6 Best Food Tours in Buenos Aires

If you really want to get to know Buenos Aires in depth, you can't miss its gastronomy, which is one of the tastiest in the region and is also very varied. It combines local traditions with the customs of the different cultures that populated the country, so one of the best ways to enjoy the Argentine capital is through its cuisine.

Among the best activities you can see and do in Buenos Aires to discover its gastronomy, you can visit Palermo Soho, the Carriage Market, go on a gastronomic excursion that combines dinner with a tango show, discover San Telmo through its restaurants or even enjoy a cooking class.

If you want to live an experience that combines two of the best activities in Buenos Aires, you can enjoy a tango show with dinner. This tour will immerse you in the city 's vibrant culinary scene while you enjoy a live traditional music show.

On these tours you will visit a traditional Argentinean restaurant to enjoy a full dinner while enjoying a live tango show with music and dancing. Tango is a musical and dance genre that originated in Buenos Aires at the beginning of the 20th century and is an important part of the porteño culture, reflecting in its melodies the lack of love and the melancholy of Buenos Aires. Here are two very interesting proposals:

• Tango show at the Esquina Homero Manzi in Buenos Aires.
• Tango show at the Café de los Angelitos in Buenos Aires.

And if you want to deepen your knowledge of tango, you can also book a tango lesson.

Interesting details

• Price: the cost is approximately 100 € per person, including dinner and live show.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: if you are short of time, you can combine 2 of the traditional activities of Buenos Aires.
• Disadvantages of these tours: transfers are not included, so you will have to walk between each of the sites chosen on the tours.

My favourite option and I'm sure yours if you are an active person is to book an Argentine empanada cooking class where you will learn how to cook one of the main dishes of the gaucho culture.

The class lasts 3 hours and includes everything from the preparation of this dish, from the dough to the filling. All this in a cosy place in an Argentine neighbourhood with history. In addition, during the activity you will enjoy a starter, main course, drinks and, of course, the famous and traditional mate.

And best of all, the experience is very intimate, as groups will not exceed six people.

Details of interest

• Price: it costs approximately 50 €.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be fully immersed in Argentinian cuisine.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: once you learn this recipe you will want to continue learning the recipe of all the dishes of Argentinean gastronomy.

If you are looking for a food tour in Buenos Aires, Palermo Soho is a must-visit place, as it is one of the gastronomic hubs of the Argentine capital. This trendy neighbourhood is known for its vibrant culinary scene, with a wide variety of restaurants and bars offering everything from traditional food to international dishes, as well as different places to have a drink and nightclubs. A great place to experience if you book a guided tour of Buenos Aires.

The Palermo Soho food tour will take you through the colourful cobblestone streets of the trendiest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, where you can sample some of the city's most delicious dishes. These tours usually start with a stop at a local bar for an aperitif and local drinks, as well as a starter of empanadas, a typical dish that some tours also teach you how to make in cooking classes.

Throughout the tour you'll be able to sample:

• The traditional Argentinean parrillada where you'll sample cuts of beef, such as asado and bife de chorizo, as well as try some of the delicious side dishes such as salads, provoletas and achuras.
• Vegetarian and vegan options are also available in some of the restaurants in the area.
• Artisan ice cream, as the tour will continue with a stop at an ice cream parlour. Flavours range from classics such as dulce de leche and chocolate to more creative flavours such as passion fruit and lemon.
• Typical sweets, as some tours may also include a visit to a shop where you can try alfajores, Argentina's most emblematic local sweet.

Interesting details

• Price: the initial cost is approximately €55 per person and includes tastings.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to combine a gastronomic excursion with a tour of one of the trendiest areas of Buenos Aires.
• Disadvantages of these tours: these tours usually require long walks, so they are not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

One of the best options for a gastronomic tour in Buenos Aires is to visit the historical markets, among which stands out the Mercado de los Carruajes, a former government vehicle depot located in the Retiro neighbourhood, which was reconverted into a culinary pole and offers a great variety of local and traditional food in a lively and picturesque atmosphere.

The gastronomic tour of the Mercado de los Carruajes will take you through the aisles of the market, where you can sample some of the most emblematic dishes of Buenos Aires gastronomy, from traditional empanadas to parrillas. You can also visit the bakeries to taste the Argentinean "facturas" and the typical "medialunas", a type of Argentinean croissant eaten for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

In the Mercado de los Carruajes, which is located a few streets away from the Obelisk, the Buenos Aires cruise port and the Colón Theatre, you will be able to enjoy the typical "medialunas", a type of Argentinean croissant eaten for breakfast or an afternoon snack. In fact, I recommend that you take advantage of this day to book a guided tour of the Teatro Colón. In addition, and given the proximity of the Mercado de los Carruajes to some of the best buildings in Buenos Aires, you can combine a gastronomic tour in this place with a walking tour of the historic centre of the Argentine capital.

Interesting details

• Price: the initial cost is approximately €32 per person, including tastings.
• Duration: approximately 2 and a half hours.
• Advantages of these tours: it is a cheap tour and it is located in a very busy area of the city.
• Disadvantages of these tours: it does not include a tour of the neighbourhood, only the inside of the market.

San Telmo is one of the most picturesque and traditional neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires, and a tour of this area will take you through its rich history and culinary culture. One of the best ways to experience it is to book a guided tour of Buenos Aires and if possible include a traditional Argentinean lunch at one of the most emblematic restaurants in the area.

The tour will start at Plaza Dorrego, one of the oldest squares in the city, where an antiques and handicrafts fair is held every Sunday. Here you can stroll around and enjoy the vibrant market activity and wander freely around the area where you will find some of the best museums in Buenos Aires.

At your chosen restaurant, which will vary depending on the time of year you visit Buenos Aires, you can try some of the traditional dishes of the local gastronomy, such as bife de chorizo, a juicy portion of beef, or lentil stew, a comforting dish for cold days, which will be ideal if you plan to visit the city in winter. To finish off lunch, you can try some of Argentina's typical desserts such as flan with dulce de leche or bread pudding.

Interesting details

• Price: the initial cost is approximately 96 € per person, including tastings, lunch and a guided walk.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know one of the traditional historical areas of Buenos Aires.
• Disadvantages of these tours: it can be an expensive tour.

If you are a food lover, a gastronomic tour through the flavours of Buenos Aires is something not to be missed. The Argentine capital is famous for its delicious cuisine, which is a mix of Spanish, Italian and South American influences, and from the famous beef to the typical sweets, you will find something for everyone.

You will have the opportunity to try the Argentinean asado and you will get to know some of the best restaurants in the city, which are usually found in Palermo and Recoleta, especially in the area of the Cemetery where you can also book a tour of the Recoleta Cemetery.

Some of the typical dishes you can try are:

• Beef is the star of the local cuisine and can be found in almost every parrilla. The most famous cut is the bife de chorizo, which is served with chimichurri, a sauce made with parsley, garlic, oil and vinegar.
• Breaded and fried milanesa, which is prepared with beef or chicken. It is usually served with fries and salad. You can discover it in the famous bodegones porteños, which you will visit with your expert local guide.
• It is also worth trying the Argentinean pizza, which is very different from the Italian one, as it has a thicker and spongier dough, and is topped with cheese and other ingredients.
• If you like sweets, you can't leave Buenos Aires without trying alfajores. These typical sweets consist of two biscuits filled with dulce de leche and covered with chocolate or grated coconut.
• You can also try the churros con dulce de leche, which are a reformulation of the Spanish recipe, but wider and filled.

Interesting details

• Price: the initial cost is approximately €78 per person, including some transfers and tastings.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be able to get to know in general terms the most outstanding options of Argentinean cuisine.
• Disadvantages of these tours: you won't have much free time to rest or choose to explore each neighbourhood on your own.

You can book a gastronomic tour in Buenos Aires in advance online or you can also book them once you are in the city, although if you are planning to visit the city in summer or during the high season months, I advise you to book the tour before your trip to avoid last minute increases or running out of places on the tours.

You'll also be able to organise an itinerary ahead of time and plan the city's attractions you want to see, which will be beneficial if you're planning on a short stay. If that is your case, here is a list of activities you can do to discover Buenos Aires in 3 days.

A gastronomic tour is one of the best things to see and do in Buenos Aires. The main thing about this activity is that you will be able to taste the best flavours of the city and taste some of the traditional dishes, which are delicious, but also, depending on the chosen tour, you will be able to visit the most famous porteño neighbourhoods, such as Palermo, Recoleta or San Telmo.

Even on tours that are more restricted in terms of places to visit, you will be able to visit some emblematic places such as the Mercado de los Carruajes de Retiro, which currently houses a varied flea market and is located in one of the neuralgic areas of Buenos Aires.

If you are planning a gastronomic tour in Buenos Aires, here are some tips that will be useful to maximize your experience:

• Research Argentine cuisine: before your excursion, do some research on the culinary tradition of the country and the typical dishes of Buenos Aires. This way you will know what to expect and decide what you want to try, although you can relax, as the local cuisine is very friendly.
• Book in advance: It is advisable to book your tour in advance, especially if you are planning to travel during the high season or if you want to do a tour that visits a popular area, such as Palermo or Recoleta.
• Dress comfortably: Buenos Aires is a city where you will be walking a lot, so it is important that you wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the weather, especially during the summer.
• Carry cash: although many places accept credit cards, it is advisable to carry cash, as there are also a lot of informal services. In addition, some places may offer discounts for cash payment.
• Try new flavours: Take the opportunity to try new flavours and typical dishes of Buenos Aires. Argentinean gastronomy is very varied and rich in flavours and textures.
• Don't forget to enjoy the atmosphere: Gastronomic tours are not only about the food, but also about the idiosyncrasy and culture of Buenos Aires. Take the time to enjoy the atmosphere, the music and the company of other travellers.

Doing a gastronomic tour in Buenos Aires will help you to get to know in depth the Argentinean culture, which is closely related to the culinary customs. In addition, you will be able to discover the flavours and typical dishes of the city. Some excursions also include visits to markets and other very important places in the Argentine capital.

Buenos Aires is also a big and diverse city and, through a gastronomic excursion, you will be able to discover new neighbourhoods and places that you might not have discovered on your own, such as the Mercado de los Carruajes in Retiro, which is located in a place very close to the Microcentro porteño and other more visited neighbourhoods like San Telmo and Puerto Madero.

Finally, if you plan to visit Buenos Aires in January or during the high season months, a gastronomic tour will save you time and money, as you will be able to visit several places and try several dishes in one day, which will optimise your tour. Some tours also include special discounts at restaurants and bars.