The Argentina food, drink, and overall culinary scene is known for its oven baked empanadas, grilled meats, and rich dark malbec wines. Given the diversity of geographic areas and cultural heritage found throughout the country, there are many delicious local dishes to try during your visit. We compiled a list of our top recommendations based on months of first hand experience eating all around the country.
Culinary Overview
Argentina is famous for its diverse landscapes which include the urban metropolis of Buenos Aires, impressive waterfalls of Iguazu, rugged mountains of Patagonia, Andean vineyards of Mendoza, colorful ravines of Juyjuy, and so much more. Given the vast differences in climate of these regions there are special regional dishes that can be found throughout them. Additionally, the country is composed of people from a mix of primarily European countries with a particularly high Spanish and Italian influence on Argentina food and culture. However, there are also substantial populations of people with French, German, Arabic, Jewish, and Indigenous (in the Northwest) heritage all of which influence the remarkable culinary scene of Argentina food and drinks.
Over the course of months exploring the distinct regions by plane, bus, and car we were able to meet many Argentines who shared the Argentina food that is culturally important to them and made sure to give it a try. The places we ate spanned various dining levels and cuisine types. While we ate our fair share of empanadas, pasta, and asado throughout the country, we also sought out specific regional dishes and international cuisine that was highly regarded. Besides dishes we were also recommended specific local brands that are culturally significant. Experiencing the combination of special Argentine products and dishes enhanced our time in the country, forever tying the local specialties to our memories of the incredible regions from our visit.
This list includes Argentina food, products, and drinks that have an importance to the country and are worthwhile to try when visiting the country to get a better perspective of the culture from a culinary perspective. After reading about the items, there is a list of recommended places by region that you can reference for inspiration of places to add to your itinerary as well.
Popular Argentina Food and Drinks
Food
Empanadas
One of the most famous dishes, these are made with dough folded over meat, cheese, or vegetables then usually oven baked but have countless varieties.
Popular fillings: carne suave, jamón y queso, pollo, cortada a cuchillo, humita, capresse, roquefort, carne picante
Popular regional varieties: Tocumana, Salteña, Jujeña
Asado
Important social gathering where meat is prepared over an open flame either on a parrilla (grill) or a la cruz/al palo (on metal poles) and served alongside various sides or sauces
A la cruz: carne (beef) is most common but cordero al palo is popular in Patagonia
Parrilla: salchicha, chorizo, morcilla, costillas, bife de chorizo, lomo, matambre, vacio are some of the most popular cuts of meat on the grill
Chimichurri: sauce made from parsley, garlic, peppers, oil, vinegar
Provoleta: provolone cheese that is heated on the grill or cast iron pan if indoors
Salsa Criolla: sauce made from tomatoes, onions, peppers, oil, vinegar
Choripan: a grilled chorizo sausage served on bread with chimichurri sauce on top
Pizza
Beloved dish throughout the country but particularly in Buenos Aires, the country is believed to have the most pizzerias per person and has a distinct style of a thick spongy base with an elevated crust
Fugazetta y Jamon: popular topping that includes a generous quantity of cheese topped with onions and ham
Faina: flatbread made with chickpea flour and served crispy to eat alongside the pizza
A la piedra: another popular style of pizza cooked in a stone oven with a much thinner and crispy crust
Milanesa
Popular dish that is usually pounded beef covered in breadcrumbs and baked
Pasta
Another of the most popular dishes that can enjoyed throughout the country in various different types of noodles or sauce combinations including a few special variations:
Día de Noquis: On the 29th of each month there is a tradition to eat gnocchis and place money under your plate for good luck
Sorrentinos: a large filled pasta that is similar to ravioli but accredited to Argentina
Picada
Shareable dish that includes a combination of various cheeses, thinly sliced meats, olives, or other finger foods based on the person preparing it
Centolla
King crab is popular in Ushuaia in the far south of Argentina where cold nutrient waters exist
La Trucha
Trout is one of the most popular dishes in Patagonia and these fish originally from the Northern Hemisphere thrive in the cold glacier waters that exist throughout the region
Tortita
Flour and fat baked in ovens to create crispy bread like snacks popular in Mendoza
Humitas
Corn that is pounded down and then placed into husks with other ingredients such as cheese or onions which are then wrapped and boiled. This dish is popular in the northwest of Argentina and normally made dulce (sweet) or salada (salty)
Temal: similar to humitas but the pounded down corn is placed into husks with a spiced meat which are then wrapped and boiled
Locro
Hearty thick squash or potato stew that includes corn, beans, and meat which is popular in the northwest of Argentina
Cazuela de Cabrito
Goat stew that is popular regional speciality in northwest Argentina
Picante de Llama con Quinua
Spicy llama dish served alongside quinoa which is a traditional dish found in the northwest of Argentina
Alfajores
Popular cookies that are made of short bread and filled with dulce de leche
Dulce de Leche
Caramelized milk made by heating milk with sugar until it is a thick brown consistency that is spreadable and found in various Argentine desserts
Factura
Sweet puff pastries that are commonly eaten for a snack alongside tea, coffee or mate
Medialunas: Local name for croissants due to the half moon shape and very popular
Helado
Gelato is a beloved dessert found throughout the country at heladerias and besides being known for its high quality also can be purchased in large quantities
drinks
Quilmes
Argentina’s most popular beer brand found throughout the country and while most known for the classic crisp lager also has other styles such as stout, IPA, or non-alcoholic
Fernet y Coca
Fernet-Branca is a popular brand of Italian amaro liquor that is mixed with Coca-Cola and is so popular that Argentina consumes the majority of fernet in the world
Malbec
Dark colored red wine that was brought to Argentina by the French and now is the most produced wine in the country, pairing perfectly with the rich Argentine meat dishes
Mate
Traditional South American herbal drink made by soaking yerba mate in hot water and pouring into a gourd to be drank with a bombilla (metal staw) amongst friends
