Bariloche is Argentina's national chocolate capital and one of the most important chocolate cities in South America. With more than 60 chocolate shops concentrated mainly along Calle Mitre, the commercial heart of the town centre, Bariloche offers a unique gastronomic experience that draws both casual sweet-tooths and serious cacao connoisseurs. The chocolate tradition arrived with Swiss and Italian immigrants in the first half of the 20th century and is now an essential part of the city's identity.
Mamuschka: the crown jewel
Mamuschka is considered by many the finest chocolate shop in Bariloche and possibly in all of Argentina. Founded in 1994 by Lalo Franceschini, it stands out for its premium ingredients and first-rate artisan techniques. The truffles are legendary: each is a miniature work of art with fillings ranging from passion fruit ganache to Patagonian dulce de leche. The bonbons filled with Patagonian berries (calafate, maqui, rosehip) are a unique specialty found nowhere else in the world.
Mamuschka has two shops on Calle Mitre and a factory-store on Avenida Bustillo. A box of 12 premium bonbons costs approximately USD 15-20. The hot chocolate (thick, creamy, served in a large cup) runs about USD 5-7 and is widely regarded as the best in the city.
Rapa Nui: the biggest and most popular
Rapa Nui is the largest and highest-output chocolate shop in Bariloche. Founded in 1939, it combines production scale with artisan quality. Its flagship store on Calle Mitre is enormous and includes an ice cream parlour with chocolate flavours that are pure addiction. The dark chocolate with almonds ice cream is considered one of the best in Argentina.
Rapa Nui is especially famous for its chocolate alfajores, chocolate bars with Patagonian nuts and its take-home hot chocolate sachets. Prices are slightly more accessible than Mamuschka, with bars from USD 5-8.
Abuela Goye: family tradition
Abuela Goye is a family-run chocolate shop with a special place in local hearts. Founded in the 1940s, it specialises in homemade confections combining chocolate with Patagonian berries. The rosehip bonbons and raspberry alfajores are unmissable. The Calle Mitre shop has a cosy tearoom for afternoon tea with homemade cakes and hot chocolate.
Del Turista: the most traditional
Del Turista, operating since 1964, is the oldest continuously running chocolate shop in Bariloche. Its enormous Calle Mitre store offers free tasting samples at the entrance — a tradition that virtually every Bariloche chocolate shop has since adopted. Ideal for buying chocolate in bulk at reasonable prices.
National Chocolate Festival
Every Easter week, Bariloche hosts the National Chocolate Festival, an event that draws thousands of visitors. It includes tastings, master chocolatier competitions, live shows and the creation of a giant Easter egg that typically weighs several tonnes. The festival takes place in the Centro Civico plaza and in shops across the city.
Craft beer: the other gastronomic icon
Bariloche was one of Argentina's pioneering craft beer cities. The kilometre 11 area on the Ruta de los Pioneros concentrates several breweries with taprooms. Berlina Patagonia, Blest and Manush are the most acclaimed. A craft beer tasting at the Belek brewery, including three varieties, starts from just USD 9.
