Why do you always ask for recommendations for pizza restaurants in Buenos Aires and you are sent to the Obelisco area? It’s true, the most renowned pizza restaurants are there and there is a very interesting competition to captivate foreign and national audiences. However, outside of that tourist circuit you can also find food that will surprise you and that reflects the identity of Buenos Aires as much or more.
Pin Pun is a very classic pizza restaurant in the Almagro neighborhood. Far from museums and theaters, but close to the working and middle class people who offer their unconditional loyalty in exchange for good service and a quality product. This is how Pin Pun has earned the reputation of being one of the best pizza restaurants in the neighborhood and in Buenos Aires.
Pin Pun (Buenos Aires): Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit
About Pin Pun
When discussing historic pizza restaurants in Buenos Aires, Pin Pun is a name that cannot be left out. This classic pizzeria in the Almagro neighborhood has been serving its customers for over 90 years.
Although the history of Pin Pun is not widely known, understanding its origins helps explain its enduring popularity. It’s important to note that the same Italian immigrants who founded the iconic Guerrin pizzeria (the most famous in Buenos Aires) were also behind Pin Pun.
Pin Pun has weathered the highs and lows of Buenos Aires, consistently offering excellent pizzas and even better empanadas. As an emblematic part of the Almagro neighborhood, Pin Pun has seen many notable personalities and continues to attract visitors who come to enjoy its renowned pizza.
From the outside, Pin Pun’s appearance is modest and unassuming. However, the interior extends deep with tables and chairs, providing plenty of space for family gatherings.
When asked about renovating or refurbishing the establishment, the owners decline. For them, Pin Pun represents not just their food and products, but also the neighborhood atmosphere and tradition that the restaurant embodies.
Every year, Pin Pun competes in various events aiming to award the best pizza in Buenos Aires. It has won accolades for best customer service and best mozzarella pizza, and in 2018, it was named the best pizza in the city by local residents.
Distinctive Features of Pin Pun
Pin Pun has several standout features. One notable aspect is its resemblance to Guerrin, a pizzeria founded five years later in the Obelisco area by the same creators. The restaurant also features a counter in the middle of the entrance, a common trait in pizza places for those who prefer a quick slice without sitting down.
Another highlight is the friendly and courteous staff at Pin Pun. They are well-versed in the menu, remember it by heart, and are always available to assist without being intrusive.
The restaurant’s elongated layout, combined with its tiles, neon signs, televisions, and wall art, creates a familiar and cozy atmosphere that is hard to describe in words.
For many, Pin Pun is considered a true pizza and empanada laboratory. When entering the restaurant, you’ll see empanadas being cooked in rendered fat.
Pin Pun’s standout offerings include mozzarella pizza, empanadas, and the house special pizza, “Especial Pin Pun,” which includes ham, peppers, and mozzarella. In truth, everything Pin Pun serves is exceptional and perfectly reflects Buenos Aires’ pizza and empanada traditions.
Where is Pin Pun?
Pin Pun is located in the Almagro neighborhood at Corrientes Avenue 3954, between Medrano Avenue and Jerónimo Salguero Street. This area is primarily residential and commercial, offering easy access to other neighborhoods and more touristy spots in Buenos Aires, such as Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo, Recoleta, Palermo, and Villa Crespo.
Corrientes Avenue is one of the main thoroughfares in Buenos Aires, stretching from Chacarita to Puerto Madero, with the B line of the subway running underneath it.
To the east of Pin Pun, you’ll find the Abasto neighborhood, while to the west are Villa Crespo and Caballito. To the south is Boedo, and to the north is Palermo.
How to Get to Pin Pun?
Getting to Pin Pun and enjoying its delicious Buenos Aires-style pizza is straightforward. The pizzeria is well integrated with the public transportation network, making it accessible by both bus and subway.
For subway travel, Line B runs directly beneath Corrientes Avenue with a station located less than 100 meters from the restaurant. You can transfer between subway lines with a single ticket at stations where multiple lines intersect.
Many bus lines operate around Pin Pun, given its location on key streets and avenues. The following bus lines can get you close to the restaurant: 19, 24, 26, 71, 90, 92, 99, 124, 127, 128, 151, and 168.
If you prefer to travel by bike or car, the area is not particularly problematic in terms of traffic or safety. However, you will need to find a private parking spot unless you choose to use services like Cabify or a taxi.
Why Visit Pin Pun?
Baked or Fried Empanadas
If you’re heading to Pin Pun with a hearty appetite, you should pace yourself.
First, you can enjoy Pin Pun’s wonderful baked or fried empanadas (your choice). Options include beef, chicken, ham and cheese, vegetable, humita (corn), and Roquefort.
You can add spicy sauce to your empanadas if you like, though it’s not required. The waiter will bring the sauce, and you can decide whether or not to add it.
Baked empanadas offer a lighter taste and highlight the filling’s flavor, while fried empanadas are more substantial and “juicy” due to the fat used in cooking.
Variety of Beverages
Whether you want an alcoholic drink or something non-alcoholic to accompany your meal, Pin Pun offers a range of options. You can choose from soft drinks and water for those who need to drive or prefer to avoid alcohol, or opt for alcoholic beverages.
Among the alcoholic options, you can select from wines, beers, liqueurs, and even aperitifs or vermouths, along with classic cocktails like Cuba Libre, Gin Tonic, Negroni, and Fernet.
The Crown Jewel of Pin Pun: The Pizza
While some visitors come only for the empanadas, almost 80% of Pin Pun’s patrons come for the pizza.
Pin Pun’s pizza meets all the criteria an average Argentine expects: crispy crust, generous cheese, and high-quality ingredients.
Our recommendations? Start with the mozzarella pizza, which has been awarded as one of the best in Buenos Aires. For a more adventurous choice, try the Neapolitan pizza (with tomato and garlic), anchovy pizza, provolone pizza (a denser and saltier cheese than mozzarella), or fugazza (with onions).
Pin Pun also offers its own special pizza, aptly named “Especial Pin Pun.” This pizza features tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, bell peppers, fresh tomato, hard-boiled egg, black olives, and oregano—all on one pizza.