Buenos Aires is the gastronomic capital of South America, a city where food is as integral to the cultural identity as tango or football. The influence of Italian and Spanish immigrants shaped a unique cuisine that blends the pampas asado tradition with Neapolitan pizza, fresh pasta, empanadas from the interior and a cafe culture that rivals Paris or Vienna. For tourists, Buenos Aires offers extraordinary value: a full steakhouse dinner with Malbec wine costs USD 15-30 per person, a thick-crust pizza at a classic Corrientes Avenue joint runs USD 5-8, and an artisan gelato of Italian calibre costs USD 3-5.
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Flight | Bus | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) | 8500 km | 10 h 30 direct | — | — |
| Miami (MIA) | 7100 km | 9 h direct | — | — |
| Madrid (MAD) | 10000 km | 12 h direct | — | — |
| São Paulo (GRU) | 1700 km | 2 h 50 | — | — |
| Santiago (SCL) | 1140 km | 2 h | 20 h | 14 h |
| Mendoza | 1050 km | 1 h 45 | 14 h | 11 h |
| Córdoba | 700 km | 1 h 15 | 10 h | 8 h |
| Iguazú (IGR) | 1300 km | 1 h 45 | 18 h | 15 h |
Month-by-month climate
| Month | Temp. | Rain | Crowds | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21° / 30°C | 120 mm | Hot summer | |
| Feb | 20° / 28°C | 125 mm | ||
| Mar | 18° / 26°C | 130 mm | Ideal fall start | |
| Apr | 14° / 22°C | 95 mm | ||
| May | 11° / 19°C | 75 mm | ||
| Jun | 8° / 15°C | 60 mm | ||
| Jul | 7° / 15°C | 60 mm | Winter break | |
| Aug | 9° / 17°C | 70 mm | ||
| Sep | 11° / 19°C | 80 mm | Ideal spring | |
| Oct | 13° / 22°C | 120 mm | ||
| Nov | 16° / 25°C | 125 mm | ||
| Dec | 19° / 28°C | 120 mm | Year-end holidays |
Typical prices by category
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel/night | USD 20–35 | USD 60–110 | USD 180–500 |
| Food/day | USD 15–22 | USD 30–55 | USD 80–200 |
| Tango show | USD 25–40 | USD 60–90 | USD 120–250 |
| Day tour | USD 30–50 | USD 60–90 | USD 150–300 |
Approximate ranges in USD as of April 2026. Subway & bus: flat ~ARS 500 fare.
Asado: the porteno religion
The Argentine asado is much more than grilled meat — it is a social ritual and a culinary art. Buenos Aires' steakhouses offer cuts you will not find anywhere else: bife de chorizo (sirloin, 400-500g), ojo de bife (ribeye), entrana (skirt steak, the best-kept secret), vacio (flank), tira de asado (short ribs) and offal: provoleta (grilled provolone), mollejas (sweetbreads), chinchulin and morcilla.
See our guide to the best Buenos Aires steakhouses for the top 10 restaurants.
Porteno pizza: a thing apart
Buenos Aires pizza is neither Italian nor American — it is a unique creation with thick dough, generous mozzarella and a tall crust. Iconic variants include muzza (classic mozzarella), fugazzeta (caramelised onion and cheese, no sauce) and fugazzeta rellena (double-crust stuffed with cheese). The classic pizzerias on Avenida Corrientes (Guerrin, Los Inmortales, Las Cuartetas, El Cuartito) offer slices from USD 2-3 or a whole pie for USD 5-8.
Empanadas
Empanadas are Argentina's national snack. Each region has its style, and in Buenos Aires you find them all: the saltena (hand-cut meat, potato, egg, olives), the tucumana (fried, juicy), the portena (minced meat, mild) and varieties with ham and cheese, corn, vegetables and chicken. An empanada costs USD 0.50-1.50 and three with a drink make a complete lunch for USD 3-5.
Cafes notables
Buenos Aires has a culture of cafes notables — historic establishments protected by law that preserve the porteno cafe tradition. See our guide to cafes notables with the best: Tortoni, La Biela, El Federal, Las Violetas and more. A cafe con leche and medialunas at a cafe notable costs USD 3-5.
Artisan gelato
Buenos Aires gelato is a direct heir of the Italian tradition, with artisan gelaterias on every block. Favourite porteno flavours include dulce de leche (the national flavour), sambayon, chocolate amargo, crema rusa and granizado. A kilo costs USD 5-8, a quarter kilo USD 3-4.
Where to eat cheaply in Buenos Aires
- Menu ejecutivo: most restaurants offer set lunch (starter + main + drink) for USD 5-10, Monday to Friday.
- Bodegones: neighbourhood restaurants with generous portions. Milanesa with fries USD 5-8.
- Corrientes Avenue pizzerias: slices from USD 2-3. A porteno classic.
- Mercado de San Telmo: empanadas, choripan, pasta and daily specials from USD 3-8.
- Palermo food trucks: burgers, tacos and fusion food from USD 4-8.
