Salta
Colorful and upbeat, this artsy, world-class vegan restaurant is the most inventive and consistently excellent kitchen in the entire region. Here pasta is…
Must-see restaurants in Salta & the Andean Northwest
Catamarca & La Rioja
Excellent homemade pasta plates, beautifully presented and flavorsome, are produced in this warm, cozy corner trattoria that doubles as a pasta shop…
Cafayate
The indoor-outdoor setting overlooking picture-perfect vineyards at this upmarket, yet slightly corny, winery 3km from Cafayate makes a fine lunch stop…
Cafayate
A lovely bistro, half a block off Cafayate's main plaza. The Buenos Aires–trained chef sources ingredients (and wines) carefully and crafts a menu with…
Salta & the Andean Northwest
The marketing of this restaurant will look familiar to fans of the Disney film, but you've made the trek from the center of town for the authentic…
Catamarca & La Rioja
Beyond-the-call service is the key to this wood-paneled local steak house, a block down from the plaza. It’s very popular, but it hates to turn people…
Quebrada de Humahuaca
An engaging, artsy ambience here is combined with delicious tourist-oriented cuisine. Think imaginatively prepared llama dishes, excellent meat plates,…
Catamarca & La Rioja
A block west and seven north of Chilecito's plaza, this inviting local restaurant is worth every step. You’ve seen the menu before – except for house…
Salta & the Andean Northwest
Set in the venerable adobe Jesuit chapel 1km from the center, this place makes an atmospheric venue for a lunch of traditional local specialties, such as…
Salta & the Andean Northwest
Black Pan is a hip spot, exceptionally well branded, and beloved by Tucumán’s young and upwardly mobile. Its standard is a 120g burger with cheddar cheese…
Salta
This cute hole-in-the-wall, well-lit and decorated with original art, is set a few blocks south of the center, but it's worth the walk here for the menu…
Salta
Far enough out of the tourist zone to be authentic, this down-to-earth parrilla (steak restaurant) in Tres Cerritos is popular with locals for its…
Catamarca & La Rioja
Smart and enthusiastic, Orígenes occupies a corner of a handsome 19th-century school now turned into a cultural center. It draws on local traditions but…
Salta & the Andean Northwest
With a tasty array of vegetarian dishes in its buffet (lentils, stir-fried vegetables and soy-based meats, roasted potatoes, quiches, pizzas and more),…
Salta
An adorable vegan joint with pastel brushed chairs, exposed brick walls, rattan lanterns, and classic rock on the sound system. It does a small menu of…
Quebrada de Humahuaca
With an eclectic music mix and interesting texts on the area and the Andes in general, this excellent bookstore-cafe also has the best coffee in town,…
Salta
A stylish corner coffeehouse, with arts-and-crafts tiled floors, exposed brick walls, and vintage vitrolas (vintage record players) stacked on shelves…
Catamarca & La Rioja
Carnivores will find it worth the trek, just over 1km west of the center following Prado, to this high-class all-you-can-eat parrillada. It doesn’t try to…
Cafayate
A long way from the mannered tourist scene around Cafayate's plaza, this string of no-frills grill houses makes a worthwhile dinner escape. The Gallito is…
Quebrada de Humahuaca
For the best lunch option head three blocks uphill from Iglesia de Uquía and turn left. Cerro la Señorita has delicious home cooking and baking using…
Cafayate
Decorated with the scrawls of contented customers, this no-frills place has a wide selection of empanadas that are all delicious. Local wine in ceramic…
Catamarca & La Rioja
A cavernous and, dare we say, hip restobar on Chilecito's plaza that gets a crowd for big football games on their large screens. It serves pizza, burgers…
Salta
An eclectic tapas list is the lure at this cafe-restaurant north of the center. Influences include Spanish, Greek, Japanese and more. The chef puts…
Salta & the Andean Northwest
You can expect the same tasty veggie buffet that made the original branch a hit with locals. Platters and bowls piled with lentils, stir-fried vegetables…
Salta & the Andean Northwest
Rancho de Félix is an expansive and warm thatched barn that's incredibly popular for lunch. Regional specialties such as locro and humitas are served;…
Salta & the Andean Northwest
Wall-to-wall bottles decorate this smart wineshop and restaurant, with a menu that features Spanish-style tapas, fine salads and well-prepared fish dishes…
Salta
A sushi spot with a stylish minimalist dining room near Plaza Güemes. It does a range of classic and creative rolls, including a list of panko-encrusted…
Salta
The refreshing crisp interior of this likable place sees a variety of changing dishes – pasta, fish and meat, all well prepared and served with noodles or…
Catamarca & La Rioja
The best choice on Plaza 25 de Mayo, this bright and tasteful place serves up delicious pizzas à la parilla. Think wood-fired flatbreads layered with…
Quebrada de Humahuaca
An adorable and deservedly popular place where the hands-on chef prepares llama myriad ways, quinoa risotto, goat-meat cazuelas (stews), pizza, pasta and…
Quebrada de Humahuaca
A century-old house has been converted to one of the town's better and most stylish restaurants. It trades in mostly traditional cuisine pepped up with a…
Catamarca & La Rioja
The most inviting of Plaza 25 de Mayo's terraces, this cafe is named after the Italian architect who designed much of central Catamarca, including the…
Quebrada de Humahuaca
Tucked away between Tilcara's plaza and church, this place has a lovely shaded patio, garden seating and a cozy interior. It offers a wide range of salads…
Salta
Family-owned and set in a charming corner dining room, this Syrian kitchen offers a welcome break from parrilla fare. Expect solid falafel, hummus and…
Quebrada de Humahuaca
Grab a table in this charming, rambling, creative dining room serving regional dishes including humitas, empanadas and picadas Andinas, along with some…
Cafayate
With a lovely setting in the inner courtyard of Nanni winery, Retoño has a romantic, old-world interior. The menu is short, but features mains such as…
Catamarca & La Rioja
Cheerfully lit and decorated, this kitchen turns out a range of regional specialties, creative house choices and a menu of standard Argentine dishes – the…
Salta & the Andean Northwest
Tucked away but on Plaza Libertad, this is a discreet and reliable restaurant with well-dressed waiters who see to your every need. There’s a salad bar,…
Quebrada de Humahuaca
By far the best place to eat in Iruya is this local favorite on the road into town just before the gas station. Tina serves delicious home-style meat and…
Catamarca & La Rioja
One of the best places in town, this stylish restaurant has an upbeat, urban vibe and serves imaginative pasta dishes that are a cut above most places…
