Walking around the city, wherever you look you will find Italian restaurants, sushi restaurants, Peruvian restaurants you name it, it’s there. And although there are certainly restaurants that are unique and different none of them quite capture the true authentic Argentine way of life. “Puertas Cerradas” or closed door restaurants are a special feature very particular to Buenos Aires which allows you to experience a very intimate and delicious meal in someone’s home while on your vacation here in Buenos Aires. This phenomenon is more common here in Buenos Aires than you would think, although make sure you reserve well in advance as they are hugely popular.
Having spent a lot of time in Buenos Aires, these closed door restaurants were without shadow of a doubt my favourite way to spend a night away from my newest apartments in Buenos Aires Casa Salt Shaker- Henry, the charming host usually focuses their 5 course meal around a historical theme, while Dan (the chef) specialises mainly in Mediterranean cuisine. Having a capacity of up to 12 guests, intimacy is guaranteed, and the food always fresh and unique as it is largelybased on Dan’s whims at the time.
Casa Felix- A highly reputable restaurant, raved about by everyone that tries it, including the NewYork Times, but deserving all the credit it receives, with a tantalising menu and run by a lovely husband/wife team. The ambience here is slightly different than the other puertas cerradas, with aslightly less personal atmosphere where mingling with other guests isn’t all that common.
Cocina Sunae- Eating good oriental food here during your stay in Buenos Aires is hard to do withoutpaying through your teeth for it. Here the half Korean chef whips up her best dishes, at great prices and has even managed to attract Ambassadors!
Trientasillas is another great closed door restaurant with a very talented and original chef. The menu prices are slightly higher than the rest but it is well worth it.
Mis Raices is the oldest Puerta Cerrada in Buenos Aires which is run by a sweet Jewish Grandmother who cooks the most delicious traditional food. Make sure you don’t eat for at least a day before as the portions are absolutely enormous, but at the same time, just divine!