The best restaurants in Buenos Aires for "small plates"

Pioneers in the now-famous small plates trend, Lardito (the little sibling of Lardo & Rosemary in Zona Norte) is a hybrid between a restaurant and a wine bar. With a strong indie spirit, it creates a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The menu is short and changes with the seasons, but it’s always impactful and seeks to bring fine dining to street food and vice versa. With a small plates system, the experience always combines flavors and textures. Taste, enjoy, and move on to the next one. The triple-cooked fries and the beef tataki with egg on top are two of its iconic dishes. The experience changes entirely if you sit at the long table, separated by large flower vases, dividing diners.

Where: Av. Jorge Newbery 3655, Chacarita.

Cuatro Perros Un Livin was one of the most notable openings of 2024. Four chefs from La Plata took over the Buenos Aires foodie scene. Among them is the renowned Santiago Palma, who worked in kitchens like Mugaritz in the Basque Country before opening several venues in his hometown. The venue is small, with a vibrant energy, and offers a very close interaction between the kitchen and the dining room: it’s almost like watching a play, everything happens in view.

They also have a quieter space in the back, where the wines are stored. The vegetable fritters with cream cheese are a hit, as is the ceviche made with white fish. For veggies, the pea puree with lime, asparagus, broccolini, and a small herb and fava bean salad is a must-try.

Where: Cabrera 4723, Palermo.

Yiyo has had many lives in its more than 100 years of history. It started as a general store when the Parque Avellaneda area was almost countryside. Then, it had its golden age as a pickle factory and wine distributor between the '40s and '90s, before slowly falling into decline until the new generation of the Zoppi family rescued it during the pandemic.

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The place is magical and very authentic, with shelves full of labels that no longer exist, original floors, and large windows facing Eva Perón Avenue. It feels like a tunnel to another time with various nooks and crannies. The cuisine is very porteña (from Buenos Aires). But since this article is all about small plates, we recommend trying the crispy fainá and the mini tortilla with tomatoes or sausage.

Where: Eva Perón 4402, Parque Avellaneda.

At Gordo Chanta, they understood the vibe right away and went all-in to avoid being just another pizzeria opening in Buenos Aires, challenging the reign of Buenos Aires pizza.

They became a cult spot driven by social media and word of mouth. But what matters here is the product. Slowly fermented dough with generous edges and high-quality ingredients, always in tune with the season and supporting small producers. To show their boldness, just mention two flavors on their menu: Potato pizza with huancaina sauce and nduja, vodka sauce, and mascarpone.

That said, since you’re looking for small plates, they have plenty. Our favorites are the fish toast: a fried corn toast with chipotle mayo, avocado, fresh fish, and chili crisp. Also, the green shrimp aguachile with cucumber and red onion.

Where: Juan Ramírez de Velasco 1200, Villa Crespo.

Citadino is a rare gem in the southern part of Buenos Aires. It’s a project by friends that started during the pandemic and has grown over time. Tables on a sun-drenched sidewalk let you experience the slow rhythm of a low-rise residential neighborhood.

It’s a daytime restaurant with options for breakfast, lunch, and tea time. There’s always a special of the day. There’s something of a porteño spirit, but also influences from other parts of the world: you might find a curry on the menu. Milanesa with creamy spinach and fries, fried chicken, and fritters are among the options.

They offer spectacular coffee – selected by the barista and owner Agustina Román – and great desserts like Neapolitan baba or tiramisu with homemade ladyfingers.

Small plates? Of course. Mbeju primavera – a cassava flour tortilla with cheese, roasted tomatoes, kale, sautéed green beans, farm egg, and pickled cucumber – is a hit, as is the fresh mushroom and pine empanada served fried.

Where: Atuel 608, Parque Patricios.