Empanadas

Salty dough filled with meat, chicken, ham and cheese and many other tasty varieties.

They come fried or baked, which are the most popular.

Our favorites are “carne picante” (spicy meat); “Caprece” (tomato, basil and mozzarella cheese) and "Pollo" (chicken).

You can have them delivered to your door from many of the local restaurants free of charge. 

A well known chain is “solo empanadas”, they are all over and are very good!

http://www.soloempanadas.com/

Parrilla 

The “asado argentino” (Argentine BBQ) or “parrilla” (Grille) is one of the most popular dishes.

You can visit the following website to learn about cuts Used For Asado:

http://www.asadoargentina.com/argentinas-cuts-of-beef-for-asado/

We suggest some places for you to visit:

Parrilla La Chacra – Downtown

Las Cholas – Las Cañitas

La Caballeriza Puerto Madero – Puerto madero

Picada

The “Picada” is an assortment of hors d'oeuvres consisting of an ensemble of plates containing cheeses, salame, ham, olives, calamari, pâté, etc. These ingredients can also be placed on a tray instead of in individual plates. Picadas are usually accompanied by wine, “fernet” (a liquor) or a cold beer.

 Milanesa 

Milanesa is basically a thinly cut and breaded piece of beef. They are typically fried but they can also be baked.

“Milanesa a la napolitana”, is a baked milanesa with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese on top.

A side is called a “guarnición” and consists of “ensalada mixta” (lettuce and tomato salad), “papas fritas” (French fries) or “puré de papa” (mashed potatoes).

Other variations include “Milanesa a caballo”(milanesa with fried eggs on top) and milanesa sandwich.

 Pasta

An Italian heritage, Argentine pasta comes in many variations and is delicious. From spaghetti to gnocchi along with a wide array of sauces.

If you want to eat very good pasta at reasonable prices and excellent service, go to "Vicente". http://www.vicentepastas.com.ar/

 Pizza

Argentines adopted the pizza as a traditional food due to the strong Italian influence, and many places still preserve the style brought by Italian immigrants.

“Las Cuartetas” (downtown), “Angelín” (Palermo), and “El Cedrón” (Mataderos) are some of the best!

Desayuno

Argentine breakfast is simple but tasty. At most restaurants and cafes you can order an excellent, fresh espresso coffee served in a real (not plastic) cup. If you ask for coffee you will get an espresso, it is not necessary to specify this.

Here is some vocabulary for ordering coffee:

Café en jarrito or americano: small cup

Café doble: a bigger cup

Café con leche: half coffee, half milk served in a big cup

Cortado (doble or americano): coffee with a dash of milk.

Lágrima: milk with a dash of dark espresso coffee.

The options for food are “medialuna”, which is similar to a croissant. There are two types: “de grasa” (salty) and “de Manteca” (sweet).  A ham and cheese medialuna is also a favorite, "Medialuna  con jamon y queso". 

"Facturas", featured in the top right of this photo

are an Argentine pastry and come in many

variations. 

Merienda

The "merienda" or snack is usually eaten around five O'clock in the evening since Argentines don't dine until later at night.  Usually consisting of a light snack and a coffee, the merienda is a great way to tide yourself over until dinner.

"Sandwich de Miga" is popular and is a light sandwich.  In some cafes they are larger than others, so ask before you order.  There are several types and some may seem strange to your pallette, but try something new.

They all come on thinly sliced white bread and can be found in double or triple layers.

"Sandwiches de Miga"

Jamon y Queso (Ham and Cheese)

Aceituna (Green olives diced)

Anana (Pineapple)

Atun (Tuna)

"Tostado mixto" is a toasted thin white bread sandwich with ham and cheese.

Helado

Ice Cream is amazing in Argentina.  Creamy and like its Italian relative Gellato, the ice cream here is ubiquitous.  On top of the plethora of flavors, you can hardly walk around a block without seeing an "heladeria" (ice cream shop).  Freddo is one of the largest, but pass up the local neighborhood shop.

There are several up-scale heladerias, such as, Volta or Persicco.  They cost more, but have a cool atmosphere.  Many portenos go to watch eachother at these places.  If you like people watching, this is the place for you.