954
Legendary La Boca bodegón loved by visitors and locals alike for classic steaks and old photos on the walls.
- La PipetaMicrocentro · Argentine bodegón
Get: the milanesa and grilled entrana. Office workers fill it at lunch since 1961
Old-school Microcentro bodegón with a devoted following for its picada and cheap, generous wine pours.
- Pizzería GüerrínCentro · Argentine pizza
Get: A slice of muzzarella pizza, standing
The classic porteño pizzeria. Classic stand-up pizza counter on Corrientes, famous for thick fugazzeta and decades of history.
- AlbamonteChacarita · Italian-Argentine
Get: the milanesa with generous sides. A Chacarita neighbourhood bodegon
Historic Chacarita bodegón serving old-fashioned Italian-Argentine dishes in a nostalgic, time-worn dining room.
- Café El SímboloAlmagro · cafe
Get: a cortado with medialunas, or a picada at night. An Almagro corner cafe
Old bar notable in Almagro, a classic corner cafe for coffee and a quiet read of the paper.
- El SanjuaninoRecoleta · Argentine regional
Get: the empanadas, tamales and locro. Regional cooking in a small room
Recoleta institution for empanadas and locro, a casual spot for classic Argentine regional food.
- Los BohemiosVilla Crespo · parrilla
Get: the milanesa napolitana and a big plate of pasta. A Club Atlanta crowd
Neighborhood parrilla in Villa Crespo known for simple grilled meats and an unpretentious, old-school feel.
- El GloboMonserrat · institution
Get: Puchero de tres carnes, the slow-boiled meat-and-vegetable classic
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What are the local restaurants in Buenos Aires?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with El Preferido de Palermo (Palermo), Banchero (La Boca) and El Cuartito (Barrio Norte). All 12 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At El Preferido de Palermo, get the grilled meats and the tortilla. At Banchero, get the fugazzeta, which this pizzeria claims to have invented in 1932. At El Cuartito, get fugazzeta pizza. At El Ferroviario, get the asado ancho and roast suckling pig. The Club Ferroviario's dining room.
Which neighborhood is best for local restaurants in Buenos Aires?
Most of these are in La Boca. The map on this page shows every one, numbered like the list.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Buenos Aires: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Buenos Aires
Local restaurants in other cities
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.