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    Buenos Aires Café - Este

    3.8 (866 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    BUENOS AIRES CAFÉ - ESTE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Romantic
    Classy
    Good for groups

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    Judith D.

    If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Hands down the most delicious meal I have ever eaten in Austin, TX. The beef was super tender and flavored to perfection. The chimichurri was fresh and flavorful. We had the Carne picante empanada, the cheese and onion empanada, the 8 oz Beef De Lomo with mashed potatoes, Pollo Al Horno. The ambience was lovely and the service excellent.

    steak
    Cassidy H.

    Came by on friday since we live on the block, food was great as always and so was service! I got the ny strip with mashed potatoes and it was stellar. So was the chicken! Loved their empanadas and drink choices.

    Steve W.

    It's been about a year since I was here last year and not much has changed. You still have to score a spot on the street and plug in your card in a kiosk. And just like last time, I came in with a group and we were, like last time, located off to the side. This time around, we had a few food offerings we did not have before starting with a charcuterie board and two types of their empanadas. Like last time and every time, the empanadas are the bomb. This was followed by some fries and melted Argentine provolone in a pan. After that came potato salad and a meat board. It was all pretty decent and somewhat memorable, but the chicken and the sausage on the board were dry. Overall, it was a decent meal and I'd definitely come back if someone else is picking up the tab. At least this experience was slightly better than the last one. 31/2*. Some additional photos included. Check out the previous review with more details.

    Spicy creme brulee
    Lia B.

    Came in for lunch while staying at the East Austin Hotel. Cannot say enough good things about the quality of our lunches. We started with the mixed olives that were dressed with orange zest. Service was a tad slow and forgetful at times, but there was only one waiter working. The chimichurri was FANTASTIC on the empanadas, but adds an extra $1 to the order. Loved the restaurants attention to detail with interesting lighting and art.

    Karla D.

    We've been wanting to come here for at least 5-6 years and whenever we'd think to do it would be a weekend night when they're packed to the gills. Never thought of it ahead of time to actually make reservations. Now we actually live within walking distance and are so very thankful for that. Decided to come by on a Friday for late lunch at 2 p.m. (lunch specials go until 3 p.m.). They weren't busy at all. Just me and the boyfriend and then a group of four at another table. Fast forward a couple of hours from 2 p.m. and it'll be quite different. Walking into the restaurant you're hit with an old-world style decor that's inviting and relaxing. Nice bar area to the right of the entrance and restaurant seating to the left. Comfortable and welcoming. Our server was amazing and she took the time to review the menu with us. We're big fans of Argentinian food so we didn't need much explanation. However, it was nice to get it. My boyfriend and I both opted for the Lomito Beef Sandwich lunch special. Half sandwich & a side. I had chicken tortilla soup as my side and it was fantastic! Packed with Argentinian spices, chicken, tomato, onion, tortilla strips and more. He got Caesar salad as a side and the dressing was popping! The steak sandwiches were pure joy. Topped with the most incredible chimichurri sauce. You could taste every herb and spice in the olive oil based dressing. I could just eat it by the spoonful. The beef was perfectly cooked and it quite literally melted in our mouths. The baguette it was served on had a perfectly crisp crust with a warm and soft center. As an appetizer we shared a Carne Picante empanada. It was filled with ground beef, herbs, and spices. It was a spicy beef but not at all overpowering. Of course we dipped it in a side of chimichurri sauce. The filling was warm and fresh with aromatic flavors. The empanada itself was flaky and light. Our eyeballs wanted dessert but our stomachs said "no can do" because we were so full. Yep! The lunch portions will keep you satisfied for hours after the meal. Can't wait to go back!

    Bar
    Anh N.

    What a gem! Grabbed a seat at the bar and service was attentive. Empanadas were flavorful. Star of the show was the Pastel de Papas, Argentinian style shepherd pie. My word it was so flavorful and delish! I would come back just for that dish! The dark and spicy crème brûlée was creamy and had a bite to it!

    Angela B.

    I've been slacking on going here. Have walked by a million times and finally stopped in. Made a reservation mid-week and wasn't too busy. Ended up sitting at the bar and Alejandro was wonderful. Very patient as we walked through the menu to decide and the choices weren't easy. Food was amazing the empanadas were flaky and light. Polenta was to die for and the Brussel sprouts were also delicious. I'd go back just for the polenta! Vibe was chill and easy going.

    Charcuterie
    Rana S.

    I came across this spot when my parents came to town to visit and have been bringing friends here for HH ever since! It's pretty easy to get a table here, I feel like this spot should be way busier given its location and how good the prices are?? I got a charcuterie plate and bottle of wine with a friend the last time I came along with some truffle fries and empanadas- whole thing had to have come out to like 20 bucks each...such a good price and really great wine selection. I will say I've had soup here before and it wasn't my fav, if you're coming here trying an assortment of empanadas is an absolute must though!

    Outside
    Yenah J.

    Service was fantastic! They were super attentive and friendly to my large group. Food was great. We had a very large group so we did a prefix menu. We had the empanadas, chicken and steak. Great selection of drinks. I parked with street parking, and I went on a Monday night so it was easy to find.

    Beef empanada and pisco sour
    Richard A.

    My nephew was in town and we decided to go to Buenos Aires Cafe for a lite evening snack and beverages with authority, for digestive purposes. The atmosphere is nice and cozy and our server Lauren was terrific. I started with a Pisco Sour that I sipped on whilst I waited for my beef empanada appetizer. I do declare that the empanadas here are absolutely delightful, packed with all sorts of deliciousness. For my entrée, I chose the Pastel de Papas, an Argentine style, "Shepherd's pie", with certified Angus ground beef, hard-boiled eggs, green onions, raisins, green olives, red bell peppers, and herbs, prepared to perfection. The dessert was quite a surprise, Quatros Leches, instead of Tree Leches, sponge cake soaked in FOUR milks, topped with whipped cream, strawberries, and mint leaves which was a perfect ending to a lite snack. I will definitely be returning to check out items that I eyeballed on the menu.

    Milanesa A La Napolitana

    Food was not the best. Went there with an open mind and was disappointed. Will probably not go back. The service was decent. Ambiance was ok.

    Mocktail- Bartender's Choice
    Stella Mari K.

    Came here for a school project, which gave me the opportunity to try something outside the usual Austin dining rotation. Sharing what I ordered below, with photos attached. The ambience was casual, but not particularly inviting. It functioned as a place to dine, but lacked the warmth or character that encourages guests to stay longer or return. Service felt neutral and minimal. My server wasn't rude, but also not welcoming or attentive. One detail that stood out was the dine-in tip prompt, which went up to 30% when I visited in September 2025. An unexpected and slightly uncomfortable moment as a guest/customer. Food-wise, I had higher expectations for the achuras, but they were overly salty for my palate, which overshadowed the dish itself. The Cebolla & Queso empanadas, however, were the highlight of the meal- light, well-balanced, and thoughtfully executed. The combination of soft cheese and properly caramelized onions was comforting and clean. The mocktail was refreshing and well-composed, even without added sweetness. One additional note: the bathroom was not functional during my visit. It's been several months since then, so hopefully this has since been addressed. Would I come back? No. While it's a fine place to try something new once, nothing about the food, service, or ambience stood out enough to warrant a return visit. Still, it may appeal to those curious about South American cuisine beyond Mexican food.

    Achuras
    Katherine D.

    Came on a Sunday because we wanted to try the Gran Asado, which is a multi-course lunch special. For the positives, we really enjoyed the empanadas and the sauces on the side. The amount of food you get is also impressive. My partner and I barely finished half of the meal. The spinach salad was good but nothing special. The achuras were hit or miss for me. The biggest disappointment was the main meat dishes. Almost all the meat was dry and overcooked in my opinion. They were also pretty flavorless and needed the sauces to make them appetizing. At $50 a person, I just expected the main part of the meal to be better. The service was good, and the inside was decorated nicely. However, I don't feel inclined to return.

    Empanadas ($6.50 each)

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