Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
321
Santos
MODERN ITALIAN This location on Calle España has been a r evolv-
ing door for some of the most interesting restaurants in the area. Right now, Santos is the
best restaurant in the center of Bariloche. It's a hip, fun, stylish place, with a menu based
on simple, fresh Italian food that is remarkably flavorful. Entrees include superb sirloin-
stuffed panzottis with spinach and cream sauce. Tourist favorites like fondues (the “San-
tos” fondue includes bacon, endiv es, and cherry tomatoes), a straight-for ward peppered
tenderloin, and local trout are also on the list. There's a living room for chilling out, and
a wine list that has lots of ex cellent midrange options. Try the Corte C from Vistalba.
España 268.
&
02944/425942.
Reservations highly recommended. Main courses $10-$17 (£6.80-£12).
No credit cards. Dec-Mar and July-Aug daily 8pm-1am. Closed Sun rest of the year.
Moderate
Días de Zapa ta
MEXICAN Mexican food is v ery for eign to Argentines, but
Bariloche's best Mexican restaurant is surprisingly good and a nice change of pace fr om
parrillas.
You'll find the usual tacos, fajitas, and nachos on the menu, but y ou'll also find
more uncommon Mexican dishes such as Veracruz conger eel. Every evening, from 7 to
9pm, the r estaurant hosts a happy hour , with buy-one-get-one-fr ee drinks. The warm
brick walls and Mexican folk art make for a cozy atmosphere; the service is very friendly,
too. This place packs up quickly, so go early (before 9:30pm).
Morales 362.
&
02944/423128.
Reservations recommended. Main courses $13-$16 (£8.80-£11). MC, V.
Daily noon-3pm and 7pm-midnight.
11
El Boliche de A lberto
Overrated
PARRILLA Long considered by many to be the
best
parrilla
in Bariloche, Alberto is an institution in these parts. Some regulars have been
coming back for 20 years, and some make the crossing from Chile just to have a piece of
beef here. The menu is brief, with several cuts of beef, chicken, and sausages; salads; and
side dishes such as fr ench fries. The dining ar ea is unpr etentious and brightly lit, with
wooden tables. A typical
bife de chorizo
steak is so thick y ou'll need to split it with y our
dining par tner; if y ou're alone, they can do a half-or der for $11 (£7.45). They don't
accept reservations, so there is almost always a long line here, which has the waiters hur-
riedly (r udely, if y ou ask me) r ushing diners thr ough their meals in an effor t to keep
filling tables fast-food style. The wine list is straight fr om the supermarket and seriously
overpriced. Yes, the meat is good. B ut for the same price, y ou can go some where less
touristy and crowded and actually enjoy your meal at a reasonable pace. There's a second
location on Avenida Bustillo, at Km 8.
Villegas 347.
&
02944/431433.
Main courses $11-$18 (£7.45-£12). AE, MC, V. Daily noon-3pm and
8pm-midnight.
El Boliche Viejo
Moments
REGIONAL Step back in time to the old P atagonian
pioneer days, at this countr y store dating back mor e than a centur y. Little has changed
since the days when B utch Cassidy and the S undance Kid purportedly stopped in for a
meal. I t's nor theast of B ariloche, on the r oad to Villa La Angostura, past the airpor t
turnoff and the to wn of D ina Huapi. The menu is pur e Patagonian, including lamb
slow-grilled on a spit and ev ery cut of beef y ou could imagine, fr om T-bone to tongue.
This makes a great stop for a midday meal if y ou are on a sightseeing drive.
Ruta 237, at Lima y R iver bridge.
&
02944/468452.
Main courses $12-$18 (£8.20-£12). MC, V. Daily
noon-4pm and 8:30pm-midnight.
Familia Weiss
Kids
REGIONAL The Weiss family is well known all over the region
for their outstanding smoked meats and cheeses, which they 've been selling fr om their
