Gourmet tour: the best restaurants on the Argentine coast

This journey along the coast begins at one of the first beach resorts where the sea begins. Costa del Este is known for its vast wooded area that survived the real estate expansion of the 1980s, which harmed its neighbors. In this setting, La Barra del Bosque restaurant has been a classic for several decades.

Its cuisine differs from the typical bodegones and has a more defined focus on gourmet concepts. The appetizers are varied and original: grilled brie, white fish ceviche, and green onion fainá. For main courses, always ask about the catch of the day. It’s worth trying the braised osso buco and black risotto.

The tip: leave room for dessert. At least two are very well done: malbec pears and pavlova.

Where: Calle Las Camelias 432, Costa del Este.

Recommending a restaurant within a beach resort carries risks. Beach cuisine often struggles with service due to the complexity of assembling a good team, aside from the kitchen. But Palma Bistró, located inside Parador Amarra by chef Santiago Palma from La Plata, is definitely worth the gamble.

Costa Esmeralda still has much to explore gastronomically, but this beach resort could be a good reference point for a getaway during the summer. Mediterranean-style signature cuisine with a focus on fish, meat, and seasonal products.

The tip: first, ask about the catch of the day. If it doesn’t appeal to you but you still want to go the seafood route, try the spaghetti with frutti di mare.

Where: Parador Amarras, Costa Esmeralda.

A much-discussed opening for the 2025 summer season is Olivo Pastas, the new project by chef Dante Liporace at the iconic and renovated Hotel Playas on Avenida Bunge. This time, the focus is on Italian cuisine, and given the chef’s background, everything is aimed at perfecting each recipe.

The section names and dishes on the menu are classics. For antipasti, there are squid, burrata, and vitello tonnato. Recommended by the chef are spaghetti with meatballs, shrimp risotto, and a dish that makes your mouth water just reading about it: rib-eye steak with pesto pasta. Another standout is macaron al cacio e pepe with Jack Daniels, flambéed with classic whiskey and served in an Instagrammable cheese wheel.

The tip: plan your visit well to get a spot. Save room for dessert: ask for the impressive tiramisu served Dante-style.

Where: Bunge 250, Pinamar.

It was the sensation opening a few summers ago and continues striving to be a gastronomic reference in Pinamar. It was created by internationally renowned chef Fernando Lo Coco (originally from the city). His preparations are artisanal with sourdough, inspired by classic French patisserie.

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Casa Oxalis is a remodeled old house that continues to grow year after year. There are several viennoiserie options - cinnamon buns, nougat buns, and dulce de leche toursade - as well as boulangerie, French scrambled eggs, and the house croque monsieur.

The tip: the shop has a bakery to take away, perfect for a “Drunch” at the beach. A mix of afternoon tea and dinner. Buy everything and take it to enjoy the sunset.

Where: De las Burriquetas 248, corner of Las Acacias, Pinamar.

Leaving Pinamar and heading towards Cariló, we make a stop at the small and cozy project created by Carla Bogado nine years ago, when vegan pastry and cuisine were still a mystery understood by few.

Negra Bakehouse is a place to eat delicious and healthy food. There’s a nice menu of salads, a brunch to share, and several dishes for a healthy lunch. The falafel burrito with tzatziki sauce is a great start. The keto breakfast is hearty and suitable for those following this type of diet. Everything is made with organic, plant-based, and gluten-free ingredients.

The tip: they sell sourdough bread to take home. Don’t miss out on trying one of the energetic natural juices.

Where: Domingo F. Sarmiento 275, Mar de Ostende.

Undoubtedly, La Ventola is the must-visit place in this seaside town. It’s the place to choose for that special night when you want to eat seafood, paella, and grilled seafood in the middle of the forest. Check the website for reservations, as it’s hard to get a table even outside of peak season.

The menu also includes a section of pastas, in case you’re with someone who doesn’t like seafood. For an appetizer, a great idea is mussels Provençal. If the budget allows, try the octopus tentacle. If not, the seafood grill for two is a great option for a big dinner.

The tip: if you want something light and easy to digest for summer, don’t miss the ceviche. Very well done.

Where: Calandria 1551, Cariló.

Ave Restaurante is an anomaly in the gastronomic landscape of the Atlantic Coast. A restaurant with deep roots in Indian cuisine, right by the sea. In the Ville Saint Germain complex, chef Leo Clavijo created this sophisticated proposal that continues to surprise the area.

The menu is divided into two: specialties and “common” dishes. Worth trying are the Indian chicken curry called “Bangaly” with basmati rice, the traditional “Chicken Tikka Masala,” or its version with fish. The traditional menu includes salads, pastas, and international dishes like cannelloni, rib-eye steak, and shrimp risotto.

The tip: it’s a signature bistro, so be adventurous and try the Indian menu. If you want meats or pastas, those are widely available in the seaside town.

Where: Laurel 63, Cariló.

There are two major milestones in Villa Gesell’s gastronomic history: one is the famous “Carlitos,” which has lost its magic and is now a chain. The other is this emblematic cantina of the city, where every holidaymaker dines at least once.

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It has well-earned fame. La Delfina is a cantina that combines barbecue with what’s commonly known as “hearty Argentine food,” at a good price. Here, you’ll find five types of provoleta, each more extravagant than the last. Fried calamari Provençal and an extensive menu of handmade pastas and schnitzels. Add to that a barbecue and fish section. They probably have one of the longest menus in the country.

The tip: if you want a real treat, go for the “Dakota Beef Schnitzel.” Bacon, cheddar cheese, fried eggs, and French fries. Can’t get more cantina than that.

Where: P.º 104 S/N, Villa Gesell.

Perhaps the best-kept secret on this list. Amorinda is hidden in the forest of Mar de las Pampas, but it has such a loyal clientele that it’s very hard to get a spot, even with reservations. It was founded in 1999 by an Italian grandmother named Anna and her husband, paving the way when the area was still inhospitable.

Their macarrones al fierrito, served with homemade meatballs, are legendary. The sorrentinos with whiskey are another classic. Follow the waiters’ recommendations – there’s no dish that fails in this family-run cantina.

The tip: don’t miss the tiramisu. If you think you can’t eat any more, order it anyway and take what’s left. You’ll thank us.

Where: Gerchunoff S/N, Mar de las Pampas.

The final stop on this coastal guide. We’re in Miramar, south of Mar del Plata. Here, we find a special place: the haven of a paella expert who has been making waves recently. In 2022, Juani Kittlein earned second place in the paella world championship and garnered attention from everyone.

Today, he runs Socarrat, Argentina’s first restaurant dedicated to paella. The venue is beautiful and cozy. It’s a lovely old house where you can see Juan and his team preparing the rice dishes live. If you’re looking for an excuse to escape to “the city of children,” this is the perfect one.

The tip: ask the waiter to guide you on the socarrat doneness to make sure you get the right one. And definitely order the chocolate soup for dessert.

Where: Calle 23 899, Miramar.