Mako Fuegos y Vinos Restaurante — Restaurant in El Calafate

Whilst in El Calafate we decided to go to Mako Fuego y Vinos to celebrate our anniversary. We actually had some people tell us that they didn’t like this place very well but we went ahead.

The first welcoming was not the expected, the reservation was written in a piece of folded up paper and no mention whatsoever of that was our anniversary. Oh well.

They took us to our table and presented us with a tablet each to look at the menu… a lot of technology here but not for the reservations… weird…

Anyway we made our selections. We received the trio of breads, a brioche, one of wagyu fat and a fine herbs. Good but not wow.

For the amouse bouche we were presented with Pate, butter, grape, tomato cherry and false caviar of beetroot. It was tasty and well executed, but no soul at the moment. Good techniques but without a purpose really.

We had a Wagyu Empanada. It was a good idea but not the best use of Wagyu as a ragu. It was ok but not distinguishable from all the other meat empanadas in the whole of Argentina really.

We followed with the Lamb Sweetbreads with Pumpkin pure and lamb Toffee and a potatoe croquette. The sweetbreads were awesome, but there was too much pure that made it sweet and the toffee was overpowering for the sweetbread…

As my main I had a Chorizo steak which was excellent and cook to doneness requested, the mash potato was very good as well, but again the Lamb demiglase was too sweet and overpowered everything, so I left it and ate the rest.

I ordered as well the “famous” Mako Potatoes. It was a good idea but poor execution. The lamb stock was too much of it and too strong for the dish and the bacon was undercooked for this dish, it should have crunch to it.

My girlfriend ordered the Spinach Agbolotti with Peas and Habas sauce which was good. The parmesan foam had too little parmesan, and was a little bland.

The ideas are there but something lacks overall. There is no soul to the dished, and the lamb stock is used in excess and is too strong for the majority of the dishes.

Service, the hostess and the initial waiter were appalling but then we had a couple other waiters which were good. It is a pretty place but not on our top 5 of...

A Dining Experience Beyond Imagination – Mako Fuegos y Vinos, El Calafate.

If perfection had a name, it would be Mako Fuegos y Vinos Restaurante. Last night, my guests and I had the privilege of experiencing what can only be described as 7-star dining in its purest form—a symphony of flavors, warmth, and artistry that left us in absolute awe.

From the moment we stepped inside, the staff’s hospitality was beyond outstanding—not just attentive, but genuinely warm and caring, making us feel like long-lost friends finally coming home. Each dish that arrived at our table was a masterpiece, crafted with precision, passion, and an understanding of flavor that is rarely found even in the world’s top restaurants. The live music seamlessly intertwined with the experience, elevating every bite, every sip, into a moment of pure bliss.

The drink selection? Out of this world. And at the heart of it all was Johnny, the bartender—an artist in motion, his skill and enthusiasm turning cocktails into both a performance and a revelation. Each sip was an adventure, perfectly complementing the divine flavors emerging from the kitchen.

Then came the ultimate honor—Mattas, the incredible owner, personally visiting each table, sharing his passion, his vision, and his warmth with every guest. When he invited me behind the scenes into his kitchen, I witnessed firsthand the soul of Mako—an exceptional team working in perfect harmony to create magic on a plate. Their dedication, skill, and love for their craft were evident in every dish we had the pleasure of tasting.

I have dined in some of the finest establishments across the globe, but Mako Fuegos y Vinos has set a new standard. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s an experience, a celebration of culinary excellence, and a testament to the power of passion-driven hospitality.

Mattas and his extraordinary team—you have given me a taste of what true 7-star dining is like. I will carry this experience with me forever, and I cannot wait to return. To anyone visiting El Calafate: this is an...

We visited Mako earlier this year based on a recommendation of a chef in Puerto Natales. We could not have been more disappointed. While the design and pricing let you expect a special culinary experience the food is neither exceptional, nor good, but definitely pricey.

The main issue was that they don’t use salt. This was neither mentioned on the menu nor by the waiters. They only mentioned it after our meal when we criticized the lack of taste. We salted the meat ourselves, which was fine. The vegetable risotto for over 30€ however tasted like baby food, simple pea mush, even after salting it. In the end, we weren’t charged for the risotto, which was nice. Overall the food tasted bland and the dishes are boring. You can have the same food in any restaurant in Argentina for a fraction of the price, but at better quality.

Second, the service staff was only partly polite and again didn’t live up to the expectations set by price and style of the restaurant. No information on the food, preparation or anything else that would make the dining experience special in any way. They bring you food, that’s it. The head of staff however was very nice, forthcoming and communicative.

All in all it’s definitely a tourist rip-off. I had the impression a lot of people visit this restaurant for a special occasion and aren’t used to fine dining. If you are a foodie and have experienced fine dining, this place will disappoint you.

Last but not least, you pay over 30€ for a risotto, but the guitar player plays two songs and then walks around the restaurant asking tips. It all doesn’t match.

DO NOT EAT HERE.

We went to the pasta restaurant around the corner twice and we loved it. Exceptional food and service at a great...