Best Things to Do in Buenos Aires: Food, Culture, and Unforgettable Experiences

Buenos Aires is a city that seduces you slowly - through its food, its music, its neighborhoods, and the warmth of its people. As Betty and Marcelo, we've lived in this incredible city for decades, and we still discover new reasons to love it. Whether you're visiting for the first time or coming back for more, here are the experiences that will make your trip unforgettable.

Food Experiences You Can't Miss

Buenos Aires is one of South America's great food cities, and eating well here is easy - but eating authentically takes a little insider knowledge.

Asado: Argentina's Sacred BBQ Ritual

No visit to Buenos Aires is complete without experiencing asado, Argentina's traditional barbecue. More than just grilled meat, asado is a social ritual that brings people together around fire, food, and wine.

You can experience asado at a parrilla restaurant (Buenos Aires has hundreds), but for the most authentic experience, join a private asado dinner where you sit right next to the grill and watch the entire process unfold.

Food Markets and Ferias

• Feria de San Telmo (Sundays) - Buenos Aires' most famous street market stretches along Defensa street with antiques, crafts, and incredible street food including choripán and empanadas
• Mercado de San Telmo - An indoor market with artisan food vendors, specialty cheeses, fresh pasta, and some of the city's best empanadas
• Feria de Mataderos - A more local experience on Buenos Aires' outskirts, featuring gaucho traditions, folk music, and traditional Argentine food

Buenos Aires Food Tours

Guided food tours are an excellent way to discover the city's culinary landscape. Look for tours that take you beyond tourist areas and into neighborhood favorites. The best food tours in Buenos Aires focus on:

• Traditional parrilla and asado experiences
• Empanada tastings across different regional styles
• Wine and Malbec education
• Ice cream (helado) culture - Buenos Aires has some of the world's best gelato
• Café culture and medialunas (Argentine croissants)

Private Dining Experiences

For something more intimate than a restaurant, Buenos Aires has a growing scene of private dining experiences - locally hosted meals in homes, workshops, and hidden venues. These offer a personal connection to Argentine food culture that restaurants simply can't match, with hosts who share not just food but stories, traditions, and local knowledge.

Palermo: Buenos Aires' Trendiest Neighborhood

Palermo is the neighborhood most visitors fall in love with, and for good reason. Divided into sub-neighborhoods (Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Chico), it offers the city's best concentration of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and green spaces.

Where to Eat in Palermo

• La Cabrera - Famous for generous portions and creative side dishes
• Proper - Excellent brunch spot with specialty coffee and creative plates
• Salvaje - Asian-Latin fusion in a stunning setting
• Chori - Gourmet choripán (grilled sausage sandwich) elevated to an art form

What to Do in Palermo

• Bosques de Palermo - The city's largest park, perfect for morning runs, bike rides, or a lazy afternoon with mate
• MALBA - The Museum of Latin American Art, showcasing works by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Argentine masters
• Palermo Soho boutiques - Independent fashion designers, leather goods, and unique souvenirs along streets like Honduras, El Salvador, and Gurruchaga
• Plaza Serrano - The heart of Palermo Soho's nightlife and weekend craft fair scene

San Telmo: History, Tango, and Character

Buenos Aires' oldest residential neighborhood is where you'll feel the city's history most strongly.

• Sunday Feria - The famous open-air market along Defensa street with antiques, street performers, and tango dancers
• El Zanjón de Granados - A hidden network of underground tunnels beneath a restored colonial house, offering a fascinating glimpse into the city's past
• Tango shows - San Telmo's milongas (tango dance halls) range from tourist-friendly dinner shows to authentic local dance nights
• Bar Sur and El Viejo Almacén - Two of the most atmospheric tango venues in the city

Cultural Experiences

Tango

You can't visit Buenos Aires without encountering tango. Options range from a beginner class to a professional dinner show to simply watching dancers perform on the streets of San Telmo on a Sunday afternoon.

Mate

Argentina's national drink is more than a beverage - it's a symbol of friendship and community. Learning to prepare and share mate the traditional way is one of the most meaningful cultural experiences in Buenos Aires. Betty and Marcelo offer a dedicated mate experience where you learn the ritual, the history, and take home your own mate kit.

Football (Soccer)

Watching a Boca Juniors or River Plate match at their home stadiums is one of Buenos Aires' most electrifying experiences. The passion of Argentine football fans is legendary. If you can't get match tickets, stadium tours are available at both La Bombonera (Boca) and the Monumental (River).

Day Trips from Buenos Aires

Tigre and the Delta

Just an hour north of the city by train, the Tigre Delta offers a peaceful escape into a network of rivers and islands. Take a boat tour, have lunch at a riverside restaurant, and browse the Puerto de Frutos market.

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

A quick ferry ride across the Río de la Plata takes you to this UNESCO World Heritage town. Cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and a charming waterfront make it a perfect day trip.

Estancia (Ranch) Experience

Visit a working estancia on the Pampas for horseback riding, gaucho culture, and of course, a traditional campo asado lunch cooked over open fire.

Insider Tips for Buenos Aires

• Dinner is late. Restaurants fill up at 9:00-10:00 PM. Eating at 7:00 PM means dining alone.
• Cash still matters. While cards are increasingly accepted, having pesos on hand helps at markets, small shops, and taxis.
• Learn a few words of Spanish. Porteños (Buenos Aires locals) appreciate the effort, even if they speak English.
• Walk everywhere. Buenos Aires' best discoveries happen on foot - the street art, the hidden cafés, the unexpected plazas.
• Take advantage of the exchange rate. Buenos Aires offers incredible value for international visitors.

Make Your Trip Unforgettable with Betty and Marcelo

The best travel memories come from authentic connections with local culture. Our asado experience in Palermo Soho gives you exactly that - an evening of incredible food, Argentine wines, cultural storytelling, and the warmth of a family gathering. It's consistently rated as one of the top things to do in Buenos Aires.

U$D 104.00 per guest - Book your experience →

Explore our other guides: The Ultimate Guide to Asado in Buenos Aires | Best Steakhouses in Buenos Aires