2 Best Restaurants in San Antonio de Areco, 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.

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.