Buenos Aires: Palermo Food Tour with Empanadas & Parrilla

Summary

Palermo flavors from empanadas to steak on a walking tour

You’ll taste your way through Palermo’s best-kept secrets: flaky empanadas fresh from the oven, classic bodegón comfort food with locals at your side, juicy Argentine steak straight off the grill, and a surprise dessert to finish. Expect laughter with your guide and plenty of stories behind each dish—this Buenos Aires food tour isn’t just about eating; it’s about feeling part of the city for an evening.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I remember is the smell — that warm, yeasty bakery air drifting out of a tiny deli somewhere in Palermo. Our guide, Lucía, waved us inside like we were old friends. She handed me an empanada so hot I had to juggle it between my fingers for a second (she laughed and said “bienvenido”). The crust was flakier than I expected, and the filling — beefy, spiced just right — made me forget I was standing next to a fridge full of sodas and not in some fancy restaurant. The pizza came next, thick and cheesy with that almost-sweet tomato sauce you only seem to get in Buenos Aires. I tried asking about the cheese blend but mostly butchered the Spanish; Lucía just grinned and told me it’s “a family secret.”

We walked through streets painted with wild murals — honestly, every corner felt like its own art show. Somewhere between bites and stories about Palermo’s history (I didn’t realize how much Italian influence there was here), we landed at this old-school bodegón. Milanesa as big as my plate, tortilla that tasted like Sunday at someone’s grandma’s house, fainá with a weirdly satisfying crunch. There was wine too — Malbec, obviously — poured generously by a waiter who winked when he caught me trying to swirl it like I knew what I was doing.

The parrilla stop was the loudest: clatter of plates, the hiss of meat hitting the grill, people arguing softly over football scores. My steak came out perfectly pink inside; even now I can kind of recall that smoky smell mixed with garlic chimichurri. Dessert was some mystery layered thing (Lucía said no spoilers) that tasted like caramel and childhood. We ended up lingering longer than planned because nobody wanted to leave yet — funny how food does that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Buenos Aires food and culture

• Visit cozy hidden deli for empanadas and pizza
• Try local favorites at iconic bodegón
• Enjoy Argentine wine tasting
• Eat famous Argentine steak at parrilla
• Have traditional Argentine desserts
• Walk through Palermo’s street art and boutiques
• Pass by beautiful park between Palermo Soho and Viejo

Top questions

How many dishes do you try on this Buenos Aires food tour?

You’ll try over 8 different Argentine dishes across 4-6 local spots during the tour.

Is vegetarian or gluten-free food available on this Palermo food tour?

Yes, vegetarian and gluten-free menus are available if you let them know when booking.

How long is the walking part of this Buenos Aires food tour?

The walking tour lasts about 3.5 hours with short walks (about 5 blocks) between restaurants.

Does this Palermo food tour include Argentine steak?

Yes, one stop is at a parrilla where you’ll enjoy famous Argentine steak as part of the experience.

Are drinks included on this Buenos Aires foodie adventure?

You’ll have wine included at some stops along with other drinks depending on the restaurant.

Is there hotel pickup for this Buenos Aires food tour?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet your guide in Palermo at the starting point.

Can vegans join this Palermo food tour?

No, unfortunately vegan dietary needs can’t be accommodated on this tour.

What age do you need to be for this Buenos Aires food tour?

The minimum age to participate is 14 years old.

What’s included

Your evening includes all tastings—over eight authentic Argentine dishes—across four to six handpicked local restaurants in Palermo, plus wine at select stops and guidance from a knowledgeable local host throughout your 3.5-hour walking adventure. Vegetarian or gluten-free options are available if you mention it when booking; just bring comfy shoes for those easy strolls between bites.