The Best Outdoor Restaurants, Cafés and Bars in Buenos Aires

There’s something about eating or drinking “al aire libre” (in the open air) that makes everything taste just a little bit better. Restaurant, café and bar goers in Buenos Aires have a special affinity for outdoor dining, where having just one table al fresco will automatically skyrocket the space’s value. Whether high on a rooftop, secluded in a garden, relishing a flower-filled terrace, or people-watching on a tree-lined sidewalk, make the most of the sweltering South American summer days by getting down and dirty with some outdoor dining in Buenos Aires.

The Restaurants

L’Atelier de Celine
Carlos Calvo 242, San Telmo
There aren’t many San Telmo spots with hidden comfy, cushion-y terraces, so when looking for outdoor dining in the area, L’Atelier de Celine should become your go-to spot. A gastronomical gem that gives a taste of petit Paris, owner Céline Demarcq (who is actually from Lille) shows off her take on Argentine-French fusion with dishes like French onion soup, rabbit escabeche, slow roasted duck and a dangerous–sounding quail wrapped in bacon.

L’Atelier Celine; photo by Allie Lazar.

Hernán Gipponi

Photo by Jocelyn Mandryk

Hernán Gipponi Restaurant
Soler 5862, Palermo Hollywood
In the intimate backyard garden setting, Hernán Gipponi brings his expertise working in Spanish Michelin-starred restaurants to Buenos Aires with his multiple course lunch, dinner and weekend brunch tasting menu. A trailblazer in the Modern Argentine cuisine movement, Gipponi uses all local products and ingredients to produce a unique, inventive and memorable meal. Don’t miss the biweekly TFIF (Thank Fierro It’s Friday) happy hour event with HG’s tasty tapas and specialty cocktails mixed up by cantinero legend Fede Cuco.

El Muelle
Av. Costanera y Av. Sarmiento, Costanera Norte
Located on the first floor of the Fisherman’s Club (Club de Pescadores) in the Costanera Norte, El Muelle offers a fresh fish- and seafood-rich menu with grand river views. There aren’t many quality seafood restaurants in Buenos Aires, nor are there killer spots with winning waterside seating, so spend your afternoon with a lazy lunch filled with seafood salad, grilled prawns and fried calamari.

La Maison
Honduras 5774, Palermo Hollywood
The ultimate Buenos Aires gastronomical experience: lounging in an open aired plant-filled secret patio, with a glass of Mendocinian Pinot Gris in hand and slurping on fresh, luxurious oysters. Housed in a restored and romantic Palermo PH, La Maison offers the ideal spot for a summer’s lunch, relaxing afternoon hang out or dreamy starry night French dinner.

La Maison; photo by Allie Lazar.

Caseros
Caseros 486, San Telmo
A restaurant made by and for food lovers, it doesn’t get much better than this tree-lined historical Buenos Aires street. Think Argentine dishes with a creative twist, using only local ingredients that are in season.

Caseros; photo by Allie Lazar.

Honorable mention restaurants:
Palermo is known for its al fresco dining scene, with an overabundance of restaurants offering some sort of outdoor space to go along with a delicious meal. For cheap, abundant local fare, red chaired Las Cabras makes for a lively dinner choice, as does fan Villa Crespo favorite Sarkis. Pescetarian natural dishes at Artemisia’s sidewalk tables are quite the hot commodity, but if meat-induced wonders are more your style, Don Julio’s people-watching street seating can’t be beat. Both La Fornería and Quimbombó will offer ample sunny terraces to escape from the quilombo of Plaza Armenia below. Il Ballo de Mattone’s Italian food energizes your artistic taste buds and Campo Bravo in Las Cañitas might be the best people-watching spot of famous people you never knew were celebrities. If you happen to be in Puerto Madero, pop into I Central Market for waterside views, hearty salad and flavorful sandwiches.

The Cafés

Full City Coffee House
Jorge Newbery 3663, Chacarita
What do you get when you combine a Colombian with an Englishman, both who have high coffee standards? Hands down one of the best spots for coffee in the whole city, Full City Coffee House offers a Colombian-inspired menu in a relaxing and comfortable setting. Head straight to the backyard where there is both a fully furnished living room style patio and a tranquil garden.

Full City Coffee House; photo by Allie Lazar.

Coco Marie
Armenia 1764, Palermo Soho
What’s more appetizing than walking through a bikini shop to reach a hidden garden café? More than half of this Palermo Soho girly retreat remains outdoors with ivy-lined walls, flowers, salads, sandwiches and fresh juices.

Coco Marie; photo by Allie Lazar.

Croque Madame
Av. del Libertador 1902, Palermo
There are several locations throughout the city, but head directly to their café tucked in the Decorative Art Museum for classy refuge from the bustle of the city. Salads, sandwiches, tarts and pastries; it’s an all-in-one outdoor sanctuary.

Museo Evita
J.M.Gutiérrez 3926, Las Heras
Take refuge from the busy Las Heras streets and hop into the café outside the Evita Museum. Think high trees, ivy, flowers and old school checkered tiling, it’s hard to beat this tranquil patio oasis. Another plus: this spot is pet friendly.

Establecimiento General de Café
Ao. Pueyrredón 1529, Recoleta
Coffee lovers, here is another one just for you. With several locations across the city, there is something about this Recoleta spot on Pueyrredón that is extra special. Perhaps it’s the secluded garden patio, maybe it’s the friendly service, or it might be the strong coffee beans available from over ten different countries.

Establecimiento de Cafe; photo by Allie Lazar.

Honorable mention cafés:
Como en casa might have multiple cafés in many neighborhoods, but nothing can really beat their microcentro refuge, housed in the Santa Catalina historic monastery. For an ultimate girly getaway, El Ultimo Beso is all about the ivy-lined garden, feminine lace details and rose petals filled tub. If you can manage to pass the delectable bakery at Malvón in Villa Crespo, make your way to the backyard garden for an almond croissant. Café PROA’s terrace overlooks La Boca and is used as part café, part art space. A newbie in town, La Editorial Bistró is the concealed rooftop café of the Eterna Cadencia, while a few blocks away, Italian caffé In Bocca al Lupo boasts a calming patio in the middle of the restaurant. With strong WiFi and a great Cesar salad, DeCata’s terrace in Palermo Hollywood is a solid lunchtime spot, as is the courtyard in Cusic a few blocks over and the rooftop patio at Lo de Coki.

Decata; photo by Allie Lazar.

The Bars

Soria
Gorriti 5151, Palermo Soho
Skilled bartenders mix up inventive and classic cocktails at this Palermo bar that is almost completely located outdoors. A few pleasant surprises about their food menu: they make a killer burger, French fries and have a solid take on ranch dressing.

Soria; photo by Allie Lazar.

Rey de Copas
Gorriti 5176, Palermo Soho
It’s hard not to fall in love with the French-Moroccan influenced décor at Rey de Copas. Head straight to the back of the dimly lit bar with adjustable opening roof to sip on the daily punch or original interesting cocktails, while lounging on comfortably seductive couches.

Milion
Paraná 1048, Recoleta
A classic in the BA bar world, housed in Belle Epoque-style Recoleta mansion, Milion’s elegant courtyard and terrace might just be two of the most romantic outdoor spots in the city. Tip: focus on the drinks and steer clear of the food.

Sky Bar
Maipú 907, Retiro
While the 13th floor may not be exactly sky high, Hotel Pulitzer’s top floor is one of the only city bars with a skyline view. Thursday nights are especially hopping, with trendy crowds grinding to live mixing DJs.

Sky Bar; photo by Allie Lazar.

Caracas Bar
Guatemala 4802, Palermo Soho
Arepas, cocktails, well known DJs and a massive terrace, this popular Venezuelan-owned bar knows how to keep the crowds coming. Behind a massive red door on a Palermo Soho corner, this ultra-cool bar attracts both locals and foreigners in the need to let loose on their secluded rooftop.

Honorable mention bars:
On Thursday nights, La Panadería de Pablo opens up their secret rooftop for the ultimate hipster pool party After Office, or head to Mexican restaurant La Fabrica del Taco’s backyard garden for an obligatory summer maracuyá margarita. Over on Niceto street, Tiki Bar and Carnal bars both feature rooftop terraces, synonymous with summer, as does more low key beer-Fernet hut Esquina Libertad in Palermo Soho. For the ultimate North American style Happy Hour, the massive patio drinking garden at Kansas features daily drink specials from 4pm–7.30pm. Olsen may be more restaurant than bar, but they really excel at their drinks list: Bloody Mary and vodka tastings, garden side. Tucked inside Galería Patio Liceo, Baby Snakes debuts as one of the city’s only fully outdoor bars.

Baby Snakes; photo by Allie Lazar.

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Allie Lazar

Allie is a freelance eater based out of Buenos Aires. An ex-vegetarian born and raised in Chicago, she was lured by the carnivorous spell of chorizo in 2006 and never turned back. She has managed to channel her unhealthy obsession for all things culinary and travel-related into something a bit more socially acceptable: writing about food, wine and travel. She is also known for her master utensil-using skills, covering the BA gastronomy scene on her blog Pick Up The Fork.

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