The Best Argentine-Italian Restaurant According to Locals
Cantina Pierino – Lavalle 3499 This place was highly recommended by a local friend as a must-try Italian restaurant. ⚠️ Heads up: The restaurant only opens at 8:00 PM, so don’t go too early—but don’t go too late either! We arrived around 8:30 PM and got a table, but by 9:00 PM, it was packed with a long line outside. You can probably call ahead to reserve—they asked us if we had a reservation when we entered. Compared to the previously recommended Doro, this place has a cozy, family-run vibe. It’s been around for years and feels much less commercialized. Key Points: 1️⃣ Cash or Card Only! (No Mercado Pago or transfers!) We almost panicked thinking we’d have to go home to get a card, but luckily, a Mercado Pago card saved us. 2️⃣ No Wi-Fi! Sitting deep inside, I only had 3G signal—another reason to never get Claro (Argentina’s worst telecom). Personal is way better—Claro doesn’t even have a proper app, and the signal is terrible. 💰 Much cheaper than Doro! The meal in the pics cost just ¥100+ RMB, while at Doro, a single dish could cost that much. Food Review: 🍝 Pasta was decent (standard flavor), but their homemade pasta (Pasta Family brand?) was AMAZING! I used to dislike pasta, but this changed my mind. MUST TRY: The square-shaped ravioles (P3 & P5)—so much better than the cheese-filled sorrentinos! The filling tasted like shredded meat, but it was actually chicken & veggies—incredibly rich flavor! (Just show them the pic if you can’t remember the name.) 🚫 Avoid the limonada (lemonade)—it tasted like dishwater. Everything else was great! 📍 Bonus: The whole street (see P1) is full of charming little corner restaurants—perfect for exploring at sunset. #Foodie #Travel #Argentina #ItalianFood #HiddenGems #RestaurantReview #NoWiFi #CashOnly #MustTry
