Argentina Food and Drink
Argentina's cuisine is hearty and flavourful, with a strong emphasis on meat, particularly beef, which plays a starring role in dishes like the iconic asado (barbecue). Other meat dishes include bife de chorizo (sirloin steak), milanesa (breaded meat cutlet), and choripán (grilled sausage sandwich), all showcasing the country's love for high-quality beef and flavourful grilling traditions.
While Argentina is often seen as a meat-lover's paradise, there are still options for vegetarians, particularly in larger cities where international cuisine and vegetarian restaurants are increasingly popular. Classic vegetarian options include empanadas, pasta and pizza, with the latter two reflecting the country's Italian influence.
It is worth noting that dinner in Argentina is typically eaten late, often around 9 pm or later.
Argentina also boasts a strong café culture, with cafés and confiterías (patisseries) serving rich espresso and café con leche (coffee with milk), often accompanied by pastries like medialunas (croissants). Cafés are popular for socialising, people-watching, and enjoying the tradition of merienda, an afternoon snack.
Specialities
Asado: The quintessential Argentine barbecue, featuring beef, sausages, offal, and sometimes lamb or goat, all cooked slowly over charcoal.
Empanadas: Pastry pockets filled with meat, cheese, vegetables, or ham and cheese, with regional variations in fillings and cooking methods.
Milanesa: Breaded and fried meat cutlets, similar to a schnitzel, often served with fries or as a sandwich (milanesa al pan).
Provoleta: A grilled provolone cheese, served melty and gooey, often with a sprinkle of oregano and a drizzle of olive oil.
Locro: A hearty stew made with corn, beans, potatoes, pork, and chorizo, traditionally served on national holidays.
Humita and Tamales: Andean dishes made with corn, often mixed with cheese and wrapped in corn husks, then steamed or boiled.
Dulce de Leche: A caramel-like spread made from sweetened milk, used in pastries, cakes, ice cream, and the beloved alfajores (cookie sandwiches).
Alfajores: Two soft cookies filled with dulce de leche and often coated in chocolate or coconut.
Medialunas: Sweet croissants, often enjoyed with a coffee during merienda (afternoon snack).
Chocolate from Bariloche: The town is known for its artisan chocolates, influenced by its European heritage.
Malbec Wine: Argentina's signature red wine, with the Mendoza region producing some of the world's best bottles.
Torrontés Wine: A fragrant white wine, mainly from the Salta region, with a fruity and floral profile.
Quilmes: A light lager often seen at asados and social gatherings. It is considered the national beer and has been brewed since 1888.
Maté: A traditional herbal tea made from yerba maté, sipped through a metal straw (bombilla) from a gourd. Drinking maté is a social ritual.
Fernet with Cola: A popular mixed drink, combining the bitter liqueur Fernet with cola, particularly loved in Córdoba.
Tipping
In Argentina, tipping in restaurants is customary but not mandatory. It is polite to leave a 10% tip for good service, typically in cash, as tips are not always included in the bill and may not be possible through card payments. In more casual settings, such as cafés or bars, rounding up the bill or leaving small change is appreciated.
Drinking age
18.
