Cozy plans to enjoy the Buenos Aires winter

Some winter pleasures need no introduction. And the hot chocolate + churros combo at La Giralda is definitely one of them. This downtown gem has kept its spirit since 1951: carved mirrors, shelves full of bottles of all kinds, vintage furniture, and a wooden counter.

If you go in the afternoon, you can enjoy a classic porteño afternoon snack. But if a craving hits you at lunchtime, there are lunch options too. In winter, when your body asks for something sweet and warm, it’s almost mandatory to stop by one of their two locations and treat yourself to some unhurried moments. They have two branches: the original legendary one on Avenida Corrientes and the recently opened one in Mercado San Nicolás.

Where: Corrientes 1453 y Av. Córdoba 1750 (Mercado San Nicolás).

A great winter plan? Go to MALBA, get lost among iconic artworks, and finish with lunch at Coronado, the new gastronomic hotspot inside the museum. Their kitchen draws inspiration from Argentine classics and seasonal products, with a contemporary touch led by Martín Lukesch. The ambiance matches: elegant yet relaxed, with park views and a cocktail bar (Martini lovers, take note).

Also of interest: Buenos Aires museums worth visiting

The menu includes specialty coffee and a unique feature: custom vinyl trays in the center of the room for evening music sessions. Art, design, good food, and a perfect mood to shelter from the cold. What more could you want?

Where: Av. Figueroa Alcorta 3415.

Some places need no introduction, but we love telling their story anyway. El Ateneo Grand Splendid is much more than a bookstore: it’s an architectural gem, a cultural walk, and a perfect refuge for cold days.

Exploring its three floors is a journey in itself — with endless bookshelves, original frescoes, and a majestic dome. But the coziest spot is the old stage, now a café with armchairs, hot coffee, and a privileged view of the main hall. Ideal for going alone with a new book under your arm or sharing a slow conversation amid red curtains and open pages.

Where: Av. Santa Fe 1860.

Some dishes warm you more than a sweater. Raíces Cocina Casera’s locro is one of them. Thick, steaming, and full of flavor, it has the power to stop time. As mentioned in the Time Out Buenos Aires & Bars Guide, it’s among the best in the city — and every spoonful confirms it.

It’s not just a meal: it’s a winter scene. Sit down, grab your spoon, and let that warmth flow from the plate to your chest. A perfect plan to reconnect with homemade, simple, and truly comforting food.

Where: Crisólogo Larralde 3995.

Few things compare to entering Teatro Colón — here’s their 2025 schedule — and feeling how history, acoustics, and the beauty of one of the world’s most important theaters envelop you. Monumental and majestic, its main hall is considered one of the best acoustically worldwide.

And while seeing an opera, ballet, or live concert there is a near-sublime experience, the guided tour of the building is worth every step: marbles, stained glass, velvets, and legends in every corner. We recommend checking the program before you go, both for shows and for guided tour schedules and updated prices.

Where: Cerrito 628.

Stepping into La Ideal is like becoming part of Buenos Aires’ belle époque. Reopened in 2022, it preserves its 60 stained-glass dome and that atmosphere only achieved when every detail is cared for. Having tea here is a stylish and distinguished journey to the past.

The toasted sandwiches come out perfect and are a must at this historic café: crunchy, melted, and tasty. Pair them with a hot coffee under the luminous dome. It’s not just eating: it’s taking a moment for yourself, leaving the world outside, and feeling that time deserves a pause.

Where: Suipacha 384.

This is not a grill. It’s a ritual. At Fogón Asado, fire is the protagonist of a sensory experience that elevates Argentine asado tradition with a contemporary twist. Sitting at the bar — literally around the grill — lets you see every technique, cut, and detail up close. There are no tables here: everything happens in front of the fire, with a glass in hand and the irresistible aroma of pasture-raised meat cooking nearby.

Part of the 2024 and 2025 Michelin Guide, the experience is by reservation only, with a fixed tasting menu and limited seats. Advance booking and punctuality are required because everything starts with the heat of the embers. Ideal for an intense, intimate, and 100% Argentine night.

Where: Gorriti 3780 y Uriarte 1423.

Some places never go out of style. They have history in their walls and magic in the air. That’s Los 36 Billares, a notable bar that honors the word’s meaning. Founded in 1894 on Avenida de Mayo, it keeps its period architecture and bohemian spirit alive.

Downstairs, away from the noise, is one of the city’s best pool and billiard halls, with tables over 120 years old and an atmosphere of slow games, focused looks, and the clatter of balls.

Fun fact: its name comes from the original table manufacturer. Today there are 8 billiard and 9 professional pool tables, and you can even take lessons if you want to learn to play like a pro. Or just go for a different kind of night, in a bar with history, with coffee and vermouths like old times, and that unique mix of porteño charm and sport with style.

Where: Av. de Mayo 1271.

If there’s a perfect postcard of Buenos Aires, it’s a tango night. La Ventana Tango is one of the best ways to experience it. In the heart of San Telmo, this restored historic tenement hosts a show full of porteño mystique: tango, folklore, highland music, boleadoras, live orchestras, and dancers who make the floor vibrate.

Also of interest: The best milongas in Buenos Aires

The show features 32 artists on stage, including two traditional orchestras (one being the legendary Gran Orquesta de Juan D’Arienzo), a quintet, singers, tango dancers, a folk ensemble, and a ballet with tap dance and Argentine passion. Before the show, you can join a tango class or a wine tasting, and the experience includes a gourmet three-course dinner.

Where: Balcarce 431.

In the heart of the Recoleta neighborhood, down some discreet stairs, is bimbi-nilo, a listening bar that seems straight out of a ’70s movie. Low light, comfy armchairs, softly clinking glasses, and a turntable spinning jazz, soul, or some exquisite musical rarity. It’s a perfect winter plan: intimate, sensory, warm.

Also of interest: 9 secret spots to discover in Buenos Aires

Music plays on vinyl, carefully curated by the owners or guest DJs and selectors. The sound is a gem: high-fidelity equipment, legendary speakers, and acoustics designed so everything flows like an old listening room. The menu adds signature cocktails and a nice wine selection. bimbi-nilo is not just a bar, it’s a mood.

Where: Pagano 2750.

If you’ve ever skated at Winter, you’ll understand Margal’s magic. In the same place — yes, the same one — you can put on your skates again and relive that adrenaline of spinning, falling (a bit), and laughing a lot. Only now you might come with your kids, friends, or a date. Because yes, ice skating always has something romantic, you have to admit.

The rink is open every day from 1 PM, and no reservation is needed. From 3 PM, the craft brewery also opens, adding a tempting extra: draft beer, burgers, and some snacks. And when night falls, the rink lights up with music and bright lights. Ice party! If you come with little ones, it’s best to arrive earlier to enjoy the calm.

Where: Yerbal 1617.

Some winter nights call for nothing better than sitting around a hot pot. At La Fondue, every table feels like a movie scene: skewers dipping into a creamy mix of aged cheeses, long conversations, red wine, and crunchy bread.

This Palermo spot has a warm gourmet store vibe — hanging hams, Italian pasta, premium preserves — and serves classic fondue with gruyere, fontina, and a touch of kirsch, plus a darker beer-based version and a chocolate fondue with fruit and sweets that’s simply irresistible.

Where: Seguí 4674.