Are you on the hunt for the most delectable empanadas in Buenos Aires, eager to savor this Argentine culinary treasure? Buenos Aires, a city renowned for its rich culinary heritage, offers a vast array of empanada havens, each promising an unforgettable taste experience.
In this exclusive guide on ExpatPathways, we dive deep into the heart of the city’s food scene to bring you the 10 Best Empanada Places in Buenos Aires.
Whether you’re a digital nomad in search of your next favorite meal, a traveler eager to explore local flavors, or an expat craving a taste of home, this list is your gateway to discovering the crème de la crème of Buenos Aires’ empanada spots.
Join us as we unfold the layers of dough and divulge the secret spots that serve up the most mouth-watering empanadas in town.
The Best Empanada Places in Buenos Aires
1. Mi Gusto
Location: Cnel. Niceto Vega 5795, Palermo, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
Mi Gusto has made waves in Buenos Aires, particularly across Palermo, by reinventing the classic empanada into an exciting and diverse dish that stands out for its originality and flair.
Not only does Mi Gusto offer a range of unique flavors—from traditional options like ham and cheese, to innovative creations like cheeseburger and spicy beef—but they also introduce a novel twist by gratinating each empanada with parmesan cheese, whether they are baked or fried.
This culinary innovation has positioned Mi Gusto as a must-visit for empanada lovers seeking both classic and novel experiences, with customers highlighting the pumpkin with cheese and spicy beef varieties as particularly memorable.
Beyond their famous empanadas, Mi Gusto also serves up delicious pizzas, ensuring there’s something for everyone. With their own delivery app and the option to add extra sauces and melted cheese, Mi Gusto has truly differentiated itself in the Buenos Aires food scene, offering large, filling empanadas that encourage ordering with appetite in mind.
2. El Sanjuanino
Location: Báez 227, Belgrano, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
El Sanjuanino, nestled in the lively area of Las Cañitas near the Palermo Racetrack, offers a down-to-earth dining experience with an emphasis on traditional Argentine dishes of exceptional quality.
Their standout offering, the Sanjuaninas empanadas, garners universal praise for its freshness and flavor, available both baked and fried, and stands as a testament to the establishment’s culinary prowess.
El Sanjuanino’s fair pricing, coupled with swift and attentive service, makes it a highly recommended destination for anyone exploring Las Cañitas. Patrons laud the establishment for its generous portions and value for money, with dishes such as milanesa with mashed potatoes and the exquisite tortilla, setting the stage for a meal that never disappoints.
As a bastion of Argentine gastronomy, El Sanjuanino celebrates the nation’s culinary heritage and fine wine, offering an authentic and satisfying experience amidst a landscape often dominated by overpriced alternatives.
3. El Imperfecto
Location: Gascón 1417, Palermo, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
El Imperfecto emerged from a story of love and culinary ambition, becoming a cherished destination in Palermo for those seeking authentic empanada experiences.
Founders Diego Rizzi and Emilia Saravia turned their wedding fund into a rustic eatery where the charm of intentionally imperfect cooking—without gas, relying solely on wood-fired oven techniques—brings the flavors of Northern Argentina to life. Emilia’s Salteñan roots influence the menu’s Northern flair, with empanadas available in just two traditional flavors: meat or cheese.
These delicacies are carefully crafted with ingredients sourced from Salta, such as paprika, ground chili, and cumin, ensuring each bite is packed with authenticity and the warmth of childhood memories.
The meticulous preparation process, from the filling to the crimping, underscores the dedication that makes El Imperfecto’s empanadas highly sought after, with a daily limited quantity that enhances their allure.
4. El Hornero
Location: Carlos Calvo 455 local 88 y 89, San Telmo, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
El Hornero stands as a beacon for empanada aficionados, offering an array of flavors that capture the essence of Argentine cuisine. Baked to perfection in a traditional clay oven, these empanadas—particularly the chorizo colorado and cheese variety—are celebrated for their rich fillings and exquisite dough.
Situated in the bustling San Telmo market, El Hornero has become synonymous with the ultimate empanada experience, boasting a selection that ranges from the classic Jamón Y Queso and Carne Salteña to the adventurous Cow tripe and a vegetable medley featuring zucchini, eggplant, and pumpkin.
Esteemed for its welcoming staff, quality ingredients, and the unique opportunity to observe the preparation process, El Hornero provides a genuine taste of Buenos Aires, earning accolades from locals and tourists alike.
The Roquefort cheese empanada, with its oozing, flavorful cheese, stands out as a favorite, embodying the rich culinary tapestry of Buenos Aires within the historic ambiance of San Telmo market.
5. La Mezzetta
Location: Av. Álvarez Thomas 1321, Villa Ortúzar, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
La Mezzetta, a classic fixture in Villa Ortúzar since 1939, has not only been recognized as the best pizzeria in the city by BA Capital Gastronómica but also featured in an episode of Netflix’s Street Food series, celebrating the finest street foods in Latin America.
While its pizza, especially the iconic fugazzeta rellena, steals the spotlight, La Mezzetta’s empanadas command equal admiration for their homemade quality and deliciousness, embodying the essence of a typical Buenos Aires pizzeria where empanadas are a must-have.
The menu may be concise, featuring favorites like anchovy, napolitana, and ham and bell pepper pizzas, but it is rich in flavor and generosity, offering mouth-watering carne and ham and cheese empanadas alongside the famed pizzas, ensuring a culinary experience that’s both authentically Argentine and unmissable.
6. La Americana
Location: Av. Callao 83, Congreso, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
La Americana Empanadas, with its prime locations in the heart of Buenos Aires, has seamlessly woven itself into the city’s urban fabric, distinguished not only by the quality and taste of its offerings but also by its warm, familial atmosphere.
Billing itself as the “first empanada house in Buenos Aires,” La Americana delivers exceptional service and a menu that includes amazing vegetarian options, making it a beacon of comfort food in the city. The Av. Callao branch, in particular, emerged as an unexpected gem, offering an authentic dining experience contrary to the typical expectations of a chain restaurant.
From the unparalleled empanadas and pizzas to the divine desserts like the house special ice cream cup, La Americana stands out as a classic Buenos Aires establishment, known for its excellent food, attentive service, and vibrant atmosphere, drawing crowds well into the night and proving to be a go-to destination for both savory and sweet cravings.
7. El Banco Rojo
Location: Bolívar 866, San Telmo, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
El Banco Rojo, a beloved fixture in the San Telmo district since its 2011 opening, has evolved from a modest establishment into a bustling hotspot, now housed in a larger venue complete with a charming plant-filled patio that warmly welcomes pets.
Renowned for turning classic dishes into unforgettable culinary experiences, El Banco Rojo shines with its fried empanadas, offering an array of innovative flavors that range from spicy lamb and double pork to roasted pumpkin with cheese, as well as vegan and vegetarian options that change weekly.
This fusion of traditional methods with creative fillings makes their empanadas a must-try for locals and tourists alike, complemented by efficient service where orders can be placed online and delivered straight to your table, ensuring a seamless dining experience.
8. Roma Bar
Location: Dr. Tomás Manuel de Anchorena 806, Abasto, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
Roma, born from the vision of four partners known for their successful ventures in Buenos Aires, revitalized a notable bar at the corner of San Luis and Anchorena, aiming to celebrate the city’s culinary heritage with a menu centered on classic Porteño pizza and, indispensably, empanadas.
Their empanadas stand out for their size, flavor, and generous, high-quality fillings, offering a selection that includes knife-cut beef, spicy chicken, ham and cheese, and an innovative corn vegan option, among others.
The spicy beef and wood-fired chicken varieties come highly recommended. Opting for dine-in provides the added pleasure of enjoying these delicacies in a setting that captures the essence of Buenos Aires, allowing guests to savor not only the food but also the vibrant street life from one of the city’s quintessential corners.
9. La Cocina
Location: Av. Pueyrredón 1508, Barrio Norte, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
La Cocina, nestled in the bustling Barrio Norte close to the Hospital Alemán, takes pride in its artisanal approach to empanada making. From the dough to the fillings and the meticulous crimping, every empanada is handcrafted at their San Telmo production plant by lifelong specialists in each stage of the process.
The dedication to quality is evident in Rodolfo’s commitment to small-batch cooking and selecting top-notch ingredients, from premium meats that are cleaned and minced in-house to freshly ground spices. Among the plethora of tasty options, the “Pikachu” empanada, with its sweet caramelized onion and spicy kick, stands out as a must-try.
Despite the constant bustle and straightforward service, the quality and flavor of La Cocina’s empanadas make it a beloved spot among Recoleta’s residents, offering a taste of Catamarca’s traditional recipes in well-filled, comino and paprika-seasoned delights.
10. Pin Pun
Location: Av. Corrientes 3954, Almagro, Ciudad de Buenos Aires.
Pin Pun, a classic pizzeria in the Almagro neighborhood with a storied history dating back to 1927, established by the same Italian immigrants who opened Güerrin in downtown Buenos Aires, is celebrated for its incredible Muzzarella and the Special Pin-Pun pizza.
However, it’s their fried beef empanadas that truly steal the show, earning them acclaim including the best mozzarella pizza prize at the 2015 Muza 5K pizza eaters’ marathon. Pin Pun’s legendary status is matched by its meticulously preserved ambiance, excellent service, and clean facilities, offering a nostalgic slice of Buenos Aires’ culinary heritage.
The venue’s warm atmosphere, coupled with its iconic status and the deliciousness of its offerings from fugazzetta to fried beef empanadas, makes it a favorite gathering spot for locals and visitors alike, recommended for anyone looking to indulge in the city’s classic pizza and empanadas.
(Featured Image Source: Wayne Hopkins/flickr.com)
