Empanadas are a definitive Argentine staple. Deeply rooted in our history, you can even tell if an empanada is from one region or another by the way it is made. Here’s all you need to know about empanadas, what makes them so popular and where to find the best ones in Buenos Aires.
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Empanadas 101: Back to Basics
The word “empanada” itself originates from the Spanish verb “empanar” – or, to coat or wrap in bread. A characteristic dish across Central and South America, empanadas come in all shapes and sizes with fillings that cater to any taste or preference. You might think that all Argentinians possess a special sixth sense when it comes to these delicacies – an innate ability to sniff out an empanada’s filling just by looking at it.
While you might not be able to pick your empanada quite as quickly as a local, every empanada has a tell, also known as a repulgue, or a folding pattern that signals what juicy wonders you might find wrapped within the bread.
While there are many different styles of empanadas, the most typical Argentine empanadas are meat-filled. The meat can be mild (carne suave), spicy (carne picante), or knife-cut (carne cortada), and can be accompanied by ham & cheese (jamón y queso), sweet corn, sweet potato and other such delights.
Each region in Argentina has added its own twist to the dish but the most famous are those from Salta (called Salteñas) and Tucumán (called Tucumanas), both from the North of the country.
Empanadas salteñas are recognizable by their smaller size and juicy filling of knife-cut, spicy ground beef, potatoes, and hard-boiled egg (sometimes paired with tomato sauce). They are typically baked in a mud oven.
The empanadas tucumanas, on the other hand, are larger and made with flank steak. The pastry is closed with 13 folds at the top, and baked for no more than 10 minutes in a high-heat oven to avoid drying out.
The Best Empanadas in Buenos Aires
There are plenty of empanada places in Buenos Aires – the challenge is finding the good ones. When visiting Argentina, it’s a good idea to sample a range of the nation’s favorite empanadas – so check out our top picks for where to find the best empanada shops in Buenos Aires.
El Hornero
It’s fitting that San Telmo, one of the city’s most traditional neighborhoods, has some of the most delicious empanadas. Inside the famous San Telmo Market you’ll find an unassuming booth with a delicious display of empanadas. Looking for the perfect plan for a day in Buenos Aires?? Take a stroll around the market, buy some vintage memorabilia, and refuel with El Hornero’s Roquerfort cheese empanada, paired with a tall glass of red wine or a cold beer.
Where: Carlos Calvo 455 local 88 y 89
La Imperfecta
La Imperfecta, located at Honduras 4416, boasts a small, yet charming, informal bar where you can enjoy some amazing empanadas in trendy Palermo. You can’t go wrong with their empanadas salteñas (a family recipe), but if you want something novel, try their Southeast Asian-inspired options like ground beef with peanuts and curry chicken.
Where: Honduras 4416
El Gauchito Empanadas
El Gauchito Gil is a popular saint in Argentina, and this little place in San Telmo honors him with a delicious empanada. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you spot figurines of the Saint himself just outside the door. Don’t miss out on the empanada Riojana, a rarity in Buenos Aires that’s known to be particularly juicy. The owner, Beto, recreated the recipe he remembered from a woman who used to sell empanadas in La Rioja, the town where he’s from.
With things going so well for El Gauchito, Beto opened a second location at Av. Independencia 414. Taste his fried, Carne al Cuchillo (meaning knife cut meat) empanada, but beware: it’s a small place and it can get crowded pretty quickly.
Where: Av. Independencia 414
Picsa
“Picsa” is a common pronunciation of pizza in Argentina, but this picsa place also has great empanadas. The star of the house are the fried empanadas with organic chicken and vegetables. And the braised meat practically melts in your mouth. You can eat them there or get them to-go. Located at Nicaragua 4896.
Where: Nicaragua 4896
Criolla Cooking
Empanada making is a part of Argentine culture (much like asado and preparing a good fernet with coke). Most people learn how to make empanadas as children, and typically prepare them for special occasions. With Criolla Cooking’s empanada class, you too can learn how to make Argentine empanadas in a group setting while enjoying local wines (and you get to eat the empanadas, of course) in their high-end kitchen, or la cocina in Spanish.
Where: Gorriti 4832
La Reverde Parrilla Vegana
Argentine cuisine usually includes meat. But if you want all the flavor and none of the beef, head to La Reverde, a vegan steakhouse with all the dishes you would find at a traditional parrilla, but plant-based! And yes, they do have “fake” pork or ham and cheese empanadas. Find them at Montevideo 40.
Where: Montevideo 40
Il Mandorla
A slightly different place to the others on this list, this smokehouse in Gascón 1172 is 100% gluten free with a focus on smoked foods. As such a traditional dish, with dough as one of the main ingredients, it’s not easy to find gluten-free empanadas, but Il Mandorla has six different flavors, all of which are delicious!
Where: Gascón 1172
The Argentine Experience
Fancy trying your hand at preparing real Argentine empanadas? The Argentine Experience offers a night of interactive dining, where you can enjoy a 6-course meal and get your hands dirty (quite literally) by learning the right technique to properly prepare and close an empanada. Anyone visiting on short or long term stays is guaranteed to have a great night out with The Argentine Experience.
Where: Fitz Roy 2110
Roma de Abasto
Also known as Roma Bar, this unassuming bar is known for its mouth-watering combination of pizza, empanadas, vermouth, wine, and beer. Don’t miss out on their cheese and onion (queso y cebolla) empanada – you’re guaranteed to dream about it for months on end.
Where: Dr. Tomás Manuel de Anchorena 806
Empanadas Tremendas
Quite literally translated to “tremendous empanadas”, you’ll just have to go and taste for yourself if their empanadas live up to the name. Choose from a wide selection of creative flavors – from stout beer and barbecue sauce to blue cheese and wine-soaked pears. Pick them up fresh and warm or take them home frozen to enjoy later on.
Where: Quesada 1625
