On my last couple of visits to Buenos Aires my time was limited, so naturally I wanted every meal to count, I wanted it to be great, not just good. I talked to nearly every local I knew to get their restaurant recommendations and I found that on almost everyone’s list was a closed door restaurant. Although they are not a new phenomenon I noticed that there is still a buzz about town for the mysterious puerta cerrada, as it’s known in Argentina. After the economic crisis of 2001, these home-grown businesses became an entrepreneurial trend, and one that has spread to other cities such as the gastronomic hub of Sao Paulo.
In my opinion these off-the-beaten-track culinary experiences offer more than the average restaurant. Firstly, the food is just like home cooking, made by passionate and friendly locals who put love and care into every dish and welcome each guest into their dining room with open arms. Secondly, its a really brilliant way to meet other people, usually from all corners of the world. You are more likely to make friends with a couple from Stockholm than Buenos Aires, but hey, that’s what travelling is about! Thirdly, it’s a great chance to see more of the city and venture further than the hotel restaurant or the tourist traps. You might find yourself in a trendy back street loft apartment or maybe a beautiful courtyard garden on the city outskirts. Finally, the huge choice of closed door restaurants that has arisen over the last few years, in both Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo, means they now offer a vast array of cuisines, cooked by close-knit teams of people from various nationalities in a home from home environment. Whatever type of food you fancy, you are likely to find a place that will cook it for you. Take your pick from cuisines such as Japanese, Colombian, Mediterranean, Argentinean… the list is endless.
Finding these hidden gems is half the fun. Although they are not as well-advertised as regular restaurants, these supper clubs house some of the most sought-after tables in the city. If you are new to the city or only on a whistle-stop and can’t benefit so much from word of mouth, luckily many closed-door restaurants can be found through Google. Some have their own websites where you can find contact details, but equally many do not, so we have to thank blogs like Buenos Aires based Pick-up-the-fork for sharing their favourite spots all over the city. There are various other websites or blogs where you’ll find useful reviews of some of the most popular underground restaurants. If you are lucky enough to be heading to Buenos Aires or Sao Paulo, remember that most of the closed doors only open their doors on Friday and Saturday nights, so I advise you to plan ahead and get a reservation (remember your hotel can do this for you if your Spanish is not up to scratch!).
With our combined first-hand knowledge of South America and the special experiences it has to offer every visitor, Latin Routes can put together a unique itinerary to combine all your passions and interests. We are there to share with you our insider knowledge and offer tips to make sure that you make the most of your visit. For anyone wanting to travel to Buenos Aires (and who in their right mind wouldn’t?) one unique activity we offer is an exciting small group cooking experience for an evening of delicious food and great company. If you like food but it’s not your main passion, have a look at our website to see what other types of specialist interests we can cater for – click here.
Whatever it is you are looking for, get in touch with one of our Travel Specialists for more details – click here
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