Around the world in 10 dishes: where to eat international cuisine in Mendoza

If there's one city that knows a thing or two about pizza, it's Naples. And in Mendoza, Bigalia takes the task of honouring that tradition very seriously. Located right in the heart of Mendoza city, this pizzeria follows the original recipe of the Accademia Nazionale Pizza DOC, using Italian wheat, San Marzano tomatoes and slow-fermented dough that rests for 48 hours.

The result? Authentic Neapolitan pizza, with a puffy, airy crust, a thin centre and ingredients that speak for themselves. The Margherita is its signature dish, although the Burrata e Prosciutto, topped with Parma ham, fresh burrata, cherry tomatoes and basil pesto, is also well worth trying. A little escape to Italy, no passport required.

Top tip: Neapolitan pizza has one distinctive feature: its centre is so thin and flexible that you can fold a slice to eat it, just like they do on the streets of Naples.

Where: Sarmiento 776, Mendoza city.

Food is also a way of keeping your roots alive. And Leyla Mussi Saffie and Claudia Elaskar know all about that. The two cousins, descendants of Lebanese immigrants, decided to pay tribute to their family history through Líbano Cocina, a restaurant located in Terra Malva, Luján de Cuyo.

Their concept brings together traditional recipes with a contemporary approach, where hospitality, generosity and gathering around the table are just as important as the flavours. From breads, dips and cheeses to meat dishes, every preparation offers a little taste of the Land of the Cedars, celebrating inherited aromas and customs passed down through generations.

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Top tip: For those looking to explore Lebanese cuisine in greater depth, the restaurant offers a tasting menu featuring more than 20 traditional dishes for ARS $70,000. It's a great opportunity to try a little bit of everything and discover some unexpected favourites.

Where: Av. Roque Sáenz Peña and Santiago Corvalán, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza.

Some recipes are passed down through generations, while others become part of a city's history. La Marchigiana manages to do both. It all began in 1948, when Fernanda, an Italian immigrant from the Marche region, arrived in Mendoza with her children after the war. Two years later, she opened a restaurant that would go on to become a classic of Mendoza's dining scene.

Today, more than seven decades later, the Barbera family keeps that legacy alive through homemade pasta, recipes passed down through generations and a kitchen that champions fresh, seasonal ingredients. It's a genuine journey to the Italy of family meals, shared tables and comforting dishes that taste as though they were made by nonna herself.

Top tip: La Marchigiana Centro hides an underground wine cellar with room for 40 people, where guests can organise gatherings and dinners accompanied by some of Mendoza's finest wines.

Where: Patricias Mendocinas 1550, Mendoza.

In Guaymallén, there's a place where Peruvian flavours come with a family story. Sabrosura began as a tribute to the mother of its owner, Henry, who came from Peru and started selling homemade food at weekends, dreaming of one day opening her own restaurant. Today, Henry and his wife Azucena, who runs the kitchen, keep that legacy alive.

The menu is an invitation to explore the diversity of Peruvian cuisine, from ceviches made with different types of fish to jalea de mariscos (fried seafood), pescado a lo macho (fish in a rich seafood sauce) and other dishes combining seafood, bold sauces and traditional sides. Generous flavours that transport you, if only for a while, to the streets of Lima.

Top tip: At lunchtime, they offer a set menu inspired by Peru's popular everyday lunches, including soup, a main course and a drink. Ask for the chicha morada, a traditional beverage made from purple corn.

Where: San Juan de Dios 331, Guaymallén, Mendoza.

Travelling to Thailand without leaving Mendoza is possible, at least for a little while. Right on Peatonal Sarmiento, Khaosan Thai Food offers an experience that goes far beyond what's on the plate: its décor recreates Bangkok's famous Khaosan Road, complete with advertising signs, travel agencies and tattoo parlours that transport visitors straight to the heart of the Thai capital.

Originally from Córdoba, this restaurant aims to preserve the identity of Thai cuisine through traditional recipes and ingredients imported from Southeast Asia. Its menu brings together intense aromas, spices and the region's characteristic flavours, with dishes that can be adapted to different spice levels and dietary preferences, including vegetarian and vegan options.

Top tip: Khaosan works alongside the Thai Embassy to promote the country's culinary culture. You can also choose how spicy you want your food, which is ideal for anyone keen to explore these flavours without any unexpected surprises.

Where: Peatonal Sarmiento 65, Mendoza city.

You don't need to cross any borders to enjoy a proper Mexican night out. In the heart of Palmares Mall, Taco Azteca takes diners on a journey through Mexico's most popular flavours, with a menu featuring tacos, burritos, fajitas, nachos and other dishes made for sharing.

After 13 years on San Martín Sur, the restaurant found a new home in the shopping centre, where it now occupies a colourful two-storey space filled with nods to Mexican culture. Its cuisine, however, has a distinctive twist: some recipes are adapted to Argentine tastes, replacing traditional corn tortillas with wheat ones, for example. It's a local take on Mexican food that encourages diners to explore different combinations of meats, sauces and seasonings.

Top tip: Alongside its regular menu, Taco Azteca serves tacos al trompo, inspired by one of the most popular cooking techniques found in Mexican taquerías. It also hosts all-you-can-eat taco nights, perfect for anyone who wants to sample several varieties.

Where: Av. San Martín Sur 2875, Godoy Cruz, Mendoza.

With more than two decades of history in Mendoza, Cantina La Rambla, run by the Collado family, keeps its Catalan roots alive through traditional recipes, warm service and the welcoming spirit of Spanish dining, where there's always time for one more dish.

Its menu takes you straight to Barcelona, with specialities such as paella, the classic Spanish rice dish, and fideuà, a similar preparation that swaps rice for noodles. To round off the experience, there's nothing better than crema catalana for dessert. It's all served in a family-friendly atmosphere where it's not unusual for the owners or chefs themselves to stop by your table and ask how you enjoyed your meal.

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Top tip: Paella and fideuà are two of the restaurant's standout specialities and, according to the team, have even earned praise from Spanish chefs visiting Mendoza. If you're dining with a group, both are well worth considering.

Where: San Juan 1436, Mendoza city.

Little parcels of dough filled with delicious ingredients, steamed and served with sauces that enhance every bite. That's what dumplings are all about, and they're one of the most popular dishes in Chinese cuisine. They're also the stars of Miss Murita, a food venture based in Dorrego that brings Asian flavours to Mendoza.

The menu features five varieties of dumplings: pork, beef, chicken, salmon and soy, which can be paired with different homemade sauces. The offering also includes vegetable, noodle and stir-fried meat woks, spring rolls and General Tso's chicken, among other specialities. Everything is designed for enjoying a great Asian meal without having to sit down at a restaurant.

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Top tip: Miss Murita operates exclusively through delivery and takeaway. Its wok dishes arrive in those classic Chinese takeaway boxes we've seen countless times in films, making them ideal for an Asian-inspired night in.

Where: Gualberto Godoy 688, Dorrego, Guaymallén, Mendoza.

Some culinary journeys let you discover two cultures in a single dish. That's exactly what happens at Fabric Sushi, a restaurant concept that began in Palermo Hollywood in 2008 and later arrived in Mendoza with its take on Nikkei cuisine, combining Japanese techniques, Peruvian ingredients and a generous dose of creativity.

Located on Avenida Belgrano in Mendoza city, the restaurant offers a menu where sushi takes centre stage, although you'll also find tiraditos, ceviches, baos, gyozas and other Asian specialities. Among its standout sushi rolls are the Truchón, made with Patagonian trout, avocado, black garlic and kimchi sauce, and the Tari Tari, which combines salmon tataki, spicy tartare, almonds and crispy filo pastry. It's an experience full of contrasts, where citrusy notes, spicy flavours and surprising textures come together in every bite.

Top tip: If you fancy something beyond sushi, try the Katsu Sando, a reinterpretation of the classic Japanese sandwich made with breaded beef steak and katsu cream.

Where: Av. Belgrano 1069, Mendoza city.

In India, spices are an essential part of a culinary tradition that brings together unforgettable aromas, colours and flavours. And in Mendoza, Royal India offers a taste of that world through a menu where spicy dishes, vegetables and aromatic preparations take pride of place.

Its specialities include samosas, small fried pastries filled with potatoes and vegetables; traditional naan and chapati breads; fragrant spiced rice dishes and a variety of curries. Behind these recipes is Nara Bahadur, a Nepalese-born chef who spent much of his life in India before bringing his culinary experience to the restaurant's kitchen. Cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and saffron are just some of the ingredients that turn each dish into an invitation to discover the richness of Indian cuisine.

Top tip: To accompany the spicier dishes, try a lassi, a traditional yoghurt-based drink that can be sweet or savoury and helps cool down the heat. It's a great way to round off the Indian dining experience.

Where: San Lorenzo 656, Mendoza city.