Pura Vida — Restaurant in El Calafate

Okay. This was easily one of the best meals we’ve ever had. Seriously. Like ever. Incredibly fresh, natural, complex - every bite slightly different, yet insanely perfect. Stop reading and go if you’re anywhere near El Calafate.

I’ve had a lot of great meals in my time, and a few really exceptional ones. I love natural, complex, flavorful foods that just gel well together. I’ll start by saying the complimentary starter bread was some of the best I’ve ever eaten, and both of our dishes I’d easily rank in my top 3-4 dishes ever. Yes, ever. They were that good.

The bread, Pan Casero Con Lentejas a la Vinagreta (homemade bread with lentils in vinaigrette) was baked to perfection. Slight crusty on the outside and beautifully fluffy in the inside.

I had the Argentine Carbonada - “Beef stew with sweet potato, carrot, corn and peach served in cabutia pumpkin and gratin with parmesan cheese”. Every bite was different, complex, fresh, and deliciously perfect.

My fiancé had the Country Chicken Pie - “Bittersweet spicy chicken topped with puff pastry, egg, golden raisins & green olives”. The pastry crust was perfection, more like a pie lattice, and the filling was insane I don’t care if you don’t like olives, raisins, or whatever. Don’t knock this til ya try it. I ate several bites of hers and didn’t know which one was best.

So all in all, one of the best meals ever and another day well lived. Pura...

If comfort food had a destination, it would be Pura Vida. This cozy and colorful restaurant in El Calafate serves up hearty meals that feel like a warm hug after a long day. The vibrant atmosphere, with its eclectic decor and relaxed vibe, sets the tone for an unforgettable dining experience.

The food? Absolutely spectacular. We started with their fresh homemade bread and a flavorful bean spread that paired beautifully with a glass of red wine. For the mains, the stuffed pumpkin was filled with tender beef and melted cheese—rich, indulgent, and packed with flavor. The lamb stew, baked in a golden bread dome, was a standout—perfectly seasoned and comforting. Portions were generous enough that we had leftovers for another meal the next day!

It’s worth noting that Pura Vida leans on the pricier side, but the quality and experience are well worth it. Try to reserve ahead—we were lucky to get a table for two by walking in, but we had to wait about 20 minutes. Thankfully, there’s a seating area where we enjoyed a well-made Pisco Sour to pass the time, which honestly made the wait enjoyable!

Pura Vida is a must-visit in El Calafate for authentic, hearty dishes with a local twist. Highly...

We absolutely loved this place so much for dinner that we went here twice when we were in El Calafate for four nights!!! As with many places in Argentina we discovered that the locals are really good at cooking…

This place boasts a great menu, which has as many meat and vegetarian options - both aplenty, and everything is so hearty, filling, and full of flavour that anything you choose will be a good dinner.

I opted for the lamb stew with pastry lid (twice!!) and am still thinking of it three weeks later! I genuinely wish I had the recipe as I would love to try making this at home… (hint hint). My sisters had the green lasagne and stuffed squash. There were good comments also about both of those dishes as well as the poached pears.

If you’re getting a glass of wine here though I’d recommend convincing anyone else who is there with you to share a bottle with you (as their house red by the glass isn’t as great as the red on the rest of the menu (full bottle)).

Team managing the tables and bar are all really good fun and the atmosphere there reflects this. A really lovely, cosy place, that was one of many highlights of travelling...