Few foods capture Argentine everyday life quite like an empanada. These golden pastry pockets are filled with beef, chicken, cheese, ham, vegetables and regional specialties. They are easy to eat on the go, perfect for sharing and an essential part of exploring the food scene in Buenos Aires.
The challenge is choosing where to try them. Some shops specialize in traditional northern Argentine recipes, others focus on classic baked empanadas, and contemporary kitchens experiment with unusual fillings. This guide to the best empanadas in Buenos Aires helps you find memorable options across several neighborhoods.
Where to Find the Best Empanadas in Buenos Aires
These spots offer different experiences, from quick downtown lunches to regional Argentine cooking and creative fillings. Filter the list to find a place that fits your plans.
1. El Sanjuanino
Best for: Traditional empanadas and northern Argentine flavors.
El Sanjuanino is a well-known stop in Recoleta for travelers looking to explore classic Argentine dishes. Alongside empanadas, the menu features regional comfort food that makes this a useful introduction to the country’s culinary traditions.
What to try: Look for regional beef empanadas and ask which fillings are available that day. If you have time for a full meal, explore other Argentine specialties on the menu.
Address: Posadas 1515, Recoleta.
Find El Sanjuanino on Google Maps ↗2. La Cocina
Best for: A quick bite in central Buenos Aires.
La Cocina is a small, established empanada spot known for Catamarca-style recipes. Its empanadas are associated with generous fillings and a distinctive pastry, offering something different from the standard beef-and-olive versions found in many bakeries.
What to try: Beef empanadas are a good starting point. The shop is also known for spinach and spicy cheese varieties, so ask about the day’s selection if you want to sample something different.
Address: Florida 142, Microcentro. Another location is at Av. Pueyrredón 1508.
Find La Cocina on Google Maps ↗3. La Americana
Best for: A casual, classic empanada stop downtown.
La Americana is a long-running Buenos Aires institution known for empanadas and traditional pizza. Its central location near Congreso makes it convenient for a quick lunch, a simple dinner or a takeaway meal while sightseeing.
What to try: Start with beef, then add a cheese-based or chicken filling if available. It is also a practical stop if your group wants both empanadas and Argentine-style pizza.
Address: Av. Callao 83, near Congreso.
Find La Americana on Google Maps ↗4. El Hornero de San Telmo
Best for: Empanadas during a market visit.
Inside the Mercado de San Telmo, El Hornero is a convenient place to stop for an informal meal while exploring one of Buenos Aires’ best-known historic neighborhoods. It is a natural fit for visitors who want to combine local food with market stalls and nearby streets.
What to try: Choose a classic savory empanada and compare the filling with other regional varieties you encounter during your trip.
Location: Mercado de San Telmo, Carlos Calvo 455, stalls 88–89.
Find El Hornero on Google Maps ↗5. La Imperfecta
Best for: Wood-fired empanadas and a relaxed meal in Palermo.
La Imperfecta is a small empanada-and-wine spot with a focused menu inspired by northern Argentine cooking. Its empanadas are associated with Salta-style flavors and are baked in a very hot oven, making it a good choice for a more deliberate tasting stop.
What to try: Salta-style beef and cheese varieties. If you want to make the visit a longer meal, consider pairing the empanadas with a glass of wine.
Address: Honduras 4416, Palermo.
Find La Imperfecta on Google Maps ↗6. Mil y Pico
Best for: Creative empanadas beyond the standard fillings.
Mil y Pico puts a playful spin on empanadas, with a menu inspired by flavors from different places around the world. It is a good choice for diners who already know the classics and want to discover more unusual combinations in a casual setting.
What to try: Ask about the current signature flavors. The menu has featured combinations inspired by international cities, so the selection can be more adventurous than a traditional empanadería.
Address: Av. de los Incas 5499, Buenos Aires.
Find Mil y Pico on Google Maps ↗7. Empanadas Tremendas
Best for: Oven-baked empanadas with a contemporary twist.
Empanadas Tremendas offers a casual setting for exploring a wide selection of baked empanadas. It is worth considering if you want familiar Argentine flavors alongside more creative options, including selected plant-based varieties.
What to try: Compare a classic meat filling with one of the specialty options. Check the current menu if you have dietary preferences, as availability can vary.
Address: Quesada 1625, Buenos Aires.
Find Empanadas Tremendas on Google Maps ↗8. La Leñita Empanadas
Best for: Travelers seeking Tucumán-style empanadas.
La Leñita is a specialist option for people interested in regional empanada traditions. Tucumán-style recipes commonly feature beef cut by hand, carefully seasoned filling and a pastry designed to hold the juices inside.
What to try: Ask for the Tucumán-style beef empanadas and whether they are available baked or prepared in another style. It is also a useful stop for a casual meal or takeaway.
Address: Azcuénaga 1741, Buenos Aires.
Find La Leñita on Google Maps ↗9. 1810 Cocina Regional
Best for: Empanadas as part of a traditional Argentine meal.
1810 Cocina Regional is a good option if you want to explore more than empanadas in one sitting. The menu focuses on Argentine regional dishes, giving visitors a chance to compare different fillings and discover other classics such as locro and humita.
What to try: Look for Tucumán-style beef cut by knife or a traditional ground-beef empanada. Ask about the day’s selection and consider sharing a few varieties.
Address: Julián Álvarez 1998, Palermo.
Find 1810 Cocina Regional on Google Maps ↗Argentine Empanada Types: What Should You Order?
One of the best parts of an empanada tour is discovering how recipes vary across Argentina. Dough, filling, seasoning and cooking method can all change from one region to another.
| Type | Typical characteristics | Who should try it? |
|---|---|---|
| Salteña | Often juicy, with beef, onion, potato and spices such as cumin. Recipes vary by cook. | Travelers who enjoy rich, savory fillings and northern Argentine cuisine. |
| Tucumana | Commonly made with hand-cut beef and a carefully seasoned filling. | Anyone who wants to compare regional beef recipes. |
| Catamarqueña | A regional style associated with a distinctive dough and generous filling. | Food lovers who want to go beyond the most familiar empanada varieties. |
| Porteña | Buenos Aires-style empanadas can include beef, onion, egg, olives and sometimes raisins. | Visitors looking for a familiar, classic Argentine version. |
| Humita | A corn-based filling, often creamy and savory, with regional variations. | Vegetarians who eat dairy and anyone wanting a meat-free option. |
| Jamón y queso | Ham and melted cheese inside pastry. | People who prefer a mild, comforting filling. |
| Creative or gourmet | Modern combinations may feature international flavors, specialty meats or unusual vegetables. | Repeat visitors and adventurous eaters. |
Baked vs. Fried Empanadas: Which Is Better?
Both styles are worth trying. Baked empanadas, known as empanadas al horno, often have a golden pastry exterior and are easy to eat as a quick meal. Fried empanadas, or empanadas fritas, can have a crispier shell and are associated with several regional traditions.
The best choice depends on the filling and the recipe. Some juicy regional empanadas are especially satisfying when freshly fried, while oven-baked varieties are ideal for sampling several flavors in one sitting. If you are ordering takeaway, ask whether the empanadas are made to order or reheated.
How to Eat Empanadas Like a Local
- Order several flavors. If you are with friends, buy a selection and share them so you can compare fillings.
- Ask what is freshly made. Some shops specialize in particular regional varieties or rotate their menu.
- Try the house specialty first. A shop known for Salta-style or Catamarca-style empanadas is a good place to start with that recipe.
- Be careful with the first bite. Juicy fillings can be very hot, especially in freshly baked or fried empanadas.
- Explore neighborhood shops. A market counter or small empanadería can offer a different experience from a full-service restaurant.
- Ask about ingredients. Fillings vary, and a meat-free empanada is not necessarily vegan or suitable for every dietary requirement.
“¿Qué empanadas son las más populares?” — Which empanadas are the most popular?
“Una de carne cortada a cuchillo, por favor.” — One knife-cut beef empanada, please.
“¿Son al horno o fritas?” — Are they baked or fried?
“¿Tienen empanadas de humita?” — Do you have corn-filled empanadas?
“¿Cuáles son vegetarianas?” — Which ones are vegetarian?
Plan an Empanada Food Tour in Buenos Aires
Start in Microcentro if you want an easy lunch while exploring the city center. La Cocina and La Americana are practical stops for tasting traditional empanadas without committing to a long meal.
Head to Recoleta for El Sanjuanino and a chance to pair empanadas with other regional Argentine dishes. This works well if your itinerary includes museums, parks or the neighborhood’s historic architecture.
Explore Palermo for a mix of traditional and contemporary options, including La Imperfecta, Mil y Pico and 1810 Cocina Regional. It is a good area to turn dinner into a tasting experience.
Finish in San Telmo with a visit to Mercado de San Telmo. El Hornero is an easy food stop to combine with the market and a walk through the historic streets.
Use this Google Maps search for empanadas in Buenos Aires to check routes and confirm the latest location information before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the best empanadas in Buenos Aires?
La Cocina is known for Catamarca-style empanadas, El Sanjuanino is a popular option for traditional regional food, La Americana is convenient for a classic downtown stop, and La Imperfecta offers a northern Argentine approach in Palermo. The best choice depends on the style you prefer.
What is the most traditional empanada in Argentina?
Beef empanadas are among the country’s most familiar varieties, but there is no single recipe used everywhere. Regional styles such as Salta, Tucumán and Catamarca differ in seasoning, pastry, filling and preparation.
What is the difference between Salteña and Tucumana empanadas?
Salta-style empanadas are often juicy and may include potato and cumin. Tucumán-style empanadas are commonly associated with hand-cut beef. Recipes vary between establishments, so ask the staff about the particular version they serve.
Are Argentine empanadas baked or fried?
Both methods are common. Baked empanadas have a golden pastry crust, while fried versions are crispier and can be particularly juicy inside. Some restaurants offer both, depending on the regional recipe.
Are there vegetarian empanadas in Buenos Aires?
Yes. Common meat-free fillings include humita, cheese and onion, spinach and cheese, and vegetables. Confirm ingredients with the restaurant, since recipes can include animal-derived ingredients such as cheese, butter or other dairy products.
How many empanadas should I order per person?
It depends on their size and whether you are eating anything else. Two or three empanadas can make a light meal for many people, while a larger appetite may call for more. Ordering a few different fillings to share is a good way to sample the local specialties.
Can I find good empanadas in San Telmo and Palermo?
Yes. San Telmo is convenient for combining empanadas with a market visit and historic sightseeing. Palermo has both traditional regional options and modern shops with creative fillings, making it a good neighborhood for an informal food tour.
Are empanadas usually suitable for people with celiac disease?
Traditional empanada pastry is usually made with wheat flour and is therefore not gluten-free. Anyone with celiac disease should seek a dedicated gluten-free provider and verify preparation procedures to avoid cross-contact.
Travel note: Restaurant menus, addresses, opening hours and available fillings can change. Check the latest information directly with each establishment before visiting.