Try and Find These 10 Secret Restaurants in Buenos Aires

Closed-door restaurants, or puerta cerradas, have remained popular following Argentina’s 2001 economic crisis, with newcomers joining all the time. They are currently around 100, many of which operate just a few nights a week out of private homes. Check out our top 10 list.

By: Meredith Rosenberg

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Bajollave

Head to Bajollave in the historic Montserrat neighborhood if you want to experience top-notch food, wine, music and art in an upscale apartment. Feast on a multicourse Argentinian menu accompanied by local wines while admiring work from local artists. With advance planning, you can also take tango lessons or cooking classes, or indulge in a wine tasting.

i Latina

As the name implies, i Latina specializes in Latin-American cuisine, and was even chosen as one of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants in 2016. It's run by three Colombian siblings who work to deliver a seven-course tasting menu that changes each season. A recent menu featured seafood ceviche, pork braised in a Colombian coffee and sugarcane reduction, and an Ecuadorian cacao truffle with sea salt and olive oil. Cap off the evening with a ceremonial coffee from - you guessed it Colombia.

Ocho Once Maison du Chef

Every Thursday through Saturday, Chef Gonzalo Bazterrica can be found at home turning out inventive dishes for customers at Ocho Once Maison du Chef. For example, a recent menu tantalized with cauliflower soup, Brazilian fish stew and cheesecake trifle. Experiential travelers can also take one of his cooking classes.

La Cocina Discreta

Think of this private home as a hybrid restaurant, bar, club and gallery with a penchant for the avant-garde. The menu, offered as both a la carte and six-course, is best described as modern Argentinian with global influences. Steak tartare, banana fritters, octopus and homemade tagliatelle are just some of the options you may find at the restaurant, whereas the bar highlights global street food such as potatoes covered in cheddar and bacon. Check La Cocina Discreta's calendar for live music and DJ’s.

Mi Coleccion de Vinos

With the name My Wine Collection, you’re right to guess that wine features heavily at Mi Colección de Vinos. Discover lesser-known Argentinian wines alongside a five-course menu that might consist of bruschetta, a chef’s salad, risotto, braised pork and tiramisu. Some nights might also involve live piano music, rounding out a leisurely evening. Take note that the restaurant is only open Wednesday through Friday.

Tu Jardin Secreto

Who doesn’t fantasize about eating in a secret garden? You’ll find the romantic hideaway/art gallery squirreled away in a residential section of town. Tuck into regional food Wednesday through Saturday; if you’re lucky, Tu Jardin Secreto might have live music to elevate the experience.

Masa

For something different, consider Masa for well-executed Mexican dishes by American chef Kevin Vaughn. Though it’s no longer a closed-door restaurant in the strictest sense, there’s no single brick-and-mortar location you can simply pop into. Instead, look for it as one-time pop-up collaborations around town. A recent pairing with Kyopo BA (pictured) unveiled a Korean taco with pork carnitas, pickled watermelon and fresh daikon.

Casa Coupage

Head to the back of La Bumon restaurant to find the tiny, lesser-known Casa Coupage. Choose from a six- or eight-course tasting menu, which might include pickled prawns and mussels, braised lamb and mashed potatoes, and a chocolate bavarois and hazelnut cream cake for dessert. Pace yourself, so you can manage the pre-dessert Argentinian cheese plate. You can also opt for the wine pairing menu, or if you’re less hungry, a blind taste test of four wines.

Club M Omakase

This secret Japanese-Peruvian spot recently relocated below Bar du Marché into a slightly bigger space. Diners can look forward to an eight-course omakase menu whose dishes are at the chef’s discretion. Just know that secret doesn’t mean undiscovered; be sure to make reservations well in advance.

Treintasillas

The menu changes weekly at this intimate space, perfect for a romantic outing. A recent menu offered burrata cheese with sautéed green peas and toasted almonds to start, followed by a creamy onion soup with brioche croutons. For the main course, pumpkin and ricotta malfatti (a type of dumpling) were accompanied by sautéed mushrooms and a poached egg, capped off with a whiskey-frosted brownie and kumquats in cardamom syrup. If you wish to recreate any of the chef’s dishes, Treintasillas offers cooking classes for all levels. They also sell their own line of jams, preserves, chutneys and more.

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Buenos Aires

Try and Find These 10 Secret Restaurants in Buenos Aires

Related To:

Shop This Look

Bajollave

i Latina

Ocho Once Maison du Chef

La Cocina Discreta

Mi Coleccion de Vinos

Tu Jardin Secreto

Masa

Casa Coupage

Club M Omakase

Treintasillas

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