Buenos Aires is packed with excellent restaurants, elegant cafes, trendy bars and great ice-cream parlours. Needless to say, it’s easy to dine well, even in less expensive eateries. There are masses from which to choose, some serving typical Argentine fare, such as a thick juicy bife de chorizo (classic steak), thin-crusted pizza and empanada parcels, others offering delicious Japanese sushi, Indian curry, spicy Mexican; the list is endless. It’s not surprising then that it is often referred to as the gastronomic capital of South America.

Argentines are very sociable and love to dine out. However they eat late, so if you’re after fine food and ambience then the peak, when restaurants start to fill, is between 9.30pm to 10pm. Generally, they open at 8pm and close the kitchens around midnight although this maybe later on the weekend.

Along the waterfront at Puerto Madero there are a string of very large smart restaurants, but if you’re after something a little different or some place more intimate, head for Palermo or Las Canitas. More traditional eateries can be found in the centre and to the south of the city. The Italian influence is not just evident in the number of pizzerias and pasta houses but in the innumerable ice-cream parlours (heladerias) to be found on nearly every street corner. Many elegant and old-fashioned cafes and confiterias, which open early, are dotted throughout the city and are frequented by Portenos. They serve breakfast, sometimes a full lunch and afternoon tea. Then there are the city´s notoriously trendy bars and pubs where you can sip an early evening cocktail, glass of wine or a freezing cold beer.