The Best Brunch Spots in Bariloche, Argentina
Bariloche is the central hub of Argentina’s lake district, in the south west of the country. Its Alpine architecture comes from its Swiss and German heritage, making it a quaint and pretty town to spend a morning wandering through, with a number of cafés and boutique shops offering a lovely choice of brunch options. Check out our guide to the best brunch spots in Bariloche.
Rapa Nui
Cafe, Dessert
Rapa Nui is in an excellent location on Bariloche’s main shopping street, and is primarily a chocolatería. While the chocolate shop is well worth a visit, the adjoining café is where visitors can sample some tasty sweet recipes made with the shop’s own produce. Ideal for brunch, visitors can enjoy a chocolate fondue with fruit, traditional alfajores (biscuit with dulce de leche), or less sweet options such as sandwiches and paninis. Rapa Nui is a family run establishment and is a favourite of locals, which says a lot about it reputation and quality.
La Esquina
Cafe, Argentina
In the centre of Centro Cívico, Bariloche’s most picturesque zone, is La Esquina, a simple café serving a basic but tasty menu of light meals and drinks. The interior is fitted out with wooden beams and furnishings, which fits in well with the chalet-style architecture of the area. The menu is quite extensive, and includes savoury brunch items such as empanadas, as well as full lunches. The coffee is highly rated, and the portions are very generous for the price. A great spot for a light meal while exploring the area.
Mamuschka
Cafe, Coffee, Tea , Argentina
Another one of Bariloche’s chocolate shops to be found in the town centre, Mamuschka is hard to miss with its bold red shopfront and Russian dolls on the roof. Similarly to Rapa Nui, it is a chocolatería with its own café, which serves cakes, pastries and other chocolate-related goodies. The atmosphere is always vibrant, since it’s always busy, so it’s not recommended for a peaceful brunch but rather a lively one. To really experience Bariloche’s famous chocolate culture, Mamushcka it a great place to stop for a coffee and a cake.
Punto Panorámico
Bar, Restaurant, Pub Grub, Argentina, Fast Food, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free
Punto Panorámico is a family run restaurant found along one of the main routes going through Bariloche’s nearby Nahuel Huapi National Park. It is surrounded by amazing panoramic views of the park, with the vibrant blue lake down below and the snow capped mountains in the distance. The owner and staff are extremely friendly and welcoming, and are happy to give any travel tips. Punto Panorámico is the ideal stop for an light lunch while exploring the outstanding natural scenery.
Helados Jauja
Cafe, Argentina
For a sweet morning treat, Helados Jauja is an alternative kind of brunch spot. Offering arguably the best ice cream in Bariloche (some say in all of Argentina), Helados Jauja has a mind blowingly extensive list of flavours, ranging from classics such as strawberry or chocolate chip, to cardamom or peanut butter. There is the option of ice creams to take away, or there is a small seating area where visitors can enjoy elaborate sundaes. It also offers a range of chocolates as a lovely treat to save for later.
Chiado
Cafe, Restaurant, Dessert
Chiado is a tranquil café and restaurant surrounded by mountain trees and looking over the lake. Located just outside Bariloche, it mixes a traditional tearoom ambiance with the classic Alpine architecture of Bariloche. With artistically mismatched chairs and crockery, visitors can enjoy a cup of tea in a dainty cup and saucer with a homemade cake or other patisserie item. An array of antiques from the 1930s and a matching soundtrack add to the atmosphere. The perfect place to stop for a break while exploring Bariloche’s wider lakeside zone.