El Ateneo Grand Splendid is an absolute gem and a must-visit destination in Buenos Aires. Housed in a former theater, it is one of the most breathtaking bookstores in the world. The stunning architecture—the ornate balconies, frescoed ceiling, and elegant theater design—creates an atmosphere that blends history, culture, and creativity. The rich inventory of books, records, CDs, and more ensures there’s something for everyone. It’s a beautiful concept, and it’s no surprise that it attracts a steady stream of visitors.

However, my experience at the café, located at the stage area, left a sour note on what should have been a magical visit. Despite the allure of having a coffee amidst such grandeur, the service was shockingly poor.

On a Sunday afternoon, the café was understandably busy, but what followed was unacceptable. Our server seemed uninterested in assisting us from the beginning, refusing to seat us even when tables became available. Once we were finally seated, she took our order but failed to bring one of the items. We tried multiple times to flag her down, but she blatantly ignored us. After 15 minutes, we reminded her of the missing item, which she brought 20-25 minutes later—and it was the wrong order. There was no apology, just an indifferent attitude. To make matters worse, she added the incorrect item to our bill and insisted it couldn’t be fixed, forcing us to escalate the issue. Even other staff, including a man who appeared to wander aimlessly without helping anyone, refused to step in and directed us back to the same unhelpful waitress.

After much frustration, we were finally sent to the cashier to sort out the bill. The entire process left us feeling ignored, disrespected, and deeply disappointed.

While I’ve had wonderful experiences in Buenos Aires overall, this and a rude Uber driver rushing off while I was still exiting the car stand out as exceptions.

If you visit El Ateneo Grand Splendid, I wholeheartedly recommend exploring the bookstore’s beauty and offerings. But save yourself the trouble—skip the café.