The Top 10 Restaurants in El Chaltén, Argentina

You may have passed Yenu while walking along the main street in town towards the famous Fitz Roy trail and not noticed the concrete, yurt-style building, but once you open the door it will, more often than not, be packed to the gills. Some of the most elegant and delicious dining available in El Chaltén, Yenu specialities include succulent steaks and ravioli.

Right in the centre of town, this log cabin not only offers a cozy indoor environment and outdoor seating if the wind allows it, but also a terrific range of food from everywhere. Local dishes like guiso de lentejas and milanesa de carne are perfect and filling for after the Fitz Roy hike, or a big, warm, cheesy pizza to share between friends.

You cannot get the full Argentina and Patagonia experience without indulging in a proper parrilla. An Argentinian pastime, a parrilla, or barbecue, will comprise of an array of perfectly prepared, spiced, and cooked meats, starting with sausages, and ending with ribs and steaks. The restaurant is small, so be sure to come early, or swing by prior to dinner time to see how full it is.

If you are travelling in a big group and have varying cravings, but can all agree that you want a big serving of stick-to-your-ribs food, you should be entering the double doors of Rancho Grande. Big burgers, sizzling french fries, fried steaks, empanadas and strong, dark coffee to prevent the food coma from setting in, at this restaurant that never shuts its doors.

Do not be ashamed if, just because you are in Argentina, you can’t battle away that craving for a big juicy burger, because you are not alone and this is why B&B exists. A speciality burger joint with a variety of fixings, toppings, the best home cut fries in town, chicken tenders for the kids, and a wrap-around patio perfect for a beer and some Patagonian sunshine.

The undisputed home of waffles in El Chaltén is La Wafleria, but that does not mean that this place is only good for a sugar kick, as the criss-cross patterns on the waffles can be topped with almost anything you like, sweet or savoury. If you want sweet, the classic cream and fruit toppings never disappoint, but if you want something savoury, get the buttery pastry topped with bacon and eggs.

A really vibrant and welcoming interior is filling for the eyes after the sometimes grey outdoors of El Chaltén, and the food is enjoyable for all the other senses as well. Warming soups, and delicious meat dishes topped with traditional chimichurri sauce but also many options for the non-meat eater in the group.

Rip succulent ribs right off the bone and covered in tangy sauce, saw into a soft, juicy steak covered in peppercorn sauce, crunch through a crispy slice of thin-crust pizza, and consult the knowledgeable waiters as to which one of the long list of Argentinian wines you should be pairing with your dinner selection to round off a perfect meal. Well, maybe a quick look at the dessert menu before you call it a night.

Mainly Spanish and Italian cuisine, La Cava is a diamond in the rugged surroundings of Patagonia, as the cooks take every dish seriously, as you will even be wowed by your caesar salad here. Don’t fill up on appetisers though, as the large portions are meant to do that, including the zesty stir fry, flat bread pizzas, or big thick steaks.