Where to Go on a Date

Ultramarinos is the date for those who choose the sea over meat. The second outpost of chef Maximiliano Rossi—recommended by the Michelin Guide 2025—hides in Chinatown like an aquatic refuge where time slows down. Once the oversized door closes, the bustle fades away: stone, wood, and warm lighting set the scene for a low-and-slow kind of night.

The kitchen is a journey: oysters, razor clams, mussels, pacú, surubí, mullet, bonito… all treated with technical obsession and deep respect for Argentine fishing. There are two ways to approach the date: ease into it tapas-style (the crispy potato with trout roe or Hernán Viva’s anchovies on brioche are instant heart-stealers), or go all in at the counter and let the team guide you while watching dishes like baby squid with ink sofrito, razor clams in XO sauce, or char-grilled catch of the day come together.

The bar delivers sharp cocktails (try the Umami Martini—an elegant scandal) and a wine list curated by Diana Mejías that isn’t encyclopedic, but knows how to surprise. The dining room is built for conversation: well-spaced tables, an open kitchen that adds without intruding, and an intimacy that lets you talk, eat, and share without distractions. A date for those who truly love seafood.

Where: Arribeños 1980, Chinatown, Belgrano.

Build your own board, choose your wine, and settle in. Inspired by the U.S., this new Zona Norte opening is already shaping up to be a summer date favorite. Selvaggio landed in San Isidro with a simple yet distinctive concept: self-serve cheeses, cold cuts, and quality cured meats, paired with a carefully selected wine list for effortless pairing.

The format is ideal for two: no rigid schedules or fixed menus. First you build your board, then choose your wine—with glass recommendations based on pairing. Everything flows naturally, relaxed and unpretentious, perfect for letting the conversation find its own rhythm.

The space works hard in favor of the mood: modern, warm, and full of cozy corners. There are comfy sofas, intimate tables, plant-filled areas, fire pits, and a huge patio that becomes the star at sunset. It’s the kind of place where you plan for one drink and end up staying all night.

At the back, the wine cellar is the jewel of the experience: a more private room with labels ranging from imports to local boutique wineries. Perfect for adding something special to the night—without solemnity or excess noise.

The takeaway: Selvaggio works as an after-office plan, a first date, or an easy meet-up: good food to share, well-chosen wine, and an environment that invites you to linger.

Where: Av. Fondo de la Legua 59, San Isidro.

Gris Gris is the perfect date for those seeking effortless intimacy. Inspired by Japanese jazz-kissa, this listening bar in Palermo creates a mood you won’t find anywhere else: low lighting, obsessively curated vinyl (more than 400 records in rotation), and hi-fi sound that envelops without overwhelming. The bar complements the experience with delicate cocktails and a natural wine selection that encourages experimentation without getting technical.

This isn’t a dinner bar—it’s a place to connect. You sit, listen, toast, and let the conversation unfold naturally. Ideal for a first date where music acts as an accomplice, not background noise.

Where: Cabrera 5918, Palermo.

Albur is a strong opening move for a first date when you want to impress without being obvious. It occupies the basement of the historic El 35 theater, closed for over 40 years and restored with obsessive care by Raquel Rodrigo and set designer Alberto Negrín.

The ambiance channels the Golden Age: century-old black-and-white checkered floors, beveled mirrors, hand-dyed textiles, and acoustics designed so each table feels like its own world. Chef Adrián Aguilera’s kitchen balances tradition and modernity—familiar flavors, contemporary techniques—but the real differentiator is the concert format: in-house orchestras, musical direction by Damián Mahler, choreography by Gustavo Wons, and moments when the dining room becomes a stage. Here, a date isn’t just dinner—it’s narrative, aesthetics, and an intimate energy that raises your pulse without raising its voice. A spot for those who want the night to have a story from minute one.

Where: Av. Callao 435, San Nicolás.

Sendero is a date that sells itself: you start with fine dining overlooking the river and end up dancing without ever leaving your table. Inspired by listening bars and festive restaurants across Europe and the U.S., the space plays with warm lighting, curated music, and a sensory ambiance that creates intimacy from the very first moment.

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The kitchen gets straight to the point: product first, ego zero. Standouts include Patagonian trout, sole with caper butter, crispy prawn tacos, pumpkin agnolotti, and Argentine classics like breaded ribeye milanesa.

The bar does its part with fresh, balanced cocktails and a wine list designed for easy pairing—perfect for keeping the conversation flowing. And as the night goes on, the mood shifts into dance-floor energy: good-looking crowd, high vibes, and no need to ask, “So, where to next?” For an ambitious first date, this is home turf.

Where: Av. Costanera Rafael Obligado 6600, Costanera.

If you’re looking for a first-date spot where conversation flows without trying too hard, Wino is a win. Here, wine isn’t an accessory—it’s the core of the experience, curated by sommelier Matías Iwao with over 120 labels and a section of historic vintages spanning 1975 to 2024.

The atmosphere supports the plan: green velvet sofas, an amphora at the center like a totem, and lighting that encourages you to slow down, order a glass, and let the night unfold. Federico Gauna’s kitchen focuses on smart sharing plates—vegetable-forward, textural, meant to complement rather than compete with the wine.

Between weekly flights, varietal-specific Riedel glasses, and a 2-for-1 happy hour from Tuesday to Friday, Wino turns the date into a shared discovery: no posturing, just connection. Ideal for a “let’s grab a drink” that turns into a memorable night.

Where: Thames 1347, Palermo.

Victor Audio Bar is the kind of first date that makes you feel like you’re in New York without leaving Palermo. A listening bar in the heart of Soho where classics rule: elegant American cooking (crudos, fried chicken, ribeye) by Pedro Peña and Germán Sitz—the duo behind Niño Gordo—and a Martini-driven cocktail program by the team from Tres Monos, consistently ranked among the world’s best bars. Inspired by RCA Victor, the space pulses in analog mode: vinyl records, a DJ booth next to the bar, custom-designed acoustics, and even a jukebox operated with headphones so everyone can choose their own soundtrack.

Mid-century aesthetics, fine woods, and warm light slow the pace and turn up the charm. If you’re after a date with personality, music that enhances the mood, and a bar that understands the romance of a Martini, Victor is the spot where you feel part of the movie the moment you walk in.

Where: Soler 5130, Palermo.

Just steps from the National Library, Invernadero is Buenos Aires’ temple of draft gin—fresh, aromatic, and poured straight from the tanks. The vibe is relaxed, with outdoor tables and serious small plates: mushroom milanesa with aioli and herbs, sweetbread cracklings with corn purée and miso, sautéed bok choy, and other shareable options. If you’re into well-made gin and tonics, good music, and a cool setting where conversation flows naturally, this is the place to go as a couple and linger for hours.

Where: Agüero 2502, Recoleta.

Overo Bar is a wine bar that makes you feel at home without losing its charm. With a terrace you’ll instantly fall for—soft lighting, well-set tables, and that calming Palermo breeze—it’s ideal for disconnecting together.

The wine selection is impeccable: small producers, rare finds, and by-the-glass options that invite conversation without turning academic. Start with charcuterie and cheeses, move on to a sandwich or something more substantial, but the key is trusting the team: they read the table’s mood and always suggest something spot-on. For a quiet night, good wine, and uninterrupted conversation, Overo is the plan.

Where: Nicaragua 4583, Palermo.

Florería Atlántico isn’t just a hidden bar—it’s a Buenos Aires institution. Created by Renato “Tato” Giovannoni, a key figure in global mixology, it holds an elite spot on the world map and was named Best Bar in South America by The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023.

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The experience begins before you enter: you pass through a flower shop and descend into a basement that hums like a European club, with a long bar, menus that tell immigrant stories, and cocktails blending local ingredients with cultural references. Low lighting, measured music, and the “port refuge” concept create the perfect intimacy for a first date: there’s magic, narrative, and a vibe that encourages conversation without pressure. Ideal for impressing without missing the mark.

Where: Arroyo 872, Retiro.

CoChinChina has everything you want for a special night: standout ambiance, great conversation without club-level noise, and signature cocktails that elevate the plan. With the stamp of Inés de los Santos—one of Argentina’s leading figures in cocktail culture—CoChinChina has cemented itself as one of the city’s best cocktail bars, with international recognition among the world’s top bars.

The décor works in its favor too: a blend of Franco-Vietnamese aesthetics, low light, murals, and intimate corners that invite you to relax and connect. Most importantly, the drinks tell stories, with innovative processes that spark conversation (beyond just “what are you having?”).

Where: Armenia 1540, Palermo.

Doppelgänger is a San Telmo institution: a no-nonsense bar and a temple for serious exploration. Its menu features over 100 cocktails, from flawless classics to house creations that challenge the palate, always executed with precision. The atmosphere is intimate, with low lighting and old-school aesthetics that invite couples to settle in for hours—one tastes, the other chooses, and the night unfolds glass by glass. The kitchen supports the plan with shareable dishes designed to sustain the evening—no throwaway snacks here. If you’re looking for a date where the ritual of the bar is the main event, Doppelgänger is a must.

Where: Av. Juan de Garay 500, San Telmo.