El Preferido de Palermo

If you’re on the lookout for a restaurant with plenty of history, make sure you pay a visit to El Preferido de Palermo, which opened its doors in 1952 as a modest tavern. This busy eatery, occupying an iconic pink building dating back to 1885, is now run by the owner of the Don Julio parrilla, just one block away, and has retained its bygone character (period floors, mirrors, colourful jars of pickles etc) following heavy restoration, while at the same time updating its cuisine with an à la carte that respects the Buenos Aires DNA of this former warehouse. You can’t leave without trying the famous sirloin milanesa, which is striking for the quality of the meat, which is tender and fried almost without any oil, and the sweetness of the accompanying tomato salsa. The menu also features a large selection of artisanal charcuterie: Chacarero salami, spianata, bondiola, pancetta etc. The organic vegetables used are grown by the restaurant itself, and include unique varieties such as heirloom tomatoes.