Argentine Food — What to Eat and What It Costs
Steak, wine, and empanadas — Argentina's food culture is a genuine reason to visit on its own.
Argentina takes beef more seriously than almost anywhere on Earth, and the prices reflect a country that produces far more of it than it needs: a full steak dinner with wine at a good Buenos Aires parrilla runs $25–45 per person, less than half what the same quality would cost in New York or London. Beyond steak, don't skip empanadas ($1–2 each), a proper asado (the whole barbecue ritual, not just 'grilled meat'), and Malbec wine, Argentina's signature grape, grown mostly in Mendoza.
Argentines will tell you, without irony, that their beef is the best in the world — and having tried it, it's hard to argue. This guide covers what to actually order, what it costs in USD, and the food culture worth understanding before you sit down (reservations run late, and 'medium' means something different here).
