8 Best Restaurants in Wine Regions, Argentina

Brindillas

$$$ Fodor's choice

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.

Chez Gastón at Algodón

$$$$ Fodor's choice

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. 

Cundo Cocina

$$$$ Fodor's choice

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).

Ghilardi Km 3, La Consulta, Mendoza, M5567, Argentina
261-707–3214
Known For
  • knowledgeable staff
  • paired tasting menus
  • vineyard and mountain views
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. No dinner, Reservations essential, Tasting menu only

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L'Obrador

$$ Fodor's choice

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.

Camino Bentos 50, San Rafael, Mendoza, 5600, Argentina
260-460–1347
Known For
  • everything cooked on the spot
  • a warm intro to the local cuisine
  • hard to find, but worth the effort
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Reservations essential

La Azul

$$$ Fodor's choice

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.

La Cayetana 1865

$ Fodor's choice

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.

La Madeleine

$$ Fodor's choice

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.

Tupungato Divino

$$$ Fodor's choice

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.