The best cheesecakes in Buenos Aires: 8 places to try

There are places where ordering “something sweet” is an impossible decision because the display case has the upper hand. At Moshu, everything started in Saavedra in 2017, with in-house baking, specialty coffee, brunch and a collection of cakes that quickly became a signature of the café. The Red Velvet Cake is its undisputed star. Today, it has two locations: the original one on Saavedra’s boulevard and Moshu Treehouse in Palermo, a space surrounded by greenery and featuring eye-catching architecture, designed for lingering over a meal, a coffee or a long brunch.

Among the cakes, the Mon Limón is one of the café’s most special creations. It’s a New York-style cheesecake, made with a special blend of cream cheeses and a house-made cookie crust, topped with lemon curd and finished with Italian meringue. The result combines creaminess, acidity, freshness and different textures in every bite.

The menu also includes the Forest Cake, a creamy, fruity cheesecake with berry coulis, and the Cheese & Oreo, the most indulgent option, combining cheesecake, Oreo cookies and dulce de leche. They all follow one of Moshu’s main principles: generous portions. The cheesecakes are available as mini cakes weighing around 350 grams, ideal for sharing between two or enjoying solo if the craving calls for it, while the whole cake is made to order and serves six to eight people.

The tip: Moshu is also behind Jornal, its modern bakery and all-day deli café. If you’re a cheesecake fan, it’s worth trying the Basque Cheesecake there, a sort of cheesecake sibling, creamy in the center with its characteristic toasted top.

Where: Moldes 3802, Saavedra.

“La Vasco is, without a doubt, one of our most beloved products and it’s currently our best seller,” says Daniela, Routine’s owner and pastry chef. “What mainly sets it apart is its texture: it’s a very creamy preparation, with a very small amount of flour, just enough to give it some structure without losing the creaminess that makes it so distinctive,” she adds.

The menu also features special flavors and limited editions that change depending on the occasion. Some weekends, options are available only for those few days, a dynamic that creates anticipation among regulars. Varieties that have appeared on the menu include matcha, tiramisu made with specialty coffee, Earl Grey tea, dulce de leche and chocolate.

You may also like: 12 unmissable specialty coffee shops in Buenos Aires

“The idea is to always maintain the essence of the Basque cheesecake —that intense bake, dark crust and creamy interior— while playing with different flavors to create new experiences and surprise even those who are already fans of the original.”

The tip: It’s pet friendly, and you can sit out on the outdoor deck, which is equipped with blankets for cooler days.

Where: Viel 629, Caballito.

Not all cafés feel the same. At Zuka Café de Especialidad Grecia, the idea is to slow down and enjoy the moment, whether you’re working, meeting someone or simply taking a break. The space is pet friendly and the service adds to the experience: the staff are friendly, attentive and always welcoming.

Every cup has a story, and Zuka’s begins with Café Puerto Blest, pioneers of specialty coffee in Argentina since 2001. To go with it, there are sweet options such as the berry cheesecake, one of the favorites thanks to its texture, flavor and presentation, with generous portions that live up to the classic idea of “tasty and plentiful.”

The tip: It was nominated among the 100 best cafés in Argentina and South America.

Where: Grecia 3437, Nuñez.

A cozy atmosphere, modern aesthetics, a counter where you can sit for a while and a plant-filled terrace that practically begs for a long conversation. That’s Nicky Cheese. The concept draws on the essence of classic American diners, with generous dishes, friendly service and a space designed both for lingering and coming back. There are also vegetarian options, and you can order to go.

But there’s one undisputed star here: the cheesecake. The menu includes flavors such as Classic, made with the house cheese blend; Sheep Cheese, with sheep’s cheese and Manchego; Chocolate, with a blend of chocolates; Dulce de Leche, with organic dulce de leche and extra sauce; and Vanilla, made with vanilla beans. They can be ordered by the slice or as 24-centimeter cakes, and it’s also worth asking about the seasonal option.

The tip: Open from 9am to 8pm, the menu goes far beyond cheesecake, with American-style breakfasts, pancakes, cookies, sandwiches, bowls and salads for any time of day.

Where: Montañeses 2671, Belgrano; Migueletes 688, Palermo.

Some places seem made to turn an afternoon coffee and cake into a little event. Alma Canella has that effect: specialty coffee, creative pastry, generous portions and an atmosphere where every detail is designed to make you stay a little longer. And one feature gets all the attention: the Toile de Jouy porcelain tableware, specially designed for the café and finished with gold detailing.

The dessert menu has several contenders, but the chocolate cake with Oreo and the cheesecake are among the favorites of those who stop by. The result is a concept that combines flavor, presentation and an attention to detail that makes an everyday coffee feel a little more special. And if you’ve fallen in love with the tableware, there’s good news: you can take home a version of this exclusive collection.

The tip: The dessert menu is extensive and goes far beyond cheesecakes: there’s a cinnamon roll, walnut alfajor, pain au chocolat and caramelized apple crumble, among other options.

Where: Cnel. Ramón Lista 5098, Villa Devoto.

In the heart of the commercial neighborhood of Flores, Shiba Caffé has a covered terrace with tables and warm lighting, ideal for taking a break between shopping trips. The name refers to the Shiba Inu, the Japanese dog breed, and the menu features takeaway coffee, medialunas and options to start the day. It opens from 7:30am, making it a good stop for early risers looking for something delicious to go with their first coffee.

You may also like: Cafés that are a plan in themselves: 10 spots that go beyond coffee

The sweet star is the cheesecake, smooth and creamy, topped with berry coulis prepared specially at Shiba’s counter. The presentation has a story of its own, too: it arrives on tableware that pays tribute to the “Korean heart,” the gesture formed by joining the tips of the thumb and index finger, which even has its own emoji.

The tip: The latte + two medialunas deal is a good option for a tasty breakfast before heading off to your next stop.

Where: Felipe Vallese 3087, Flores.

There are cafés where you stop for a quick drink and cafés where the whole idea is to stay. Rondó is one of the latter. It’s a small, cozy space, ideal for a long chat, a morning of work or that coffee that somehow turns into an afternoon snack. The star is specialty coffee, paired with artisanal pastries made on site, with freshly baked sweet options to go with your cup.

It’s also pet friendly, so your four-legged companion can join you. Among the sweet options, the Pistachio Cheesecake is the most popular and one of the favorites among Rondó’s customers.

The tip: If you’re looking for something beyond sweets, there are also salads, sandwiches and tostones for a light lunch, always paired with specialty coffee.

Where: Uruguay 1048, Recoleta.

Some cafés are discovered almost by chance and end up becoming a neighborhood must. Malcriada Café, on a corner in Palermo, combines the aromas of freshly baked pastries, a relaxed atmosphere and a counter packed with treats that put your decision-making skills to the test. There are also outdoor tables where you can sit and enjoy your order.

The house specialty is its cheesecake with white chocolate cream, raspberries and pistachio, an indulgent yet fresh combination with plenty of textural contrast. The menu also features pastry classics, brownies, cookies and other cakes, as well as coffee and options such as iced Americano.

The tip: The matcha is first-harvest, from the Tsuyuhikari variety, known for its intense green color, fresh vegetal notes, soft umami and natural sweetness.

Where: Ravignani 1338, Palermo.