El Papagayo Restaurant — Restaurant in Municipio de Córdoba

During our visit to Córdoba in April 2023, we had the opportunity of dining at El Papagayo, a highly recommended restaurant. We did not know we would be in for a true gastronomic experience. Everything is special about this restaurant, from the very contemporary space built as a sort of very narrow, long and tall passageway, to the approach to dinner, that is served in 11 steps.

Through a spiral stair that goes through the kitchen where we could observe everyone busy at their tasks, we climbed to a second floor that overlooked the passage below where our table had been set. It was indeed very private and special.

As we sat down, we were explained what we were about to experience and how the food would be served. One by one the different courses of this tasting menu revealed creativity, originality, and a great balance between taste, texture, and color as well as a very artistic presentation. Chef Javier Rodriguez from Santiago del Estero uses Argentinian ingredients with his own twist as when he serves Humita y provolone ahumado or the desert with Mazamorra y leche de pistachos, absolutely delicious.

When the time of desert arrived, we were invited to move across the street to their own bar, to enjoy step 11 and drinks.

The amazing aspect of this delicately curated dinner is that when we finished, we were all satisfied, yet felt very light and with certain feeling of wonder at the experience. Before we moved to the bar, we were presented with a card with the menu we had just tasted. A memorable experience not to be missed “in the city...

My daughter and I decided to go to this lovely restaurant at the last minute, and the host graciously accepted us at the door without a reservation - even though it was clear that they had a full list. And what a wonderful place! The service was excellent, the atmosphere was perfect (open ceiling, brick wall, dark panels, stone colored clay), and the food was beautiful - the colors, textures and flavors. And, I love the extra touch of artistic lighting and extremely inventive presentation. (One of the dishes was laid on rosemary twigs.) There was no problem making every dish vegetarian for me! The courteous and friendly staff explained food and preparation in English if I asked (I didn't know the word for macadamia nut, for example). We had a bit too much to eat, so we took some home for tomorrow. The price was very reasonable (80 US dollars for 2)....

We made an online reservation yesterday. We have been asked if there is special occasion and marked it with yes my birthday. By checking in and during our lunch nobody ask about my birthday.The restaurant is nice and the atmosphere was great. We ordered the 11 course menu. Took us a bit more than 2 hours to finish the course with a good wine. We had 4 different servers! Asking for a written menu we were told we will get it in the last minute. After getting the menu we noticed we didn't get 11 courses, only 10. Asking our server about that he apologized and will bring it right away...too late. We refused to take it . The knife for the little steak was so dull we had a hard time cutting the meat. Otherwise the other food was excellent and well prepared and tasty. Would love to give 5 stars but not this time. The servers never ask how...