Before coming to Buenos Aires, I had read how important el asado, or steak, is to Argentinian cuisine. In fact, it’s woven into the national identity, like fútbol and yerba mate. It appears everywhere in ads, on the streets, and on restaurant menus. At first, this city sounds like one of the most vegan-unfriendly places on the planet.

Nothing could be further from the truth. When I arrived in Buenos Aires, I was blown away by how many vegan options there were! For a country that’s known for its meat, it was incredibly easy to find vegan food here.

For starters, there are a lot of fruterías, or fruit stands in Buenos Aires. You can stock up on fresh fruits and veggies throughout the city for cheap. Since it’s summer during this time of year, many produce is at its prime. I love stocking up on fresh berries during the summer. It’s a refreshing option.

Alfajores are little cookie sandwiches with dulce de leche (kind of like a caramel paste) filling inside and enrobed in chocolate. They are ubiquitous throughout Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. When I tried one in Chile, I was blown away by its light and creamy texture. Imagine my delight when I discovered more in Buenos Aires! There were so many flavors to try: dark chocolate, white chocolate, strawberry, lemon, etc. You can probably tell that I developed an alfajor addiction. They’re really good with coffee. You might have a late-afternoon merienda with an alfajor and a coffee with your friends.

I went to many places in Buenos Aires. Here are my favorite eateries that I have to share.

Craft Vegan Bakery

I was wandering around the Caballito neighborhood when I stumbled upon a cozy vegan panadería called Craft Vegan Bakery. It’s not every day that I can find a vegan croissant. Craft Vegan Bakery offers decadent vegan pastries, such as cinnamon rolls, scones, or a medialuna: a croissant with a dulce de leche or a light chocolate creme filling. They also have whole loaves of bread. I just stayed with the pastries. I will never turn down a good cinnamon roll either, working my way to its warm, doughy center. This is a chain bakery, so there are numerous locations throughout the city.

Liberación Cocina Vegana

Liberación Cocina Vegana (meaning “vegan kitchen liberation”) is a takeaway food joint offering empanadas, sandwiches, and prepared food like pasta and lentil dishes. When I stopped by, there was a full tray of fresh empanadas. Empanadas are savory hand pies, and they’re very popular in Argentina. I bought a couple, plus a cinnamon roll. Sometimes I like to compare notes between places. To me, that cinnamon roll was a little drier than the one from Craft Vegan Bakery, but I still liked it. At the end of the day, it’s like comparing apples and oranges.

When I went to Liberación Cocina Vegana, they were working hard to fill in holiday food orders. There wasn’t a lot of prepared food when I went in, but maybe that ebbs and flows.

Raslok

Raslok is a snug vegan grocery store with a cute cafe in the upstairs loft. In the store, you’ll find goods like sauces, dry goods, coffee, tea, plant-based meats and cheeses, and many snacks. In fact, that’s where I found many of the alfajores. The adorable cafe upstairs serves nutritious whole-foods plant-based meals. There are dishes like lentil burgers, salads, quinoa bowls, and lots more. I didn’t try any, but the food looks minimally processed, so you know it’s good for you. You’ll also find vegan cookbooks in Spanish, cosmetics, vitamins, and supplements upstairs as well. If you pay with cash, your bill is 10% less than if you pay with a credit card.

Menta y Limon

Before going to El Cemeterio de Recoleta, I stopped by Menta y Limon for fresh empanadas. The lunch special offered three empanadas for $5! The ones I got were stuffed with vegan meats, creamy melted cheese, and roasted veggies. The eatery is housed under a food court with many multi-colored umbrellas hanging from the skylights.

Lado V

Lado V was a vibrant vegan restaurant among the trendy bars and nightclubs in the heart of Palermo. The multi-colored interactive art installations offered the perfect experience to enjoy vegan hamburgers, pizzas, and more. Many nights, DJs would play their sets in a room with glittering disco balls, hanging lanterns, and expressive murals cast in rainbow lights. The food was so delicious, luring many omnivores! In a country that is renowned for wine and asado (steak), Lado V showed that the vegan lifestyle is extraordinary and fun. Buenos Aires really does offer something for everyone. I’m falling more in love with this city every day!

Shortly after my return to the U.S., it looks like Lado V has closed its doors. It looks like they’re going to reopen in a different location later down the road, but it’s unclear when.

Guille Veggie

My partner, his best friend, and I were in the mood for Peruvian food at Guille Veggie one night. Peruvian food usually has potatoes in their dishes, because many different types are cultivated there. I had the “Lomito saltado de Soja,” a seasoned fire-roasted seitan dish with herbed potatoes, onions, and red and green bell peppers. I don’t quite remember what the other dishes were called, but most of them had potatoes or beans as the base. Guille Veggie even offers Inca Cola, a fluorescent yellow drink that tastes like cream soda and bubble gum. It was my first time having it, and I was expecting a lemon or lime flavor.

Final Thoughts About the Vegan Restaurants in Buenos Aires

Before, even though I had browsed the maps for vegan restaurants in Buenos Aires, the abundant options throughout this city blew my mind! Even Seattle could learn a thing or two—which, by the way, keeps losing vegan places, but I digress. Here in B.A., it’s practically raining empanadas and alfajores. When you have the compassionate option to eat with peace on your plate, I hope this list offers a good starting point on where to go. (Except for Lado V—R.I.P. for now).