Argentina is famous for steak – and Argentinians for enjoying it. In 2021, the nation ranked second highest in the world for beef consumption per capita, only falling behind neighboring Uruguay. But the city’s food scene is much more diverse than these headlines would suggest – even if you’re going meat-free.
These three flavorsome recommendations below come from a short visit to Palermo, one of the city’s very food-friendly districts, in December 2021.
Sacro – For creative vegan dishes, and plenty of flavor
Thursday night, vegan restaurant, Buenos Aires: Fully booked. Surprised? You shouldn’t be.
Those of us who seek out plant-based dinners all remember the days when vegan restaurants were in slightly shabby, back-street venues with bright lights, chipped plates, and tumblers as wine glasses. Sacro is the opposite. The dim-lit restaurant combines velvet sofas, wooden benches, and tropical plants to give a sort of ultra-modern inside/out feel.
The food is of a similarly high quality. To make good vegan food, you need a serious understanding of flavour and texture, something that the chefs of Sacro have clearly mastered. The dumplings are a small work of art; the spaghetti asiatico dish an unusual – but delicious – combination of silky, crunchy and spice.
Wines are helpfully identified on the list as being either Organic, Biodynamic, or “natural”. Those by Piedra Negra are particularly tasty.
So: Study the menu. Be adventurous. And make sure that you book in advance.
Costa Rica 6038, C1414 CABA, Argentina
El Preferido – For Spanish tapas with an Argentinian twist
El Preferido is the more traditional option, and serves both meat and plant-based dishes. Set in a corner unit of a period unit, it was opened in 2019 by the same team that is behind the famous Don Julio steak house. Since then, it has already ranked among the best restaurants in Latin America, according to The World’s 50 Best.
The theme here is freshness. A small plate simply described as “organic tomato” might sound unexciting, but high-quality produce, some good olive oil and a pinch of salt can make simplicity quite special. The option to have your tortilla espanola served gooey (hey, it’s not only steak that comes in a range of cooking styles!) is also very welcome.
The wine list is worth your attention, featuring several forward-thinking Argentinian producers like Michelini & Mufato (choose the Semillon), Inseperable by PerSe (a rare find) and Riccitelli.
Jorge Luis Borges 2108, C1425 FFD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Artemisia – For a (large) healthy lunch
Buenos Aires is a city that will make you want to eat, and eat, and eat some more. After all those heavy dinners, there’s nothing like a nourishing lunch. Artemisia is a corner café in the heart of Palermo that seems to be full all the time. Ergo, make a reservation.
It serves colorful, organic vegetarian dishes that taste as good as they look on Instagram. Think falafel, avocado, corn, beets, sweet potato… you know the drill. The homemade lemonade is a refreshing accompaniment.
Portions are generous. Turn up hungry; leave feeling nourished.
Costa Rica 5893 Esquina, Dr. Emilio Ravignani, C1414 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sarah is a freelance wine educator, writer and events host, based in South Beach. She holds the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits and is a current Master of Wine student.
