Restaurants

The best vegetarian and vegan in Buenos Aires

In a town known for its beef, there's still plenty to delight the herbivorous palate.

Buenos Aires may be known as the Metropolis of Beef, but the city boasts an ever-growing number of excellent vegetarian and vegan restaurants, many of them serving dishes that showcase ingredients unique to South America. From trendy supper clubs to casual cafes, you’re sure to find a plenty of meatless dining options as flavorful as they are healthy.

A bright, casual-chic spot in Palermo Hollywood, Bio is a pioneering vegetarian-vegan restaurant where the emphasis is on showcasing seasonal, local ingredients. Highlights include dishes like quinoa blinis, pizza with cashew cheese, and their ever-changing selection of creative empanadas, made with a feather-light rice flour dough.

You’ll find plenty of meat-loving locals digging into kebabs at this casual (and affordable) Armenian outpost in Palermo, but excellent meatless options like roasted eggplant hummus, falafel, tabouleh, stuffed grape leaves, and feta cheese served with black olives make it a favorite with vegetarians, too. A buzzy, cash-only spot that’s popular with groups and often has a waiting list.

At this charming puertas cerradas (closed door/private) restaurant in Chacarita, acclaimed vegetarian chef Diego Felix serves 5-course meals featuring fine South American ingredients, many of which grow in his own garden. Reserve well in advance and notify them about any dietary restrictions/preferences you have (Chef Felix is a vegetarian himself, but he’s happy to cook for vegans, pescatarians, meat-eaters, and gluten-intolerant guests).

A beloved brunch destination for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, Artemisia is an informal Palermo favorite where mismatched tableware and a pantry-style counter set the stage for fabulous veggie omelets, house-made breads and pastries, and polenta lasagna. Stop by anytime for their zucchini bruschetta and what just might be the best veggie burger in the city.

At this funky pint-sized eatery in Palermo Hollywood, you’ll find a simple menu featuring dishes that emphasize flavor over flashiness, from daily sandwich specials and house-made yogurt to satisfying salads and vegetable tarts. Their coffee and lemonade are excellent, too.

A traditional vegetarian spot set in a turn-of-the-century house with a hippie aesthetic and just a handful of tables, Abuela Pan has a basic menu that changes daily. Dishes like spinach omelets, stuffed eggplant, and vegetarian sushi show just how good vegetables can taste, and the colorful, frozen-in-time decor will make you want to linger.

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