Eating Out
Argentina is famous for its juicy, tender steaks, served in traditional , the country's iconic steakhouses, and beef is naturally king in the Buenos Aires food scene. The city also offers a wide range of dining options, from Italian and Spanish classics to sushi, fusion and vegetarian cuisine.
Street food stalls and casual eateries sell panchos (hot dogs), choripán (grilled sausage sandwiches), and milanesas (breaded meat cutlets). Travellers can buy yerba mate, Argentina's most traditional non-alcoholic beverage, in any supermarket such as Coto or Carrefour, and they shouldn't miss the gourmet ice cream, empanadas (stuffed pastries), or alfajores, a popular cookie filled with dulce de leche, a rich milk-based caramel.
A wide range of international cuisines is available across the city, including Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Arabic, Spanish and Italian. These can be found in everything from casual neighbourhood spots to upscale restaurants, especially in Palermo, Recoleta and Belgrano. High-end dining is concentrated in Puerto Madero and parts of Palermo. The main nightlife and dining areas include Puerto Madero, Recoleta, Palermo SoHo and Palermo Hollywood, which are known for their trendy restaurants, bars and boutiques. Most locals head out for dinner around 9pm, with some restaurants staying open well past midnight.
Shopping
Buenos Aires offers a wealth of authentic local treasures, from fine leather goods on Murillo Street in Villa Crespo to alfajores, traditional sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche. Popular souvenirs include tango music, mate cups, leather items and Argentine wine. Shops generally open Monday through Friday from 9am to 8pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 1 or 2pm, though hours may vary.
Florida and Lavalle Streets are pedestrian-only and lined with shops. In Villa Crespo, many stores specialise in leather and tango shoes. Palermo Viejo is home to indie boutiques and artsy fashion favoured by younger crowds. The city also hosts popular markets, including the Recoleta Fair in Plaza Francia and the San Telmo market.
Plaza Serrano in Palermo and Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo are great for browsing local crafts. Defensa Street comes alive on weekends with performers and street vendors. Shopping malls are a convenient option, open daily from 10am to 10pm, and include restaurants, cafes, cinemas, and major local and international brands.
Nightlife
Famed for its mix of trendy clubs, music bars and stylish restaurants, Buenos Aires is a city that rarely sleeps. From intimate tango bars and high-energy clubs to the majestic Teatro Colón and dozens of independent theatres, there's something for every taste.
In keeping with local culture, dinner is eaten late, usually between 9 and 11pm, so clubs don't fill up until around 2am. Palermo is the heart of the nightlife scene, while San Telmo and Recoleta also offer a range of bars and venues. It's not uncommon to see locals walking home at sunrise after a night out.
The arts scene is equally rich, with theatres clustered along Avenida Corrientes, and in neighbourhoods such as San Telmo and Abasto. These venues showcase musicals, plays and experimental works, most of which are in Spanish. Most bars also host live music, tango shows and folkloric dance. Buenos Aires boasts a thriving LGBTQ+ scene, which is centred in Palermo and San Telmo, and is considered one of the most vibrant and visible in South America.