23 Best Restaurants in Wine Regions, Argentina

Partners in life and in the kitchen, Mariano and Florencia traveled the world working in restaurants; they’ve brought that experience to their own intimate eatery, which offers a sophisticated tasting menu. The space may be small (it sits only 18 people), but you can expect delightful culinary creations with consistently appealing flavors and presentation. Staff can recommend wines by the glass or bottle to match the seasonally changing five- or seven-course menus.

Nestled between a golf green and tennis courts, Chez Gastón serves up unpretentious and fresh local cuisine in the smart Algodón Wine Resort. Surrounded by ancient olive groves and vineyards, you can sit outside on the brick patio where pine-log tables are surrounded by comfy couches with puffy white cushions. Many of the products used, such as the olives, fruits, and walnuts, are harvested right on the property, and bread is baked daily in a clay oven. Ask about the Smoky tasting menu. 

Warm up with a tasting of Uco region wines at Cundo’s cellar door before taking your seat at the table. Adhering to local terroir philosophy, chef Seba Juez prepares three- and six-course paired tasting menus using only regionally sourced ingredients in his al fresco kitchen (even in winter), which sits neatly in front of Malbec vines. A wintry starter might include roast beets with grilled ricotta, or seared mollejas (sweetbreads).

Daniel Ancina, his wife Graciela, and a team of cooks will greet you at this typical ranch house, about 20 minutes from town; then they'll fill your wine glass, introduce you to the other guests, and seat you family-style at a long table. Regional cuisine rules; little pots of sauces for spreading on pan casero (homemade bread) line the center of the table and out of the mud-brick oven comes a platter of crisp baked empanadas followed by a protein—goat, lamb, beef, chicken, or chorizo.

While this family-run winery also cultivates peaches, plums, cherries, and apples, La Azul's boho restaurant is a go-to in this corner of Uco Valley, and especially busy on weekends. Sink into a cozy armchair or pitch up under the trellis vines to enjoy tasty empanadas, stews, and barbecue prepared and served by local chefs with lovely views of the Andes. There's a small guest house with four rooms.

Hidden between the vineyards of Maipú is this historic manor, lovingly restored as an intimate restaurant, which serves a five-course tasting menu of farm-to-table Argentine cuisine (including recipes from a 19th-century cookbook found on the property) paired exclusively with Ver Sacrum wines. Tastings, cooking classes, and live art shows are all on offer, and the limited lunchtime reservations fill up fast.

There's a friendly atmosphere in this small bistro, which started out as a teahouse until the French owners expanded into Argentine-Franco breakfasts, lunch, dinner, and a wine bar.

Overlooking Tupungato volcano and the family vineyards, this small restaurant is the perfect spot for a lazy lunch in wine country. The colorful tasting menu is served with flair, from the assortment of starters to the juicy steak and hearty pasta dishes, and the final tasting platter of puddings.

This intimate eatery serves up comforting Argentine cuisine each evening for a maximum of 10 tables in a romantic, candlelit garden. The menu changes regularly, but some favorites include homemade gnocchi and shrimp gratin.

This character-filled spot is more than just a restaurant: grocery shelves are stocked with local olive oils, smoked meats, and homemade jams, and more than 80 wineries are represented in the wine shop, where an old press has been converted into a tasting table. Offering a welcome break from parrilla fare, the two short tasting menus give traditional Argentine ingredients a creative twist. Excellent value in the heart of Mendoza city.

A popular gathering place for both locals and visitors just one block from Km 0 (the very center of town), Bonafide serves up fresh coffee, sandwiches, cakes, and other goodies for the road. Grab one of the window seats with leather couches and take advantage of the Wi-Fi.

This spit-and-sawdust-style eatery has monster-size steaks, irresistible BBQ smells, and cheap wine by the jug. If you've had a long day in the mountains and need a place to refuel, old-school El Rancho is open daily for lunch and dinner, it also serves coffee and snacks outside of mealtimes.

Priding itself on cooking dishes like your Italian nonna would make, Fuente y Fonda offers hearty Argentine fare in family size portions that are designed to be shared by big groups. Expect deep dishes filled with stuffed cannelloni, cheese and ham-topped milanesas, or roast meats.

Serving a buffet of salads and starters followed by a main course straight from the grill, La Juntada updates the classic pulperia (tavern) atmosphere with a good wine list and a fresh lick of paint. Expect typical Argentine fare such as grilled goat kid that's well prepared.

They've been serving homemade pasta at La Marchigiana since 1950, and many of the recipes were passed down from founder Nonna Fernanda; today her descendants carry on the tradition in the kitchen. The original premises burned down in 2006, but a modern version with underground parking is just as popular with Mendocinos looking for a reasonably priced meal (and a great lasagna). There's a second restaurant at Ruta Panamericana 3200 in Godoy Cruz.

Mendocinos have been coming here for years to get their basic beef fix—lomo and bife de chorizo are grilled to perfection at this comfortable country-style restaurant. Pastas, grilled vegetables, and salads are also on the menu. Their other restaurant in Palmares is a bit more upmarket.

Inspired by local ingredients, dynamic young chef Alfredo Morales creates a delicious seasonal menu, cooking out of an upcycled San Juan casona. Order the six- or three-course tasting menus; dishes might include pork empanadas, artichoke ceviche, and flame-grilled pears with ricotta and pak choi.

This casual, family-run restaurant has been a staple in the valley for 30 years, serving up pork cooked in every way imaginable. There are also a surprising number of vegetarian options available, and all of the wines offered are from the neighborhood wineries. A little shop on-site sells unique artisanal items, such as hand-knit sweaters, blankets, and artwork.  If you like the place so much you don't want to leave, there are very reasonably priced cabañas for rent behind the restaurant.

Delicious smells from the outdoor grill lure locals off the streets and into this popular and unpretentious restaurant in the center of town. Saffron-yellow tablecloths throughout brighten the low-ceilinged dining room and add a splash of color to the outdoor patio. A variety of typical dishes—including grilled goat, beef, chicken, and vegetables—are served for lunch and dinner.

Tiled walls that look straight out of the Middle East mark the entrance to this eatery, which offers top value Lebanese food. Don't be dismayed by the bright lights; just order a bottle of Malbec, head for the table of appetizers, and fill your plate with crab brochettes, pickled eggplant, fresh tomatoes, and sliced tongue. Entrées include pastas, chicken, and beef prepared with a Middle Eastern touch.

Traditional grilled meats, homemade pastas, and appetizers featuring locally made cold cuts comprise the hearty fare at this friendly family-style restaurant. On Sunday, you can help yourself to steak, lamb, chicken, and goat at the open grill.

Dedicated to natural foods, this buffet-style restaurant has lots of vegetarian and even vegan options. The atmosphere is laid-back, and your meal—which is priced by weight—can be eaten in or taken out.  Be sure to try the fresh-squeezed fruit and vegetable juices.