How do you like your mornings served? If you’re in Buenos Aires, the options are endless and exquisite.
Welcome to our curated guide, brought to you by ExpatPathways, showcasing the 10 Best Places to Have Breakfast in Buenos Aires.
This article is your passport to discovering the top spots where locals and travelers alike bask in the delights of Argentine mornings—from the richest coffees to the flakiest medialunas.
Whether you’re a seasoned expat, a digital nomad in search of your next workspace, or a traveler eager to taste local flavors, join us as we tour the crème de la crème of Buenos Aires’ breakfast scenes.
The Best Places to Have Breakfast in Buenos Aires
1. Café Tortoni
Location: Av. de Mayo 825, Monserrat.
Café Tortoni, the oldest coffee shop in Argentina, is a staple of Buenos Aires culture. Established in 1858, it has served as a gathering place for prominent artists and politicians alike, such as Jorge Luis Borges and Carlos Gardel.
The café is famed not only for its rich history and traditional architecture but also for its delicious pastries and hot chocolate with churros.
Despite often long queues, the service is efficient, making it worth the wait for its famous carrot cake and immaculate coffee.
The atmosphere retains its historic charm, complete with stained walls and bustling tables, all contributing to a lively yet nostalgic breakfast experience.
2. Le Caravelle
Location: Lavalle 726, Microcentro.
Since its opening in 1962 on Lavalle Street, Le Caravelle has been a beacon of Italian café culture in Buenos Aires.
This quaint café offers a nostalgic feel with its wall clocks set to Buenos Aires, Rome, Madrid, and Athens time, enhancing its old-world charm.
Known for its exceptional cappuccinos and freshly baked croissants, Le Caravelle allows patrons to enjoy their coffee standing at the bar, surrounded by images of iconic Italian landmarks.
Regulars praise its consistent quality and consider its cappuccino the best in the city.
The café’s ambiance, combined with its accessible prices and delightful pastries, makes it a must-visit for both locals and tourists seeking a taste of Italy in Buenos Aires.
3. The Shelter Coffee
Location: Arroyo 940, Retiro.
Located on the charming Arroyo Street in Recoleta, The Shelter Coffee offers a distinctly British vibe in one of Buenos Aires’ most French neighborhoods, providing a delightful escape from the typical Porteño atmosphere.
Specializing in specialty coffee and light breakfast options like macarons and croissants, The Shelter Coffee also hosts gastronomic “pop-ups” during the week, pairing their excellent flat whites with unique offerings such as De los Frutos or Sheikob’s bagels on Thursdays.
The café’s interior channels a cozy British pub with dark tones, leather sofas, and decorative mirrors, making it a perfect retreat on rainy days or a pleasant spot to enjoy the newspaper outdoors on their beautiful sidewalk café.
Despite its compact size, its location on a quiet, picturesque street surrounded by Parisian-style architecture makes it an ideal spot for a relaxing break, complete with vegan options and an irresistibly photogenic setting.
4. Café Martínez
Location: Av. Santa Fe 4298, Palermo.
With numerous locations across Buenos Aires, Café Martínez has been a staple of Argentine coffee culture since 1933, when it was founded by Spanish immigrant Atilano Martínez.
Known for its franchise development since 1995 by Martínez’s grandchildren, this chain has grown into one of the city’s most prolific café networks.
Café Martínez prides itself on roasting its own coffee, a process that accentuates the unique characteristics and aromas of its beans, offering flavors of chocolate, toasted bread, honey, and caramel.
Besides serving coffee, it also sells beans, coffee capsules, and various products for baristas. Particularly notable is the branch on Avenida Santa Fe, conveniently located opposite La Rural de Palermo and Plaza Italia.
Here, patrons enjoy quick and friendly service, a variety of tasty beverages, and snacks including a highly recommended Oreo cake, all contributing to a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for breakfast or a mid-afternoon treat.
5. Las Violetas
Location: Avenida Rivadavia & Medrano, Almagro.
Located at the bustling corner of Avenida Rivadavia and Medrano in Almagro, Las Violetas is far from a mere historical artifact; it is a vibrant café beloved by locals and tourists alike, celebrated as the best café in the city in 2017.
Since its opening on September 21, 1884, Las Violetas has been distinguished by its lavish decor, reminiscent of European styles, reflecting Argentina’s nickname, the “Paris of South America.”
The café’s interior boasts exquisite woodwork, magnificent stained glass, Italian marbles, and Parisian furniture, believed to be named after the violets that once adorned its planters.
Famous for its generous afternoon teas, Las Violetas offers an array of treats including sandwiches de miga, traditional pan dulce, and buttery croissants.
Visitors are consistently impressed by the grandeur and charm of the place, finding it an ideal spot for enjoying a sumptuous meal in a beautifully preserved setting.
6. Malvón
Location: Serrano 789, Villa Crespo.
Nestled in Villa Crespo on Serrano Street, Malvón offers a refreshing escape from the bustling city life, surrounded by affordable clothing stores and the quiet neighborhood vibe.
This café embodies a blend of traditional porteño style and contemporary flair, offering an array of homemade meals, pastries, and breads, all made daily without preservatives or additives.
Malvón is particularly famous for its brunch available every day, with a special menu on weekends. The space is eclectic, featuring a mix of indoor seating and a quaint backyard reminiscent of an early 20th-century grandmother’s garden.
Visitors enjoy the fast service, the variety of both sweet and savory menu options, and the inviting atmosphere that combines nostalgic elements with modern comforts.
The high-quality pastries and reasonable prices make Malvón a favorite for families and friends looking for a unique dining experience in Villa Crespo.
7. Le Blé
Location: Honduras 4109, Palermo.
Le Blé boasts multiple branches across Buenos Aires, each one designed to reflect the spirit of the brand and the unique character of its neighborhood.
Their commitment is simple: to revive the local community’s vibrant role with warm, attentive service, a cozy atmosphere, and top-quality homemade products.
Le Blé prides itself on using natural, seasonal ingredients, baking overnight to ensure fresh, crispy bread by morning. They are dedicated to enhancing their service standards daily, paying meticulous attention to every detail to deliver the “Le Blé experience” to every customer.
One of their most recommended branches is located on Honduras Street in Palermo, where the architecture complements the service and products offered.
Patrons can enjoy a hot, frothy coffee alongside delicious pastries, including exceptional apple and dulce de leche rolls. The place also offers a well-regulated atmosphere, vegan options for snacks, and is praised for its welcoming environment and impeccable cleanliness.
8. Lievito Madre
Location: Soler 4000, Palermo.
Situated in Palermo on Soler Street, Lievito Madre is renowned for having the best bread in Buenos Aires, captivating customers with its flavor and texture.
This bakery introduced the “Cuproll” to Buenos Aires, offering gigantic and highly tempting baked goods. Their pistachio croissants and an assortment of other pastries stand out, featuring a variety of shapes and fillings, including fresh fruit like raspberries and figs—a pleasant surprise as many places use frozen berries.
The quality of the chocolate and the delicious sourdough are also noteworthy. Visitors are particularly drawn to their Saturday afternoon offerings, such as the pistachio croissant and the red fruit Cuproll, praising the exquisite flavor combinations and exceptional service.
Lievito Madre is highly recommended for its delightful pastries, excellent flavors, and the friendly staff who provide detailed explanations of the ingredients, making it a must-visit for dessert lovers in Buenos Aires.
9. Varela Varelita
Location: Av. Scalabrini Ortiz 2102, Palermo.
Located in the bustling neighborhood of Palermo, at the intersection of Scalabrini Ortiz and Paraguay, Café Varela Varelita holds a unique spot in Buenos Aires’ cultural and social scene.
Contrary to popular belief, its name does not derive from the famous orchestra Varela Varelita, but from the café’s original owner, whose son was affectionately called “Varelita.”
This café has been a favored haunt of significant figures, including the renowned writer Héctor Libertella and the vice president “Chacho” Álvarez, who used it as his informal office.
The café exudes a classic ambiance, where patrons can enjoy excellent service along with traditional drinks like vermouth and standout sandwiches, particularly the milanesa sandwich which has been celebrated for its quality and affordability.
The café not only preserves a rich history but continues to serve as a vibrant meeting place, promising a genuine Buenos Aires experience where even a shout for a whisky can invoke a local literary anecdote.
10. Gontran Cherrier
Location: Malabia 1805, Palermo.
Gontran Cherrier brings a slice of French baking excellence to Palermo, situated delightfully across from Plaza Armenia.
Founded by Gontran Cherrier, a fourth-generation French baker, the brand boasts over 60 locations worldwide. Launched in Argentina in 2019 by ex-footballers Renato and Luciano Civelli, and Marcelino Herrera Vegas, the bakery has quickly established itself as a gourmet haven.
Gontran Cherrier offers an array of French pastries and substantial meals like pissaladière, quiche Lorraine, and baguette Nordique, alongside an enticing selection of pastries including scons, éclairs, and macarons.
The setting is idyllic, and the bakery features outdoor seating that is spacious and well-appointed, ensuring a pleasant dining experience.
Guests consistently praise the quick service, the quality of the coffee, and the variety of baked goods, making it a top destination for those seeking an authentic French culinary experience in Buenos Aires.
(Featured Image Source: Carlos Gil/flickr.com)
