La Alacena Trattoria — Restaurant in Autonomous City of Buenos Aires

La Alacena Trattoria in Palermo is a gem for anyone craving high-quality Italian food in Buenos Aires. The space is cozy but modern, with warm lighting, wood accents, and just enough bustle to create a lively atmosphere without being overwhelming. It’s the kind of place that feels welcoming the moment you walk in, whether you’re dining as a couple, with friends, or solo.

The food was excellent from start to finish. I ordered a pasta dish that was perfectly al dente, with a sauce that tasted fresh and layered with flavor. We also tried their homemade lasagna, which was hearty, rich, and beautifully presented — true comfort food elevated to restaurant level. The antipasti were flavorful, and dessert, especially the tiramisu, was creamy, balanced, and not overly sweet. The wine list had a thoughtful selection that paired well with the meal without being overwhelming or overpriced.

Service was another highlight. The staff were friendly, professional, and attentive, guiding us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm. Prices are a bit higher than average for Buenos Aires, but I consider it worth it given the quality of the ingredients, the generous portions, and the overall dining experience.

La Alacena Trattoria is definitely a restaurant I would return to and recommend for anyone who appreciates Italian...

Mixed experience. Carpaccio, while not being true to a proper recipe (since when does a carpaccio has so much zucchini?) was actually pretty good.

The carbonara, however, was a complete disgrace.

First of all, carbonara should never be made using pasta fresca. It’s the most basic mistake that should never be comitted by a place that considers itself to be a proper Italian restaurant. And it’s not a matter of preference, it has a lot to do with achieving the right texture of the dish, in this case, a pasta cooked al dente.

Seconly, the pasta had almost no pancetta in it. Maybe like 8-10 lonely pieces for the whole plate. This resulted in the pasta lacking the necessary saltiness, which is essential to the taste of carbonara.

Lastly, the pasta was extremely creamy, which is a more common and expected mistake, yet still a serious one for an establishment that considera itself a proper Italian restaurant.

The poor service deserves a separate comment: I had to ask for my check three times: the first time my request was ignored, the second time I was presented with the wrong one. And when I left the money, I did not receive the change right away (I assume they thought that I wanted to tip them), so I had to remind then to...

This Bib Gourmand recommended trattoria totally lived up to the hype. We somehow snagged one of the last lunch reservations the day before leaving Buenos Aires. If you don’t have a reservation, good luck. We watched a steady stream of hopefuls get gently turned away.

The seating was tight, the vibe was buzzing, and the whole place ran on what I’d call joyful chaos. We started with a glass of wine and some warm, fluffy ciabatta that came with olive oil so good my wife actually drank it. No shame. It was that good.

Then came the veal ravioli. Thick, creamy, packed with bold flavors. Like a warm Italian hug you didn’t know you needed. The garganelli al ragù bianco was lighter but perfectly balanced and just as satisfying.

And then came the tiramisu. Oh wow. I didn’t know tiramisu could change your worldview, but here we are. This is the one I’ll be chasing for the rest of my life. Every future tiramisu has a very high bar to clear.

The staff handled the packed house like pros. Fast, friendly, and somehow keeping it all together without breaking a sweat. Watching the parade of other dishes made me want to cancel all my plans and just keep ordering.

Seriously, don’t skip the tiramisu. I might fly back...