The scent of firewood and charcoal welcome patrons at La Boquería, where the ambience is marked by two closely-linked cooking traditions: Spain and Argentina. That combination translates into a versatile menu of sharing dishes, from small Madrid-style tapas to the classic beef options of an Argentine parrilla.

Whet your appetite with fresh anchovies, melted provoleta, a tortilla with mozzarella and smoked bacon, garlic prawns, burrata on a bed of arugula with Serrano ham, cherry tomatoes and pesto. There are also roast beef empanadas and sandwiches that combine ingredients from both cuisines, like grilled mortadella with provoleta and the quintessential choripán.

The true heart of the place, though, is the parrilla. The mandatory achuras — sweetbreads, chinchulines, chorizo and blood sausages — and beef cuts that range from skirt steak and flank steak to ribeye. There are also hearty options to share, such as the great porteño steak: a 400g bife de chorizo that comes with smoked bacon, egg, roasted bell pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes, served on a bed of French fries.

Don’t fancy the classic parrilla? Try the spaghetti with shrimp sauce, homemade malfatti, or pork ribs smothered in homemade barbecue.

Side dishes are not mere afterthoughts here, either. Options include grilled vegetables and the Bruna salad, with arugula, avocado and hard-boiled egg.

In the unlikely event that you still have room, desserts include tiramisu, homemade flan, and chocolate mousse with red berries.

The food can be paired with a carefully-selected wine list of more than twenty labels including reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling wines, and a cocktail menu blending tradition and freshness, from vermouth and tinto de verano to draft cider, Aperol Spritz, and gin and tonic. 

This is a great place to dine al fresco in Argentina’s temperate shoulder seasons: you’ll find outdoor tables, evening DJ sets, and an energy that captures both Palermo locals and travelers who turned the coolest neighborhood into their home, if only for a few days.

La Boquería
Soler 5101, Palermo