I had the pleasure of dining here with my Argentinian friend a while ago. It was during a DineLA week. It was the best afternoon we had! The ambience was very jovial yet elegant, I felt like it should become my Argentinian getaway! We chose the special options offered and they were well thought out. I opted for the branzino lunch including a starter of an empanada, a side of rice and broccoli My friend opted for the steak with a caper sauce and with same sides. They were gracious enough to let me take my friend's empanada to go. The food was excellent as were their wine selections, my white wine was crisp, it paired nicely with the meal. My friend's Malbec was perfect with the beef. As we lingered, our server offered to "top off" our wines, I was blown away by this gesture, it alone should garner great acclaim! The dessert was excellent! I thank them for this gem! read more

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Dined at Bodega Malbec last week for dinner. It was a 6p reservation and there was plenty of seating inside. Outside on the street there were not a lot of options since it was a beautiful valley night. I can say this was my first time trying Argentinian food and it won't be my last. They did not have cocktails which was a disappointment for me but they had a very affordable wine selection filled with, you guessed it, Malbec. They also serve beer if that is your thing. Getting to the meat of the review, I had the ribeye that was cooked to perfection. It came with three dipping sauces and I tasted one of the three and opted to forgo any sauce. It just wasn't my flavor. For the side we got the mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts with bacon. Both good neither great. Jumping to the desserts. We got the crème brûlée a trio of sorbet and a chocolate mousse. I don't eat chocolate but it was devoured by the rest of the table. The sorbets were refreshing and the brûlée was tasty. Now to what I loved. The tapas aka appetizers. Beets and burrata salad 10/10 Empanadas three ways Spinach and cheese 9/10 Beef 9/10 Chicken 9/10 Garlic shrimp 10/10 Each appetizer I thought was better than the next with the burrata probably being my favorite. A nice Toluca lake gem at a good price with many options. read more

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I've been to Bodega Malbec twice before and they seem to always change in the most artistic way. This time the main dining area is brighter and very welcoming. There's also a back room as well. We were greeting and sat immediately. The waiter was friendly and took our drink orders. He not only had the main area but also tables in the back room. So they might have not planned on it being busy for Mother's Day. BUT it was a busy Sunday so the place was packed and it was fun to people watch. You can also sit at the bar for food & drink service as well. The food did come out a little staggered as chicken and fish were faster to cook than beef. The only thing that really took forever was a kid's portion of spaghetti we ordered. It came out last. It may have been because we were there on Mother's Day and the kitchen was busy with other orders. We ordered a dessert as a birthday surprise for one of our friends and that was fun. It came with a candle and we sang happy birthday. Very good spot for Argentinian cuisine. I suggest ordering an appetizer or two and a cocktail to tide you over if you go on a holiday. read more

Bodega Malbec - Tasty Drinks! - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

We stopped by Bodega Malbec for our 1-year anniversary celebration, and honestly, the experience was delicious overall! The empanadas were definitely the highlight -- the chicken and beef flavors tasted really good. I also tried the potato filling with asparagus and ham, and it was packed with flavor. Everything tasted fresh, savory, and satisfying. And the chimichurri sauce? So delicious! Especially when dipping and mixing it with the empanadas -- it added so much flavor and made everything even better. My partner ordered the steak and said it was tasty, but a little too oily for his preference. The same with the grilled vegetables -- they were literally soaking in oil on the plate. That was probably the only downside for us. The service was friendly and attentive, and the ambience made it feel cozy and perfect for a date night or special occasion. We still left full and happy and enjoyed celebrating our anniversary there. read more

Bodega Malbec - Chicken and beef empanada. I really wish they have a side of chimichurri on the side! - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

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Decided to give them another try since they are in my backyard. Had the ribeye, spinach and mixed vegetables. Nothing spectacular. Service was terrible. Took 15 minutes for someone to approach our table and take a drink order. There were several empty tables. Couldn't understand why it took so long. read more

TL;DR: Awesome food. Tomahawk steak was perfect and the paella was one of the best we've ever had. Bodega Malbec was the place for us. The tomahawk steak was next-level--juicy, tender, and honestly the best we've ever had. It was one of those "close your eyes and savor every bite" kind of moments. And the paella? So good. Packed with flavor, perfectly cooked, and the kind of dish that you enjoy until the last bite. Friend had the lamb chops and they were really tender and. It gamey at all. Tender and not too chewy with fat or anything. Between the food, the vibe, and the way everything came together, I'd highly recommend this place. read more

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Overall, this place was pretty average. Nothing really wowed me, though one of the employees--Augustino, I think?--stood out for being especially sweet. Our server was fine, but once our mains arrived, he never really checked on us again. The space itself was clean, though I wasn't a fan of how close the two-top tables were to each other. The biggest downfall of the meal was my steak. I ordered it medium-well, but it came out very undercooked--rare enough that it was bleeding when I cut into the middle. Since our server didn't come back to check on us, I didn't get the chance to ask him to have it cooked a little more and I ended up just eating the edges. On the plus side, the apps were good, they also give you good complimentary bread. Dessert, on the other hand, wasn't memorable and honestly not worth the calories. With so many great restaurants on Riverside, I'd probably try a new spot before coming back here. I think this place has potential, but unfortunately, my experience just didn't leave me wanting to return. I gave 3 stars because it wasn't a horrible experience, but I also left a little disappointed. read more

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Just an update to an already positive review I did but now as to the "new" version of Malbec in that the restaurant was sold to new owners, is decidedly more hip and happening, but still serves some of the best Argentinian food in the city... Loved the bread and perfect chimichuri (they should bottle it!), quality Malbec wine, and tasty ribeye steak. The avocado and onion salad was fine but a tad small. All in all this remains a great call for dinner and for date nights! read more

Bodega Malbec - Everything was terrific!!! - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

Managed to stop by summer 2025 to try the DineLA $55 pp, 3 course Dinner Menu. The whole table did not have to participate so could have both DineLA and/or order off the menu. Cebiche de Pescado Aji Amarillo - Appetizer - Now that I have tried Peruvian ceviche on four occasions at different restaurants... I'm a bit convinced that Peruvian ceviche is just typically more sour so brace urselves. The fish does taste fresh. I do, however, like the burrata appetizer most from just a few bites. The cheese was very milky and soft~ Vacio Argentino - Entree - 10oz Argentinean beef flap meat steak, wet aged 45 days. Got it medium well and the meat was tender but had a good bite since it was flap meat. It's lightly salted and served with a chimichurri-like dip; so it could get a little plain but the fries were crispy and salty to help. Nonetheless, based on past reviews and pictures that this item had been served with three different sauces... I think having some more sauce and salsa would have enhanced this dish so somewhat disappointed that the entree stopped included them. Peras al Malbec Zcon Helado de Vanilla - dessert - Pear roasted in Malbec wine with vanilla bean ice cream. It was decent but I would not order this again. The pear was quite tough to cut through and I don't taste the fruit as much... I guess I prefer other ways to cook pear. The second dessert option, which was a puff pastry with quince jam and sweet potatos, was more delicious in comparison. The vanilla ice cream were the same in both dishes and quite good. But pretty melted by the time we got it. Having only tired the DineLA items, I'd have to say the food overall were good quality and alright portions. But it's not so delicious for me that I'd get any of the items I tried again in a separate setting. This is said with consideration of the cost as well. I'd get something different on a reg visit if I end up here again. On top of that, parking is limited. Likely have to find street parking during meal hours. read more

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I've been coming to Malbec for years and have always enjoyed the food, which remains consistently good. However, my recent visit was disappointing due to service. Our table of 8 was given only 3 menus, which delayed ordering, and we waited quite a while before being acknowledged. When our server arrived, the interaction was rushed and unfriendly. Service throughout the evening was slow and uncoordinated. She seemed annoyed . The restaurant wasn't super busy . A flan was brought out for our celebration without clarification that it would be charged. At the end, she told me 20% gratuity was included, but there appeared to be an additional charge that brought the total closer to 27%, which was not explained. I typically tip at least 25%, because again, the service has always been okay. But I had no intention on tipping more than 20% last night due to the service Overall, while the food was still good, the service and lack of communication made the experience feel disappointing. I feel like I need to add that I am not American- so I don't expect the over the top customer service but this was absolutely terrible . read more

Liked this more than Lala's. The steak was a bit more tender. Over salted sides but still good. Need to bring out more chimichurri but really good overall. read more

Bodega Malbec - Entraa a la Parrilla - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

Walking in, you get this warm welcome due to the ambience and hospitality from the waiters which was nice. I ordered the Ojo de Bife & it's one of the most delicious, & flavorful steaks that I've had the pleasure of tasting. Right as you bite in you immediately taste the flavor and it's served with the three sauces to go alongside it which really intensifies its taste. You're given options for a side and I went with the mash potato's which were also delightful. Def. coming back & highly recommend to anyone looking for a nice date/time out & want something worth it, this is it. read more

Bodega Malbec - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

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delicious and well seasoned. the service was quick the servers were kind, and the ambiance was lovely. read more

Bodega Malbec - BIFE DE CHORIZO (16 oz. grilled New York steak) - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

This is a cute little date night spot. Dimmed lights and cute decor. Parking is tricky..either you get lucky with street parking or good luck getting a spot in the back. It's nestled in between a bar and restaurant in beautiful Toluca Lake and the place can be easily missed. I made reservations but upon getting there, I don't think they were necessary as they weren't busy for a (dinner) night out. The service was okay. The sever wasn't really attentive but the busser was. Now he was way more helpful than our server and nicer. Came here for Dine-LA. I love Dine-LA as it gives us the opportunity to try things (more or less) on a "budget" and it helps you decide whether the restaurant is worth coming back for. You can't go wrong with an appetizer, entree and dessert, right? Especially if restaurants are choosing their top dishes and putting them on their menu. so let's get started... We started with their cebiche (yes, I spelled it correctly haha) which was tasty. If I were to come back I would order this again. 10/10 Their Vacio Argentino is a 10 ounce beef flap meat. It was pretty chewy but taste was there. 8/10. *not sure if this is on their menu* Their chimichurri was a 10/10! Im super picky with chimichurri, since I have Argentinian relatives who make this on the daily..so this says a lot. The Gazpacho tasted like a shrimp cocktail. I've had this before, elsewhere and it just didn't meet my expectations as to what I've had before. 4/10 Now the most disappointing part and the part I think we allll look forward to at the end of a meal...dessert. We had the option between Pannacotta and Pears. Out of their 7 desserts on their menu, unfortunately not one was an option. The Pannacotta was tough and not soft or creamy but their chutney was delicious. Wish they had put a little bit more of that. 6/10 All in all i think I'd come back for the cebiche, glass of wine and try their beef empanadas. It's a nice little spot to chat it up with friends over some drinks. read more

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It was OK. We were seated promptly, and the decor was very nice. There were five of us, but it took them a while to track down 5 menus. It seemed understaffed and was very loud. I ordered Sole, and it was delicious!! They also have the best asparagus ever. The ambiance is slightly too loud for me. I recommend the empanadas. read more

Octopus was tasty and price was reasonable. A bit crowded and loud. Might have been a touch understaffed. read more

Bodega Malbec - Pulpo - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

If you like meat and sausages try is is a great place for Argentine fare! Cute little restaurant with all the Argentine favorites including all the grilled meats and really good chimichurri. Street parking. Wine and beer menu. read more

Bodega Malbec - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

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Came for lunch for their DineLA menu for 35 dollars. I was seated right away. I had the short rib empanada, branzino, and flan. The short rib empanada was the best bite I had. It was warm and flavorful with the most tender slow cooked short rib. The branzino was perfectly cooked and flakey. I thought it was lacking a bit of seasoning but the dill sauce really focused on the flavor of the branzino which I loved. The flan was rich, thick, dense, sweet, and decadent. It was my first time having a thick flan and I loved it, Overall, a great experience and my first time trying Argentinian food. read more

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Writing this a bit late--we came here for DineLA on 1/25/25. This review is really a 3.5 star, but I don't have the heart to round down to a three because it wasn't actively BAD. Just...fine. We had a reservation and when we got there the place was a bit busy. We stood in the door awkwardly for a while, despite a waitress seeing us and pretending not to (lol, can't say I haven't done that in my own serving days.) A very kind man who was bussing a table saw us looking around and sat us without even needing to confirm our reservation. Our actual waiter was with us not too long after, and things went smoothly after that. The restaurant was dimly lit and a little loud, and we were seated right next to the kitchen which was a little chaotic but not terrible. For the DineLA dinner ($55 pp), we shared: - Cebiche de Pescado Aji Amarillo--our favorite thing! While not incredibly photogenic, it was absolutely delicious and full of flavor. The corn nuts and sweet potato were nice. - Vieyras Peruanas--fresh scallops with a yuzu vinaigrette. This was refreshing and zippy and delicious. - Branzino Grillado--fish was flaky and lovely. The sauce had sat for a bit so it congealed a little, but still tasted good. The asparagus was my partner's favorite thing on the plate, but the rice that accompanied it was quite bland and just shy of al-dente. - Vacio Argentino--meat was cooked perfectly, and fabulously juicy. The fries were herby and crisp (and stayed crisp!) and the trio of salsas that came with the meat were fine. Nothing special, but good. I think the meat needed a bit of salt, as parts were a little bland, but I can appreciate that they maybe wanted to showcase the meat in its simplicity. Bites with fat were perfectly seasoned, but there were definitely some bland spots. Both entrees went wonderfully with the wine we chose (La Coste de los Andes). - Pannacotta con Salsa de Bayas--creamy and sweet. Nothing standout. - Pears al Malbec--I really liked the pears. The ice cream it came with is touted as "vanilla bean" but there was nary a bean speckle in sight. The service also dragged toward the end. Probably because they had said something about a private party going on? But they were nice enough, and we got our food in a timely fashion, and were able to leave without too much waiting around. For $55 a person, there are plenty of better options to choose from, in my opinion. Especially for DineLA. But this place was decent, and nothing was BAD. Just lots of things that could've been better. Park in the back area. It's free! read more

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I had an excellent meal choosing from Bodega Malbec's prix fixe menu snd following wine recommendations. Delicious food, prompt & friendly service. read more

Bodega Malbec - Prix fixe menu 2/4/26 - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

Came here for a New Years dinner with my family and had a great time! The waitress helped us choose some wines to pair with our main selections and I felt that they went well.  Of the food we tried, the pulpo (octopus), paella, tuna tartare and chorizo platter were my personal favorites. My family is used to eating octopus in various forms and they found it toooo tender for their tastes but I believe that is a niche "issue" and loved how tender it was. Likewise the blood sausage that was part of the chorizo platter was rich and a unique taste that some of my family did not like, but if you are a fan of boudin noire or black pudding it is definitely well made here in my opinion.  Some notes were that we got two orders of mushrooms and the flavors were not consistent - the second batch was a lot blander and more watery. Coincidentally we found the steak that we ordered towards the end very underseasoned, though the meat temp/cook itself was good. read more

Bodega Malbec - Paella (serves 2) - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

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Outstanding ! I was introduced to Bodega Malbec at a private business event from my company. We were seated at the back patio and my experience was wonderful so I decided to give it a try with my wife. We went during dine LA week and we were seated at the front patio so happy hour was also available. Everything we had was so delicious. We had empanadas, pulpo (octopus), tuna tartar, and a steak option from dine LA. Paired it with some malbec wines....and for dessert.. argentinean panqueques (crepes)... a must..! Prices and quality of food and the variety of wines were way better than most steak houses we have been to. Service was attentive and outstanding. They are now in my favorite restaurants list. I can't wait to go back.... oh and the chimichurri sauce.. the best ..! Definitely a memorable Argentinean experience. We will come back soon ....highly recommended ! read more

Bodega Malbec - Dine LA churrasco steak - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

Bien sabroso el bistec y el vino. Great service and a wonderful ambiance. Un diez por diez.

I was really looking forward to visit this restaurant, and the occasion came with a birthday celebration. We were a party of 5 with booked reservations, 2 of us got the Dine LA menu, 2 got the seafood paella and my nephew got a pasta dish. The restaurant was busy and there seemed to be a shortage of servers, when the food arrived it was missing the entree of the birthday girl! Everyone waited for the 5th dish to arrive.... After waiting more than 10 minutes we had to flag the waitress and bring her to our table, after a look of surprise she apologized and ran back to bring a lukewarm dish. The paella was dry and overcooked, the pasta was bland, the steak was too well done. Maybe it was a bad night but we were all very disappointed. Three stars for the great ambiance and beautifully decorated restaurant. read more

Best Argentinean food in the valley hands down. I always take my family here on special occasions and my daughter loves their parrillada and asada. The staff is also very warm and friendly. I highly recommend. read more

This was date night for me and my husband last month. The place had dim lighting but enough to see the menu and it wasn't too loud so we could hear each other. We ordered the paella to share and it was very good, but got cold very fast. We also had the garlic mushrooms and those were good. Service was great, they were very attentive. Parking is not the best, you have to get lucky on the street because the space in the back is for another restaurant. read more

Bodega Malbec - Paella, garlic mushrooms - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

I had family night here on Wednesday and really liked the vibes. The inside is a perfect dinner spot or date night spot. The staff is super friendly and they are very attentive. Their menu also has a lot of good options. We got a bunch of appetizers, and mains. Everything tasted amazing. Definitely try the empanadas. Steals were also delicious!! Might be my new dinner spot read more

Came here fo restaurant week! Great steady service and food options. Would come back here to try the full menu.

Pros: - service good - nice dinner ambiance Cons: - underseasoned meat - meat very rare in places or overcooked - no or very limited non-alcoholic drinks read more

What an amazing happy hour with great food and service! Juan Carlos was so attentive and really great!! The food is so tasty and inexpensive! The wines were fantastic!! An all around perfect Happy Hour!! Would definitely come back!! read more

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This Argentinian restaurant is exceptional in a host of selections in wine. Of course I drank a Chardonnay and I tried a Malbec. For a dessert wine I was served Porto wine, which was exceptional. This place will leave you running back because the ambience is very romantic and great for small dinner parties. Hope to see you there soon to share a glass of wine. read more

Bodega Malbec - Champagne bowl - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

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Great food and wine! Amazing service and a suprised happy hour menu that will blow your mind!

Went to have dinner with friends absolutely beautiful place every single thing we ordered had great flavor. Very good service. The sangria was delicious. read more

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Super delish Dine LA meal! I ordered the scallops, steak, pear and Malbec along with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc. Really good though the scallops were definitely some of the smallest I've ever seen. Service was great and attentive. I definitely want to come back to try their pastas! read more

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First time to this restaurant and I should of took the girls attitude that sat us down (and ended up attending us) as a red flag, there was so much open sitting but seem bothered when we asked for a booth. Then rushed us to order mind you they still had 3 hr till closing. I was still ordering my food and she was taking my menu away. As well as the drink menu I didn't even order my drink and she was walking away I had to ask her back for the menu to order my drink and seem bothered and in a hurry. Still thought you know what maybe the food will make up for it but for the price that the food was everything was mid the cuts of meat where chewy, mash potatoes dry the veggies where okay but for $45 it was meh. The spot was okay not the cutest but not ugly. The high light of the day was the guy that helped us box are things to go he was amazing read more

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Love this place!! The ambiance is so elegant and chic! The steak was so tasty and the menu amazing! You get to choose your appetizer, main and dessert! Price is good! Staff amazing! Definitely recommend it!! read more

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We got there right at 5pm and were seated right away without reservations. There was three separate birthdays there so it's obviously a place people pick for nice bday meal. We went for DineLA & love the options. Ordered the scallops appetizer which was fresh and delicious - a surprise we enjoyed. Steak for the main - super yummy and the fries were perfect. The ambience is mellow and laid back but fun. The food was definitely a hit read more

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We recently celebrated my 62nd birthday at Bodega Malbec and what a celebration for my palate!!! I selected the scallops for my appetizer, linguine for my main course, and the pears for dessert from their prix fixe menu (which, considering the quality of food, was reasonably priced) and was thrilled!! I savored every mouthful and even hummed with delight. Excellent food. Prompt, efficient, friendly service. Highly recommend. -Elaina Ballew read more

Bodega Malbec - Prix fixe menu on February 4, 2026 - Argentine Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

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Passed this restaurant several times when in the area, finally decided to stop in for dinner. Nicely decorated interior with small wine bar, but opted for front sidewalk patio dining , you can bring your dog if you like. Very nice selection of meat and pasta dishes, as well as sides, all extremely flavorful and unique to origin, but bring a full wallet, this by no means your daily diner. Service was friendly and attentive. Mostly street parking, can be tricky at times, have patience. Enjoy! read more

We've been here a handful of times, we have always had a great experience. We went for Valentine's Day tonight. I was so impressed! They were so busy and they still handled my food allergy great! The calm, fluidity & not rushing anyone table was remarkable on a Saturday Valentine's Day! I look forward to going back! Great choice boyfriend!! read more