Travel Guide: Buenos Aires
Summary
Buenos Aires in english means fair winds or good airs. Personally, I noticed the amazing and refreshing breeze right away. And 'refreshing' is a good way to describe Beunos Aires as it has such a vibrant energy, complemented by parks, phenomenal restaurants and bars, active people and beatuiful architecture. We ate dinner at midnight, in a completely full restaurant, with the best steaks on our plates and local wine in our glasses. The warm climate brings everything together and makes Buenos Aires a Top 3 city for me. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Food & Drink
Top Restaurants
- Don Julio • So nice we had to do it twice! Don Julio is a neighbourhood institution, serving specialty steaks that are cooked to perfection. All the produce on the menu is organic and homegrown. The table-side Entrecôte for two people is an absolute must, and a trip down to the wine cellar will help you pick the perfect red!
- Atte. Pizzeria Napoletana • A great pizzeria with an awesome atmosphere. We sat at an indoor table that was surrounded by plants, so we felt outside. Outdoor seating was available on the side walk, which is great for summer nights out. Eating wood-fired pizza was a welcome break from all the amazing steak we had been eating in Argentina. The food was incredible.
- Gran Dabbang • A Latin American and Asian fusion restaurant in the Palermo neighbourhood. We have heard this restaurant is truly amazing, so get there early! There are no reservations at this hotspot.
Top Bars
- Floreria Atlantico • A speakeasy bar beneath a flower shop... need we say more? No. 5 on the Top 50 Bars list.
- Tres Monos • A small dive bar creating cocktails with house-made spirits and Argentinian ingredients. There's an outdoor patio, but we would recommend sitting at the 10 seat bar where all the action is!
- Presidente Bar • Presidente oozes style and elegance. It was packed when we entered, but we quickly got a spot at the bar. The bartenders deliver a spectacle as well as good drinks and the overall experience was enjoyable & memorable.
Markets
- Mercado San Telmo • One of my favourite indoor markets anywhere! The best and busiest day is Sunday when everything is open and bumping. Some of the best food that we had in Buenos Aires were from the cheap eateries inside San Telmo market.
- Feria de San Telmo (Antique Fair) • A lively antique fair that takes place on Sunday in the barrio neighbourhood of San Telmo. It's close to Mercado San Telmo, so combo them to have a great Sunday!
- Mercado de Pulgas (Flea Market) • This market is mostly antiques and knickknacks. It's interesting to visit, but may not be for everyone. However, this market is near one of the most exciting neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, Palermo Soho, so there are tons of restaurants, bars and shops around it to explore.
Other Food & Drink
More Food • Mishiguene, Hierro Parrilla San Telmo, Koko Bao Bar, Charlone 101, Anchoita, Café San Juan, Osaka, El Pobre Luis, Don Cosme
More Drinks • Cochinchina (one of our faves), Frank's, Diviiino Wine Bar, Bar 878, Doppelgänger, Uptown, Verne Club, The Harrison Speakeasy, Backroom Bar
Coffee Shops • Salvaje Bakery, Vive Cafe & Tres Coffee Shop.
Activities & Attractions
Top Activities
- Explore the parks of Buenos Aires • These parks include Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur and Tres de Febrero Park. They are so beatuiful on a sunny day and have an immense energy as people walk, run, roller blade and pedal boat in the
- Tango Show • There are many tango shows in Buenos Aires where you watch tango and even eat dinner. We've heard from locals that dinners can be overpriced, so do your research. Top venues for tango include: Rojo Tango, El Viejo Almacen & Tango Porteño, to name a few...
- Take in BA's beautiful neighbourhoods and markets • For us, one of the best activities in Buenos Aires was exploring all the neighbourhoods and markets. From parks, restaurants and shops, each neighbourhood we visited had something unique to offer. And almost every neighbourhood had its own feria (local fair) worth visiting.
Other Attractions (Sites, Parks, Etc.)
Sites • Recoleta Cemetery, Museo del Agua y de la Historia Sanitaria
Parks • Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, Tres de Febrero Park
Other Activities • Day Trip to Colonia del Sacramento (Uruguay), Le Tigre River Boat Tour, Football match
Stay
NEIGHBOURHOODS
San Telmo, Monserrat, La Boca and Palermo (the largest neighborhood in BA, Palermo is divided into three different quarters: Palermo Chico, the high-end quarter with magnificent mansions, regal avenues, exclusive apartment buildings and the largest park in the city, the Bosques de Palermo; Palermo Soho, a hip area known for its cool cafes, trendy design stores and busy weekend shoppers; and, Palermo Hollywood, renowned for its restaurants, bars and nightclubs, which make it the preferred spot for nights out.)