6 lunches that make leaving work (or home) worth it

Condarco is a favorite among Chacarita locals and foodies in general for offering a combo that has always worked, especially nowadays: a trendy atmosphere, a versatile offer, and very good cooking with great value for money. Famous for its potato omelet and cured fish, the menu features other equally tasty and well-executed dishes that change according to the best seasonal products.

During the week, they open at midday with a limited menu including porteño classics. Portions are generous at lunch, unlike at night, when the plan is to share small plates.

Lunch highlights include Swiss chard fritters with lactonesa, fried beef empanadas, creamy pumpkin soup with coconut milk and curry paste, and beef schnitzel with sides, among some staple options. They also offer two daily specials, one omnivore and one vegetarian, served with water, soda, or soft drink for only ARS 16,000. So far, they have served braised beef cheeks, king oyster mushrooms with mashed potatoes, goulash with spaetzle, curry, pomodoro meatballs, and eggplant parmigiana, among other homey recipes.

Where: Av. Dorrego 901, Chacarita.

La Alacena Pastificio is the second venue of Julieta Oriolo, a leading figure in Italian cuisine in Argentina. Originally a production center for her eponymous trattoria (just two blocks away), it quickly became a pasta factory, salumeria, grocery, and restaurant with artisanal products of unquestionable quality and comforting cooking that pays tribute to its roots.

From Monday to Friday, Julieta offers an executive menu with a main dish and drink for ARS 17,000 or ARS 21,000 with dessert. The menu changes daily, featuring one hot and one cold Italian-flavored option. They have served tonnarelli alla arrabbiata, Swiss chard pasqualina with greens, ham ravioli with pomodoro and parmesan fondue, and zucchini schiacciata with wedge potatoes, among others. The sweet offerings alternate between homemade mixed flan, bread pudding with cream, and affogato.

All recipes are traditionally made, especially their pasta, handcrafted with semolina rimacinata, organic farm eggs, and filtered water. To take this mental trip to Italy, the venue offers two picturesque dining rooms and a heated terrace.

Where: Cabrera 4002, Palermo.

Mica Najmanovich and Nico Arcucci have probably created one of Buenos Aires’ most distinctive restaurants. Anafe has no borders or edges. It is the product of travel, experience, and curiosity, guided by seasonality. Last year, they opened La Ventana de Anafe, Anafe’s daytime and informal facet offering breakfast, brunch, and lunch.

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Although there is a fixed menu dominated by soups, tarts, and sandwiches, the focus here is on their executive lunch menu, which for ARS 21,500 includes a main dish and dessert of the day. Options include polenta with meat sauce and meatballs; chicken schnitzel with glazed vegetables and crunchy lettuce; chickpea curry with peanut rice, chutney, and green sauce; and a Latin chicken bowl with sesame rice and refried beans. Halloumi can be added for a vegetarian option. Desserts include pavlova, trifles, crepes with fresh fruit or homemade cheese and sweet preserves. Tip: Anafe will soon add Executive Fridays with an all-you-can-eat salad bar plus a protein of choice, water, a glass of wine, and coffee, priced between ARS 25,000 and 30,000.

Where: Arévalo 1375, Palermo.

Asato is a classic go-to for sushi in Buenos Aires. Located in the North Zone, it is the first venture by the renowned Roy Asato, also behind the famous ramen spot Orei, Noodles by Orei, and the new tapas and sparkling wine bar Pasaje Victoria.

If you want to elevate your midday break with quality and lightness, this is a place to note for its great value. There are combos of eight rolls for ARS 23,010, nine nigiri sets for ARS 25,020, and a 16-piece omakase option for ARS 35,760, all including a drink and iced tea. Their fusion-style pieces are made with traditional techniques, the freshest daily catch chosen by Roy, and local ingredients giving a unique identity. The pieces are large and flavorful. For those who prefer a hot dish, various yakimeshi options come with salmon empanaditas, priced between ARS 11,450 and 12,870. Enjoy a minimalist and cozy atmosphere on a quiet corner of Olivos.

Where: Corrientes 584, Olivos.

Few places have generated as much hype as Yakinilo, a 2024 opening that quickly went viral and caused FOMO for many, and for good reason. This small venue with just a bar and twelve stools promises (and delivers) one of the most authentic experiences in the city.

It’s an audio microbar inspired by typical Japanese izakayas, run by José Delgado (Cang Tin and Tony Wu) and Andrés Guanipa. At night, the menu offers starters, yakitori, and traditional sushi, but at midday the plan is different, with à la carte starters and two daily dishes served with tasty miso soup and water. The kaisen donburi is an unmissable gem and can be ordered any day Tuesday through Saturday: a bowl of sticky rice with fresh catch of the day and trout roe (ARS 28,500). Each day features one additional special. For example, Tuesdays have grilled trout with rice, sashimi, and salad (ARS 27,000); Thursdays feature a highly praised ribeye schnitzel with Japanese curry, rice, sashimi, and salad (ARS 27,000). It’s like having lunch in Tokyo while listening to vinyl records played on a Hi-Fi system.

Where: Dorrego 1551, Chacarita.

At the back of the beautiful Pasaje del Correo in Recoleta is BIS Bistró, owned by the prestigious chef Gonzalo Aramburu—read the exclusive interview here—and recognized for the second consecutive time by the 2025 Michelin Guide Argentina as Bib Gourmand. This alone is a great reason to visit, but there’s more: their midday menu is a best-value experience worth trying.

In a cozy bistro with classic vibes, globe lamps, bench seats, and large mirrors, you can enjoy familiar flavors that reveal the talent of chef Ramiro Zabala and the quality of seasonal products used. There are two options: main and dessert for ARS 26,000 or starter, main, and dessert for ARS 32,000, accompanied by a glass of Terraza de los Andes wine (or a non-alcoholic drink) and coffee. The porteño-spirited recipes change daily, featuring perfectly cooked pasta, meat, or fish of the day. Some highlights? Omelet with blood sausage and alioli, tagliatelle with Brussels sprouts and garlic, wood-fired flank steak with sweet potatoes and gremolata, roasted fish with carrot purée, and pear tart with cream.

Where: Vicente López 1661, Recoleta.