Between roast beef, pasta, and stews, 12 country restaurants for a winter getaway
Although visibly affected by the widespread crisis, the gastronomic sector, comprised of rural restaurants, is facing the challenge with the best it has to offer: regional dishes and homemade specialties prepared using traditional methods.
During this eagerly awaited winter holiday season, customers in these soup kitchens find various promotions, discounts, typical flavors like stews and locro, as well as recreational activities for children.
Here are twelve options to consider in locations in the province of Buenos Aires, located between 50 and 187 kilometers from the city.
Famous for its generous "all you can eat" grilled meats , Los Abraham also awaits its customers during the winter holidays with a special menu for children (milanesa, pasta, French fries and soda) and options for vegetarians, vegans, diabetics and celiacs .
The restaurant—listed as "pet-friendly" —has a 6-hectare park with soccer and volleyball courts. A children's play area will soon be added.
The Abrahams, in Río Tala, 10 km from San Pedro.
- How to get there. From Buenos Aires to Ríos Tala, it's 154 km along Route 9 (Panamericana Campana branch).
- How much does it cost? All-you-can-eat regional produce, meat empanadas, offal, grilled meats, French fries, salad, homemade dessert, and a soft drink, $30,000; ages 4 to 9, $15,000.
- Where to get information. (03329) 15625588 / (03329) 498-777 / [email protected] / www.losabraham.com.ar .
A pleasant surprise with a distinctly agroecological approach amidst the renowned Carlos Keen barbecue grills in the Luján district.
Alma Verde, in Carlos Keen, Luján district.
Since its opening in November 2024 , Alma Verde has been offering a wide variety of flavors to discover, including miso (soybean ferment), seawater used in certain cooking methods, fermented grain, chili peppers dehydrated on-site, natural juices without additives, quinoa, sesame oil, and stews with barley, buckwheat, and seasonal vegetables. There are also options for vegetarians and vegans .
- How to get there. From Buenos Aires to Carlos Keen, it's 86 km via Acceso Oeste (Western Access) to Luján and Route 7. At km 72, turn right and continue for 14 km.
- How much does it cost? Winter wok (stews) varieties, $12,000 to $16,000; mushroom or legume and grain medallion sandwich, $16,000; whole-wheat alfajor or brownie, $3,000; four dates stuffed with peanut butter and dark chocolate, $5,000.
- Where to get information: (02325) 15401186 / [email protected]
The opening to the public of two pedestrian paths in a nature reserve flourishing near the historic Diego Gaynor train station has added a new attraction to this town in the Exaltación de la Cruz district, where rural tourism had begun to take its first steps with the La Materina dining hall.
Rosalindo, in Diego Gaynor, Exaltation of the Cross district.
The restaurant was renovated in recent months , reopened as Rosalindo, and is already recognized for its three- and five-course menus for adults, plus a five-course "mini-course" children's menu.
These days , the lentil stew or locro, accompanied by a Creole empanada and a glass of Mendoza wine , is a must. Pets are welcome, and there's a playground across the street for children.
- How to get there. From Buenos Aires to Diego Gaynor, it's 99 km along Route 8 (Panamericana Pilar branch); at km 91, turn right and continue for 8 km.
- How much does it cost? Lentil stew or locro with empanada criolla and a glass of wine from Bodega Zuccardi, $25,000; children's menu, $19,000.
- Where to get information. (154) 9983130 / (158) 0338888.
One of the best places to delight your palate with "grandma's dishes" prepared according to old family recipes.
Specialties of the appetizers at La Fernanda, in Navarro.
Some of the menu's highlights include locro, pickled vegetables, tomatoes, roasts, the cold cuts platter, empanadas, vegetable cannelloni, and roasted meats.
It also has a special "gluten-free" menu for celiacs .
- How to get there. From Buenos Aires to Navarro, it's 103 km via Acceso Oeste. In Merlo, turn left onto Pérez Quintana, cross the road and the old Route 7, and continue on Route 40 (formerly Route 200). Options: Riccheri, the Ezeiza-Cañuelas Highway, and Routes 6 and 40.
- How much does it cost? Breakfast, starters, barbecue, salad, French fries, grilled meat, vegetable cannelloni with mixed sauce, dessert, and afternoon snack (mate with cakes and pastries), $32,000; ages 3 to 10, $16,000. Two days and one night with full board, $125,000 per person; children, $65,000; 3 days and 2 nights, $175,000 and $80,000.
- Where to get information. (152) 5948530 / [email protected] / www.lafernanda.com.ar
On the side of Route 36, on the way to the Atlantic Coast, 87-year-old Donatella Petriella kneads pasta using the same artisanal method she learned near Naples , in southern Italy, where she was born. Her specialties (ravioli, gnocchi, and tagliatelle) are brought to the table by her son, José Luis Boffa, who is responsible for the house's tasty grilled pork breast, matambre, and chorizo .
Donatella's Corner, in Paraje Starace, Magdalena district.
The spacious park with paddle ball and soccer fields that extends behind the century-old bowling alley is perfect for sipping mate until dusk.
- How to get there. From Buenos Aires to Starace, it's 100 km along the La Plata Highway, Route 2 and Route 36, to km 96.500.
- How much does it cost? Appetizers of seasonal produce, main course of pasta or brisket, matambre, and grilled pork sausage, $23,000.
- Where to get information: (0221) 155477003 / [email protected]
In the Exaltación de la Cruz district, very close to Capilla del Señor, Parrilla Al Paso has just added a heated gallery where you can enjoy its roasted pork, chicken, and beef, complemented by flan, homemade pudding, ice cream, or the traditional cheese and dessert.
During the winter holidays, it is open every lunchtime from Tuesday to Sunday.
Grill Al Paso, in Arroyo de la Cruz, Exaltation of the Cross district.
- How to get there. From Buenos Aires to Arroyo de la Cruz, it's 81 km along Route 8 (Panamericana Pilar branch); at km 77.5, turn right and continue for 3 km on Route 192.
- How much does it cost? Assortment of grilled meats and dessert, $27,000; ages 4 to 11, $14,000; large drink, $5,000; choripan, $7,000; and a sandwich with roast beef, pork shoulder, chorizo steak, pork matambre, or flank steak, $10,000.
- Where to get information: (02323) 15446093 / [email protected] / www.parrillaalpaso.com.ar.
Initially, tourists' main interest in visiting this rural town was due to the opening of the Lo del Turco restaurant, opened in 2018 by Paula Ares.
La Pituca, in Ramón Biaus, Chivilcoy district.
In May 2024, the bold entrepreneur who arrived here from Ramos Mejía doubled her bet: she recovered the facilities of the old Casa Báez general store and opened the La Pituca dining room .
The fame of the place quickly spread to the entire Chivilcoy district and surrounding areas, thanks to its generous selection of regional cold cuts, fried meat empanadas , grilled meat, and desserts .
For other palates, they also offer a vegetarian menu.
- How to get there. From Buenos Aires to Ramón Biaus, it's 187 km via Acceso Oeste (Western Access) to Luján and Route 5. Before reaching Chivilcoy, turn left onto Route 30. In La Rica, turn right onto a dirt road for 18 km.
- How much does it cost? Chopped regional cold cuts, fried meat empanada, grilled meat, salad, French fries, and dessert, $28,000; ages 4 to 11, $14,000.
- Where to get information: (155) 1132030 / (02346) 15606001 / [email protected]
Signature cuisine in a family home in the Chacabuco district , run by its owners .
The special menu designed for the winter holidays includes a starter of regional flavors, vermouth, a pasta and risotto tasting, grilled meats, a sirloin skewer with roasted vegetables, a vacuum-packed sandwich with Creole sauce, a dessert buffet (a cart of homemade ice cream and waffles), and an afternoon snack (fried cakes, churros, and herbal teas).
Flavors Store, in Rawson, Chacabuco district.
- How to get there. From Buenos Aires to Rawson, it's 170 km via the Acceso Oeste (West Access) to Luján, Route 7 to Cermen de Areco, and Route 71. Alternatively, take the Acceso Oeste (West Access) to Chivilcoy, and Routes 30 and 51.
- How much does it cost? Six-course meal with snack, $28,000; with all-you-can-drinks, $34,000; children's menu, $12,000.
- Where to get information. (02346) 15688727 / (02346) 15681318.
One of the bastions of barbecue, homemade pasta, and the typical Quintero salami of the Mercedes district.
Santa Victoria, in Tomás Jofré, Mercedes district.
During the holidays, the hotel welcomes guests every day and offers a 15 percent discount for cash payments on weekdays and Saturdays.
- How to get there. From Buenos Aires to Tomás Jofré, it's 104 km via Acceso Oeste (Western Access) to Luján and Route 5. At Gowland (km 91), turn left and continue for 13 km on Route 42.
- How much does it cost? Appetizers, pasta, barbecue, dessert, soft drink, and coffee or tea, $33,000; ages 4 to 9, 50%.
- Where to get information: (02324) 15522091 / (02324) 15530304 / [email protected] / www.www.santavictoriadejofre.com.
Located in the historic center of Las Heras, across from the train station , the Matute tavern stands out for its hearty menu. For those colder days, it offers—among other specialties—shareable portions of stewed veal, meatballs with mashed potatoes, and lentil and tripe stews.
Matute, in Las Heras. Photo by Martín Bonetto
- How to get there. From Buenos Aires to Las Heras, it's 77 km via the Acceso Oeste (Western Access). In Merlo, turn left onto Pérez Quintana, cross the road and the old Route 7, and continue on Route 40 (formerly Route 200). Options: Riccheri, the Ezeiza-Cañuelas Highway, and Routes 6 and 40.
- How much does it cost? Lentil or tripe stew, meatballs with mashed potatoes, or stewed beef, $23,000 each; cash payments receive a 10% discount.
- Where to get information. (156) 3585779 (0220) 476-3956 / Facebook: Matute bar.
In addition to offering the exquisite specialties of chef Cristina Gil, this tea house and restaurant in the Cañuelas district joins the recreational and educational program designed for the whole family by various establishments in Uribelarrea, such as La Pulpería de Uribe, the Valle de Goñi goat dairy, and the Chakra Raíz farm.
The Sprout, in Uribelarrea, Cañuelas district.
El Retoño is the starting point for the "Treasure Hunt" experience, which takes place—with advance reservation—on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
- How to get there. From Buenos Aires to Uribelarrea, it's 88 km via Riccheri, the Ezeiza-Cañuelas Highway, and Route 205. At km 82.5, turn left and continue for 5 km.
- Where to get information. (153) 8899039 / (155) 3169720 / [email protected].
The vacation program, aimed especially at children, includes a guided tour of the farm, wagon rides, a workshop on bread kneading and baking in a clay oven, and a Creole horseback riding lesson taught by Guillermo Sigmund, the owner.
Guided tour of the Little Holland farm in Escobar.
In the extensive wooded area, there are also nature trails near the Luján River for hiking, volleyball and soccer courts, and you can play tejo and sapo.
- How to get there. From Buenos Aires, it's 60 km along the Panamericana Highway, Campana branch; in Escobar, turn right and continue along 25 de Mayo, Belgrano, and San Martín avenues, which continue as Route 25 to Pequeña Holanda, just before the shore of the Luján River.
- How much does it cost? A la carte fast food menu (milanesa, hamburger, or pasta) with a drink, around $25,000. A full picnic (breakfast, all-you-can-eat barbecue with a side dish and empanada, and a snack) , $44,000; children ages 4 to 10, $34,000; ages 2 and 3, $24,000.
- Where to get information: 4773-5091 / (155) 7514715 / (157) 0950021 / [email protected] / www.pequenaholanda.com.ar.
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