NYC is your hometown and you haven't had the chance to visit Buenos Aires yet? Are you Argentine and are craving the warmth of home and seriously missing those mouthwatering grilled meats? Just missing the taste of 'empanadas'?
If any of the former applies to you, or just want a taste of great food, these five restaurants in New York City are a must-visit for you. Take a look at these options and enjoy the chance to experience Buenos Aires' cuisine without leaving Manhattan and its outskirts.
1. Buenos Aires
Of course a Buenos Aires' menu will feature red wine, morcilla (blood sausage), 'chorizo' and tons of steak. But this restaurant offers more than just a culinary experience based on asado (Argertine barbecue) —it also provides a warmly lit and inviting ambiance that can transport you to the iconic Avenida Corrientes in an instant.
Whether it's the exposed brick walls adorned with soccer t-shirts or the traditional dark wood chairs and tables, something about this place beckons you in. Upon arrival, you find yourself fully immersed in the atmosphere of the city of tango.
This is precisely what Ismael Alba envisioned. The Argentine felt that no restaurant in NYC truly captured the authentic gastronomic experience of Buenos Aires, so he decided to open his own.
Location:
- 513 East 6th Street, New York, NY 10009.
2. Balvanera
This Manhattan restaurant takes its name from a renowned neighborhood in the heart of Buenos Aires, which once served as a gathering spot for poets and tango musicians. The favorite "café" of Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, 'Bar La Perla', is located in this 'barrio'.
Founded by Argentine chef Fernando Navas, Balvanera displays his distinctive take on Argentina's cuisine . He distinguishes himself from the typical "bodegón" with a menu that breaks away from the traditional "decalogue" of characteristic dishes, offering instead a showcase of creativity and innovation.
"The menu, from inspired and traditional small plates and composed vegetable dishes to signature carnes and friends & family-style platos is a journey from Fernando's upbringing in Punta Alta, in Buenos Aires Province, through his time working in great kitchens in Barcelona, Miami and New York City," explains the restaurant's website.
For those wishing to "eat like a gaucho", the menu offers an 'Argentine feast' on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during dinner for $50 per person (tax/grat additional). It includes empanadas, grilled provoleta topped with honey and pepitas and a platter of "juicy steaks," as well as sausages served with crispy, fresh-cut fries and salad.
Location:
- 152 Stanton Street, New York, NY 10002.
3. Porteño
Located in West Chelsea, this restaurant takes a piece of Buenos Aires to NYC in a small and cozy dining room with few tables and friendly ambiance.
Besides grilled steak, one of the typical Argentine dishes available in Porteño's menu is the 'milanesa napolitana', which consists of pan-fried breaded beef Topped with tomato sauce, ham and mozzarella cheese.
Wishing for a traditional Argentine dessert? Porteño also offers 'alfajorcitos de maicena', a classic Argentinian pastry with dulce de leche and coconut, and 'chocotorta', a traditional Argentine cake made with chocolate cookies, mascarpone, dulce de leche and coffee.
Location:
- 299 10th Avenue New York, NY 10001
4. Nuchas
Argentine entrepreneur Ariel Barbouth has earned the title of 'empanada' king in Times Square. Although Nuchas is more of a food kiosk than a typical restaurant, it is a must-visit for those seeking Argentine food in the Big Apple.
Before delving further, a disclaimer: these are empanadas but adapted to NYC's multicultural public. That means you will find the traditional Argentine fillings alongside alternative options inspired by other ethnicities, such as Mexican style chicken or one filled with shrimp, cajun and creole spices, as well as turmeric-infused dough.
"The colored and flavored doughs are essential for sales. And we had to create local fillings: here, spices and flavors from around the world are eaten and mixed. A lot of tacos, Indian, Chinese, and seasonings. Argentine food lacks some depth of flavor, that's why we had to add," explained Barbouth in an interview.
Why 'Nuchas'? The Argentine wanted a word similar to Mexican 'nachos'. He thought 'empanadas' is a difficult word to pronounce or remember in the U.S.
Locations:
- 30 Wall Street. New York, NY 10005
- 97 W 32nd St. New York, NY 10001
- 429 11th Ave. New York, NY 10001
- Broadway & 47th St. Broadway, NY, NY 10036
5. El Gauchito
Further away from downtown, "El Gauchito" offers an experience closer to that of authentic Argentine restaurants rather than the tourist-oriented steakhouses. Some examples go from the attention provided by old-fashioned waiters to the popular Quilmes beer, typical tablecloths and images of popular idols such as Messi, Charly García, or Fito Páez.
Founded in 1979, El Gauchito stands out as a restaurant where one can discover a small piece of Argentina in NYC. In a family-friendly atmosphere, diners can share a parillada (a full barbeque) or taste traditional Argentine dishes and wines.
For Argentine residents in New York, "El Gauchito" is well-known for its butcher shop, where clients can find "top-quality beef with Argentine-style cuts, along with sausages, blood sausages, and matambre (rolled stuffed flank steak)." Yerba mate and dulce de leche are also available.
Locations:
- El Gauchito 1: 94-60 Corona Ave., Elmhurst, New York 11373El Gauchito 1: 94-60 Corona Ave., Elmhurst, New York 11373
- El Gauchito 2: 158-15 Horace Harding Expressway, New York 11365
- El Gauchito 3: 12 N Park Ave, Rockville Centre, New York 11570
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