The El Camino Travel Guide to Buenos Aires
Written by Sarah Tinoco
Tucked in a port, a bay away from Uruguay, lies Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, the second southernmost country in the Western Hemisphere. Buenos Aires is a thrilling metropolis, a city that is alive with passion and creativity. Argentina’s abundance of resources and trade had contributed to the wealth of this country, resulting in an influx of desires for the rich European culture in the 1800s. By the late 1800s, Italian and Spanish immigrants began relocating to Argentina in search of economic opportunities, and by the early 1900s, to escape political unrest. After the devastating Guerra Sucia, or Dirty War, from 1976 to 1983, the economy collapsed, but by the early 2000s, Argentina was once again thriving.
Argentina has continued to flourish, especially over the past year. “Argentina’s borders were completely closed and international tourism was only allowed as of November 2022” says Buenos Aires travel expert Vanessa Bell. “Yet in the last 12 years of living here I’ve never seen the city transform so quickly with so many new openings in these last two years, from bars and culinary offerings to showrooms and stores,” she adds. Argentina’s history is a rollercoaster, but it has made for exciting creative expression through its cuisine, art, and more.
We chatted with our Argentina expert Lucas Lanosa, and Buenos Aires expert Vanessa Bell to find out what’s hot and here to stay in Buenos Aires today. We pinpointed just some of what our experts believe are the can’t-miss spots to eat, drink, shop, stay, and go in this vibrant city. Let’s get to it!
Eat
“If you don’t know about it, you’d never find it,” Lucas says of Chuí, a cool vegetarian restaurant tucked away in a huge palm tree-filled garden in Villa Crespo. Chuí hides an oasis of a relaxed outdoor restaurant, almost always filled with locals enjoying themselves. Lucas speaks highly of their pizzas, hummus, and mushrooms, which they grow on site. There is no website, no online menu, and no reservations here. Visit Chuí during the hours listed in their Instagram bio.
Also included in the guide:
A modern restaurant near the neighborhood of Palermo that Lucas describes as “to die for, like an explosion of flavors and sensations in your mouth.”
Ar estaurant serving contemporary takes on Argentinian classics, serving artfully plated dishes using native Argentinian ingredients.
Source: Jazmin Chebar
Drink
Sip a glass of wine in style at La Malbequería, “a cool place for wines by the glass,” Lucas says of this chic spot you can’t miss in Palermo Soho. Go in the early afternoon and snag a table on their posh terrace. Taste white and red wines from throughout Argentina, and when you’re ready to leave, grab a bottle or two from their wine shop on the way out.
Also included in the guide:
A ‘happening’ cocktail bar serving signature drinks and food from different parts of the world
Lucas’s favorite far where the vibe is sexy and chic. Be ready to rub shoulders with some of Buenos Aires’ coolest residents.
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Source: Chui
Shop
Browse the colorful and contemporary designs of Jazmin Chebar. Shop modern silhouettes and bold patterns and colors from this Buenos Aires-born designer who honed her skills at the Parsons School of Design in New York and with Valentino and Donna Karan before partnering with entrepreneur Claudio Drescher to start her own line of women’s wear.
Also included in the guide:
A nature-inspired brand that focuses on leisurewear, including intimates, dresses, and matching sets
A cosmopolitan concept store featuring independent global designers, alongside striking dresses, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, eye-catching bags and hats, and other unique accessories.
Source: La Malbequería