Welcome to the Land of Asado

One thing Argentina is famous for, besides its passion for soccer, is its meat. While many claim that there’s nothing better than a home-cooked asado, Buenos Aires is full of incredible options to explore and enjoy high-quality Argentine steak. Check out our guide to the best steakhouses in Buenos Aires, also known as parrillas, with ideas on where to go, what to order, and options for every budget. 

Understanding asado: everything you need to know from its origins to what to order

A tradition dating back generations, asados can be traced to the first gauchos lighting fires to grill the meat from their cattle. Today, it has become a staple of Argentine cooking. It’s more than just a dish you order at a restaurant – it’s a tradition and a way of life. 

With so many cuts of meat and preparation styles available, it can be difficult for the asado novice to know where to start when choosing what to order at a parrilla. Here’s a quick guide to help you make these all-important decisions:

Cuts & parts of a real Argentine asado 

• Ojo de Bife: Ribeye
• Chinchulines: Small intestines 
• Vacío: Flank steak
• Matambre: Pork roulade
• Mollejas: sweetbreads, a local specialty
• Cuadril: Top sirloin steak
• Morcilla: Blood pudding 
• Chorizo: Seasoned sausage 
• Entraña: Skirt steak 
• Bife de Chorizo: Sirloin steak 
• Achuras: Offal
• Lomo: Filet mignon or tenderloin
• Tira de asado: strip roast

(H3) The perfect doneness for your steak

• Vuelta y vuelta: literally means “turn and turn” because that’s exactly what the meat does in the pan. The perfect choice for  lovers of juicy, rare beef, with a “vuelta y vuelta”, your steak will barely touch the pan on either side
• Jugoso: medium-rare, far from cooked through, but a little more than rare
• A punto: true medium, with a little pink in the middle
• Pasado de punto: Somewhere between medium and well done
• Cocido: well done

The Best Steakhouses in Buenos Aires

Fogon Asado

Recommended in the 2024 Argentina MICHELIN Guide, Fogón Asado is the best place to go for a dining experience that focuses entirely on the asado tradition in a high-end tasting menu.

Boasting the best of Argentine beef, the asadores prepare the meat right in front of you, immersing you in the experience from start to finish. Enjoy it as part of a 9-course menu that showcases the best of local ingredients and grass-fed beef with unique flavor combinations and a wide selection of national wines to pair with the dish. 

Fogón Asado also offers the Chef’s Counter experience, a private guided meal with the executive chef for only 10 guests at a time. Their restaurants are located in Gorriti 3780 and Uriarte 1423, both in Buenos Aires’ trendy Palermo neighborhood. Make sure to book in advance, since reservations are pre-paid. Children under 14 years of age cannot be accommodated.

Lo de Jesús

In 1953, Don Jesús Pernas started a fire that has never gone out. To this day, this iconic steakhouse continues to serve customers who want to enjoy premium beef with all the flavor of Argentine tradition. It has its own production center and winery called La Malbequería (located next to the main restaurant). 

The star of the menu is the skirt steak, aged for about 10 to 15 days to reach optimal tenderness. Pair it with a nice glass of red wine, and you’re sure to make a memory you won’t soon forget. 

The restaurant is located on the corner of Gurruchaga and Cabrera streets, in the Palermo district. Lunch is usually the best time to go, as it’s not as crowded. Lo de Jesús is considered one of the 50 best restaurants in South America, so it’ll be difficult to find a table without a reservation.

El Preferido

El Preferido, located at Jorge Luis Borges 2108, is a must-visit for many reasons. It’s recommended in the Michelin Guide and it’s 16th in the list of the 50 best restaurants in Latin America. It first opened its doors in 1952, so if there’s one thing they know how to do, it’s honor Argentina’s meat tradition. 

A popular restaurant in Buenos Aires, the menu includes all the classics of Argentinean cuisine, such as milanesa (schnitzel), salami, and top-quality pork sausage. They grow all their ingredients and fresh produce themselves, from organic vegetables to their own breed of cattle. Give the fainá a try to accompany your steak – it’s a typical chickpea flatbread with provolone cheese that will surprise and delight you. If you don’t have a reservation, get ready to wait your turn by the door.

Don Julio

Ranked the no. 1 steakhouse in the world and boasting a Michelin Star, Don Julio is undoubtedly one of the best parrillas you can find. A personal favorite of Lionel Messi himself,   queues of people line the block for a chance to taste the best beef and enjoy a few wine bottles. The founder and owner Pablo Rivero, comes from a family of butchers and has brought his passion for the art to his restaurants. 

The meat quality as well as their excellent service is what makes the difference, and you can taste it in every bite. Fresh ingredients, seasonal produce, and an incredible wine basement are what make this restaurant quite so special.

Franca

Franca boasts a kitchen where the passion for cooking comes alive in the form of aged meats and fresh vegetables, paired with an extensive wine selection. A combination made of smoky, acidic, and airy flavors creates an unforgettable experience you can enjoy in a group or as a solo diner Book a table at their restaurant in Darwin 1111 and enjoy the chef’s recommendation: Grilled sweetbreads with a sauce of chicken broth, butter, pickles, and beetroot. 

The Argentine Experience

Here you’ll find a unique tasting menu concept at a communal table for diners from around the globe. They offer ten delicious local dishes, many of them meat-based, three carefully selected wines, and an interactive, fun-filled guided dinner party.

The main course features tenderloin with mushroom butter and slow-cooked osso buco—two opposites in flavor and cooking techniques. Learn how to make the best empanadas and discover more about traditional Argentine cuisine. You’ll even get the chance to try yerba mate with alfajores, one of our most beloved treats.

Corte Comedor

A modern Buenos Aires parrilla located in Belgrano, Corte Comedor offers the highest quality meats and innovative varieties of charcuterie. That was the dream of the four friends who opened Corte Comedor, and what began as a butcher shop has turned into a renowned parrilla with a gourmet spin. 

Here are some of our recommendations:

• Caramelized lamb with silky hummus
• Rare ribeye
• Lemon and olive bresaola
• Baked cabutia with black garlic and fried kale 
• Or just buy their products to take home

Here are some of our recommendations:

• Caramelized lamb with silky hummus
• Rare ribeye
• Lemon and olive bresaola
• Baked cabutia with black garlic and fried kale (seriously, give their veggie dishes a go)
• Or just buy their products to take home

You’ll need to get a reservation before they’re all booked – and they’re booked fast.

Madre Rojas

This is not just a steakhouse, but a high-end porteña canteen with a gourmet twist. Their restaurant on Rojas 1600, Villa Crespo, will take you back to another time, when you could find places like this in any quiet neighborhood in Buenos Aires. The steak is prepared in front of you and cooked to your liking, or if you prefer a different, more chic option, try the wagyu with sourdough bread. Finish this meal with a traditional flan con dulce de leche, and you will have experienced a truly special meal to remember.

Gran Parrilla del Plata

A traditional steakhouse in San Telmo, Gran Parrilla del Plata never disappoints when it comes to its red meat like rib eye orblood sausage, and sides like the iconic cheesy provoleta. You’re sure to be satisfied with their generous portions and wine options, and when you’re done, you can end the day on a high note with a stroll through San Telmo’s market. Find them at Chile 594.  

Parrilla Peña

At Parrilla Peña, you’ll be greeted with an unforgettable sample empanada, opening up your  appetite to dive into their meats, like the tenderloin or the rib eye. The smells and sounds of the grilled meats fill the two floors of this restaurant, tempting you to order every dish the waiters pass by. Don’t miss this little-known steakhouse that locals flock to every chance they get.

Criolla Cooking

Want to learn to prepare the best Argentine asado yourself?  Criolla Cooking, located in the stylish neighborhood of Palermo Soho, offers a special cooking class that walks you through how to prepare a fire from scratch, select different cuts of meat, prepare typical side dishes, and pair them with boutique wines. You’ll feel like a true asador. Book a class and amaze your friends and family back home with a taste of Argentina’s cuisine. You’ll even get a recipe booklet to take home.

La Cabrera

Another big name in the steakhouses world. The focus is on awakening the senses with the smell,

Another big name in the world of asadores, La Cabrera focuses on awakening the senses with the smell and taste top of the range meat. Served in generous portions that in no way compromise on flavor,  the secret lies in the asador’s unique grilling style based on constant innovation. The vibe is a mixture of the immigrant culture of El Río de la Plata and the spirit of a cosmopolitan city. Going to La Cabrera is a memorable experience where cooking is considered a true art. 

Enjoy any one of the restaurant’s star dishes::

• Top-quality cuts from ribeye to skirt steak 
• Filet mignon 
• Chorizo ​​steak 
• Grilled sweetbreads 
• Braised pork shoulder 
• Sides of mashed potatoes, fries, salads and provoleta made with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes 

And here’s a quick pro tip – it’s always a good idea to leave some room for dessert at La Cabrera!

El Ferroviario

A traditional choice, you won’t find El Ferroviario in any travel guidebook. Located in Liniers, a neighborhood off the beaten path, this parrilla is asado in its essence. It’s a cross cut of the traditional Argentinian asado, which, unlike fine asados, does not lose its tenderness, juiciness and flavor due to the size of the cut. The fire is lit 4 hours before the guests arrive to slowly cook this incredible delicacy. 

Try the stuffed grilled chicken with cheddar sauce and fries, the sweet mustard pig, or the rib steak with fries at this off-the-beaten-path steakhouse. They even offer a full range of gluten-free options to accommodate any dietary restrictions, so there’s no excuse to miss out. However, keep in mind that Liniers is not a typical tourist area, so it’s best to take a taxi and avoid exploring the neighborhood on foot.

El Pobre Luis

Located in the Chinese sub-neighborhood in Belgrano, this bodegón in Arribeños 2393is decorated with national team jerseys, a symbol of Argentine culture. You can choose from their amazing sweetbreads, empanadas, pork roulade (matambre), provoleta and ribeye. Don’t miss their own signature wine, the perfect finishing touch to a memorable evening. 

Asadero Fuegos

Although not technically part of the city of Buenos Aires, the northern district known as Zona Norte is only a few minutes away. And Porteños, nationally known for being so strict about what is considered “the capital,” are willing to accept this area as part of it. Zona Norte is famous for its suburban and peaceful neighborhoods, its tree-lined streets and its proximity to the Río de la Plata, the river. Families and friends enjoy the cool breeze while riding their bikes or watch the boats go by. If you’re looking to have a great time on a family-friendly day out, this is the place to go. 

If you decide to spend the day there, then you must go to Asadero. Explore a unique menu that innovates with its dishes, where each meat is cooked differently to bring out their best flavors and characteristics. They work with seasonal products on a grill, a clay oven and a smokehouse that handles meat and vegetables alike. 

A take on the best of the country’s traditions with unique combinations not found anywhere else, like the toasted porchetta with grilled apples. Make a reservation, get some fresh air out of the city and enjoy a day near the water with unforgettable dishes.