10 restaurants serving chicken, the protein making a comeback on Buenos Aires menus

It's impossible to talk about chicken in Buenos Aires without mentioning Mon Poulet, the Franco-Argentine rotisserie by beloved celebrity chef Christophe Krywonis. Yes, there are tarts, salads and other dishes, but the undisputed star is the roast chicken.

They use small, top-quality birds that retain their juiciness while roasting. Cooked on a charcoal- and wood-fired rotisserie, the chicken develops a subtle smoky flavor before being brushed with herb butter and served. The proper way to enjoy it? With your hands, alongside crispy potatoes.

Good to know: Poulet rôti is a French culinary icon, and Christophe's version—simple though it may be—is among the city's finest.

Where: Av. Federico Lacroze 1724, Palermo.

Chef Santiago Pérez's cooking feels fresh and contemporary, yet nostalgia is always at its core. He constantly revisits the comforting flavors of his childhood, and nowhere is that clearer than in Mambo's signature chicken and rice.

His version features juicy, spice-rubbed grilled chicken breast served with crispy rice, demi-glace, endives and shichimi, the Japanese seven-spice blend. It's a beloved family classic reimagined for today.

Good to know: Beyond its excellent wine list, Mambo's cocktail program includes several signature drinks designed specifically to pair with the food.

Where: Malabia 820, Villa Crespo.

Continuing the nostalgia theme, an Argentine bodegón classic appears on one of the city's newest menus. Felisa has quickly become Colegiales' hottest steakhouse, where just 25-year-old chef Gianlucca Zago has turned his creamy spring onion chicken into one of the restaurant's signatures.

Slow-cooked on the grill, the chicken stays wonderfully juicy, both white and dark meat alike. It's served with a rich spring onion sauce, deep-flavored demi-glace and whole-grain mustard that cuts through the richness beautifully, then topped with curls of fresh spring onion.

Good to know: Wine director Valentina Litman's list includes several international wines by the glass worth exploring.

Where: Zapiola 1353, Colegiales.

Chuchú is Facundo Kelemen's charming new restaurant next to the National Railway Museum in Retiro. Its extensive menu focuses on expertly executed Buenos Aires classics—and chicken appears no fewer than four different ways.

You can order grilled quarters, chicken with mushroom sauce, an extra-crispy chicken Milanesa or a hearty Caesar chicken sandwich on focaccia.

Also of interest: Allenby, Eastern Mediterranean Flavors in Recoleta

Good to know: Parking downtown can be a nightmare, but Chuchú offers valet service.

Where: Avenida del Libertador 405, Retiro.

At Ness, one of the standout openings on Buenos Aires' new dining circuit, chef Leo Lanussol treats ingredients with remarkable finesse, combining live-fire cooking with deep sauces, fermented elements and fresh herbs.

His orange chicken has become an undisputed favorite. It's rare to see a table without one. Grilled chicken leg quarters arrive with beautifully crisp skin and a lightly sweet orange sauce that never becomes cloying. Pair it with the watercress salad—it’s a winning combination.

Good to know: Ness also has a wine bar at the entrance, perfect for enjoying a glass while waiting for your table or stopping by for drinks and snacks at a lower price point.

Where: Grecia 3691, Núñez.

Félix Babini recently took over the kitchen at Casa Cavia and has completely reinvented its legendary menu. One of the heartiest dishes is the whole baby chicken, roasted and glazed until deeply golden, served with charred carrots and silky carrot purée.

The idea is to begin politely with cutlery, but finish eating with your hands—even in such an elegant mansion. Finger-licking is encouraged.

Good to know: Casa Cavia's bar offers an impressive selection of alcohol-free cocktails that even dedicated drinkers appreciate.

Where: Cavia 2985, Palermo.

Roast chicken is wonderful, but sometimes only fried chicken will do. Anafe's version is exactly the kind of comfort food that satisfies every craving. It began as a weekend lunch special, but diners loved it so much that chefs Mica Najmanovich and Nico Arcucci made it a permanent fixture.

Exceptionally crispy, coated in a glaze that's slightly sweet with a gentle kick of spice, it's almost impossible to stop at one serving.

Good to know: Anafe has moved two blocks away from its original, iconic location on Virrey Avilés—don't head to the old address.

Where: Virrey Avilés 3383, Colegiales.

Peking duck is one of China's most iconic dishes. Inspired by it, Germán Sitz and Pedro Peña created Niño Gordo's Peking chicken: roasted, glazed and finished over the grill.

As a playful tribute to Buenos Aires rotisserie culture, it's served with Japanese-style Russian salad. It's a delicious multicultural mash-up.

Also of interest: Chuí, the Villa Crespo Spot Reinventing Fire-Driven Cooking

Good to know: The entire restaurant is a work of art, but sitting at the counter, surrounded by open flames and quirky toys, is an experience not to miss.

Where: Thames 1810, Palermo.

Staying with Asian cuisine, we head to Belgrano and Walter Lui's effortlessly cool Hong Kong Style. Several dishes feature chicken, but one is especially perfect for the colder months: Taiwanese drunken chicken.

The rich casserole is built around three essential ingredients: rice wine, soy sauce and sesame oil, along with caramelized garlic, plenty of ginger and fresh basil. Be sure to order steamed white rice to soak up every last drop of the sauce.

Good to know: The turnip omelet may not sound particularly familiar to Argentine diners, but it's one of the restaurant's finest appetizers.

Where: Montañeses 2574, Belgrano.

To finish, another beloved Middle Eastern classic gets a poultry makeover. At Farid, Malcom Lancioni's restaurant celebrating the flavors of the Middle East, the shawarma is now made with chicken.

The meat is richly seasoned, the skin crisps into something resembling crackling, and it's paired with roasted tomatoes, fresh vegetables and the restaurant's signature yogurt sauce. Add an order of potato chips for the full experience.

Good to know: Malcom is passionate about sparkling wine, and his thoughtfully curated selection of Argentine bubbles is perfect for pairing.

Where: Fernández de Enciso 3791, Villa Devoto.