Local restaurants that feature traditional Argentinian cuisine, parrillas can be found all around Buenos Aires, but in order to enjoy a truly genuine culinary experience, skip the parrillas listed in your guidebook and check out the authentic locals’ spots that your knowledgeable guide will lead you to during this food walking tour. You have your choice between a tour in the San Telmo neighborhood or the Palermo neighborhood. Both barrios are popular and lively ─ San Telmo is known for its colonial architecture, tango parlors and artist scene while Palermo is the city’s largest neighborhood, home to gardens, monuments and museums.

Each tour takes you to three eateries and ends at an heladeria (ice cream parlor). In addition to sampling delicious Argentinian dishes, you’ll learn about Buenos Aires’ history and food culture from your guide and taste some of the country’s notable wine. The walking is easy ─ about three to four blocks between stops.

San Telmo tour:
Meet your guide near the Mercado de San Telmo (San Telmo Market) for your first tasting, one of the best handmade empanadas in the city. As you devour this baked or fried pastry typically stuffed with meat, cheese and vegetables, admire San Telmo’s historical architecture. Then head to your second stop to try a street food called choripan, a grilled chorizo sandwich made with crusty bread.

Your third stop is the main event, one of Buenos Aires’ oldest parrillas. Enter the restaurant to enjoy a few classic Argentinian dishes, paired with wine. Finally, end your food tour with a scoop of ice cream at an ice cream parlor known for its variety of flavors. Your guide will leave you here, where you are free to continue exploring San Telmo on your own.

Palermo tour:
This tour takes place around a section of Palermo known as Las Caitas, a neighborhood home to tree-lined avenues, a polo field and a growing food and nightlife scene. Start at a classic parrilla that’s a favorite among local soccer fans (or f□tbol fans, rather) and known for its choripan.

Next, follow your guide to a casa de empanadas (house of empanadas) that’s popular with locals, and then continue to a hidden parrilla to try a few meat dishes and sip some wine. End your tour at an artisanal ice cream shop, where you can cleanse your palate with a scoop before saying goodbye to your guide and exploring more of Palermo on your own.