Where to Eat the Best Empanadas in Buenos Aires

No Argentine pizzeria is complete without empanadas on the menu, and Picsa is no exception. With super original and generous toppings, their fried empanadas are a must-try.

Insider tip: You have to try the cheese and onion empanada, made with roasted onion and an incredible blend of four cheeses: cuartirolo, gouda, mozzarella, and parmesan.

Where: Nicaragua 4896.

This small Palermo spot calls itself a “house of empanadas and wine,” offering only six varieties of well-crafted and abundant empanadas. Our favorites are the cheese and the Salta-style beef empanadas.

Insider tip: Enjoy a glass or cup of wine, and for dessert, you must try the flan.

Where: Honduras 4416.

Run by chef and DJ Danilo Ferraz, this is a favorite among locals and tourists alike for its incredible grilled pizzas and empanadas. With a menu inspired by different cities around the world, each empanada is named after a place and pays homage to its cuisine.

Insider tip: Try the Stockholm empanada with white fish, lemon, ginger, and dill, and the Manhattan empanada with well-spiced pastrami.

Where: Av. de Los Incas 5499 and Av. Dorrego 1194.

With two cozy little locations in downtown Buenos Aires, this restaurant, founded in 1977, is the best place in Buenos Aires to try authentic Catamarca-style empanadas (which were chosen in 2022 as one of the best in the country). Made with thick butter dough, La Cocina’s empanadas are known for their juicy and generous fillings.

Insider tip: Don’t miss the spinach and spicy cheese (pikachu) empanadas.

Where: Florida 142 and Avenida Pueyrredón 1508.7

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Want to step out of the traditional and try truly unique empanada flavors? This place offers some of the most gourmet options on the market. Large and generously filled, they have empanadas like beer-braised pork shoulder with BBQ sauce, shredded grilled beef, provoleta with chimichurri, and even sweet and sour teriyaki chicken with cuartirolo cheese and fresh chives.

Insider tip: They also sell them frozen for cooking at home.

Where: Arcos 3182.

Inside the iconic San Telmo Market, you’ll find this place known for its famous empanadas. With a large counter where you can see the wide variety of available options, they prepare them in view and serve them with a fantastic spicy sauce. Ideal to pair with a glass of wine.

Insider tip: Dare to try the tripe empanada.

Where: Carlos Calvo 455.

For wine lovers, this restaurant is a must. To pair with a good glass of Malbec, order the delicious panzerotti, typical of the Apulia region in Italy, which is basically a fried empanada with mortadella, pistachios, cherry tomatoes, ricotta, and basil. A delight!

Insider tip: With a menu characterized by Italian-inspired dishes, they also offer a wide selection of pasta as well as milanesas, meat cuts, and the catch of the day.

Where: Arévalo 2032.

An incredible place to enjoy true traditional Argentine cuisine. Their menu features simple, flavorful dishes with generous portions that leave you very happy. Our favorite empanada? The Tucuman-style beef cut by knife and the ground beef empanada.

Insider tip: They also offer delicious stews, locro, and shepherd’s pie.

Where: Julián Álvarez 1998.

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For those who love 100% Argentine dishes, this traditional Buenos Aires spot is the go-to restaurant. With excellent national dishes (from stews to locros), they have amazing milanesas with fries and the matambre a la pizza is out of this world. Their empanadas, whether fried or baked, are also a must.

Insider tip: Besides the beef empanadas, try the spinach and corn empanadas.

Where: Posadas 1515, Sánchez de Bustamante 1788, and Baez 227.

Another classic pizzeria in Buenos Aires, Tomasso is great for a quick bite while exploring the city. The menu is divided into three parts: pizzas (their specialty), sandwiches (we recommend the Mila Fuga), and empanadas. Don’t miss the Roquefort, ham, and celery empanada or the braised pork shoulder with BBQ sauce.

Insider tip: Tomasso also has a market where you can buy ingredients to make pizzas and empanadas at home.

Where: Various locations.

Great for a weekend outing and coastal-style lunch, this spot in San Isidro, northern Buenos Aires, stands out for its clay oven and grill dishes and its impressive location with river views and wood-dominated decor. Don’t miss the classic clay-oven-baked beef empanada. It’s fantastic.

Our recommendation: A perfect weekend family plan.

Where: Juan Diaz de Solis 2794, San Isidro.

This small, trendy restaurant is another well-kept secret among San Telmo locals. With super generous burgers, a great variety of tacos, and a complete section of vegan dishes, they also offer empanadas worth highlighting. They offer renewed flavors and options like blood sausage, chickpeas and spinach, and pumpkin and cheese, which are incredible.

Insider tip: While the blood sausage empanada is a must, don’t miss the lamb empanada, which comes in both mild and spicy versions.

Where: Bolívar 866.

This gourmet grill has gained popularity among locals for its premium meat cuts and expertise in smoking, which brings a unique flavor and texture experience. You must try their walnut-smoked lamb empanadas as a starter. They’re amazing.

Insider tip: After the empanadas, go for the smoked provoleta and BBQ ribs.

Where: José Ignacio Gorriti 5806.

This classic Belgrano restaurant sells traditional Bolivian empanadas. Made with thick, sweet dough, these empanadas sometimes differ in shape from the typical half-moon, resembling a tube instead.

Insider tip: Don’t miss their beef, chicken, and cheese & onion empanadas. Spoiler: they’re quite spicy.

Where: Echeverría 2570.