Mendoza Food & Wine

Mendoza's gastronomy is much more than wine. The province is one of Argentina's culinary capitals, where the tradition of criollo asado, the country's tastiest empanadas, olive oil production that rivals Italy's, and a new generation of chefs fusing local ingredients with avant-garde techniques all converge. Everything is accompanied, of course, by the world's finest Malbec.

The Mendoza dining scene divides into two worlds: the winery restaurants (premium pairing experiences from USD 30 to USD 150 per person) and the street food and traditional cuisine of the city, where a full lunch with wine costs less than USD 15. This guide takes you through both worlds, from humble empanada stalls to Michelin-caliber winery kitchens.

Asado Mendocino: Fire, Meat and Malbec

Asado in Mendoza has its own identity. Unlike the Buenos Aires-style asado, mendocino grilling traditionally uses algarrobo wood (not charcoal) and is always accompanied by Malbec. The chivito al asador (whole goat roasted on a cross-shaped spit over open flame) is the star of rural cuisine, especially in areas like Lavalle and Malargue -- it is a slow-cooked, smoky, tender delicacy that may be the most memorable meal of your trip. In the city, grill restaurants (parrillas) offer classic cuts like vacio (flank steak), entrana (skirt steak), tira de asado (short ribs) and mollejas (sweetbreads).

Where to Eat Asado in Mendoza

• La Marchigiana: Traditional downtown grill with over 50 years of history. Affordable prices (USD 15-25). Packed with locals, which is always a good sign.
• Fuente y Fonda: Regional cuisine with asado al disco (Dutch-oven-style stew) and grilled meats. Excellent value for money.
• Siete Fuegos (Francis Mallmann): Argentina's most famous celebrity chef's fire-cooking restaurant at The Vines Resort in Valle de Uco. A premium experience (USD 100+) with open-flame cooking techniques from his globally acclaimed repertoire.
• 1884 by Mallmann: Located in the historic Escorihuela winery in Godoy Cruz. Contemporary cuisine with grilled meats and exceptional wines (USD 40-70). One of Mendoza's landmark dining experiences.

Empanadas Mendocinas: Argentina's Best?

Mendoza empanadas are considered by many Argentines to be the best in the country. What makes them special is the puff pastry dough (hojaldrada) instead of the common dough used elsewhere, a filling of knife-cut beef with onion, cumin, chili flakes and a green olive (no potato, unlike Salta empanadas), and a distinctive crimped edge (repulgue). They are baked in a wood-fired clay oven (horno de barro) to golden, flaky perfection.

Where to Eat the Best Empanadas

• Avenida Aristides Villanueva stalls: Multiple street stalls on Mendoza's main nightlife avenue. A dozen from USD 4-6. Perfect late-night fuel.
• Mercado Central: Fresh empanadas in various flavors. Local atmosphere and affordable prices. A genuine market experience.
• La Florencia: Classic mendocina empanada with decades of tradition. Ask for the carne cortada a cuchillo (hand-cut beef) for the authentic version.

Olive Oil: Mendoza's Liquid Gold

Mendoza is Argentina's main olive oil producer and mendocino olive oil competes in quality with the best of the Mediterranean. The province has ideal conditions: semi-desert climate, low humidity and abundant sunshine. The main varieties are Arauco (indigenous to Argentina), Arbequina, Frantoio and Coratina, each with a distinctive character ranging from fruity and mild to peppery and intense.

Olivicola Laur, on the Maipu bike circuit, offers free olive oil tastings and is an obligatory stop on any winery bike tour. Other producers like Pasrai and Zuelo (from the Zuccardi winery) produce internationally award-winning premium oils. A 500ml bottle of extra-virgin olive oil costs between USD 3 and USD 10 -- an excellent souvenir that packs well in a suitcase. When buying, look for "extra virgen" and a harvest date on the label.

Wine-Paired Winery Lunches: The Star Experience

The signature culinary experience in Mendoza is the wine-paired lunch at a winery, where a chef designs a 3-7 course menu specifically matched with the estate's wines. Each dish is crafted to complement and elevate a particular wine, creating a synergy of flavors that transforms a meal into an event. These lunches typically last 2-3 hours and are the perfect fusion of gastronomy and wine tourism.

Best Winery Lunches and Dinners

• Ruca Malen (Lujan de Cuyo): 5-course lunch with pairing. USD 65. Book at least 1 week ahead. The chef changes the menu seasonally. One of the best value wine experiences in the world.
• Zuccardi Piedra Infinita (Valle de Uco): Restaurant at the world's best winery. Tasting menu from USD 80. Book 2+ weeks ahead. The single-parcel wine pairings are extraordinary.
• Bodega Andeluna (Valle de Uco): Sunset dinner with Andes backdrop. USD 148 via Civitatis. Rated 10/10. The most photogenic dining experience in Mendoza.
• Salentein (Valle de Uco): Lunch with vineyard views and Killka art gallery. USD 30-50. Relaxed atmosphere with excellent wines.
• Chandon (Lujan de Cuyo): Light lunch paired with Argentine sparkling wines. USD 25-40. A refreshing change from all the Malbec.

Chivito and Locro: Traditional Highland Cuisine

Beyond the urban dining scene, Mendoza's traditional cuisine reflects its highland, semi-arid geography. Chivito (roasted goat) is the quintessential rural dish, slow-cooked on a cross-shaped spit (asador) over an open wood fire for hours until the meat falls off the bone. It is most commonly found at roadside restaurants in the countryside and at festivals. The flavor -- smoky, tender, slightly gamey -- is unlike anything in city restaurants.

Locro is a hearty corn-based stew with white beans, pumpkin, chorizo and beef, traditionally eaten on May 25 (Argentina's national holiday) but available year-round at traditional restaurants. Humita (fresh corn puree wrapped in corn husks and steamed) and carbonada (beef stew served inside a hollowed pumpkin) are other regional dishes worth seeking out. The Mercado Central in downtown Mendoza is the best place to try these traditional preparations at local prices.

Sweets and Chocolate

Mendoza has an interesting artisanal chocolate tradition, with factories combining chocolate with regional ingredients:

• La Abuela Goye: On the Maipu bike circuit. Chocolates, alfajores (cookie sandwiches with dulce de leche) and artisanal liqueurs. Free tasting.
• Chocolateria La Cabana: Designer chocolates with wine pairing -- a unique Mendoza twist.
• Dulce de membrillo and dulce de alcayota: Traditional Cuyo regional sweets made from quince and fig-leaf gourd, perfect as souvenirs.

Avenida Aristides Villanueva: Mendoza's Food Street

Avenida Aristides Villanueva is the beating heart of Mendoza's social and dining life. This tree-lined avenue near Parque San Martin is packed with restaurants, wine bars, craft breweries and late-night food stalls. In the evening it transforms into a pedestrian promenade with outdoor dining on both sides. It is where locals and tourists mix, and the best place for a relaxed dinner followed by wine bar hopping. Prices are moderate: expect USD 15-30 for dinner with wine at a good restaurant. The empanada stalls at the eastern end are legendary for post-midnight fuel.

Book Food & Wine Experiences

Frequently Asked Questions about Mendoza Food