Delightful and Impressive: Restaurant Reviews in El Calafate, Argentina

Warning: reading this article while hungry may result in drooling! Photo by: Evan Berman

In the previous article, I talked about the time that I spent in El Calafate. If you’re interested in the main course 😉 then you’ll enjoy this article which covers all about the restaurants that I visited. Let’s eat!

The recap of the delicious meals in El Calafate is part of the larger South American Adventure. For more information on this trip, follow these links:

Intro

24 Hours in New York, NY

Flight: CHS-JFK in Delta Comfort+

New York Hotel

Flight: JFK-SCL in LATAM Economy+

W Santiago Hotel

Hyatt Place Santiago/Vitacura

3 Days in Santiago, Chile

Osaka Santiago, Chile Restaurant Review

Flight: SCL-AEP in Aerolíneas Argentinas Economy

Flight: AEP-FTE in Aerolíneas Argentinas Economy

Trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentine Patagonia

El Calafate Hotel

36 Hours in El Calafate, Argentina

Restaurants in El Calafate (This Article)

Flight: FTE-USH in Aerolíneas Argentinas Economy

Flight: USH-AEP in Aerolíneas Argentinas Economy

2 Hours in Ushuaia, Argentina

Buenos Aires Homestay

2 Days in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Flight: AEP-SCL in Aerolíneas Argentinas Economy

Flight: SCL-MIA in LATAM Business Class

Hyatt Place Ft. Lauderdale/Plantation

Flight: FLL-CHS in Silver Airways Economy Class

Conclusion

Don Pichon:

The outside of Don Pichon. Truly a local’s paradise! Photo by: Evan Berman

As mentioned in the hotel review, for dinner my first night in El Calafate, I was shuttled to a very authentic restaurant called Don Pichon. A traditional parilla with incredible views overlooking the lake and city below, I was not wanting for anything here!

No, this is not a giant peanut, in case you were wondering! Photo by: Evan Berman

After I ordered but before the they arrived, I was brought some homemade bread and the interesting complement that was found at both restaurants in El Calafate: an oil based mélange with capers and herbs.

The capers and oil garnish for the bread. Photo by: Evan Berman

I ordered the guanaca (similar to alpaca or llama) empanada and it was so tasty that I devoured it before thinking to snap a picture! For my entrée, I ordered the Patagonian lamb and paired the meal with a Malbec from Mendoza.

Patagonian lamb with a calafate berry glaze and fresh vegetables= delicioso. Photo by: Evan Berman

Even for a meal with an appetizer, entrée, and bottle of wine (which I drank about half of and took the rest to my hotel), the price was quite reasonable. And trust me, they didn’t skimp on the taste at all!

I don’t know about best vineyard in the world, but the wine was pretty great! Photo by: Evan Berman

Price: 8,000 Argentine Pesos ($28.07 or $49.08)

Points: None earned, I used cash. Again, the amount saved was worth more than any points I would have earned.

La Zaina:

For dinner the second night, I opted to visit La Zaina, a highly-regarded restaurant on the east side of downtown. I was not disappointed! I ordered guanaca meatballs and a terrific meat pie. As usual, the bread was homemade and accompanied by the oil and capers garnish.

The plate was a beautiful addition to the tasty food! Photo by: Evan Berman
What a way to start a meal! The mini skillet and delicious meatballs were the perfect appetizers. Photo by: Evan Berman

Next up, for the main course I had intended to order their famous Patagonian lamb dish and compare with the lamb from Don Pichon. However, they were out of it and the waitress suggested that I try la trucha (trout), “the best item on our menu.” I had to taste it for myself given the recommendation and sure enough the meal was incredible!

Believe me, this trout was every bit as good as it looks and more! Photo by: Evan Berman

Price: 12,500 pesos ($43.86 or $76.69)

Points Earned: None earned, I paid with cash. Saving $30 was well worth it. 🙂

Don Luis:

With a friendly sign and a beautiful day, I was certainly sad to have to leave El Calafate. Photo by: Evan Berman

Before heading to the airport for my flight, I stopped at one of several Don Luis locations. This pastry shop offers sweet and savory options. I have a weakness for dulche de leche, so I of course ordered a pastry with dulce de leche!

Are you getting hungry yet? Photo by: Evan Berman

Since I knew that it would be a long time before I could eat much, I also ordered a ham and cheese sandwich which was similarly tasty and a bit more filling than a chocolate treat! 🙂

Do you think the Spanish word for gourmet is gourmet? Photo by: Evan Berman

Price: 1,150 Argentine Pesos ($4.04 or $7.06)

Points Earned: None earned, I paid with cash.

Summary:

The meals that I had in El Calafate were incredible. Obviously the main courses and wine were terrific, but I was equally impressed by the quality of the vegetables. If you find yourself in El Calafate, I recommend that you head to La Zaina and Don Pichon to have the wonderful experiences that I described. Buen provecho!