Bariloche, Argentina is a charming Apline-esqe town nestled within the Nahuel Huapi National Park in the foothills of the Andes.
Prior to the 1600s, the region was used as a passage way through the Andes by indigenous tribes, notably the Tehuelches, Puelches, and Araucans. Alas, the secret got out. Spanish conquistadors arrived to the exquisite glacier lake in the 1650s, and Jesuit missionaries soon followed. Classic… amiright? Argentine authorities had their eye on the region, and the army successful took control in the 1800s under the notion that indigenous people would still maintain control of the land. Settlers from Germany, Switzerland, and North America swept in and transformed Bariloche into an Alpine-like down.
Bariloche has since blossomed into a major tourism hub with skiing, trekking, and mountaineering opportunities galore.
What does one need to fuel such adventure? Food of course! I’ve got your culinary needs covered with this guide to 5 must-try eats in Bariloche Argentina.
For When You Want a Steak Feast: El Boliche de Alberto
Parillas, aka steakhouses, are quintessential to Argentinian cuisine. Bariloche Argentina has quite a few parillas, but the one that should be at the top of your list is El Boliche de Alberto. They serve up massive portions of delectable meats for reasonable prices.
Meat-wise, we shared a ½ portion of beef chorizo ($2950 pesos) and a ½ portion of tenderloin ($3200 pesos). Both were buttery soft and took zero jaw power to chew. I was in shock that the huge hunks of beef were ½ portions, and we could have easily shared just one dish.
For the sides, we got French fries ($1400pesos), an empanada ($330 pesos), and a salad ($1500 pesos). The empanada and salad were amazing—I’d skip the fries if I were to do it again.
The total was $9650 pesos, which came to a cheeky $29.74 via credit card. $15 for an epic steak feast per person… HOLY FRUGAL.
Pro Tip: It’s no secret that El Boliche de Alberto is one of the best eats in Bariloche. Be prepared for a line.
Note: The currency in Argentina is wild. The official exchange rate is around $180pesos/$1usd. However, you can snag anywhere from $340-$380pesos for $1USD on the streets and your credit card will likely have a similar exchange rate. I explain why in my guide to El Chalten, which you can read HERE.
For When You Want Beer and Bar Food: Cerveza Manush
I thought my journeys through Argentina would be accompanied by beautiful glasses of bold red wines. But little did I know the country has an impressive craft beer scene with top notch brews that make beer lovers weak in the knees. Cerveza Manush is one of the most recommended spots for beer and eats in Bariloche, and I will say it lives up to the hype.
I got a sensible flight with 3 IPAs and 1 Stout. I enjoyed them all, but the hazy IPA was exceptional.
Food wise, I had low expectations given how massive Cerveza Manush Centro is and the touristy nature of it. To my surprise, the food was incredible. The fried chicken was mega juicy and perfectly crunchy. The bruschetta was slathered with some magic white sauce that paired nicely with the prosciutto, greens, and ripe tomatoes.
Cerveza Manush doesn’t have the cheapest eats in Bariloche—we shared two apps, but most entrees were over $2000 pesos. However, it is superbly delicious and a must-try!
When You Want Something Nourishing: Chimi Deli Cochina Natural
Staying nourished isn’t always easy when traveling. Why get a salad when you can get an empanada for 1/6th the price?! However, just because you can survive off of empanadas and medialunas doesn’t mean you should.
Chimi Deli Cohcina Natural serves up grub that’s both delicious and nutritious with plenty or gluten free and vegan options if that’s your style. My chicken wrap with a side salad was exactly what the doctor ordered. It was chocked full of juicy shredded chicken and the side salad was light, crunchy, and refreshing.
When You Want Something Sweet: Rapa Nui
Bariloche is famous for its chocolates. In fact, the main drag is unofficially called “The Avenue of Chocolate Dreams” due to the copious amount of cutely decorated shops selling chocolatey confections. I must be honest…. I wasn’t blown away with most of the chocolate we tried. It didn’t have a ton of flavor and I rather just get a chocolate bar from the supermarket for 1/3rd the price instead.
Rapa Nui, however, was exceptional. The passionfruit truffle was delightfully fresh and the dark chocolate block was rich and earthy.
But there’s a sweet treat to get at Rapa Nui that’s better than chocolate… ice cream!
The ice cream is dumbfoundingly thick and creamy and the flavors have rich complexities that are so much more than just “sweet.” We shared the dulce de leche con dulce de leche and the dark chocolate. The flavors complimented each other nicely, and I admittedly don’t know how I can go on knowing I might never have Rapa Nui ice cream again….
For When You Want Something Local: La Fonda del Tio
La Fonda del Tio is a local institution that serves up highly regarded milaneses and pastas. We got a ½ portion of the chicken milanese napolitana which was not only my favorite eat in Bariloche, but one of my favorite eats of the entire trip. The chicken was tender and juicy, the sauce was bright and acidic, and copious amounts of fresh cheese made my heart melt. We also got a ½ portion of the gnocchi, which was perfectly okay, but nothing special.
Tip: La Fonda del Tio doesn’t open until 8pm. We got there around 8:15pm and had to wait for around 30 minutes. When we left, however, there was a line stretching all the way down the block.
