Where to Find Authentic Argentine Food in Miami

When it comes to dining, Argentina does it right. Centered around prime cuts of beef fired on the open-flame “parilla" grill, this South American cuisine also has Italian influences, which means plenty of Milanesa, fresh pasta and excellent coffee and pastries. From empanadas and rustic, wood-fired steaks to desserts dripping in dulce de leche, a meal at an Argentinian restaurant is a lesson in understated indulgence.

Combining exacting standards, high-quality ingredients and time-honored techniques, it’s no wonder Argentinian cuisine is so highly revered around the world. In Greater Miami and Miami Beach, we’re spoiled with a wealth of authentic Argentinian restaurants, steakhouses, bakeries and cafes. Here’s where to find the best Milanesa Argentina, parrilladas, pastries and more when you’re craving your next fix in Miami.

Graziano’s

Miami’s longest standing Argentinian restaurant, the family-owned Graziano’s started as an Argentine market in Coral Gables circa 1990. Since then, Graziano’s restaurants and markets have spread to multiple locations throughout Miami with a reputation for some of the very best Argentinian food.

The grass-fed, free-range beef is sourced from the Logros Family Ranch in Córdoba and undergoes an aging process of at least 21 days to ensure tenderness and flavor. From its tomahawk steak for two, carnes a la parilla and grilled provoletta to the pasta, Milanesa and panqueques con dulce de leche crepes, the menu highlights classic Argentine specialties.

Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann

Set inside the opulent Faena Miami Beach hotel, Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann is a gilded temple to open-flame grilling by the legendary Argentinian parrilla grill master. Opt for the prime ribeye à la parrilla with chimichurri and crispy domino potatoes.

For very hungry carnivores, the wood-fired meat à la parrillada platter includes skirt steak, prime ribeye, Australian lamb and chorizo for sharing. Made with port salut, mozzarella and gouda, the wood oven cheese empanadas are a classic complement, as well as the handmade gnocchi a la plancha with wood-fired mushrooms, crème fraiche and parmigiano reggiano.

Orilla Bar & Grill

Tucked away on a leafy corner of Meridian Avenue in South Beach’s South of Fifth district, Orilla Bar & Grill is an Argentinian restaurant on a stylish patio inside the boutique March Hotel. With clean, modernist lines, the open air-dining room is a tropical jewel box in black marble, with deep green banquettes, woven chairs and lush palm trees.

The empanadas are a must, perfectly fried and flaky, and stuffed with steak or spinach and cheese. The burrata with peach, pesto and aged balsamic reduction also fits nicely into a meal here. A former apprentice to Francis Mallmann, Orilla’s chef Fernando Trocca works his magic over an open flame Josper grill, serving a wide range of cuts including prime bone-in ribeye and flank, as well as butterflied branzino and other proteins.

Novecento

With several locations in Miami, including Brickell, Key Biscayne, Aventura and Doral, Novecento is an elegant Argentinean bistro with European sensibilities. Start your meal with beef empanadas, ceviche or crispy fried tostones. Then move onto the main course, which includes a variety of steaks and pastas.

Larger groups will love the traditional parillada tasting platter designed for sharing, which includes grilled steak, chicken, chorizo and a sampling of sides, served with homemade chimichurri sauce. There’s also an excellent menu of fresh homemade pastas. Add to that a bottle of Argentinian Malbec and you’ve got yourself a feast.

Bunbury

Bunbury in Downtown Miami transports diners to an Argentinian campo farmhouse with wooden chairs and tables, potted plants and big picture windows in an airy space where sun shines in from the patio. The kitchen takes a similarly earthy approach to Argentinian classics with a range of empanadas, charcuterie and cheeses to start.

The Bunbury prosciutto, mushroom and brie empanada is a must. Favorites from the small plates menu include the baked zucchini rolls with spinach, goat cheese and pistachio in a tomato sauce, and grandma’s spinach buñuelo fritters with a smoky house-made sauce. The organic chicken Milanesa is excellent, not to mention a wide range of Argentinian-style steaks and pastas.

Buenos Aires Bakery & Cafe

North Beach is home to a large Argentine community, and locals have universally recognized Buenos Aires Bakery as having some of the best empanadas, medialuna and cakes in town (and that’s a hard contest to win). 

Stop by any morning to find it bustling with locals and visitors queuing up for a box of their favorite Argentinian pastries. The Deluxe Medialuna made with a runny egg, mozzarella and prosciutto is a great choice, and the Delicia dulce de leche mousse cake makes any day a special occasion. They also serve lunch, coffee and other goodies.

La Cabrera

With locations in Coconut Grove, Midtown and Sunny Isles Beach, La Cabrera is an Argentinian parilla institution by chef Gastón Riveira. With classic bistro vibes, from checkered floors to red leather banquettes, it’s a prime spot to indulge in what Argentinians do best: flame-grilled steak.

With both a Josper charcoal and wood oven, the list of cuts of steak is a mile long. The New York strip with melted blue cheese is hard to pass on, as is the filet mignon layered with ham, cheese and egg. There’s also a great selection of sweetbreads, blood sausage and grilled provoletta to start, as well as classic pastas. The dulce de leche cheesecake is not to be missed.

Baires Grill

An Argentinian classic with several locations throughout Miami (South Beach, Brickell, Coral Gables, Sunny Isles Beach, Doral), Baires Grill is a stylish, upscale Argentine steakhouse specializing in the classics. From provoleta cheese on the griddle to gambas al ajillo, crispy sweetbreads, sausages and empanadas, there are so many ways to start your feast here.

Baires also features a wide range of parillada platters and cuts of steak, from a 40-ounce cowboy to certified Angus skirt steak. There are also pastas and Milanesas, plus a dessert menu that includes dulce de leche molten cake, churros with dulce de leche and panqueques dulce de leche crepes.