Buenos Aires: 13 Interesting Things to Know

Buenos Aires is the fantastic metropolitan capital of Argentina. It is a unique city, unlike most in South America. Largely influenced by European and American culture, it is not hard to spot the impact of countries like France, Spain, Italy, and the U.S. on the culture found there. From the food to the architecture, and everything in between there is an array of things to see and experience.

The days are begging to be spent wandering the city and local craft markets, after which the nights are filled with late night dinners and flamenco dancing. Ultimately, there are so many things to discover in this wonderfully complex and sometimes slightly odd city.

Eternal Escapades - Buenos Aires, Argentina: Everything You Need to Know (Highlights from Blog)

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Though she is the most popular of the residents there, the cemetery as a whole is stunningly beautiful. Rows of intricate headstones and mausoleums adorn the alleys, some with the strangest stories about the people buried there.

Exploring the tree lined Greco-Roman Avenida de Mayo feels like Paris, while the New York’s skyscrapers are just over in in Retiro, The Teatro Colon represents Italy in the mix, and what’s left of colonial Spain is found in Plaza de Mayo. It is definitely a worldly city.

On the grounds there is also a Buddhist Temple, Japanese Peace Bell, and a large Japanese stone lantern called an ishidoro. Surrounded by high risers in the background, this park feels like a little Central Park in Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires, Argentinian City of Contradictions

One of the most important lessons to learn in Buenos Aires is that planning anything is extremely difficult. It’s a city where Plans B, C, D, and E are absolutely necessary. Nothing every works out as expected, but in the best possible way.

For example, you could “plan” to go to dinner at the top rated steak place on Trip Advisor and then get there and find out there is no wait list because they are booked solid. Instead you end up at Plan B, the neighborhood steak joint that turns out to be the best meal you’ve had in a decade. Buenos Aires is nothing short of Argentinian unpredictability.

If planning is your norm, please note that reservations are a must literally EVERYWHERE. There will undoubtedly be attempts made to walk into an empty restaurant at 8 PM and waiters will refuse to seat you. To understand why, one must first understand the culture in Argentina.

The average weeknight dinner is usually an affair beginning at 9 PM(ish) and lasts for several hours. Therefore, waiters fear that if they seat you at 8 PM you won’t leave in time for the reservations they have later in the evening. This is true at both high end and regular neighborhood restaurants.

Stressing the “reservations needed everywhere” point, don’t try to stand at a crowded bar either. The hostess probably won’t allow it because there are no seats available. This was a very foreign concept to me. I come from a place where a packed bar indicates how great it is. However, while standing at an indoor bar is a no-no, you may be permitted to order your drink and stand in the outdoor garden area until seats become available. Go figure.

Communication is Key in
Buenos Aires

Another notable thing about Buenos Aires is in terms of communicating with locals. There is a very relaxed way about Argentinian culture, but Porteños are also very direct, sometimes bluntly so. As a result, it gives them a sort of “holier than thou” vibe.

Sometimes they make you feel like you have no idea what you want until they tell you. They will correct your order if they think they can improve it. Furthermore, they will tell you their likes and opinions mostly unsolicited, but with the best of intentions.

Despite their sometimes “snobish” culture, they are among the most friendly and inviting of the South American cultures I’ve encountered thus far. As a result, the contradictions of Buenos Aires range from their food, to their culture, and even down to their architecture.

One minute you can be standing in front of a giant mechanical flower that opens and closes at sunrise and sunset, and then another minute be having bottomless brunch at Palacio Duhau, a 19th century palace turned high end hotel. You kind of just have to roll with it and appreciate it for what it is.

Everywhere you look, locals of Buenos Aires will be walking around with thermoses of hot water and their traditional mate cups. It is their replacement for coffee, but more than that it’s a whole culture.

Mate is meant to be shared with friends, old and new. People will pass around their mate in a group as a means of inviting and interacting with one another. This is a unique aspect of their culture.

Afterwards, walk over to the Rio Darsena Sur where you will find a huge river-facing walkway. Just as the clock strikes midnight, pop your bottle of bubbly and watch the spectacular fireworks display over the riverbank.

Later, if you want a party, just cross one of the bridges to the other side of the river. Loads of people will be dancing and partying in the streets lined with bars and restaurants. It’s a great way to celebrate.

On Murillo Street, you will find store after store of leather goods. My personal favorite one was Paseo del Cuero. Claudia, the owner there, was fabulous! Her quirky personality made the whole shopping experience infinitely more fun.

Plus she won’t sell you crap, so you will get your money’s worth. Also, er store is filled with all sorts of unique items. Find more about her store by on the photo above.

Steak IS Buenos Aires
Food Culture

If you’re a lover of meat, specifically steak, you will undoubtedly be in food heaven in Buenos Aires. It honestly seemed to me that Argentinians eat nothing but meat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This of course makes them steak masters.

Argentinians cut the meat of their cows differently than anywhere else in the world. Therefore, the options for steak are very unique. Generally most cuts of meat were seared perfectly on the outside and still juicy and perfectly medium on the inside.

What made the experience for me was that they don’t do much to the meat at all in term of spices or sauces. Argentinians believe that if a good cut of meat is cooked properly, it should speak for itself. This elevates the quality and taste of the meat being served.

Even the more modest restaurants served stellar steaks. Truthfully, I have never had better steak in my life. Be adventurous, try a cut of meat you haven’t heard of before. Chances are it will be amazing!

There's Always Italian - Buenos Aires Style

Also, Italian is very popular in Buenos Aires. They do an interesting take on pizza. It’s not just an average slice of bread, sauce, and cheese. Argentinians top their pizza with fainá, which is basically a chickpea tortilla. Definitely recommend trying it at Guerrin, one of the original pizza makers in Buenos Aires.

Italian food has to be the second most popular food in Buenos Aires behind steak. There are tons of options in this category. One of my personal faves was La Pharmacie . Awesome restaurant with great food and outdoor seating on a warm summer eve.

What you actually won’t find an abundance of in Buenos Aires will be Asian food (Chinese, Japanese, etc) and seafood in general. Strangely, despite being a port city, seafood just isn’t a thing in Buenos Aires. Couldn’t possibly tell you why though?!