Gastro Hotspots: new restaurants to keep on your radar

Pizza lovers should mark this spot in the Núñez neighborhood, which opened in December and boasts being “the first fast good pizzeria in the country,” offering high-quality pizza made with top-notch ingredients, served quickly for eating on the go.

Kalis Pizza is a project by Franco and Martín, who are also the partners and founders of Kalis Pan, a company that provides hamburger buns to the country’s top burger joints.

Franco is a pizza fanatic, and he always dreamed of having a project like this. “To elevate such a noble, simple, and popular product,” he tells us.

With this goal in mind, he traveled to Naples to learn the secrets of Neapolitan pizza and to New York to dive into the world of New York-style pizza.

Some time later, they opened this cool spot offering a product made with the finest ingredients, not found in any pizzeria in the country. “We use San Marzano tomatoes imported from abroad. The mozzarella was specially developed for us by a local producer, and that’s how it is with each ingredient,” Franco explains.

Note: They are open only in the evening, from Wednesday to Sunday, 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM. No reservation required.

Where: O'higgins 3578, Núñez.

“A city garden where Buenos Aires cuisine breathes creativity,” this is how Aire Libre, a newcomer in the Belgrano neighborhood, is described. It’s a spot to escape the city buzz and immerse yourself in an oasis surrounded by plants.

Open from 6 PM, at Aire Libre, you can enjoy an after-work drink, ordering cold or hot “rations” and a summer wine, for instance. Or you can have a proper dinner. The menu is created by the experienced executive chef Julián del Pino, who designed a typically Buenos Aires cuisine with familiar flavors enhanced with original techniques and combinations.

Among the cold rations, we recommend trying the Nordic-cured trout and natural potatoes. If you prefer something hot, the crispy gluten-free calamari – a great tip – is a must. For the main dish, the choice is tricky, but we suggest the braised lamb with manchego cheese gnocchi and truffle oil.

For drinks, the cocktail list is extensive. Gin Tonic lovers should try the Huacatay Tonic. For a refreshing drink, the Blanco or Rosado de Verano are delightful.

Note: The bread basket, with in-house baked goods, deserves special mention. It even includes chipa!

Where: Av del Libertador 6327, Belgrano.

We head to the Devoto neighborhood, the new foodie epicenter of Buenos Aires, where Buche Salumeria has just opened its doors.

It’s a true house of cured meats, cheeses, wines, and other delicacies for takeout or to enjoy in a cozy setting with welcoming service. It’s the second project in Buenos Aires by successful Córdoba-based chef Julio Figueroa, who recently opened Ávito Bistró & Café in a former convent in the same neighborhood.

In a spacious three-story venue, Buche combines a counter section with products on display for you to choose at will, a restaurant-style dining area, and a rooftop bar. It’s the perfect place for when you’re looking for “a spot to have a glass of wine and some cheese or cold cuts,” with friends or a partner.

Note: You can buy products individually to enjoy at home or opt for a cheese or cold cuts platter to eat on-site, paired with a nice wine.

Where: Asunción 4085, Devoto.

We promised a varied list of openings, and we’re delivering. Now, we suggest visiting Albur, a restaurant located just off Calle Corrientes, which will transport you to the glamorous 1920s for a while.

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It’s an architectural gem that used to be the old “El 35” Theater, which witnessed the beginnings of great Argentine actors and was part of Buenos Aires' vibrant cultural scene. With architecture inspired by the golden age, live shows, and high-end cuisine, it’s the perfect space to spend an evening full of art, culinary delights, and history.

The owner and mastermind behind the project is entrepreneur Raquel Rodrigo, who also owns El Tropezón, one of the five oldest restaurants in Buenos Aires, and Clásica y Moderna, with 85 years of history. Chef Adrián Aguilera is in charge of the kitchen, transforming traditional flavors into a unique experience. For entertainment, a key pillar of Albur, the venue boasts the musical direction of Maestro Damián Mahler and two in-house orchestras, “Albur Tango” and “La Albur Band,” with dancers and jazz singers. The choreography is by Gustavo Wons.

Note: “El 35” – where Albur is located today – functioned exclusively as a theater, and there are no records of its closure, but it’s believed to have shut down in the late 1980s, after which it went through a prolonged abandonment period of over 40 years.

Where: Avda. Callao 435, Microcentro.

The Chinatown neighborhood is more popular than ever, and now another gem has been added to its already vast gastronomic offer: Ribs al Río, the ultimate spot to enjoy the best smoked ribs in the city.

With just over a month in the area, they’ve added two new dishes exclusive to this branch: Pork Belly, a skewer of smoked pork belly glazed with Chinese-style BBQ and corn puree with fried onions; and Baby Ribs Orientales, smoked pork ribs with Chinese-style BBQ, cut to be eaten with hands and served with coleslaw salad.

We recommend trying some of the appetizers on the menu, such as smoked pork croquettes with homemade BBQ sauce and guacamole. Another hit is Uncle Moe’s Millionaire Fries: a large serving of crinkle-cut fries, seasoned with aioli, parmesan powder, lime, and a unique mix of spices like Spanish paprika, garlic, and onion powder.

Note: Beer lovers can opt for buckets of five Corona bottles or five cans of Budweiser, or go for craft beers.

Where: Av. Monroe 1850, Belgrano, Chinatown.

Belgrano residents are thrilled because a gastro gem has joined their neighborhood, one that has already earned praise at its Palermo Hollywood branch. Barra Chalaca is a creation by Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio, offering the most distinctive flavors of Peruvian cuisine in a relaxed, affordable format. Inspired by traditional cevicherías, this spot surprises with traditional dishes served in hearty portions. That is, here you eat well and abundantly.

Along with their tempting ceviches, this new branch offers an exclusive addition: a tempting selection of Makis. Our favorites? Cantolao makis, with avocado, daily catch, chili sauce, tobiko, shari, nori seaweed, and chopped scallions, and Isleños makis, with avocado, pickled cheese, tartar of daily catch, fried squid, shari, rocoto sauce, and nori seaweed.

Note: In the Belgrano branch, they offer three new varieties of snacks, including the Poke Chalaco with shari, daily catch, avocado, pickled vegetables, mango, Nikkei sauce, fried squid, nori seaweed, yellow chili mayo, cured egg, and the white part of negu.

Where: Montañeses 2599, Belgrano.

Now, let’s suggest a fun plan for January: don’t forget to visit the MALBA Auditorium for the Mikio Naruse Cycle, 12 masterpieces, dedicated to the Japanese filmmaker.

After the tour, a must-visit is Coronado, the new gastro hotspot located on the ground floor of MALBA, overlooking the park with an ambiance that blends classic and contemporary elements.

The kitchen is led by Martín Lukesch, who focuses on Argentine favorites and seasonal ingredients. The team behind Coronado includes gastronomic entrepreneurs Martin Salomone, Hernan Buccino, and Ivo Lepes, owners of Chuí, a flagship restaurant in Villa Crespo and one of our favorite vegetarian spots in the city.

They also offer a specialty coffee bar and a cocktail bar with a focus on Martinis.

Note: In the center of the dining room, there are custom vinyl trays with a throne that will be occupied by different DJs starting in February when Coronado will also open at night.

Where: Av. Figueroa Alcorta 3415, Recoleta.

Let’s wrap up with a brand new opening: Bánh Mí Company combines traditional Vietnamese street food with an urban proposal in the Recoleta neighborhood. A variety of Bánh Mí sandwiches and spring rolls are the highlights in a space with a vintage aesthetic and attentive service. It’s perfect for enjoying authentic flavors at lunchtime, dinner, or on the go.

For drinks, they offer traditional Vietnamese iced coffees made with condensed milk, coconut milk, or just ice. They also serve cold teas, kombuchas in different flavors, lemonades, craft beers, and sodas.

Note: All the food is designed to be eaten with your hands, so you’re guaranteed a delicious yet laid-back experience.

Where: Paraguay 2041, Recoleta.