Where to Eat & Drink in Villa Crespo
The growing popularity of Villa Crespo has led to a rapid rise of an already eclectic food scene.
Villa Crespo sits in the geographical center of Buenos Aires and is adjacent to Chacarita and Palermo. The neighborhood was established in the 1800s when housing was built for workers of a large shoe factory. Evidence of this commercial industry is still evident today at the leather goods stores on Calle Murillo and outlets along Aguirre and Gurruchaga streets. This is a barrio with a melting pot of communities that moves to its own beat. It’s bohemian and culturally vibrant, with hints of the inevitable gentrification.
Not so long ago, with smart city residents looking for an alternative to Palermo, Villa Crespo was the city’s best-kept secret. Word on the street was that there was a neighborhood with everything that its tourist-filled neighbor had but in a condensed quantity and with cheaper rents. This “secret” is now a thing of the past, but that doesn’t mean it’s lost any of its charm. In fact, like Chacarita, the growing popularity has led to a rapid rise of an already eclectic food scene. These are our current favorite spots to eat and drink.
Villa Crespo Restaurant Picks
Popular among an artsy crowd, Casa Tinta (Remedios Escalada de San Martín 631) is a restaurant, bookstore, and workshop all in one. The Brunch Tinta is a hearty mix of scrambled eggs, alfajor, brownie, brioche, lemonade, and coffee that’s perfect to share. Barragán (Nicasio Oroño 1195) occupies an old hairdressing salon and maintains much of the original decor. The menu honors the architect's Mexican roots with plates like burritos, tacos, and guacamole con totopos (tortilla chips).
For great Italian fare in an unpretentious setting, check out Salgado Alimentos (Juan Ramírez de Velasco 40). Homemade, stuffed pasta are big hitters, and there’s also a tempting offering of focaccia sandwiches and desserts like tiramisu. Totalmente Tano (Aguirre 465) is, as its name suggests, Totally Italian. The Italian chef-owner wanted to create a space that wouldn’t be out of place in Venice. Pastas and grilled mortadella are big hitters, and there’s also a special’s menu inspired by a weekly trip to the butcher and the city’s central market. Make Sampa (Scalabrini Ortiz 769) a go-to for creative vegetarian plates. Chefs here conjure up unique options such as paté de hongos y uvas (mushroom pate with caramelized grapes) and moqueca de durazno (Brazilian-style stew of peaches in coconut milk).
Carnivores can get their meat fix at Parrilla Don Jorge (Villarroel 1201). A classic neighborhood steakhouse, it’s the kind of place for when you’re looking for that price-quantity combination. Somos Asado (Scalabrini Ortiz 651) adopts the modern grillhouse approach with aged meats and non-traditional cuts. Fill up on the 30-day aged Porterhouse with grilled sides of cauliflower and beetroot with blue cheese. From the creators of Sifón in Chacarita, Madre Rojas (Rojas 1600) is a contemporary canteen where meat is high on the menu. As well as the classic cuts, it’s a great spot to try delicacies like wagyu chorizo, wagyu empanadas and wagyu charcuterie.
Billed as a pizza kiosk, C.A.N.C.H.A Pizza (Loyola 902) lures pizza lovers in droves to its sidewalk venue. They make enough dough to cook 120 Neapolitan pizzas per day. Try the original kimchi flavor, which comes with Korean kimchi, Sardinian cheese, and mozzarella. Ferreiro (Angel Gallardo 1001) is a family-run joint that’s been serving classic Argentine pizzas and empanadas since 1970 in a building owned by the family for over a century. Soccer fans will enjoy dozens of photos of players from the 1930s and 40s that decorate the walls. More Neapolitan-style pizza is available at Callaci Pizza (Castillo 720). Owned by two brothers, it has 11 different flavors, including vegetarian and vegan options.
A neighborhood mainstay for over 40 years, Sarkis (Thames 1101) has some of the most consistent and best-value Armenian food in the city. Locals and tourists alike arrive early to put their names on the waiting list – it’s worth the wait, especially for the lamb kofta (meatloaf) with yogurt dressing. For Armenian classics in a more modern setting, walk two blocks to Nani Cocina Armenia (Gurruchaga 1088). As with Sarkis, it’s a perfect spot to order a selection of small dishes, such as muhammara (roasted red pepper dip) and borek de queso (cheese-stuffed pastry), to share.
You’ll get one of the most reliable pastrami sandwiches at La Crespo Deli (Vera 1001). Specializing in traditional Jewish cuisine, other menu favorites are latkes (potato pancakes), salmon bagels, and savory strudels. El Chiri de Villa Kreplaj (Juan Ramírez de Velasco 701) also tempts with its Jewish staples. The chef-owner’s goal is to create a nostalgic trip through Jewish cuisine in an environment that replicates a grandmother’s living room. Don’t miss the lamb strudel and falafel burger.
With its modern bodegón style, Isla Flotante (Beláustegui 396) has brought some culinary cool to an area otherwise famous for its warehouse and mechanic shops. There’s no reservation, so just turn up and grab a sidewalk table. The tortilla sandwich is worth the visit alone. F5 Cantina (Julián Álvarez 878) is two culinary proposals in one place. By day it operates as a locale of the bread and pastry-making masters Atelier Fuerza. In the evenings and on Sundays, it turns into a contemporary bodegon with a menu of classics like milanesa, gnocchis, and grilled trout. Cantina A Los Amigos (Loyola 701) is everything you’d expect of a Buenos Aires canteen. Think huge portions, siphon bottles of soda, and soccer memorabilia on the walls.
Inside an old dulce de leche factory, Corriente (Ferrari 384) prides itself on an imaginative and contemporary menu. The 14 plates, which go in ascending size order, combine everything from vegetables to pasta, fish, and meat. Notable creations are cannoli de morcilla (black pudding cannoli) and calamar con ajo blanco y durazno (squid with white gazpacho and peach). Fine dining inspired by seasonal flavors is on the menu at Alcanfor (Aguirre 949), a project by respected chef Julian Galende. Sustainability is important to Galenede, so much so that some kitchen waste is used to produce paper for the menus. Fico (Muñecas 775) is a brand new bisto from two ex-chefs of celebrity chef Narda Lepes’ restaurant. Chicken with mushrooms and calamari stuffed with chorizo are some highlights on their efficient menu.
With a bar and space for only 10 diners, Tintoreria Yafuso (Juan Ramírez de Velasco 399) is among the city’s most in-demand restaurants (dinner reservations for 2025 are available from July 2024). Set inside the former dry cleaning shop of the owner’s family, this intimate spot is loved for its authentic Japanese cuisine and non-traditional sushi. For lunch, you can turn up and hope to grab a spot. From the outside of an abandoned mechanic’s shop, step inside Warnes (Darwin 62) to discover a stylish, industrial setup. This closed-door restaurant serves up a fusion of fish, meat, and pasta plates that transcend the Mediterranean and Asia. Tables are positioned to give diners an intimate experience and the ability to watch chefs plate up on a huge marble bar.
Recommended in the Michelin guide, Julia Cocina Indie (Loyola 807) is the sister restaurant of Franca. This modern bistro has a regularly changing a la carte menu with just 10 savory plates. The tasting menu is a 7-course option taken from the current menu. Look forward to temptations like sweet potato ceviche with tapioca and corn and wagyu with Japanese shio koji seasoning. Another Michelin guide recommendation is Trescha Restaurant (Murillo 725), from Michelin 2024 Young Chef Award winner Tomas Trechanski. Every plate of the 15-course menu is a work of art and utilizes seasonal ingredients with varying cooking techniques, namely braising, emulsions, and jelly. An extensive whiskey collection is ideal for post-meal digestifs.
When you want a bunch of flavors all under one roof, plan a trip to Mercat Villa Crespo (Thames 747). The 30 stalls spread over three floors bring together the neighborhood’s many communities. Be sure to try Brocca for fast food Italian, Las Romeas for alfajores and La Casa de Tafl for Tucaman-style empanadas. The entire first floor is dedicated to Asian food and culture.
Villa Crespo Café and Bakery Picks
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