Historic cafes in Buenos Aires, known as Bares Notables, are the best way to experience traditional Porteño cafe culture.
These cafe bars are frozen in time, I say this not as a cliche but as a fact.
Operating for over a hundred years, many have roots as general stores. As shoppers would linger, gossiping and socializing, bringing out a vermouth was inevitable.
Then as the supermarkets killed the small general stores/almacenes, these spaces effortlessly shifted into the neighborhood watering hole.
Others have always been cafes, decorated in opulent old world style.
All were the haunts of famous writers, actors, and politicians. Novels have been written here and many a heated debate has been had.
Today, you’ll still find the old regulars sipping a coffee over a newspaper in the morning.
If you want to see the real Buenos Aires, add a few of these notable bars into your itinerary.

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Bares Notables in Buenos Aires
First off, what are Bares Notables? These are historical cafe bares officially recognized by the city for their historical and cultural importance.
They are my favorite thing to visit in the city and I think along with a good parrilla and bodegon, they are a must do to fully experience Buenos Aires culture.
The coffee is traditional and you’ll find no flat white here. Order a cafe solo (espresso), a cortado, or a cafe con leche.
Don’t fuss.
And being “cafe bars”, your coffee can easily bleed into happy hour in these cafes. Vermouth is the drink of choice, blended with soda water out of an old school siphon.
This early evening vermouth, accompanied with salami, cheese, or some other salty snack, is called the copetín.
And unlike a modern cafe, the menus are complete so you can come for a full lunch with traditional dishes like milanesa, stews, pastas, and picadas (charcuterie platters).
Is it a bar, is it a cafe? It’s both. You’ll see the name “Cafe Bar” a lot in old cafes in Buenos Aires. You can grab a vermouth or a coffee, but it isn’t a cocktail bar in the Palermo Soho sense, it’s a bar in the abuelo is there watching the football match sense. It is a safe environment for all ages.
Bares Notables – Buenos Aires Map
Here are the cafe bars I discuss in this article, plotted out for easy planning. The first batch – classic cafes – are blue. The refined, European cafes are in red.
The Best Bares Notables in Buenos Aires
There more than 80 official notable cafes in Buenos Aires and even beyond the official list there are countless more historic cafe bars to explore.
The bulk of the historic Buenos Aires bares notables are located in the city center.
And since I can’t go into detail about 80+ cafes, I’ll list my favorites below, offering a variety of style and location.
Los 5 Notables – El Federal, La Poesia, Margot, Bar de Cao, & Celta Bar


Five of the best notable bars are all owned by Los Notables. They are all similar in vibe and have the same exact menu but it’s worth visiting them all (at least if you live here and are blessed with the time).
I definitely have my preferences out of the four I’ve visited (I’ll get to you soon enough Bar Celta).


El Federal and La Poesia are both in San Telmo and easiest to visit if you’re visiting the regular tourist sites. Of the two, I prefer El Federal, it’s larger and the intricately carved antique bar is breathtakingly beautiful.
With a short taxi ride to Bar de Cao you get the same vibe but off the beaten path. It ties for my favorite with El Federal.
Cafe Margot is even further off the beaten path in Boedo (read my Boedo guide to visit the barrio’s multiple historic cafes).
Margot’s claim to fame is the pickled turkey sandwich (pavita al escabeche, better than it sounds) that caused Juan Peron himself to stop his motorcade so he could try it.
But it’s the picada that has my heart, Los Notables’ picadas are excellent. Go with a friend or three to share! Don’t forget the vermouth to wash it down.

Read Next – Specialty Coffee & The Best Cafes in Buenos Aires
El Banderín, Almagro


In Almagro, El Banderín is a football fan’s dream. More than 500 football banners blanket the walls and you can be sure to catch all of the important games here.
It started out as a general store – El Asturiano Provisiones y Fiambrería – in the early 1900’s. Today it’s a classic cafe bar.
Open all day but I recommend it for an evening drink, a football match and people watching.
Vegan or Vegetarian? You’re in luck, it may feel out of place but El Banderín features a vegan section on their lunch and dinner menu.
Cafe Bar Roma, Balvanera


Just a few blocks up from El Banderín, Roma Abasto is a classic cafe made new.
Now with a younger vibe and updated menu (think more upscale empanadas and pizza), the decor and menu items remain authentic and largely unchanged.
This is the sort of change I like to see as these old bars “renew” themselves versus Café Le Caravelle in Microcentro that completely modernized their decor into a bar with absolutely zero personality. A boring blank slate forgetting what made them great.
Bar Roma, on the other hand, offers the best of both worlds – reliably excellent food of a new hip restaurant plus the history and personality of a century old Porteño cafe.
They have good vermouth specials for an evening copetin and excellent weekday lunch specials for those on a budget.
Cafe Bar Roma, La Boca


No, this is not a typo, this is a second Cafe Bar Roma and it is unrelated and unlike the first.
This is Cafe Bar Roma in La Boca, a few blocks off of the tourist circuit, the Caminito.
I’ve only been for breakfast and the bready medialunas weren’t anything to write home about but the space itself is very beautiful.
Bar Roma is great for watching La Boca with locals or for those wanting a more authentic La Boca experience (which can feel impossible at the Caminito for some).
But do exercise caution, if you feel like you stick out then you likely do. There’s a reason tourists are advised not to aimlessly wander in La Boca.
If you feel safe, daring, or comfortable in Buenos Aires (maybe you live here!), then go for it.
🍕TIP: If you’re extra hungry, cross the street for a slice of fuggazzeta at the city’s original Banchero location, one of the best pizzas in Buenos Aires.
La Flor de Barracas, Barracas

Barracas is far from the tourist path but this bar notable is actually around the corner from the beautiful Calle Lanin – a few blocks of homes decorated completely in colorful mosaics by resident artist Marino Santa María.
Take an uber out here to see a unique alternative or addition to La Boca.
La Flor de Barracas is quiet and a great spot for a coffee or lunch.
It closed during the pandemic but has since re-opened and they host regular live music events. Keep up with their Instagram to see any upcoming events.
El Gato Negro, San Nicolas


El Gato Negro is in the heart of Buenos Aires’ theater district on busy Avenida Corrientes.
Victoriano López Robredo founded this cafe based on one he frequented in Madrid and it still has that Spanish feel.
Robredo was an incessant traveler and he created the logo of a black cat with a red bow from a sign he saw once from the Orient Express. And from these travels he brought back spices, teas, and coffee.
El Gato Negro was an almacen selling all these exotic spices and ground coffee. Eventually, his son focused on it becoming a cafe and all things gourmet.
Today it’s run by Robredo’s nephew and you can still purchase excellent spices and tea here, it’s a great souvenir.
Bar Via 71


This tiny hole in the wall is a rather new addition to the Bar Notable list.
Go here for lunch to try their famous jamon crudo sandwiches. With just jamon crudo, cheese, and butter, they’re simple but delicious and the portions are generous.
You’ll sit at a table underneath a few dangling ham legs, to hammer the point home. Ham is king here.
The Spanish tortilla was also excellent, it was so tempting that I ordered a slice to go with my sandwich and ended up with enough food to feed three of me.
It’s a charming spot, good for a quick lunch on the go, people watching, and a meal while reading the paper like a local.
Los Galgos, San Nicolas


Los Galgos on Avenida Callao originally opened in 1930 as a general store/almacen. The historic corner was originally the home of the Lezama family and then a Singer sewing location.
Two porcelain greyhound statues give the cafe its name but this elegant bar notable is rich with details – like the bronze taps in the shape of swans.
Like many historic Buenos Aires cafes on this list, it closed its doors and was re-opened with new vigor.
Julian Diaz and Flor Capella, the duo behind successful cocktail bar 878, brought new life into Los Galgas with original materials and passion for its history.
This is a great bar notable to head to for lunch (the traditional menu is excellent thanks to its new owners) or evening drinks.
Polished Bares Notables in Buenos Aires
The first grouping of notable bars are where I think you’d find Abuelo having a vermouth with his buddies.
If you want to see Abuela gossiping with her gal pals, head to the following cafes and confiterias.
They have an old world European charm with opulent, imported furniture and decore.
Café Tortoni, Montserrat

You can’t have a list of historic cafes in Buenos Aires and not mention Café Tortini, the city’s first cafe that dates back to 1858.
This cafe may be flooded with tourists today but it used to be frequented by infamous writers like Jorge Luis Borges, Federico García Lorca and Julio Cortázar and tango great Carlos Gardel.
Tortoni is just a few blocks from Plaza de Mayo and an easy visit on any walk down Avenida de Mayo.
They have regular tango and jazz shows in their back rooms and basement but their website doesn’t make it clear or possible to book so check in person.
Confitería La Ideal, San Nicolas


If you’re looking for an alternative to Tortoni, this is it. I much prefer La Ideal and it is only a few blocks away on Suipacha and Avenida Corrientes.
It is opulently decorated and has been impeccably restored. The food and coffee is also excellent and – in my opinion – superior to other big names like Tortoni or Las Violetas.
Reserve an afternoon tea time or head there early to beat the rush for breakfast.
La Ideal closed in 2017 and re-opened in 2022, completely renewed. However, if you remember La Ideal from before, they have not brought back the famous milonga.
Brighton, San Nicolas


While most of these European cafes feel almost Parisian, Brighton instead transports you to London.
Brighton actually operated as one of the city’s finest tailors – The New Brighton – from 1908 until 1976, and even outfitted Edward, the Prince of Wales in 1925.
Today, floor to ceiling wooden fixtures and feels as if wealthy businessmen and lawyers are cutting deals over lunch here.
Go for lunch to experience their menu, which is more refined than all other bars on this list. Think shrimp cocktail, tenderloin, and linguine.
Las Violetas, Almagro

Las Violetas has been an Almagro staple on Avenida Rivadavia since 1884.
The spacious dining room is beautiful with groups of abuelas catching up on the latest gossip over tea.
This cafe features only the best – glass brought from France and expertly painted in artisans’ workshops, Italian marble, bronze chandeliers, and French furniture.
Las Violetas is ideal for merienda but you won’t be alone, there might be a line to get in.
Petit Colon
Cap off your French experience at the Teatro Colon with a meal or coffee at Petit Colon, just one block away.
While the menu is very Argentine featuring medialunas, milanesa and steak, the decor screams Paris, down to the forward facing chairs on the sidewalk.
El Petit Colon is a wonderful place to rest your feet if you’ve been touring downtown Buenos Aires.
Café de los Angelitos, Balvanera


Café de los Angelitos originally opened in 1890 as Cafe Rivadavia and new ownership in 1920 changed the name Café de los Angelitos.
Location and circumstance brought a revolving name of important names through the door here.
In 1912, Carlos Gardel and José Razzano established their “barra” here. And just down the block in 1927 the Casa del Pueblo socialist party, bringing a lot of politicians here. Osvaldo Pugliese, Cátulo Castillo, Aníbal Troilo, Juan B. Justo and Florencio Parravicini, among others, also frequented Los Angelitos.
Today, their tango show is spectacular, you can book tickets here.
Read More: Eating in Buenos Aires
- Bodegones in Buenos Aires
- The Best Steak in Buenos Aires
- Ice Cream in Buenos Aires
- Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires
- 11 Dining Experiences to Try in Buenos Aires
- Buenos Aires Food Tours
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