Disappointed with Food in Argentina

I keep hearing how great pasta and milanesas are In Buenos Aires but do not find this the case except in very few cases. I like to ask the members for their Best recommendations for pasta and milanesas in Buenos Aires
I remember having spectacular pasta dishes at La Alacena years ago, but those luxuries are cost prohibitive for me now. For Milenesa? I used to love Los Galgos and El Preferido, F5 Cantina and Olí Cafe but, again, I haven't been in the last couple years and as those places are mentioned on so many lists, I'm not sure they've kept up the quality. The prices for dining out are just too high to justify. Many places are doing sandwiches, no sides for over $20. Those places are packed, daily. Not sure where the money tree is, but I'd love to find it so I could enjoy exploring the culinary scene again. Roux was also a favorite for special occasions, easily on par with any fancy restaurant elsewhere.
 
Last edited:
Argentines are happy with just pasta, pizza, empanadas and parrilla. 90% of restaurants offer just that.
I was content with the Argentine Standard Menu for probably the first two years I was here, but the longer I'm here the more I'm tired of it. We're at the point we're seriously considering relocating to Brazil, getting some land and enjoying life in a place that has cheaper, seasoned food.
 
I remember having spectacular pasta dishes at La Alacena years ago, but those luxuries are cost prohibitive for me now. For Milenesa? I used to love Los Galgos and El Preferido, F5 Cantina and Olí Cafe but, again, I haven't been in the last couple years and as those places are mentioned on so many lists, I'm not sure they've kept up the quality. The prices for dining out are just too high to justify. Many places are doing sandwiches, no sides for over $20. Those places are packed, daily. Not sure where the money tree is, but I'd love to find it so I could enjoy exploring the culinary scene again. Roux was also a favorite for special occasions, easily on par with any fancy restaurant elsewher
Food choices are VERY limited, but the food itself is not terrible. Fresh pasta dishes are great, and steak, chorizos, milanesas and fried potatoes are also very good. But that's about it.

Ethnic restaurants are dismal when compared with those in the Washington, DC. area. Haven't been able to find decent spring rolls - tried them in several places and were greasy, heavy, and tasteless.

Argentines are happy with just pasta, pizza, empanadas and parrilla. 90% of restaurants offer just that.

Food choices are VERY limited, but the food itself is not terrible. Fresh pasta dishes are great, and steak, chorizos, milanesas and fried potatoes are also very good. But that's about it.

Ethnic restaurants are dismal when compared with those in the Washington, DC. area. Haven't been able to find decent spring rolls - tried them in several places and were greasy, heavy, and tasteless.

Argentines are happy with just pasta, pizza, empanadas and parrilla. 90% of restaurants offer just that.
there is a chinese place that does great spring rolls and the Best dumplings in argentina . Its a hole in the walll place in a abandoned block in congreso . It has the highest reviews on Google at 4.9 .their sweet and sour pork is sublime .

 
Last edited:
I was content with the Argentine Standard Menu for probably the first two years I was here, but the longer I'm here the more I'm tired of it. We're at the point we're seriously considering relocating to Brazil, getting some land and enjoying life in a place that has cheaper, seasoned food.
Don’t find the food in Brazil to be any better?
You must like beans and rice a lot?
 
I love Argentina but yes the food sucks here. Parilla is great but it's about all these people eat + unseasoned meat gets boring after a while. The taste pallet here is blunt and muted.

Don't get me started on the abominations they call pizzas here, what a joke. Throw half a kilo of cheese on some soggy dough and add 5 green olives with some spinach, price: $40,000 pesos
 
Don’t find the food in Brazil to be any better?
You must like beans and
brazil has vastly superior snacks than argentina and its buffets much more varied and higher quality food at prices up to three times less . tje cuisine is very varied with great middle eastern and japonese influences in all major cities
 
I love Argentina but yes the food sucks here. Parilla is great but it's about all these people eat + unseasoned meat gets boring after a while. The taste pallet here is blunt and muted.

Don't get me started on the abominations they call pizzas here, what a joke. Throw half a kilo of cheese on some soggy dough and add 5 green olives with some spinach, price: $40,000

New York has amazing pizza and much cheaper than Buenos Aires . Here is industrial cheese no sauce very little toppings . look at this pizza from new york and just cry

 
there is a chinese place that does great spring rolls and the Best dumplings in argentina . Its a hole in the walll place in a abandoned block in congreso . It has the highest reviews on Google at 4.9 .their sweet and sour pork is sublime .

This is good timing because I have an appointment on that block today.

On the topic of Chinese food, I met a girl who recently moved here from China and I asked her where she likes to eat. She highly recommend Jianghu for hot pot.

I haven't been yet, but I tried to go once at 7pm and it was booked up for the whole night. So reservations are required, but it looked like the real deal.

She also recommended JuaJua Ramen (also haven't been yet, but it looks good!)
 
Don’t find the food in Brazil to be any better?
You must like beans and rice a lot?
I mean, I do like beans and rice a lot, but it's not just that. I strongly, strongly recommend getting out and just trying various places if you're in Brazil, and you'll find a pretty solid variety of options, fantastic fruits and vegetables, and meat that was cooked with seasoning.

Even KFC seems to have lost its 11 herbs and spices in the translation to the Argentine palate.

This country has a ton of great ingredients if you know where to look and who to talk to to get your meat and vegetables, but none of that quality makes it to the restaurants.
 
Back
Top