Buenos Cruces Pasta Bar — Restaurant in El Calafate

A small, simple and expensive restaurant. Already when we arrived at the restaurant and were about to sit down, I discovered to my amazement that a cat was sitting on the chair, I found it surprising and not hygienic, the waitress apologized and with her own hands picked it up and took it out. I told the waitress that we were vegetarian and she showed me a number of relevant dishes. It is important to note that for vegans the restaurant is irrelevant and they write this on the menu. Another waitress came to pick up the order, I asked for onion soup and pasta pesto and again I mentioned the vegetarianism. My partner asked for cream pasta and to add mushrooms. That's it, that's all he said. To our amazement when the dish arrived it seemed that the waitress concluded from his words that he wanted the sauce of mushroom cream, onion and ham that is on the menu (why?). Luckily we noticed something was wrong in appearance and smell and we asked, when we were shocked to find that there was a ham in the dish. the waitress did not even apologize and said that only I was talking about vegetarianism. She took the dish reluctantly and returned him a new dish (it should be noted that it was so fast that we were afraid it was not new, we asked and been told that it isn't possible to get out one by one, with unpleasant attitude) with mushroom cream and onions! My partner did not eat onions and did not ask for it at any stage but we were already giving up and we were very hungry. He ate with difficulty and displeasure. In the account we found that we were charged for the sauce with the pork which is probably more expensive, but we have already been exhausted and paid the best of our money for an unpleasant experience. The soup was good.

Edit - Can't reply to the comment so I'll reply here. Your response to me and the other people who were less satisfied only shows your true colors and that's unfortunate. He didn't point to this sauce but only a cream sauce and asked to add mushrooms. I wish you only the best and that you respond respectfully to all customers, wherever...

Buenos Cruces is an absolute gem and was one of the best meals we had during our trip to Argentina in March 2024. It's a disservice to call it a pasta bar, as it's in fact a really excellent restaurant. Tucked down a little alley off the main road, this is a cosy restaurant with delicious food and great service.

The butternut squash, thyme and provolone al gratin, bubbling in a blue cheese sauce, was gorgeous, and having a thoughtful and creative vegetarian option is appreciated. My husband had the fettuccine with guanaco meatballs, which he also found wonderful. When you order a ravioli-type pasta dish the portion size in some places can sometimes be on the meagre side, but both dishes were generous, filling big portions. Local beer and an Argentinian cider were great, and the calafate liqueur came with a dainty glass ice bucket and tongs.

Hats off to the fantastic service from the restaurant team, who were welcoming and warm. This includes the wonderful restaurant cat, Mushi! Service was swift and friendly, and a lovely touch was to make the presentation of the food a special moment, with the staff lightly drumming their fingers on the cloche covering each dish before presenting with a flourish. All in all, a really lovely meal from a team that clearly love what they do.

My only minus point is that the menu states quite harshly that the restaurant won't serve tap water. I know tap water isn't the norm in Argentina like in other countries, and certainly appreciate that they're running a business and want people to buy some sort of drink, but I do think if you've bought a drink (especially alcohol), you should be able to get tap water. Not trying to be stingy, just trying to avoid single use plastic bottles as much as we can, and preferring water to go with beer/cider rather than the homemade lemonade they have...

THE MOST WARMING, TASTY AND FRIENDLY RESTAURANT IN PATAGONIA ! We are a French couple on our way to a roadtrip through Argentina, and we spent a few days in El Calafate. We came to Buenos Cruces restaurant not only one time, but three times, because we have had a complete crush for this magical little place. Love at first sight ! Not only the food is exquisite (carne, pasta, desserts, we tried everything), simple but fancy, tasteful, but the team ! The team makes you feel like home. We have never met waitresses as kind and lovely as Gala and Belen. We spoked, laughed, and they even remembered our names ! When you travel, you sometimes cross places and meet people who you will remember your entiere life. Buenos Cruces, Gala and Belen are of these we won’t forget and who gave us a wonderful memory of Argentina… do not hesitate anymore and go eat at Buenos Cruces if you go to El Calafate ! Signed : Marion & Morgan - the ginger girl who speaks a little bit Spanish and the guy who does not make a difference between a cucaracha and a cuchara (haha) - and who both drank liters of your...