5 Best Restaurants in Buenos Aires Province, Side Trips from Buenos Aires

Airy and charming, this traditional eatery's classic Argentine fare is consistently delicious. You can snack on cheeses, olives, prosciutto, salami, and eggplant en escabeche (pickled). The bife de chorizo (sirloin steak), meanwhile, is perfectly juicy, tender, and flavorful, and all the more so when accompanied by wondrous french fries with basil. The country-store-meets-elegant-restaurant atmosphere is just right. No wonder locals and visiting porteños alike vie for tables—on weekends, reservations are essential.

About 100 yards west of the Estación Fluvial, this cozy eatery is seemingly miles away from the automobile and boat traffic. In a quiet quarter among a scattering of shops and cafés with bohemian flair, it's a great place to get away from the weekend crowds and enjoy a freshly made salad or sandwich. Aside from the tasty food and friendly staff, you'll be surrounded by freshly cut flowers, as the place doubles as a florist.

An enchanting Italian/Spanish lunch spot at the confluence of two waterways. Take a water taxi for freshly made pastas, seafood and, of course, beef, and later, enjoy a glass of wine on the lawn surrounded by nature.

An expansive terrace overlooking the river is the appropriate backdrop for Tigre's best fish dishes. The kitchen favors elaborate preparations: some are so packed with unlikely ingredients that the fish gets lost; others, such as the sole in lemon-infused cream, are spot-on. Land-based offerings like pork belly braised in beer are equally well executed. Both the terrace and the sunny, peach-color inside room fill up on weekends, when harried waitstaff often take a long time to bring your order or the check.

Looking very much an old saloon/general store, this restaurant is part of what makes visiting the town like going to a museum. A solid choice for lunch where the fare doesn't try to be anything other than honest and abundant. Very typical comida del campo ranging from meat, potatoes and empanadas to picadas (cured meats and cheeses), that's all served quickly and graciously even during busy lunches. Enjoy the antique curiosities while you're dining and feel free to ask what they were used for.