El Sanjuanino – A Rustic Recoleta Escape

Immediately surrounding the Recoleta Cemetery, there are any number of restaurants with conspicuous English-language signs and inflated prices. Do yourself a favor and resist the bait. Instead, take a short five-minute walk to Restaurante El Sanjuanino on Calle Posadas, a classic in the area, with incredible food and excellent prices.

Pouring Wine from Pinguine Carafe at El Sanjuanino

We ate here shortly before visiting the cemetery, having done our research with the indispensable Guia Óleo: a popular restaurant guide for BsAs. I honestly doubt that better empanadas exist in the city. I doubt they could. There may be some just as good, but “better” isn’t possible. Emapanada-making, it seems, is an art that can be perfected.

Restaurante El Sanjuanino Meat Dish

In this well-bred, exclusive rincón of Buenos Aires, El Sanjuanino is an appreciated change of pace. It’s all wooden interiors, and you almost feel as though you’re visiting your grandparents out in the woods. There was a healthy mix of locals and tourists when we went, and the service was perfect: friendly but not hovering. Besides the flawless empanadas, freshly baked and enormous, we had homemade raviolis and matambre, a delicious rolled flank steak with vegetables and cheese. Locros and tamales are also favorites on the menu.

If you’re in the area and hungry for an excellent, filling and affordable lunch, El Sanjuanino has what you need.

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This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. Jime

    It really looks tasty!! But, as everybody say “My mother surely does it tastier” hahaha

    1. Juergen

      In that case we want your mom to invite us 🙂

      1. Jime

        hahahaha I’ll ask her hahahah

  2. Angela

    Everyone says these are the best empanadas in town. What say you? Oh… and the penguino and Mike. Priceless! See you soon.

    1. Juergen

      We had so many best empanadas and I think it mostly depends on you mood right before you take a bite. But we loved the empanadas at rustic – was a sunny, fantastic Buenos Aires kind of day ;)!

  3. Barry

    Everybody’s Mama makes the best….i hate to say this..but i make the best Empanadas in town…jaja

    1. Juergen

      Oh – that was missing .. no mama was here to make us homemade empanadas! Still have 1 1/2 days, we have to hunt one down and force her to make us some, hehe 😉

  4. The Travel Chica

    I have been in Buenos Aires for over 6 weeks, and I cannot believe I am just now learning about the best empanadas in town. I will definitely be checking this place out. Thanks for the tip!

    1. Juergen

      Our pleasure – eager to find out what you think!

  5. Paul

    las mejores empanadas en todo del mundo! En seria! Yep, my wife and I have eaten there heaps of times and the empanadas are insanely good! Don’t forget the chimichurri sauce!
    Cheers from Sydney, Austraila

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