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[title]It’s always a good idea to revisit how restaurants evolve. Here you’ll find Time Out’s recommendations on where to eat in Mar del Plata that we published last summer. All of them are still going strong. Let’s take a look:
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Proyecto Pescado (this year they won the Prix Baron B. A different kind of fish experience. Find them at Faronortemdq and cervezaslascuevas in Chapadmalal)
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Bai Bai Café (a surfer-style bar in Chapadmalal. Creative salads and sandwiches. Perfect for a relaxed sunset)
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Corte y Confección (elegant yet warm, great value for money, calm atmosphere. Author-driven cuisine)
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Trattoria Napolitana Véspoli (here we tell you about our experience in the home of the famous sorrentinos)
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Parrilla Perales (star dish: suckling pig. Classic grill. Old-school waiters)
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Asian Ghetto (chaufa rice, choribaos, red curry, Thai chicken)
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Montecatini (homemade pasta, generous portions, a renewed classic)
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Fish Market Fishmonger (fried seafood, fresh fish, calamari rings)
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Il Calabrese Ice Cream Shop (wide variety of artisanal ice creams, rotating flavors)
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Chauvin (where haute cuisine meets art)
All of these places are gearing up for a great summer 2026. To this list we’re adding more hotspots to keep handy, plus a few stops along Route 2 to start feeling the holiday vibe—and some picks in Pinamar and Cariló as well.
Where to Eat on Route 2
Every trip to the coast starts on the road—because the journey is part of the fun. Here are three options to shake up your usual stops.
1. La Matera
A few years ago, this was the secret spot on Route 2 to stop for a massive sandwich. Today, it’s well on its way to becoming a classic. La Matera has been around for 20 years and specializes in gourmet roadside sandwiches.
They’re generously loaded and meant to share. Most ingredients come from local producers. You can also buy preserves to take on vacation—or back to the office instead of alfajores (the savory team will be thrilled).
Pro tip: If you’re two people, choose the sandwiches together and ask for them cut in half to do the classic “half and half.” We recommend the spianatta and cheese with sweet-and-sour peppers, and the homemade matambre and cheese with pickled eggplant. Ideal pairing.
Where: KM 157, Route 2, Lezama.
2. Café Que Va
Café Que Va is a lovely family-run specialty coffee shop at kilometer 174 on Route 2, in the Castelli area—a perfect midpoint before reaching your destination. Save it for your next trip. Not only do they make delicious treats and great coffee, but the back garden is beautiful—an invitation to slow down, let your dogs sniff around, and shake off travel stress.
You might also like: The best specialty coffee shops in Mar del Plata
Pro tip: If you’re the kind of person who wants everything fast and complains about prices for no reason, keep driving and stop at a gas station for burnt coffee and plastic croissants.
Where: Km 174, Route 2, Castelli.
3. Ama Gozua
Just past the 200 km mark from Buenos Aires you’ll find the revived Ama Gozua, a classic in the town of Maipú. Bodegón vibes, generous plates, friendly service. This isn’t a pit stop—it’s a place to enjoy. The “marriage” is a must at least once: XL homemade chorizo and blood sausage, a generous portion of fries topped with two fried free-range eggs. It’s a bomb.
Pro tip: The homemade matambre with Russian salad tastes like grandma cooking for the whole family. Homemade vegetable ravioli and the “classic” pork loin are also unmissable.
Where: KM 274, Route 2, Maipú.
Restaurants in Mar del Plata
1. Lo de Fran
Little by little, Lo de Fran has become the go-to table for straightforward fresh fish: grilled abadejo, tender baby squid, clean tiraditos, and the catch of the day handled with a simplicity that always puts the product first. Francisco Rosat, a Mar del Plata native trained in Basque kitchens, returned home to open this modern cantina that blends bodegón spirit with contemporary service.
Pro tip: The fideuá (paella made with short noodles instead of rice) with the catch of the day and a deeply concentrated broth. Don’t miss the dessert: dark chocolate curls with sea salt and olive oil.
Where: Av. De los Trabajadores 171.
2. La Casa Vieja
A Mar del Plata classic that may not be a social media darling, but is highly respected by locals. It’s right across from the well-known “La Gruta de Lourdes” promenade in the port area. The most famous dish here is the risotto, but the menu travels through seafood and pasta alike. Gratinated mussels are highly recommended. Portions are generous—let the experienced waiters guide you.
Pro tip: The starter of toast with chopped garlic, anchovy and butter already feeds the soul.
Where: Magallanes 3990.
3. Lo de Tata
An essential stop in La Feliz. A trademark of a city that knows how to sell its catch—and here you’ll find it simple, whole, and without disguises. Lo de Tata’s calamari are near perfect: fresh breading and frying, served with aioli. They work with all the fish varieties coming out of the port, adapting to the season.
You might also like: Lo de Tata, the honest cooking of Mar del Plata that rescues home flavors
Pro tip: At least once in your life, try the Neapolitan milanesa with sorrentinos and fries—an emblem of Argentine cocoliche cuisine.
Where: Avellaneda and La Rioja.
4. Frank’s Pancho Marplatense
A tip you’ll be grateful for when hunger hits hard (and your budget doesn’t). Frank’s is the place for hot dogs in Mar del Plata. They open early, close late, and treat toppings like a religion. The Italian with pepperoni is wild. There are endless combinations—and no one should tell you how many fries to add to your hot dog.
Pro tip: Don’t skip the milkshake section.
Where: Alberti 1775.
5. Sur Restaurante
Sur Restaurante’s reputation rests on a simple formula: fresh product, classic cooking, and service that makes you feel like a regular from your first visit. Its strength lies in seafood—garlic shrimp, Galician-style octopus, wreckfish and seafood stew—consistently well executed. Book ahead.
Pro tip: A classic dessert here is Crepes Suzette, the French pancakes that perfectly close out a good dinner.
Where: Alvarado 2763.
6. Sin Nombre
Many classics will surely be missing from this list—Mar del Plata has an outstanding food scene. The idea is to mix things up, so it’s worth closing the chapter with a newcomer: “Sin Nombre”. A vermouth bar by Fran Rosat (owner of Lo de Fran), led by bartender Agostina Elena. Very cool atmosphere, relaxed yet polished, focused on cocktails. The menu travels through Spanish tavern classics: croquettes, chistorra, tortillas, patatas bravas.
Pro tip: Pair the creamy ham croquettes with the house vermouth, soda and orange. You won’t regret it.
Where: Mitre 3121.
Where to Eat on the Argentine Coast
1. Tante (Restaurant – Tea House)
Tante is living history in Pinamar and Cariló. Founded by a family and now under new ownership, it maintains its German tradition on the menu. Specialties include seafood, rice dishes and fish. There’s goulash and a rare dish: Lomo Pilz Rostbraten (stuffed with provolone and mushrooms—a classic Austrian recipe). A great spot for afternoon tea.
Pro tip: Not cheap, but reliably worth it. Keep an eye out for card promotions this summer.
Where: Av. De las Artes 35, Pinamar. Av. Divisadero 1470, Cariló.
2. El Atlántico Restaurant/Beach Club
Recommending beachfront restaurants in Argentina is always a challenge—ownership changes often, and experiences vary year to year. El Atlántico in Pinamar, however, has a consistency and reputation that earn it a spot here. Located at Bunge and Del Mar. No mysteries: calamari, seafood platters, abadejo, seafood risotto are some of the standouts.
Pro tip: The sea view justifies paying a bit more.
Where: Av. del Mar and Bunge, Pinamar.
3. Demuru
Demuru, by chef Pedro Demuru, is a solid choice for those looking for generous, personality-driven author cuisine. Highlights include the Demuru Provoleta—a simple but flavorful starter—and dishes that best showcase the chef’s hand, like the hearty and distinctive venison pie. Keep an eye on the catch of the day, usually spot on.
You might also like: Pedro and Franco Demuru: pasta, street food and a project to share
Pro tip: In addition to signature dishes, there are great sandwiches and a quality kids’ menu. Reservations recommended.
Where: Castaño 274, Cariló.
4. Punto y Aparte in Costa del Este
Costa del Este has been gaining ground as a destination in recent years. Some saw it coming long ago—like Punto y Aparte, which earns its place on this list. A mix of bodegón and author cuisine, with a homemade spirit and vintage aesthetic. Truly owner-run. It combines a varied menu with its own wine cellar. Standouts include sorrentinos, homemade gnocchi, meats in generous sauces, fish and seafood. They often host live shows.
Pro tip: For something different, try the stewed venison or teriyaki prawns.
Where: Las Camelias 350, Costa del Este.