La Cabrera in Buenos Aires

My Favorite Steakhouse or ‘Parrilla’

I visited many steakhouses in Argentina, but the most memorable was La Cabrera in Buenos Aires. Their chefs cooked the superb steaks exactly as we ordered, they were served with a multitude of delightful accompaniments and La Cabrera’s creative menu can't be matched by any other ‘Parrilla’ in all Buenos Aires.

Promising first impressions

I could smell the distinctive aroma of grilled meats as soon as I entered the restaurant. I couldn’t help but steal glances of other diner’s choices. At one table a gigantic piece of steak was being served up for three friends to share. I hoped the food would taste as good as it looked.

We were lead to one of the few empty tables; the restaurant was full with a mixture of tourists and locals. A young wealthy Argentinean family sat patiently at a nearby table waiting for their Sunday lunch. A moment later, a sizable chopping board of ‘Chorizo’ (grilled sausage) was delivered and placed in the centre of their table. The family carved up the sizzling sausages and ate them with chucks of fresh bread. The smell of garlic wafted towards us as the juices from the chorizo oozed out over the chopping board.

A relaxed ambience

Inside the restaurant, the decor was an interesting mixture of the original aging brickwork and smooth bright white plasterwork; these two styles created a relaxed and rustic feel.

My Family and I enjoying some
sparking wine at La Cabrera

High up, above the bar, a tiny little train track was suspended from the ceiling. Every so often a toy train became visible as it circled around the bar. At first we completely missed it, but during our meal it caught my eye and it bought a smile to my face as childhood memories came flooding back.

The menu – a distinctive choice of steaks

I thought that ordering would be easy. Tenderloin ‘lomo de bife’ is by far my favorite cut. But La Cabrera in Buenos Aires is a distinctive ‘parrilla’ boasting a range of steaks including three types of tenderloin delicately rolled in herbs and spices including pepper, sage or thyme.

It took me some time to decide upon tenderloin rolled in cracked pepper, but I definitely made the right choice. It was sensational, all four of the steaks that they presented to me!

Fabulous Juicy Steaks at La Cabrera

The taste of the fiery peppercorn coating complimented the steak perfectly. It was extremely high quality beef that was cooked exactly as I ordered - it just melted in my mouth.

But what really made La Cabrera in Buenos Aires such a memorable gastronomic experience was the vast array of accompaniments that they served with the meat. We were each presented with numerous bowls of mouth-watering condiments and sides, which is unusual for steakhouses.

There were so many different types, our favorites were:

Just a few of the delightful accompaniments served to us at La Cabrera

- tiny baby potatoes in a rich creamy sauce

- succulent olives marinated with fresh bulbous garlic

- tangy tomato salsa which a kick that made my taste buds tingle

- Italian style Tuscan beans slow cooked in a rich tomato sauce

- and my favorite - sticky roasted onions - caramelised and as sweet as honey.

It seemed to me that the waiter kept bringing them until he couldn’t squeeze any more onto the table. My wife (who’s vegetarian) hardly touched her pasta, she was busy trying all these different delights, mopping up the sauces with the soft homemade bread.

Buenos Aires is packed with steakhouses, but during our stay we genuinely found no better ‘parrilla’ than this. The quirky ambiance, delectable steaks and the array of side dishes put this above all others.

My family and I outside La Cabrera, my favorite steakhouse

How to find my favorite Buenos Aires steakhouse

La Cabrera in Buenos Aires – Expect to pay between US$10-20 per person including wine and a tip
Address: Cabrera 5099, Palermo Viejo
Phone: 4831-7002
Open: Tue-Sun 12.30-4.00pm, everyday 8pm onwards

La Cabrera in Buenos Aires has become so successful that they have opened a second restaurant, find its twin brother La Cabrera Norte just around the corner.

La Cabrera Norte – Expect to pay between US$10-20 per person including wine and a tip
Address: Cabrera 5127, Palermo Viejo
Phone: 4832-5754
Open: Tue-Sun 12.30-4.00pm, everyday 8pm onwards

Return from La Cabrera in Buenos Aires to our Buenos Aires Restaurant Guide

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