Looking for the best steakhouses in Buenos Aires? As a former local, I’ve tried a few – here are my tried-and-true choices.
Argentina takes its meat seriously – it is, after all, the country that consumes the most beef in the world.
Over the centuries, Argentines have perfected the art of cooking steak, turning the simple act of grilling over fire into something closer to a ritual.
Walk past a neighbourhood parrilla on a weeknight and you’ll see families lingering over shared plates, waiters carrying sizzling slabs of beef and friends clinking wine glasses. A parrilla – a steakhouse (but also the name of the actual grill) – isn’t just a restaurant, it’s part of the country’s social fabric.
In Buenos Aires, there’s everything from old-school dining rooms with white tablecloths to modern spots doing a sharper take on the classics, but the fundamentals don’t change: excellent beef, simple seasoning, a hot grill and an asador (grillmaster) in charge of it all.
In this guide, I’m sharing my favourite steak restaurants in Buenos Aires, from old-school neighbourhood parrillas to the big-name institutions you book weeks ahead, plus a couple of asado experiences that are worth considering if you want to go a little deeper.
This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
The best steak restaurants in Buenos Aires
Here are the places I always return to and always recommend visitors eat at if they’re after excellent steak in Buenos Aires.
How to order steak in Buenos Aires
To order steak, ask for it:
- Jugoso – medium rare (pink and juicy)
- A punto – medium
- Bien cocido – well done
On the menu, you’ll find cuts of meat similar to what you’re used to, but here’s what to look for in Spanish:
- Bife de lomo – tenderloin / filet mignon
- Bife de chorizo – sirloin / strip-style cut
- Ojo de bife – ribeye
- Entraña – skirt steak
- Vacío – flank steak
- Asado de tira – beef short ribs, cut crosswise
- Costillas – ribs (usually beef unless specified)
- Costillas de cordero – lamb ribs / rack-style chops
Fogón Asado
If you want one steakhouse experience in Buenos Aires that stands out from the classic, white-tablecloth parrilla, make it Fogón Asado.
This is upscale asado at its best, a set menu where everything is cooked over fire right in front of you on an enormous grill spitting out flames and smoke. It’s intimate and communal, with guests seated around the action so you can actually watch the asadors at work and ask questions.
This Michelin-recommended restaurant is now Number 22 on the World’s Best Steakhouses rankings, which means it’s also the hottest ticket in town. Book well in advance.
Fogón’s signature experience is its 9-course Tasting Menu (with lunch and dinner sittings), designed to take you through Argentine ingredients and techniques. If you really want to splurge, there’s also a Chef’s Counter option with just 10 seats and a more extensive 14-course menu, paired with higher-end wines.
This is a night you won’t forget with some of the best steak in Buenos Aires – everyone I talk to who’s been here still raves about the experience.
Address: Gorriti 3780 and Uriarte 1423 (both in Palermo)
Booking required? Yes – it’s by reservation only. Book online here (and read my full Fogón Asado review if you’re keen to know more about this experience)
Website
Parrilla Peña
If you’re looking for a classic Buenos Aires parrilla that still feels like a proper neighbourhood institution, Parrilla Peña is the one. It was my local steakhouse and one of my favourite parrillas in Buenos Aires when I lived here, and I keep coming back to it every time I return to the city.
While it’s become better known over the years (so yes, you’ll see tourists), it hasn’t lost its local feel. The tables are covered in white tablecloths, the walls are lined with wine bottles and the wait staff are still the same, year after year.
The chimichurri here is excellent, punchy without being harsh. And you’ll usually get a complimentary empanada (fried, too – my favourite) when you sit down, which is a nice start while you’re deciding what to order.
If you only choose one cut, make it the entraña. It’s the standout and it’s often enormous, easily enough for two. If you’re not starving, ask whether they can do a half portion or plan to take leftovers away with you.
We always keep the sides simple (a simple salad and fries) and save room for dessert because their flan mixto (flan with both whipped cream and dulce de leche) is exactly what you want after a big parrilla meal.
Address: Rodríguez Peña 682
Booking required? Parrilla Peña doesn’t take reservations – walk-ins only
Website
Top tip! Most restaurants will have both salsa criolla and chimichurri. Salsa criolla is a flavour-packed sauce made of onions, capsicums (bell peppers), tomatoes, garlic, vinegar and olive oil. Chimichurri is made with parsley, garlic, olive oil and vinegar, and often with chilli flakes or oregano.
Don Julio
No list of the best steakhouses in Buenos Aires is complete without mentioning Don Julio. It’s consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world (not just best steakhouse, best restaurants) so it’s one of those places that has crossed over into “must-do” territory.
The room is always buzzing: packed tables, plenty of red wine and excited customers ready to take their first bite. Even though it’s famous, it’s retained its friendly, welcoming vibe. It feels like a busy neighbourhood institution that just happens to be on everyone’s radar now.
Order-wise, I like to start with provoleta or a couple of empanadas or one of their tomato dishes, then go for a shared cut or two. Bife de chorizo and ojo de bife are reliably good picks. The wine list is excellent and you don’t need to spend a fortune to drink well here: even a mid-range Malbec will do the job.
You’ll need to make a reservation well in advance (I’ve heard of people making them months ahead of their trip). If you arrive without one, be prepared for a decent wait, although they do take the edge off with a glass of bubbles while you hover hopefully outside.
Can’t get a reservation? Don’t worry – just go to another place on this list of the best steakhouses in Buenos Aires.
Address: Guatemala 4699
Booking required? Definitely – if you can get one for one of the most popular Buenos Aires parrillas. Otherwise, turn up and hope for the best as they do accept walk-ins when there’s space available and you’re prepared to wait
Website
What is an asado?
Here’s a quick glossary, because you might be confused by the different terms.
- Asado: The actual meal and the social event of enjoying said meal (what most people would call a barbecue).
- Parrilla: The grill itself, but also the word for a steakhouse in Argentina.
- Asador: The person running the fire and cooking (a respected role – always clap for the asador!).
In short: you eat an asado, cooked on a parrilla, by an asador.
La Brigada
You know just how tender your meat is when the waiter cuts it with a spoon in front of you. That’s the signature move at La Brigada, and while it sounds a little theatrical, it’s really just a fun way of showing what they do best: properly tender, expertly cooked steak.
It’s also a great San Telmo option when you want something classic rather than trendy. This is a Buenos Aires institution and it’s been around for more than 30 years – which is saying something in a city filled with quality steakhouses.
Order a classic cut, add a couple of sides, and let the steak be the main event. Service is efficient and friendly, and the staff are used to helping visitors find the right cut for them.
If you’re planning to go on a Sunday, the San Telmo neighbourhood gets busy fast. Aim for an earlier sitting and you’ll dodge the worst of the queues.
Address: Estados Unidos 465
Booking required? Book ahead for weekends (especially Sundays), but they also take walk-ins (I’ve never had a problem getting a table)
Website
La Cabrera
La Cabrera has been a Palermo Soho staple for years, and it still draws a nightly crowd.
What sets La Cabrera apart isn’t just the steak, it’s the scale of the whole experience. Portions are big, and your order usually comes with a parade of little side dishes and sauces that arrive before (and alongside) the meat. Pace yourself and don’t fill up on bread before the steak hits the table.
For a first visit, you can’t really go wrong with bife de chorizo or ojo de bife shared between two, plus a couple. ofsides.
Bonus: If you dine early (between 6.30pm and 8pm – very manageable for foreigners!), you can take advantage of their “happy hour” which comes with a 30% discount.
Address: José A. Cabrera 5127
Booking required? You can book online – recommended, especially on weekends
Website
La Carnicería
For something that’s a little more contemporary than the classic Buenos Aires parrilla, La Carnicería is always my recommendation.
This is where I like to go when I want great meat done just a little differently. You’ll find excellent steak on the menu, but don’t overlook the mollejas (sweetbreads) – they’re a standout here and it’s one of the few restaurants in which I’ll order mollejas.
They also do excellent thing with vegetables beyond the standard lettuce-and-tomato-and-onion-salad – which sets them apart from other parrillas in Buenos Aires.
It’s worth knowing La Carnicería is part of the broader Germán Sitz and Pedro Peña universe in Buenos Aires. If you like what they do here, you can follow the trail to their other spots, including Niño Gordo (their Asian grill) and Chori (for choripán), two restaurants I also have listed in my where to eat in Buenos Aires guide.
Address: Thames 2317
Booking required? Yes – it’s not a huge restaurant and it’s popular (because the food is so good), so plan ahead and make a booking to guarantee a seat
Website
Caldén del Soho
If you’re staying in Palermo and want an easy, crowd-pleasing parrilla, Caldén del Soho is a reliable choice. It’s usually filled with locals and you’ll be swivelling your head to see what everyone else is ordering. It’s in a distinctive blush-coloured building right on a street corner.
Their star starter is a confit garlic – roasted garlic cloves that you can eat whole alone or squished onto some bread. They’re delicious.
The ojo de bife here is excellent, and for some reason I always like it when the waiter cuts the steak in half for us to share (it’s like having your mother cut your food for you!). If you’re not absolutely starving, it’s an easy one to share between two, especially if you add a salad and papas fritas. Save room for dessert.
The wine list is broad and you can usually find reasonably priced bottles that pair perfectly with steak.
The owners of this restaurants have been in the hospitality game for decades, and Freddie Mercury and Diego Maradona have dined at their other restaurants. Julio Iglesias even had steaks from Caldén del Soho sent to him by plane!
The restaurant also offers a 10% discount if you pay with cash.
Address: Honduras 4701
Booking required? On weekends, I recommend booking – otherwise you might be sat in the enclosed outdoor area
Website
Don Hilario
If you’re willing to make a small detour in Recoleta, Don Hilario is a great little local parrilla that rewards people who seek it out. It’s away from the touristy drag, so it’s not somewhere you’ll usually stumble across by accident – you go because you mean it.
Inside, it’s relaxed and neighbourhood-y, with the kind of service that makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit. They’re also very generous with their wine pours (which is never a bad thing).
Like any parrilla, you’ll start with an unnecessarily large bread basket. This one comes with eggplant escabeche and hummus as well. Restrain yourself and save room for the main event. For that, I recommend the ojo de bife. If you’re not super hungry, you can easily share one between two, add a salad and papas fritas, and you’ll leave perfectly happy.
One of my favourite things is how the steak arrives: served on a little griddle so it stays warm so you can take your time.
I also like that their menu has half and full portions, so you can order as much or as little as you feel like. Cash payments receive a 10% discount.
Address: Peña 2475
Booking required? Walk-ins fine – they have a sizeable space with plenty of tables
Website
Cabaña Las Lilas
If you’re after the most polished, “wow” steakhouse in Buenos Aires, Cabaña Las Lilas is the one. It’s in Puerto Madero, right by the docks, and everything about it is designed to feel special the moment you walk in.
Inside, it’s unapologetically fancy: a big, elegant dining room with a classic steakhouse look (think lots of cowhide and leather) and a sense that people are here to do business, celebrate or impress someone.
It’s pricier, of course, but the food and service are worth the extra pesos.
When I lived and worked in Buenos Aires, this was where we’d bring visiting executives, and it never failed to impress. The service is slick, the food is exceptional and the room feels high-end.
Address: Alicia Moreau de Justo Av 516
Booking required? Book ahead for weekends, but you should also have no issues with a walk-in
Website
Fuego y Vino Cabernet
I found Fuego y Vino Cabernet while doing a food tour with Sherpa Buenos Aires. It’s a relaxed Palermo parrilla with a great atmosphere. Staff are attentive and careful, but it still feels casual and welcoming.
We tried a little cross-section of the classics: chorizo (which we promptly turned into our own DIY choripán), provoleta and an Angus ojo de bife that was incredibly tender.
You can sit inside, but there’s also a covered outdoor area that’s still perfectly fine to enjoy even on a colder night. It also opens early, which is perfect for us non-Argentines who can’t dine late.
A very cool moment when we were there was a street artist updating the painting on the exterior.
Address: Jorge Luis Borges 1757
Booking required? Maybe on a weekend, but you should be fine otherwise
Website
Not steakhouses, but absolutely worth it if you love meat
If you’re in Buenos Aires and want to go beyond the restaurant version of a parrilla, these two asado experiences are brilliant additions to your itinerary. They’re not steakhouses in the traditional sense, but they’re some of the most memorable ways to understand why Argentines take cooking over fire so seriously.
Asado Adventure
This is part food tour, part cultural deep-dive, built around an asado hosted in a real home in Palermo. The Asado Adventure experience involves helping to start the fire and make chimichurri before wandering around the streets of Palermo for some street art, history, and wine and cheese tasting. Then comes the main event: a long, leisurely meal where you eat and drink perfectly cooked meats. It’s a great choice if you like the idea of an asado but don’t have local friends to invite you to one.
Read my review of Asado Adventure | Book Asado Adventure (use code RATW10 for a 10% discount)
Betty and Marcelo
Betty and Marcelo invite you into a family-style asado in Palermo Soho. With a small group seated together, Marcelo works the grill and Betty (and their daughter Veronica) explain what you’re eating and share stories and history about Argentina. It’s warm, social and feels closer to a real Argentine gathering than a restaurant meal. If you want an experience that’s as much about the people and the ritual as it is about the beef, this is the one to book.
Read my review of Betty and Marcelo | Book Betty and Marcelo
Final thoughts: Best steak in Buenos Aires
You can’t go to Buenos Aires without trying the steak. It’s pretty much against the law! With so many fantastic steak restaurants in Buenos Aires, it can be hard to whittle it down to just a few to enjoy.
But whether you book a table at an institution like Don Julio, lean into old-school charm at La Brigada or Parrilla Peña or go all-out fancy at Cabaña Las Lilas, the common thread is the same: excellent beef, cooked simply.
However you do it, come hungry, don’t over-order sides and leave room for flan mixto. You’ll thank me later.
Best steakhouses in Buenos Aires: FAQs
Do I need to book steakhouses in Buenos Aires in advance?
For the popular places, yes, it’s worth booking ahead. Don Julio, La Cabrera and anywhere that’s regularly mentioned in “best of” lists can fill up days in advance, especially Thursday to Sunday. For more local Buenos Aires steakhouses, you can sometimes walk in, but you’ll have a much easier time if you aim for an early sitting or go midweek.
What’s the best steak cut to order in Buenos Aires for first-timers?
If you want a safe, classic cut: bife de chorizo (sirloin). It’s thick, flavourful and widely available. If you prefer something richer, go for ojo de bife (ribeye). And if you want to try something very porteño that isn’t always on the radar for visitors, order entraña (skirt steak).
What time do Argentines eat dinner, and when should I book?
Dinner is late. Most people sit down from 9pm onwards and 10pm isn’t unusual. If you book for 8pm or 8.30pm (or even earlier, for restaurants that are open), you’ll often get a quieter room and more attentive service (and you’ll still be eating like a local, just an early one). The busiest times are usually Friday and Saturday from 9.30pm.
Is Don Julio worth it? What if I can’t get a reservation?
If you like visiting “World’s Best” restaurants and want the “famous Buenos Aires parrilla” experience, yes, it can be worth it. That said, if you can’t get a reservation, don’t let it derail your steak plans. There’s no shortage of great steakhouses in Buenos Aires.
What should I order besides steak?
A few classics worth trying are: provoleta (grilled provolone, my absolute favourite dish!), empanadas, mollejas (sweetbreads) and chorizo.
Is tipping expected at steakhouses in Buenos Aires?
Tipping is not customary but it is appreciated. A good rule of thumb is around 10% for good service. Some places add a service charge already, but many don’t, so it’s worth checking the bill.
I’m vegetarian. Can I still get a meal at a steakhouse in Buenos Aires?
Traditional parrillas are very meat-focused, but most will have at least a few solid options like provoleta, salads, chips, grilled vegetables and pasta. If you’re vegetarian (rather than vegan) you’ll generally be fine.
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What are your favourite steakhouses in Buenos Aires? Let me know what I’ve missed in the comments below.
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Read next
Before you go… you might like these Buenos Aires travel guides.
- How to Spend 3 Days in Buenos Aires
- Where to Eat in Buenos Aires: My Favourite Restaurants
- Where to Stay in Buenos Aires: The Best Neighbourhoods
- Best Food Tours in Buenos Aires: 8 Foodie Experiences Worth Your Time and Money
- Asado Adventure Review: An Authentic Asado Experience in Buenos Aires
- Betty and Marcelo Review: A Family Asado Experience
- Sherpa Food Tour Review: Best Food Tour in Buenos Aires
- The Argentine Experience Review: Is It Worth It?
- Fogón Asado Review: Is This Buenos Aires Asado Experience Worth It?
ARGENTINA TRIP ESSENTIALS
- Book your flight to Argentina online with Skyscanner. I like how this site allows you to find the cheapest days.
- Find a great hotel in Argentina. Check prices on Booking.com and Expedia online.
- Check out the huge range of day tours throughout Argentina on GetYourGuide or Viator. I love a good food tour in particular!
- Saving money? Check out the range of free walking tours across Argentina with GuruWalk (don’t forget to tip!).
- Keep those bottles of wine you’ll be buying safe in these wine bags.
- A copy of the Lonely Planet guide to Argentina will be handy. Also pick up a Spanish language phrasebook to help you navigate your visit.
- One thing I always purchase is travel insurance! Travel Insurance Master allows you to compare across multiple policy providers, while SafetyWing is great for long-term travellers and digital nomads.
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Is tipping expected at steakhouses in Buenos Aires? YES! , it is 10%.
Not always expected but always appreciated! Argentina hasn’t reached USA tipping expectations – yet!!