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All Hail the Buenos Aires Bodegon

Sep 20, 2023 By Triston Martin

Traveling is an adventure you should do at least once a year, whether it's just another city or flying to a different country. You experience a new culture, visit places, and eat exotic food in lively and cozy local restaurants. Every location and country has its own taste, atmosphere, and completely different ambiance.

So you must have experienced American diners and British cafes, but what Bodegon offers in Buenos Aires is totally different and memorable at the same time.

Let's explore the wonderful world and ambiance of a Bodegon in Buenos Aires.

What is a Bodegon?

The name/word Bodegon has become reminiscent of the traditional restaurant all around Buenos Aires, and the idea has been around the early 1930s in Argentina. These restaurants represent an amalgamation of Italian and Hispanic cultures when vast waves of promising immigration began in the early 19th century.

Most immigrants were from these countries, and you can see their influence in the Argentinian Capital and its restaurants. Now, you cannot find a Bodegon in Buenos Aires that doesn’t contain a mix of dishes from these countries.

So, while you will find traditional Argentinian dishes made popular with time, most of these traditional have also immigrated with the massive wave of immigration over the century. It will have a mix of Spanish, Italian, and somewhat German dishes and mix of all.

What Will You Find in These Bodegons?

Initially, these were family restaurants, and everyone knew each other very well, but some of the family structure faded with time. But the over quality of atmosphere remained. Here are some aspects you will find in these restaurants.

Melting Pot of Tastes

As soon as you open the menu in any Bodegon, you will see a vibrant menu that you won't see anywhere. In one section, there will be Spanish-like dishes such as tortillas. At the same time, on the other, you will find kinds of pasta special to Italian cuisine, plus a mix of different dishes from their respective regions added to the menu. These dishes add a different mystery and intrigue to the menu and make it unique, which is different in every Bodegon you visit.

A Mix of Old and New Customers

Most Bodegons you visit are old; management might have changed, but the experience remains the same. It is like people from different walks of life eat different meals of the day, either going to work or break time in the afternoon. So you will definitely find many long-time patrons who are friendly with the servers, chef, servers, etc., and are served their regulars.

The other type of people are random people, either tourists or someone exploring the culinary cuisine of the area and finding their taste buds.

No matter the type of visitor, you will always find the staff cordial and happy to serve and almost feel like you are treated like a family member.

An Interesting Yet Quirky Décor

You may call it quirky, but it's rather homely for a local as you will find a mix of photos around the menu of soccer flags of different league teams people love. Furthermore, you will find gifts and sports jerseys accumulated over the years by patrons, players, etc. Most walls, at least on one of the sides, will be lined with vintage wines, though you will be served modern and latest wine as though the vintage is only for show.

A Homely and Generous Food Portions

Every Bodegon you enter will serve you their typical yet tweaked taste by the chef's specialty. The portion served will be affordable yet sufficient enough for a good meal. Everything you taste will feel homemade and a mix of stews, pasta, and tortillas.

Best Bodegons You Must Visit in Buenos Aires

When you are in Buenos Aires, you must visit a few Bodegons during your travel and enjoy the food and vibrance of their culture. Therefore, here are some of the favorites on the internet that you should mark on your itinerary while you are in Buenos Aires.

El Obrero

Open Monday to Saturday, the place is working from 8 at night to 2 late night. You can find this Bodegon at Agustín R. Caffarena 64 and experience many of their famous seafood dishes with a touch of standard Bodegon affair.

La Gran Taberna

Open at different times during the day and all week, first at 12–4 p.m.12–4 p.m. and then at 7:30 p.m.7:30 p.m.-12 a.m12 a.m. You should visit it at Combate de los Pozos, just a few blocks from Palacio Barolo. Once there, you should definitely try their classic Spanish menu along with the standard Bodegon dishes such as tortilla de papa or paella.

La Pipeta

Li Pipeta is famous for Parrillas and well known for its dulce de leche and is one of the most famous downtown Bodegon places in San Martin. The best time to visit this fantastic Bodegon is around 11–12 a.m11–12 a.m.

Final Thoughts

If you are traveling to Buenos Aires in your next holidays, you must experience the culture and ambiance of Bodegon restaurants. It is a combination of experiences, food mixing, and, in general, as if you have experienced the whole of Argentina in a single entry point. Enjoy with good company and take back memories of these beautiful places.

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