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[title]Argentina is a country of flavors as diverse as its landscapes. And all of that comes together once a year at Bariloche a la Carta (BALC): from October 6 to 13, the Patagonian city welcomes more than 80 restaurants, producers from all over the country, and thousands of foodies ready to experience the great national gastronomic festival in Patagonia.
What is Bariloche a la Carta?
“It has already become a classic. Beyond the fact that we always break attendance records, what we aim for is to continue promoting and spreading the country’s culinary identity. Today we have chefs visiting us from Chaco, Corrientes, Misiones, Mendoza, Córdoba. They bring their culinary specialties and meet local chefs to create unique dishes,” explains Lucio Bellora, organizer of Bariloche a la Carta.
Chefs bring their specialties and team up with locals to create one-of-a-kind dishes.
When is the great Bariloche a la Carta Fair?
Beyond the proposals at each restaurant and the meetings between chefs, the fair held at Bariloche’s Civic Center (this year from October 10 to 12) is the main attraction. Tents are set up across the square for more than 200 producers and entrepreneurs from all over the country. It becomes a kind of map where each visitor can explore Argentina’s different regions through their flavors.
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“The fair is the most massive part of Bariloche a la Carta. The event usually attracts about 80,000 people, of which 40,000 visit the fair. Every year we incorporate new producers and products through a deep curatorship we carry out throughout the year,” adds Bellora.
This edition will highlight the Wine Route of Río Negro, a province with a century-old tradition of producing different grape varieties that may not stand out for volume but certainly do for quality. Along with the colorful stalls, flavors, and aromas, Bariloche a la Carta also features live shows and cooking classes on the main stage.
What else can you do during Bariloche a la Carta?
Beyond the main activities, many things happen behind the doors of each restaurant. During these days, the kitchens of more than 80 venues prepare special menus, pop-ups with guest chefs from other regions, and off-the-menu dishes. There are also promotional prices so that everyone visiting the city during this week can taste and enjoy. In addition to gastronomy, the event spills over into tourism with significant discounts at participating hotels.
“There’s a strong new generation of young chefs leading their kitchens. There are also many new restaurants in the city that people take the opportunity to discover,” he explains.
At the end, a jury will present awards and special mentions for Best Dish, Best Starter, Best Dessert, and Best Brewery Dish. It’s a chance to be among the first to try new creations and also to feel part of a gastronomic event that sets the bar for excellence.
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“It’s ideal to come with friends, as a couple, or with family. There are so many options and, thanks to the promotions and discounts during that week, you can go out to eat several times and even take home products,” adds Bellora.
Bariloche a la Carta is much more than an event: it’s a celebration of Argentine culinary identity that makes it accessible to all palates. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, flavors from every corner of the country, and an energy that invites sharing, the city becomes the perfect place to travel through Argentina by way of its cuisine.