Where to eat in Buenos Aires: 6 restaurants in the Recoleta neighborhood
A neighborhood where period buildings take center stage, streets are steeped in history, and greenery splashes the pavement from time to time. But in these historical corners also lie gastronomic wonders worth savoring.
Classics, trendsetters, for the discerning palate, and others that invite any diner simply looking to have a great feast. There are even those that appear in distinguished international rankings. But Recoleta is much more than its famous cemetery, and its unexplored corners offer just a glimpse of some of the most outstanding gastronomic jewels in the City of Buenos Aires.
Aramburu
(Vicente López 1661)
One of the stars of the tour, or rather, 2 stars... Michelin stars. The reason? It's part of Relais & Châteaux, an international organization that brings together the most important luxury restaurants in the world. Its owner, Gonzalo Aramburu, bets on a sensory experience that links local culture with top-quality Argentine products. The result is creative dishes with unique aromas, where each bite is a one-way journey for those who choose this coordinate as their culinary decision of the day. Like any good restaurant, the wine list also stands out, creating a perfect symbiosis between flavors and pairings from over 120 available labels. Additionally, it has remained within the top 50 restaurants in Latin America for five consecutive years, according to the prestigious ranking The World’s Best, and recently, in November 2023, it was awarded 2 Michelin stars, being the only restaurant in Argentina to receive this distinction.
Lima
(Rodríguez Peña 1967)
Nikkei cuisine finds its place in the Recoleta neighborhood. Traditional oriental techniques seamlessly fuse Peruvian-Japanese cuisine: ceviches, lime causa, sake tartares, and sushi rolls with avant-garde touches. The gastronomy matches the setting, with a glass ceiling offering views of the starry sky intertwined with some trees. Dim lights, a visible bar, and the tableware complete the profile of a high-end restaurant hidden in this corner of Buenos Aires.
El Burladero
(Uriburu 1488)
The Spanish corner that never disappoints in a city where Spanish cuisine is commonplace. With a decoration involving red and yellow flags and jerseys, this place exudes Spanish gastronomy in all its formats, respecting original recipes and providing a unique experience. Seafood is plentiful on the menu, as well as tortilla, garlic shrimp, ham legs, and even the famous churros with hot chocolate. In terms of beverages, highlights include the tinto de verano and draft cider. The curious fact is that it received certification as an ambassador of quality Spanish cuisine in Argentina, being the first restaurant to obtain this distinction within the country.
Rufino
(Quintana 465)
Hidden in the basement of a boutique hotel is this restaurant specialized in the best Argentina has to offer: beef. The entire grill menu is worthy of tasting, with nods to beef empanadas and available vegetable accompaniments. Cuts like sirloin steak, skirt steak, and ribeye are favorites, although they also prepare lamb racks and pork tenderloins. Wooden tables combined with leather upholstery and wine bottles camouflaged in the decor make the atmosphere ideal for relaxing in the neighborhood.
Invernadero
(Agüero 2502)
The best-kept secret of the National Library. The setting is spectacular because it has as its premise views of the architecture of one of the most beautiful places in the city: the library. But aside from the backdrop, this bar specializes in gin served on tap, made with in-house distillation processes, which enables an extensive cocktail menu catering to all tastes. The culinary accompaniment includes a selection of tapas ranging from tortilla to trout tartare, roasted eggplants, stuffed chipá, and Argentine meat.
Marti
(Rodríguez Peña 1973)
A vegetarian restaurant led by the famous chef Germán Martitegui. In the past, he owned Tegui, one of the top 10 restaurants in Latin America according to Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants. After that phase of his life, he opened the doors of a new gastronomic venue without meats. The entrance is through a clothing design store, crossing a hallway to reach the place. The menu brings together gourmet hints that characterize the brilliant mind behind it, and the star is the mushroom shawarma, an innovative proposal that captures the attention of the most curious. Ricotta and mushroom gnocchi, grilled salsify with peanuts, and more avant-garde dishes. The novelty is that, apart from offering seats for lunch and dinner, it also provides alternatives for brunch. It was also mentioned in the Michelin Guide as one of the recommended restaurants in Buenos Aires.