Which is the best Pan Dulce in Buenos Aires?

Since 1952, Güerrin has been making its pan dulce. The founders aimed to create an authentic Italian pastry, and they succeeded with this product. The main characteristic is the large amount of fruit, far exceeding the market average.

Another unique feature is the wood-fired oven, which adds its signature touch and allows them to produce up to 600 units daily. The ingredients include honey, cashews, almonds, raisins, walnuts, and glazed fruit. Each piece weighs 1.3 kg, and the price is around 35,000 pesos.

Tip: If you don’t want to wait in line, it’s available on Mercado Libre (buy the original, not from resellers).

Where: Av. Corrientes 1368.

This is the new classic in the field under the expert guidance of multi-award-winning Juan Manuel Alfonso Rodríguez. Artiaga offers the classic Italian panettone, which takes over 2 days to make, using sourdough and resting upside down for the perfect finish.

While other pan dulces focus on the fruit, here it’s all about the dough. Made with less sugar and high-quality butter and flour. The leavening process and ingredients are what set it apart. It’s filled with rum-soaked raisins and candied oranges. It comes in a half-kilo version and costs around $26,900.

Tip: Juan Mar created the Chorittone, a pan flavored with Malbec chorizo, which came third in the 2023 panettone world competition. You can also get traditional Argentine pan dulce here.

Where: Av. Ricardo Balbin 4181.

This is the most iconic pan dulce for the holiday season in Buenos Aires. Without spending a cent on marketing, relying solely on word of mouth, Plaza Mayor’s pan dulce has become the most sought-after. It gained popularity thanks to a secret family recipe they’ve been making since the 1980s. It was originally created as a complement to the cider served at their restaurant.

Its unique feature is that it comes in a half-sphere shape, using only the highest-quality ingredients. They always proudly source products from different provinces: raisins from La Rioja and Catamarca, walnuts and almonds from Mendoza, and dried fruits like papaya from Corrientes and figs from Jujuy. It also includes cashews and cherries. They’ve achieved the perfect balance; it’s less acidic than the others. And of course, it creates that feeling that it could be gone at any moment.

Tip: We recommend buying it now and following the instructions to store it in the freezer to enjoy it at the perfect time.

Where: Venezuela 1399.

The Jakubavicius brothers, who have been steadily growing their Café Vespress, ventured into pan dulce a couple of seasons ago and perfected their panettone with the café’s star ingredient: pistachio.

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The pistachio panettone features pieces of pistachio, dark chocolate, and a spreadable pistachio cream. The novelty this year is that the cream doesn’t require refrigeration, which extends the product’s shelf life and makes it easier to transport during the holidays. Everything at Vespress is designed thoughtfully: the pan dulce comes in a Tote Bag for a gift. It costs $39,000, with a more affordable version available.

Tip: The classic panettone is made with candied oranges, dark chocolate, and almond praline, and costs around $23,300.

Where: Donado 1720.

At Labán Pâtisserie, they offer the Genoese-style pan dulce, flat and filled with dried fruits. Pastry chef Jacqueline Albajari has been perfecting her recipe year after year, making it a classic in Buenos Aires.

Labán has a unique recipe with a secret ingredient that makes its crumb especially moist and light. Another distinctive feature is the orange marmalade, which gives it a signature modern twist on a traditional product.

Tip: If you miss the pan dulce during the holidays because you’re overwhelmed with food, don’t worry – they sell it year-round.

Where: Charcas 3656.

In line with current trends, it’s essential to update the holiday list with low-carb products. In this case, Keto Bakery offers a fluffy pan dulce, though denser than the traditional one, packed with dried fruits, nuts, and a hint of cinnamon.

Keto Bakery makes it without refined flour, sugars, preservatives, or vegetable oils. They offer one with chocolate chips for a sweeter touch. This product is perfect for those who want to enjoy a festive bread without straying from keto during the toughest time of the year.

Tip: If you’re looking to create a complete keto holiday spread, you can find a variety of products here, such as cakes, nougat, pralines, alfajores, truffles, vitel toné, chicken roulade, sandwich bread, and more.

Where: Online Store.

Another alternative pan dulce, made without animal products. Chef Mauro Massimino of Buenos Aires Verde uses ingredients like organic white flour, sugar, almond milk, and a variety of dried and glazed fruits, including hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, and toasted cashews.

The result is fluffy and 100% plant-based. The piece serves about 12 portions and weighs 1 kg. Vegan products of such high quality are becoming more common, and the difference in taste is barely noticeable compared to those made with animal ingredients. It’s just a matter of trying it and deciding for yourself.

Tip: You can also purchase the ingredients used for this pan dulce and many others at the store in case you need them for other recipes.

Where: Gorriti 5657.

Es Ruiz is a hidden gem in Caballito. True lovers of high-quality pastry know this beautiful shop by Eduardo Ruiz, recognized as one of the best pastry chefs in the country. Their pan dulces are a Christmas emblem. All their products have a concentrated flavor due to the large amount of dried and glazed fruits in each piece.

You may also be interested in: The best dulce de leche in Buenos Aires

They offer several versions: traditional pan dulce, chocolate and orange, and stollen (a typical German Christmas bread). They come in half-kilo and 1-kilo versions. It’s a good idea to reserve in advance, just in case. These are rich, so enjoy them in smaller portions.

Tip: Consider it for holiday gifts. They have beautiful packaging and offer combo deals with different types of pan dulce.

Where: Centenera 534.

The eccentric pastry chef Gustavo Nari has a keen eye for perfecting his creations, and you can see it in every product at La Ideal. Their pan dulce follows the Genoese recipe, with lots of moisture and packed with dried fruits.

Nari, passionate about his craft, shares with Time Out the details of his recipe, which includes a pre-ferment, a well-integrated dough that’s left to rise, and a finishing touch of fondant, cherries, and dried figs. It comes in half-kilo and 1-kilo versions. They’re available year-round and are a classic in the café’s traditional afternoon teas.

Tip: It’s worth visiting La Ideal, possibly the most beautiful pastry shop in Buenos Aires, a historic building that deserves a visit.

Where: Suipacha 384.

Dani Tallarico’s project focused on creating 100% artisanal panettones. The standout feature is the generous Nutella filling and impressive size.

At Tallarica, the pan dulce comes in two main versions: a hazelnut pan dulce with a Nutella filling, topped with toasted hazelnuts for unmatched crunch, and a pistachio version, filled with pistachella (a homemade paste of pistachios and white chocolate), crowned with toasted pistachios. Both weigh 750 grams and cost around $35,000.

Tip: We recommend trying the traditional German stollen, a Christmas bread enriched with almond paste, candied orange peel, and raisins. It’s definitely worth it.

Where: Av. del Libertador 6025.

This list ends with a strong contender. Don Satur may not be the unique gem you take to your in-laws’ house, but it will be the one you pull out on January 2nd, by the pool, for an afternoon snack with renewed sweetness cravings after the holiday feast.

It doesn’t feature complex leavening techniques or organically sourced dried fruits, but it has a chewy fluffiness that sticks to your palate, easily washed down with some good mate. It costs 10% of the others mentioned above. It comes in versions with or without fruits, and the most sophisticated one has chocolate chips.

Tip: Warm it for a few minutes in the electric oven or toast it in the toaster for a special treat.

Where: At the local store near your house.