6 Best Food Tours in Buenos Aires

If you want to really get to know Buenos Aires in depth, you can't miss its gastronomy, which is one of the tastiest in the region and, in addition, it is very varied. It combines local traditions with the customs of the different cultures that populated the country, so one of the best alternatives 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 walk around Palermo Soho, visit the Carriage Market, take a gastronomic excursion that combines dinner with a tango show, visit 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 excursion 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 Argentine 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 in the early twentieth century and is an important part of the porteño culture, reflecting in its melodies the lack of love and melancholy of Buenos Aires. Here are two very interesting proposals:

• Tango show at 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 choose to book a tango class.

Details of interest

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

My favorite option and for 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 cozy place in an Argentine neighborhood 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 the groups will be no more than six people.

Details of interest

• Price: it has an approximate cost of 50 €.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be fully immersed in the Argentine cuisine.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: once you learn this recipe you will want to continue learning the recipe of all the dishes of Argentine cuisine.

If you are looking for a food tour in Buenos Aires, Palermo Soho is a place you can't miss, as it is one of the gastronomic hubs of the Argentine capital. This trendy neighborhood 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. An ideal place to experience if you book a guided tour of Buenos Aires.

The Palermo Soho food tour will take you through the colorful cobblestone streets of Buenos Aires' trendiest neighborhood, 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, plus a starter of empanadas, a typical dish that some tours also teach you how to make in cooking classes.

Throughout the tour you will be able to sample:

• The traditional Argentinean parrillada where you will taste 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 at some of the restaurants in the area.
• Artisanal ice cream, as the tour will continue with a stop at an ice cream parlor. Flavors range from classics such as dulce de leche and chocolate to more creative flavors such as passion fruit and lemon.
• Typical sweets, as some tours may also include a visit to a store where you can try alfajores, Argentina's most emblematic local sweet.

Details of interest

• 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 historic markets, among which stands out the Mercado de los Carruajes, a former government vehicle depot located in the Retiro neighborhood, which was converted into a culinary hub and offers a wide 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 snack.

In the Mercado de los Carruajes, which is located a few blocks from the Obelisk, the Buenos Aires cruise port and the Colón Theater. In fact, I recommend that you take advantage of this day to book a guided tour of the Teatro Colon. 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 center of the Argentine capital.

Interesting details

• Price: the initial cost is approximately 32 € per person, including tastings.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours and a half.
• Advantages of these tours: it is an economical 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 neighborhood, only inside the market.

San Telmo is one of the most picturesque and traditional neighborhoods 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 Argentine 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 through the area where you will find some of the best museums in Buenos Aires.

At your chosen restaurant, which will change 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 the typical Argentine desserts such as flan with dulce de leche or bread pudding.

Interesting details

• Price: it has an approximate initial cost of 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 excursions: it can be an expensive excursion.

If you are a food lover, a gastronomic tour through the flavors 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 options for all tastes.

You will have the opportunity to taste the Argentine 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 will be able to try are:

• Beef is the star of Creole gastronomy and can be found in almost every grill. 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 french fries and salad. You can discover it in the famous bodegones porteños, which you will visit with the local expert guide.
• It is also worth trying the Argentine pizza, which is very different from the Italian one, as it has a thicker and spongier dough and is covered with cheese and other ingredients.
• If you like sweets, you cannot leave Buenos Aires without trying alfajores. These typical sweets consist of two cookies filled with dulce de leche and covered with chocolate or grated coconut.
• You can also try the churros with 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 know in general terms the most outstanding options of the Argentine cuisine.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: you will not have much free time to rest or choose to visit each neighborhood 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 plan 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.

In addition, you will also be able to organize an itinerary ahead of time and plan the city's attractions you want to see, which will be beneficial if you are planning 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 activities you can see and do in Buenos Aires. The main thing about this activity is that you will be able to taste the best flavors 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 neighborhoods, such as Palermo, Recoleta or San Telmo.

Even in the 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:

• Do some research on 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 will be able to 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 high season or if you want to take a tour that visits a popular area, such as Palermo or Recoleta.
• Dress comfortably: Buenos Aires is a city where you will have to walk a lot, so it is important that you wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the weather, especially during the summer.
• Bring cash: although many places accept credit cards, it is advisable to bring cash, as there are also a lot of informal services. In addition, some places may offer discounts for cash payment.
• Try new flavors: Take the opportunity to try new flavors and typical dishes of Buenos Aires. Argentine cuisine is very varied and rich in flavors and textures.
• Don't forget to enjoy the atmosphere: Gastronomic tours are not only about 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 travelers.

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

Buenos Aires is also a large and diverse city and, through a gastronomic excursion, you will get to know new neighborhoods 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 downtown Buenos Aires and other more visited neighborhoods such as San Telmo and Puerto Madero.

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