Buenos Aires Cafe Reviews

2021- We were the ONLY customers this afternoon at 2pm. Happy New Year but that doesn’t apply to this establishment. They are SO happy with themselves that they IGNORE the customer.....waitress was ill/not friendly. I called the establishment twice after we left since I eat out for a living so I’m pretty lax. I was asked by the owner if I wanted to give her “etiquette lessons” when I reported my experience. What owner of a restaurant in a pandemic asks that? Wow. I’m blown away. Beware of this place and I wouldn’t support if you value “customer service” and basic good manners. Go elsewhere.

We had the empanadas as an appetizer which were delicious then the steak sandwich with chimichurri sauce which was truly special. They pride themselves on using high quality ingredients which was evident and the service was excellent as well. They have spectacular desserts. I had a tart with a chocolate crust and raspberries on top that our waiter said was the favorite of the staff and I could definitely see why. I will return.

tried argentinian food for the first time and was pleased. nice atmosphere. busy at lunch, but got a table right away. best thing there was the empanedas. If I went back, I might just order a few for lunch and skip an entree.

Ordered the beef cutlets. Of the four, only one was edible; the others were tough and full of gristle. Like the location. Service was good.

In the Galleria corner of Hwy 71 and RR 620, we parked right in front on Sunday, and in the free parking garage arond the block and just behind on Saturday. Saturday my wife and I had the Angus Burger and substituted a mixed salad for the french fries. It was happy hour and drinks and food were a better value. Happy Hours -- Monday-Saturday 3:00 to 6:00 pm. The Angus burger was overcooked on the the outside, but just right on the inside. It must have been seared over a flame that burned the outside of the burger meat. I would not get this again, although the salad was good, and an extra $2.00 over fries, which came as a surprise. Sunday, my wife and I had Canalones caseros, and three Polo Empanadas, and both were very good. Our son had the New York Strip steak ($39.00). He said it was excellent. With only two drinks total, the bill with tax and tip for the 4 or us was ~$150.00. I recommend to eat at Happy Hour (not on Sunday) for a better value.

We arrived for a late lunch during happy hour, lucky for us...very good martini was $5. We selected a couple of appetizers: olives and empanadas (large selection, we had the spicy beef, chicken and spinach) to go with cocktails...all very good. The chimichurri sauce was excellent. One had the mussels appetizer as a meal which was plenty and some of the best ever eaten. Other had Lomito beef sandwich, not quite as good but still tasty. Friendly, attentive service.

get the Caiprihna

There is nothing too special about this restaurant. The food tasted average and the service was sub par. The service was slow and the food was what you would expect. The prices were high for the size of the portions.

I travel alot and try to hit up the Argentinian Restaurants where ever I go. Was in town with my Parents , who are Argentinian, thought we'd try this place out, reviews sounded good. Guess was expecting too much. Didn't try the empanadas or appetizers, over priced for what I was seeing others get. Just went for the main course. Food was bland and, I think, way overpriced for what it was (shepherd's pie, milanesa, canneloni). Guess it was okay for someone who wouldn't know any better but grew up on Argentinian food and was expecting more. I do not mind paying more for food, and the presentation was good but in the end just meh..even had to ask for some bread, which when serving pasta or meals with sauce, seems like a given and for the price these meals should come with a salad ....Service personnel was friendly but in general slow, not very attentive, all in all, not impressed at all and will not be returning. P.S. Argentinian background music would have been nice instead of the techno music and the decor, well, I just don't know. It seems like a nice place to just hang out with a group of friends for a drink but as far as Argentine cuisine and atmosphere, not impressed. Won't be back.

My husband daughter and I ate lunch here to celebrate my daughter passing 4 AP courses. We enjoy trying international food and had never tried an empanada...oh my they were AWESOME. All the food was really great, the atmosphere was really nice and the service was good! We really enjoyed our visit.

As we SLOWLY get back to some of our favorite restaurants, it is good to see that they are doing a great job of creating a safe environment AND keeping their product standards high. We were very pleased with both results! This is an excellent restaurant that is well worth your consideration when you are in the Galleria. There are many good options--as I have review in the past--for an excellent meal at this location, but Buenos Aires is at the top of the list. Parking is limited (and more so now because of the slots reserved for take out orders) at the front of the restaurant, but there are spaces behind the restaurant. You have to search a bit, and a better alternative is to walk to the restaurant from one of the stores you last shopped. I can assure you, it is worth the walk. Actually, it is good to walk back to your car to work off the calories--the portions are large! The wine list is short, but very good.

Great food! My wife and I visited Buenos Aires Cafe this week. We tried all their empanadas...delicious, especially while drinking a cold refreshing Quilmes (Argentinian light beer). As main dishes we shared a Gnocchi Quartet and a Pastel de Papas. Both plates had a very nice presentation and great taste. For dessert we chose the panqueques as recommended by the very friendly and knowledgeable waitress that took good care of us. Even the expresso was good. Overall this little restaurant that might not say much from the outside offers a superior dinning experience, and at very reasonable prices. Definitely will go eat there again next time we visit Austin.

Overpriced! Over-rated! Why this restaurant shows a 4-Star on TripAdvisor is beyond me. Read through more than the first few reviews as this place was a complete waste of money! Whomever is managing it, needs to step up their game! Out of several wine bottles we wanted to order. Out of several small bites too. Out of Grouper! Out of ribs! And on and on. It was ridiculous. And the restaurant still had 90 min to go before closing time. Had the cannaloni. Two small ones - $18! Swimming in a creamy sauce that was okay. Spinach salad dripping in dressing with too much salt! Portions are small but prices are large! Wine selections , considering they are all argentinian - were TERRIBLE! Drank water instead. Service was friendly but didn’t match the quality of the high priced food. You want to charge top dollar - then provide top-notch service. We were never offered dessert, coffee, had to ask for water refills, never checked on us during the meal - just bad all around. I recommend one of the many food trucks surrounding the restaurant instead!

I lived in Argentina for about 6 months and it's hard to find a restaurant that can do more than just steak when they say "Argentinian." Buenos Aires Cafe's staff made us feel welcome, even in the mad-dash of SXSW, and even though their menu was more limited for the conference, it was very tasty. We had a couple of their empanadas, a salad as well as milanesa. We also had some cocktails, which were great!

This was our second visit here. Service and food were better the first time around. The Mussels were an exception to the previous statement, they were outstanding. We ate them all and sopped up all the juice. The Churrasco Steak was good but not great. The Spinach and Crispy Fries I ordered with were a mixed experience. Both were huge portions so I ended up with too much food. The Spinach was good and I'd order it again. I didn't care for the Fries, they were too thin and too crispy so I wouldn't order them again. With the sides the steak ran $44 and isn't a very good value. The Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken got a "okay" and "decent" assessment. At $25 it seems pricey for a pasta dish, but in it's defense there was a lot of chicken. The Lemon Pie we shared for desert was delicious. Service was quite spotty - great at times and then long periods where we couldn't get anyone's attention. We were in the side room and that may have been part of the problem.

My wife and I decided to go out on New Year's Eve for dinner and a movie... Something very different for us. I heard good and bad about the Cafe but I wanted to see for myself. We were both very pleased with the food, service atmosphere and music that evening. The food was not only very good but the presentation was fabulous! We had to have desert and found that as delicious! I strongly recommend this Cafe for a great meal and experience. P.S. Anthony was the perfect waiter!

Waitress forgot our water, forgot the appetizer and the main course was stone cold so we had to send it back to be heated. One couple shared an entree and the bill was still quite expensive. Banned.

We loved this cozy little place. It has a romantic feel with delicious food and great wine list. The wait staff is excellent in suggesting things. We loved the chicken dish as well as the pork tenderloin entree. The owner is a pastry chef by nature so make room for the yummy quatro leches cake. It's a great way to unwind after a long week.

My wife and I were walking around East Austin and ducked into this great restaurant to escape the heat. The Empanadas are excellent and reason enough to come back. The service was impeccable! Thank you!

Was a little concerned when we booked this restaurant as our last two visits were unsatisfactory. This time, however, we were very pleased. The featured fish entree was great and the brussels sprouts were probably the best we've ever had. Our waitress was outstanding and the price was reasonable. The only problem was the seats were very uncomfortable. They need to provide pillows as some other restaurants do.

First visit to the BA in Hill Country Galleria area, invited as guests by friends. They (2)arrived at 5:20,were seated at 4 top ordered appetizers, and drinks,we arrived at 5:45,no service staff came to table to check on newly seated guests, at 6:07, staff came to table,we began placing our HH order inc Lomito beef sandwich and was told the sandwich was not available bc HH was over, NO HH times are printed on the HH menu- the only food menu on the table! Waiter simply said he'd return with dinner menus - no apology for not getting back to the table before HH ended, even to the 2 guests that were already drinking and eating,much less new guests. We order dinner 1. First seated guests should have been told HH times since they started with HHand it was theonly menu offerd..2.we should have been acknowleged upon arrival,with tableware and water 3..when our dinners approx $40 pp were brought to the table, we had to request our dinnerware & waters. I took the time to look online,HH is posted as 3-6. Info missing from HH menu, and service not attentive for any hour. undecided if we will return,parking is a hassle. Nice ambience,furniture and setting heavily worn for upscale dining presentation.

desserts are above and beyond!

One of our regular stops. Extra good desserts and pastries.

We had lunch in the East 6th location back in March 2013. We ordered great sandwiches (prosciutto, milanesa) and then alfajores de maizena with espresso. Everything was very good, and I highly recommend this place.

This rates as one of the most unique, if not the best, restaurant in the Lakeway / Bee Cave area. Recently had both a lunch and dinner at Buenos Aires Cafe. Food / Wine: - Wide variety of Argentinian-style appetizers & entrees including pork, chicken & pasta as well as traditional beef dishes - Very good selection of Malbecs and other wines from Argentina with other options - Soup: currently only served for lunch. The day I was there, it was an excellent potato & spinach puree Service: - Very friendly & usually prompt. When busy, slows down. Worth the wait for the food! - Allowed us to sample multiple Malbecs that we were not familiar with before we selected what we wanted for dinner Atmosphere: - Nicely separated into multiple small rooms - Main dining area located next to bar area, however, it is not intrusive. The overall ambiance is very pleasant and once inside you would think you were in a cool restaurant in a major downtown area or abroad.

I attended a business dinner at this unique restaurant on 6th east of I-35. Great atmosphere, live music, and extremely attentive wait staff. We had some Malbec red wine from Argentina which was quite good! For appetizers we all tried the different empanadas. They are small bites, which I enjoyed, and which left one room to try several kinds. Several of us had the special - which was one of the best steaks I've had - cooked Medium Rare to perfection and with a very interesting and tasty sauce (Chimichuri). Finally the desert was to die for (Quatro Leches)! I would definitely recommend this small restaurant and plan to return when I am back in Austin.

We were trolling for a new place to try on a Friday evening and happened upon Buenos Aires Cafe on East 5th Street. We had been to the South Austin location once before (there are 2 of them) and thought it was nice, but we were blown away by the East Austin restaurant. The food was beautiful and eye-catching, and everything was cooked perfectly. Our two adult sons are fairly serious carnivores, but they both opted for the vegetarian offerings, which were excellent and creative. I had the snapper, which came with a jicama salad (the first time in 40 years someone has gotten me to eat jicama - it is a vegetable I normally hate) and shrimp ceviche. My husband had the shepherd's pie, a normally plebeian dish, which was even tasty. All in all, a good find.

This neat little place in the Hill country galleria is something a little different. Argentinian food mixed with things like gnocchi, crepes, almost french in nature. All very good and a Argentinian and South American centric wine list. The room is great too with giant wall murals and a jazz trio when we were there. Definitely out of the ordinary and awesome!

Authentic and delicious. One of the best restaurants I've eaten at in Austin.

An interesting restaurant. I was with a group of friends, perhaps 12 in total. The restaurant will not split a bill although they will take different credit cards. The menu is limited but interesting. The dishes are listed with their ethnic names but the waiters only use descriptions, so you may order Chirasco, but he will say Strip steak. Our waiter was a BFA graduate in theatre and he worked really hard at being cute and charming and personable. Would have been better had he worked at being a waiter. Lots of pep and charm - but he missed an appetizer and while he scooted around asking if everything was ok, he never stayed still long enough to hear an answer. When the mistake was pointed out to him - very defensive. The strip steak was very good, although medium is what passes for rare in other venues. The asparagus was well cooked but relatively tasteless. The mashed potatoes were from a mix, and cold. I don't mean not warm, I mean outright chilly. Wine glasses were removed before anyone had a chance to order additional bottles or without asking if people were through - so when another bottle was ordered more glasses had to be found. Took a long time to get the bill, even longer to get it collected and another wait for the cards and receipt to be returned. There was music - a violinist and guitarist who were quite good. And styrofoam boxes were quickly produced to take home uneaten food Except for the potatoes. It's an interesting place that needs work, especially in the staffing department. If I lived in Austin I'd wait a month and try it again.

My husband and I have wanted to try this place for a while and finally did. We had heard service was slow, but we had no issues at all. Service was good, wine selection was good, and the food was fresh and delicious. We shared a couple of empanadas, the breaded steak cutlet, and the spinach crepe with bechamel sauce which was delicious! We will definitely be back!

Enjoyed on a recent Friday evening with my wife, son, and girlfriend. Although we made a reservation, we had to wait a few minutes for our table as the restaurant was very busy. We stood at the bar for over ten minutes hoping to have a drink before dinner, but with only a single bar tender that turned out to be a futile task! After we were seated the service was a bit slow, but certainly friendly. The food was excellent and the wine list and drink menus were solid. Overall, the experience was good, with the exception of the slow table service and non-existent bar service.

The restaurant has a wonderful atmosphere and we had the pleasure of hearing a piano player last Saturday evening. We ordered empanadas, queso, mussels, and the churrasco. Everthing met our expectations except the mountain of french fries that came as a side dish to the steak. We were a big group and all agreed that a better side dish could be prepared by the chef. For $22, a salad or steamed vegetables would have been a far better choice. The wine was wonderful, desserts and coffee stelar. And our waitress was the best!

We visited Buenos Aires for happy hour and really enjoyed it. I'm pretty sure that wine by the bottle is half price every day during HH. Although we didn't have any the night we were there they had a nice selection. They also have some Belgian Ales and other beers. They are most famous for their savory Empanadas so we had one with chicken and one with spinach and cheese- which reminded me of Greek Spanakopita. They had flaky crusts and were very tasty and $3 each. We tried the spicy beef and the tuna on a second visit and preferred the first two. Also we enjoyed the following: "ESPINACAS Organic baby spinach, feta cheese, fuji apples and spicy roasted pecans tossed in honey balsamic vinaigrette, MUSSELS AL VINO BIANCO Steamed mussels tossed in white wine and garlic. $10 "(Excellent) and shared the "CANELONES CASEROS Two flavorful handmade herb crepes: Roasted Portabella - eggplant crêpe finished with salsa rosé Fresh Spinach - mozzarella crêpe finished with salsa béchamel and marinara. Topped with fresh parmesan. 14.99" We will definitely return for more.

This addition to the one downtown is even more wonderful. The empanadas are exceptional and their chimichurri is a wonderful complement to their dishes. The entrees we have tried have all been delectable and the service is attentive, but not annoying. Great p[lace for a family dinner.

The crust of the empanadas was damp and grease, they have been frozen defrosted and reheated, the portobelo caneloni where stiff and dry. Pathetic

Wonderful food as usual. Empanadas are a delight, and tasty. Chicken was tender. Steak was seasoned just right. Medium is pretty pink inside. The cake with strawberries and cream was great but the portion was a bit small.

I was in Austin on business and was recommended this place to try for dinner. The food did not disappoint. I got an empanada for an appetizer, which was great and the daily special, which was a filet with chimichurri sauce. Probably one of the best steaks I've had. Service was lacking a bit, but it may have been a one-off. If you're in the mood for something just a little different, give this place a shot.

Feels like a small, cozy upscale bar with a wonderful menu - not "bar food". Some local/organic options, nice salads, wraps & sandwiches plus full entrees. They offer both full and half size salads & sandwiches.

Well where do I start how can you seriously justify $60 for this plate seriously. This place is super expensive and honestly not worth it's nothing out of this world. You could go to Fuego de Chao which is a great restaurant incredible service pretty much for the same price.

I heard so many great things about this place but they refused to seat us even when they had open tables so we left.

Very charming and grat food very reasonably priced

After seeing the positive reviews I tried hard to like what we were served, but there were just too many flaws in what could have been a decent meal. A medium-rare steak came medium-well done. Veggies were cold and uncooked. Appetizers were small, not heated, and with one exception unappealing. I can't prove it but I'd bet they were pre-cooked, frozen and microwaved. My dessert was something called a "submarine" described in elegant terms but what turned out to be a glass of warm milk with chocolate syrup, unmixed. What any of this had to do with Buenos Aires left a large question mark along with a singular disappointment. Maybe this was the chef's day off?

a specialty and an art. Live Piazolla quartet plays tango music some nights. Over good experience.

Just went out to the Galleria location a few days and we couldn't be happier. Many years ago we went to their old, much smaller location on South 1st and were very underwhelmed. Glad to see things have changed quite a bit since then! I ordered the petite steak, medium rare, with chimichurri sauce and it was one of the best restaurant steaks I've ever had. Contrary to another person's post, I wanted fries with mine and was very happy with what they gave me. Service was really great, and everything our waitress recommended was spot on.

I was visiting some friends, and they took us there. This place is amazing! I had the chef's special, which an angentinian lady prepares her dishes with passion. It was wonderful! The tab a bit pricey, but what hasn't gone up these days. Definitely don't miss out! Oh, and BYOB!

My son and I eat out a lot whenever I come to visit. This restaurant was a wonderful discovery and we will definitely return. We started with tapas-chicken liver pate, creamy and delicious with thin slices of bread, Empanadas carne suave and the pork special with just the right amount of heat, then moved on to the shepherd's pie and canelones caseros. The shepherd's pie was a generous serving with just the right amount of heat. The canelones caseros consisted of two perfect, delicate crepes filled with spinach and provolone cheese covered with a mild red sauce and a light, smooth bechamel sauce. Absolutely fantastic texture and flavor. Bravo! The dessert was a tower of flourless chocolate cake, chocolate ganache and whipped cream. Nothing else to say but there were no leftovers. Wonderful service. Special place.

The vibe feels really good when you walk in, and they were very accommodating about my lunch group of 7. We all ordered different things, and everyone was very happy with their choices. I thought the empanadas were small--but that could simply be because my Carne Picante was so good I wanted more. I loved the honey/mint green tea, and the tomato/cilantro soup. In fact I wanted a taste off everyone's plate, although I managed to restrain myself. It's the sort of friendly, comfortable place that makes me want to come back and try five different things--especially when I need a change from BBQ, Tex-Mex, and the usual yummy ruts I fall into. The food is different enough to be interesting, but not so exotic that it's intimidating. I'll be back.

Friday lunchtime, cold wine, good service great company. Alone or with friends, light snack or hearty food. Buenos Aries has it all. We loved it loved it loved it. Really impressed.

It is a Saturday night, happy hour and the Galleria is packed with people attending the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Why would the manager have one overworked bartender at the bar? It took forever to be waited on, get our drinks, wait for water, and then our food. The bartender seemed upset, hurried, and did not have a pleasant attitude. But I guess I can't blame her in the circumstances. There were 2 people seating customers, and it would have made more sense to have one of them helping behind the bar. The food was just ok.

The newer one at the Galleria is as good as always, namely excellent. The one on theEast side has really fallen off, a shade of what it used to be. Although living in downtown Austin, I drive to the one at Lakeway Mall or don't go at all.

We went to the E 6th St location. Food was great, atmosphere was lovely (a bit rowdy though but it was a Sat night- so understandable).

Out of shrimp at 7pm on a Friday? Walk across the parking lot to Whole Foods, or across the street to HEB. At least tell us BEFORE we order! Meh food, slow kitchen. Ended up with the traditional gnocchi with, boring sauce, a couple of pieces of Parmesan and dry chicken. Overpriced for the quality. Uncomfortable wooden chairs. So noisy you can't hold a conversation with dinner companions. Waiter was fine, but that is not why we went. I REALLY wanted to like this place, but nope. There is much better food in Austin and many at a much better value. Won't be back.

the menu is somewhat small but the choices are variant and food is well prepared. The bar has a number of wine choices and the bartender prepares excellent drinks. The food portions are generous.. This is a very good location And this restaurant provides an excellent option for something a little different in Hill Country Galleria area and is an excellent option in the Hill Country Galleria area.

Visited on a busy Friday night. Sat at the bar after thunder and lightening drove us inside. No problem except our waiter - who had had a problem serving us outside - L-O-N-G wait for drinks, no silverware, had to beg for crackers, bread SOMETHING as my blood sugar was dropping- dumped our food and disappeared. Meanwhile we hunted up our own silverware and salt and pepper. Drinks empty. My chicken tasted as if it had sat on the counter too long before cooking. Finally flagged down our waiter and sent it back and asked for a salad. He did manage to get that to me quickly. While we ate at the end of the bar we watched a young man roll silverware into napkins. He touched the eating surface of EVERY knife and fork with his fingers. When we gently discussed it with him, he assured us his hands were really clean! I reminded him again as he continue that I didn't want his fingers touching somthing that I would put in my mouth. He finally moved his operation out of our sight where he could touch without us watching! Our waiter didn't charge us for the chicken or the salad. Some woman in a chef's hat talked to some of the diners inquiring about their meals. Not us and there was no one around to report the silverware roller to. Next time, we'll wait for a table at Iron Cactus. Or even the pizza-by-the-slice place! Ick.

great food, but so so sooo tiny in there

I really like the ambience and service. Variety of tapas and other appetizers for happy hour and good dishes for dinner as well.

Been quite a while since I was here last, but I really like this place...from their in-house made chorizo to Argentinian grilled cheese in a cast iron dish, to a near perfect pisco sour...this particular bartender, brandon, knew his stuff....a very nice place for dinner ....in fact, their chorizo appetizer was so good, we decided to stay and I’m ordering the chorizo entree .... they have an outdoor seating area too, but was a bit chilly for me and we just stayed at the bar

I've spent a lot of time in Argentina, especially Buenos Aires. Several of the dishes here are close enough to be worth stopping in for a nostalgic fix a couple times a year. But at half the portion size and 3X the price of it's namesake's restaurants I don't come often. The empanadas are the worst culprit...literally 1/4 the size of the gigantes served all over Argentina--basically the national food along with beef. 3-4 of the real ones will satiate a grown man to bursting. A dozen will normally set you back under $10, often more like $6. Look, I realize the cost of living in Austin is still higher than BA (for now), but this place is located in a very ugly, low-rent location. General location off South 1st = great. Specific location at corner of Oltorf and S 1st = lousy. I haven't been to the east Austin location, so perhaps the ambiance there is more commiserate with the menu prices. But I'd rather them stay in a low-rent space and decrease the prices accordingly.

Chef Reina uses only local, grass-fed beef tenderloin for her entrees and this delicious sandwich that she serves pink, topped with her secret chimichurra sauce on a soft but crusty baguette from her own bakery. The frites--I can't even describe how delicious they are other than I ate half of them before I realized I hadn't started on my sandwich. But then, then I had to have desert, her famous Quattro Leche cake, the fourth milk being a dolce leche drizzle swirled in the tres leche sauce. But, if you want something really, really special that is totally vegetarian, you have to at least share an entree plate of her Argentine gnocchi as an appetizer that features potato, spinach and pumpkin gnocchi in a sauce that is indescribable. The 6th St. location is very charming and the clientele add a Bohemian flare that make this cafe scream "Austin!"

My wife and I have eaten at this restaurant in an Austin suburb several times over the past year. It is a small, newish place that specializes in Argentinian cuisine. For a lunch or happy hour stop, it has been great -- uncrowded, good food and good drink. This most recent time, we decided to try it for dinner on a Saturday night. This time, the restaurant was full, with a waiting list and the servers,(one) bar attendant and kitchen were stretched at or beyond their capacity to properly serve their guests. We had to wait (happily at the bar, however) for perhaps 45 minutes for a table, but there was a single bar tender to serve not only those seated at the bar waiting for tables, but all restaurant customers as well. This made for long waits and rather hurriedly made drinks, at least one of which we were forced to return as poorly made. Once seated at a table, our server was stretched to the limit, resulting in marginal table service. The kitchen initially provided our orders without the sauces and with cold side dishes, so we had to ask for correction. All of this said, the wait staff was very friendly, not defensive and acted immediately to fix the problems, and the live music available was really quite good. The lesson: don't go there on a busy Saturday night -- go for lunch, for happy hour or on a weekday evening, when the static staffing level is dealing with a smaller crowd, the food is unhurried and better, and the enjoyment and value for the customer is higher. But do go there.

I had dinner recently with a small group at this restaurant. They did not seem to be that busy, but the entire experience was a disaster, and Expensive Disaster. From the beginning the service was very slow. It took a long time for the waitress to take our order. After the order was taken, it took 40 minutes for our food to arrive. When the food finally arrived our steaks were COLD, cold steak at an Argentinian steak restaurant. While we were waiting for our food to arrive we had to beg for our bottle of wine. Our bottle of wine and glasses were just sitting on a tray by the bar. The host had to get up twice to get the waitress to bring our wine to the table. We were also charged for a bottle of wine that was not served. Unless you like interminably slow service and cold steak, I would urge you to avoid this place.

Went to this restaurant for lunch, party of 4. We ordered empanadas for appetizer. We really liked the soft meat and the chicken empanadas. The empanada dough is really good, almost like a laminated dough. I recommend the empanadas. We also had the churrasquillo, the cut is thin and taste. However, it is hard to compare it to the steaks at the steak houses in Texas. The chicken breast was juice and had a fresh herb taste. One of us got a sausage sandwich. He really recommends that. We also had a good Argentinian Malbec. Good spot for lunch.

Loved this off the beaten path restaurant! Atmosphere is fantastic and food has real Spanish flare. Must have the crab cakes and any of the empinadas. The spinach salad was fantastic and refreshing. My favorite main dish was the pork chops but I enjoyed my tastes of each plate. BUT, you must save room for dessert!! DEVINE! Or just skip everything and have dessert. Good wine selection and Sangria was not bad. If you are looking for something new in Austin, I would highly recommend this lovely place.

I ordered the gnocchi, my wife the lomito sandwich, and for the little ones, we ordered a shepperd's pie to share. Everybody was happy! Didn't order any drink, cause driving, but wife had a cold beer. Reasonable prices, taking in consideration the location.

I have tried the original cafe location and then again tried the Bee Caves location...Both were equally as bad and the service in the Bee Caves location was "NILL" did they have servers there??? I would not have known. will not try again

Ate here with my wife. Tasty salad and we had cheese too, also tasty. Delicious wine from Argentina, bold red, alas I forgot the name. Attentive service on the patio. I thought the price was 20% or so too high. But, we'd go back if around at dinner time.

We come here almost every time we visit Austin. It is located just out of the downtown on 6th street and we usually stop by here here for lunch on our way to the center. The service is always nice and the food is delicious. I think they also have milongas (tango dance parties) sometimes, but I haven't been to any yet.

Not a good experience. Service was indifferent, ordered appetizer never appeared and food when it arrived was lukewarm. Lamb chop special was good but served without the accompanying chimichurri sauce. Price was ridiculously expensive for the quality.

We visited this Hill Country Galleria location recently for lunch and had a fantastic meal and wine. The waitress was very knowledgeable and recommended the Lomito Beef Sandwich (tenderloin beef with a chimichurri sauce) and side salad. It was probably the best beef sandwich I've ever had. And I've eaten out a lot over my lifetime. SO good. It was an early lunch on a Saturday and the place was fairly quiet - lovely outdoor deck option too. Nice atmosphere. Great selection of Malbec wine. We will return!

I was asked to go to outside with my service dog when I walked in the door. The dogs collar clearly state service dog. I told Jojo that the dog was a service dog. Jojo told me I could go in the back room. the restaurant was completely empty. I asked to sit in the main room and was told my dog was too big. I asked why he couldn’t tuck under my feet as he is traiNed to do. after much resistance and an extreme attitude from Jojo I choose to not give any money to a place that is so insensitive to customer needs and laws. please thank twice before going here.

Empanadas were spot on, should have ordered more. Bone in Ribeye was very disappointing. Found a nice wine to drink but it was 4x market price. Server was totally overwhelmed with the table of 8. Food came to the table on the low end of warm. Had a great Martini at the bar which is harder to find than you would think. May go back but it would only be the two of us and we would downscale the food selection.

Great sounds if you like Sinatra, dark and family friendly too but can be sophisticated Good wine selection and decent prices Try Argentina version of shepards pie and nice wine

This authentic restaurant gave the true flavor of Argentina. Very authentic, flavorful, and it attractive meals. The service staff was out of this world friendly and extremely helpful all the way through out the meal. The wine list was extensive and we enjoyed several selections that were all very good. I would highly recommend this when going to the Hill Country Galleria or anywhere in the area.

This dining experience was a big disappointment mainly because of the lousy service. We waited 30 minutes to get our wine even though we asked for it twice. The waitress was unattentive. The food finally arrived about an hour and a half after we got there. Some of the steaks were cold and had to be sent back. We will not be going back. .

This is one restaurant I always make a point to visit every trip I make to Austin. The food is great for lunch or dinner, and they have a very good happy hour, also. They have a small menu, but always a good variety of tasty dishes with a few specials every day. They also have a desert case with many wonderful deserts which you can eat there or take with you. I have eaten here with a variety of family and friends, and everyone is always pleased with the food. Just love the authentic empanadas, and always get a variety of these for appetizer for the table. I had the trout special for lunch this time. It was a very good choice, with skin on and pan sauteed very crispy and fabulous. The endive salad that came with it was equally wonderful and unique, with almonds, peaches and a flavorful home made dressing. My daughter opted for a Hummus and vegetable wrap and asked if she could get some chicken on there, too. No problem! She loved it, and took half home for another meal. I'll definitely be back on my next trip to Austin!

I've tried the both the BAC in the Galleria and the BAC on E.6th. I like them both. What reeled me in were the empanadas. They're much better than the little empanadas I am used to getting at the coffee shops around town. When I upgraded to buying full meals I was hooked. Look for the specials, they're a great value. All of the food here has been good, and I look forward to every time a treat myself to lunch here because it's slightly more than my daily budget for food. Not much more, just slightly more. ($$) I find the servers and the people at the BAC in E.6th to even be slightly nicer than servers I find elsewhere. Love it. P.S. Not keen on the sandwich offerings, but the entree's are top.

Our experience at Buenos Aires was very different from what others have reported here, unfortunately. The service was just awful; after we were seated, no one came to take drink orders for 20 minutes. Then the drinks were a long time arriving. My (obviously pregnant) friend ordered cranberry juice with club soda. First, they brought only juice in a kid's cup with a top and straw. She sent it back for a glass with soda and cranberry. The glass arrived with only juice. In the end, she had to get up and go to the bar for a glass of club soda and add it herself. The restaurant was maybe 25% full at the time, so they weren't busy. We ordered the provolone appetizer, and it was a small pot of melted cheese and four very small slices of bread for $9. Definitely not a good value. The empanadas were good, but we requested chimichurri sauce, and they gave us one small cup for 7 empanadas. At one point, another waiter we had not seen before came over to ask about the service. He apologized, said he was not the manager, but he would let the manager know that our experience was less than optimal. They comped us two cocktails in the end, but the we never saw the manager. I am a local who will not return to Buenos Aires Cafe.

Okay so we ended up eating two plates of mussels and the special of the night. It was delightful. We would go back again and again and again. Our waiter Micheal was friendly, accommodating, easy going not to mention handsome and incredibly humble :) Shout out to Mike! This town is beautiful and we will definitely visit Bee Cave again.

This is a true gem hidden in the Galleria at Bee Caves. Wonderful menu selection, excellent decor and service second to none. Met some good friends at this place, not having anything to go on except it's name and boy were we pleasantly surprised to find it not only is a great place for dining, it also has live music to enhance the experience. All who attend should find it accommodating whether after shopping at the nearby stores, taking in a movie or just enjoying a free concert in the amphitheater.

Despite some of the "mixed reviews" for this restaurant, it is a great one on all counts--by our measures. They do a great job at a great price--at all their hours of operation. We really like all aspects of the place! All of the meals are greatly enhanced with an excellent (but limited) wine list. The beer choices are also good. The wait staff is responsive, friendly and well informed. They can make changes in the menu to meet the needs of very picky grand kids--as well as spoiled adults! However, given some of the negative reviews, you have to try this one for yourselves and draw your own conclusion based on your needs & expectations--we think you will like them! But, then again, that is why we are all a little different.

Three of us went on a Thursday evening at 7:00 pm, restaurant was about 1/3 full. Service was attentive, decor is a rich, comfortable style. Perhaps we should have ordered different dishes to get a real taste of the offerings available. We ordered an olive appetizer, described on the menu as marinated olives. Nice variety of olives but I did not detect any marinade. It was served with 4 rustic white bread slices. Would have liked a carafe of olive oil to dribble on the bread as there was none in the olive bowl. One person ordered empanadas, 1 Carne Picante and 1 onion and cheese. She said they were both pretty good but definitely needed the accompanying chimichurri sauce which was very good; lots of garlic and parsley. Two of us had the Pastel de Papas, described on the menu as an Argentinean shepherd's pie. Served in a crock, it was an ample serving size, but in my opinion was lacking in the ratio of raisin and olives to meat, could have used more raisins and green olives. I couldn't find any. Also, could have had a bit more mashed potatoes to make each mouthful balanced. Overall, I felt it could have had a bit more flavor, whether from "fresh herbs" as described on the menu or something else. It just seemed to be missing something! The crocks were not garnished or accompanied by bread, so it's overall presentation was lacking as well.

Great East Austin eatery. Good ambience, great service. Best of all, great food. Lots of wine to choose from, and traditional Mate tea, which was excellent. Had beautiful appetizer, Provoleta, fed 3 of us. Several different empanadas were ordered and devoured. The tuna empanada was a first. I ordered the Milanesa al Plato with fried egg. Great meal (pictured). Tried a couple different desserts. Quattro Leches HIGHLY recommended.

My wife and I have dined here twice since moving to Austin a few months back. This is a great option in the Hill Country Galleria. The food is excellent, reasonably priced and the pace of service is perfect for a date night.

2nd visit, and slightly disappointed. We ordered a $70 bottle of red wine and it wasn't even at proper temperature. The food was unanimously underwhelming. I had the gnocchi quartet and it was mushy and flavorless, except for the sweet potato which was overly sweet. The waiter upsold me to add Salmon but didn't mention it doubled the price of the entree. Overall, very expensive and the quality just wasn't there. Will go again...and hope for at least Argentinian music to be playing in the background.

We decided to check this place out after some friends told us about how great it was. We arrived during early Happy Hour around 4 PM. The place was essentially empty and we sat at the bar. A very friendly bartender explained the wines and gave us the wine list. The décor is distinctly "steakhouse" style and though we have never been to South America, I can imagine that this restaurant would fit right in down there. It appeared clean where we sat and the tables had plenty of room to allow navigation by patrons. I loved the music; the old easy songs from Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong and the like. Not too loud, just right for the noise level. So, you ask, what's not to like? Well, we ordered the house (read least expensive) red and white selections. Mine was the Tour 52 Malbec and spouse chose a chardonnay. Here is the first ding: large wine glass with a small pour. It definitely wasn't 6 ounces and probably not even 5. This was confirmed with my second glass (I always give them a second chance) which came from the last of an open bottle and partially from a newly opened bottle. It was poured into one of those small carafes which most likely hold around 6.5 ounces. The wine in the carafe barely came up to the shoulder. And, to make it better, the old bottle provided me a generous amount of sediment for my enjoyment. I notified our bartender (who was in fact, very nice to us) and she said "Yeah, that comes from the fermentation." Well, duh, I know where sediment comes from and it should not be in my wine glass. There was no offer to dump that glass and give me another. The Happy Hour price on these wines was $5 ($3 off the normal $8). Now I normally do not complain about a $5 glass of wine but when it only has about 4.5 ounces in it, I am not that pleased. It certainly would not be worth $8 during non-Happy Hour times. Take notice, these were the least expensive wines available. The Merlot was $10 and even if good, it would not be a bargain for $7, given the amount poured. Bottom line here is that I loved everything but the wine. Under poured and over priced, IMHO. They do have a HH martini for $5 but I did not sample that, expecting and even shorter pour there. Maybe we will return and try the cocktails during HH. Maybe not.

It's Argentinian, and so it's meat-centric. But if you like meat, it's a very good place. The Chimichurri sauce (their own recipe) is great, and the empanadas (particularly the spicy beef) are fantastic.

We can't comment on the food as we didn't eat here, however this was listed as a $ restaurant and the menus reflected $$$ prices. The menu was interesting and other diners' food looked good but we elected to dine elsewhere because they were short servers and were not seating in their outside dining area. It was quite loud inside and not conducive to conversation.

I travel to Austin from the mid-Atlatic area 2 or 3 times a year. I was very impressed with BAC on my last trip in the summer. I just returned from a December trip and dined at BAC with 3 others. My guests and I were all very impressed. The food, service and ambiance are all excellent. We had a variety of dishes, with raves by everyone. Included were: Pastel De Papas, and Pollo Al Horno. My favorite was a tender steak with chimichurri (?) sauce. All selections were well prepared and tasty. BAC has an excellent wine selection, and leave some room, if possible, for the deserts are very good as well. I had the Chocolate Crème Brulee which had a dash of cayenne pepper!! Loved it! You will enjoy this place at the Galleria.

I had lunch with friends here for the first time. Although we frequent it for diner this was the first lunch there. A mixture of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, I had the pork sandwich which was very tasty, moist and served nicely on a toasted hoagie. I was filling and very well done. My colleague had the chicken panini which he praised as well.

If you enjoy empanadas, this is you place. Located in the Hill Country Galleria, the staff are warm and welcoming and the food seems fresh and well prepared. We went for lunch and the salad/empanada combo was perfect. The soup was also very good. So, if you are shopping this area and need a quick bite . . . this is your spot.

We often visit Buenos Aires Cafe for Happy Hour. My wife usually gets the Lomito sandwich (Beef tenderloin on french bread). I get the half-pound burger which is made from beef tenderloin as well. The burger is cooked to my exact standards. Both meals come with pomme frites. During our dining experience I never fail to remark that the burger is the best burger, bar none, in all of Bee Cave and the surrounding area which is saying a lot. The burger is also available at lunch. Go try it. You won't be sorry. Buenos Aires is a great place to end the day in a quiet atmosphere enjoying suberb offerings.

This place was very interesting, cozy interior and a small live band on a Tuesday night! Wine was delicious and we loved the empanadas. Also had a muscles special and more empanadas. That sauce is excellent! Service was very good and the only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because wine was pricey. Two bottles of wine and a handful of appetizers for $100 (with tip) is a bit much!

Went with a friend and had the best empanadas ever and the quatro leches dessert was great too. Small place so make a reservation. Definitely a food highlight while in Austin!

My husband & I stopped here for a drink. After a couple of really good Quilmes, blueberry cheesecake & a chocolate dipped cookie, I can say this is my favorite little hangout! Loved the service & food.

Great Argentine food. The empanadas were crispy and very savory. Our meals were excellent! The live music string quintet was a joy to listen to.

Had the butternut squash soup and churrasquito. Quality was great. Had a little kick to it but nothing too hot. The ambiance was good and service by Chris was excellent. It was one of the few open on Dec 26th and we were glad to be there. My son had the empanizado steak and he liked it.

Wow- what an experience!! We had the chance to go to the secret speakeasy, Milonga Room, at the Buenos Aires cafe and it was extraordinary! The live music, the delicious drinks and fantastic empanadas were a blast. We probably way overstayed our welcome and literally closed the place down, but it was so much fun. I can't recommend it enough! Make sure you make a reservation so you can get the password to get in. You feel super hip when you have to come through a sneaky backdoor behind the parking lot and provide the password. If you're looking for a fun, authentic experience at a down-to-earth bar in Austin, don't miss Milonga Room.

Great food from a delicious menu. Service & atmosphere is wonderful with music groups that enhance the ambiance. We frequently eat here.

I LOVED Buenos Aires Cafe. It is beautiful inside, our waiter was SO friendly, and the food was SO good! I had an empinada and soup. The soup was so good I bought another order to go and ate it at home for dinner that night! It was by far the best soup I have ever had. I went back recently and it was just as good as it was before. I would HIGHLY recommend this restuarant!

An excellent Malbec wine, Panqueques de dulce de leche, empanadas de verdura and a Choripan sandwiche. BUT, the service was so so... could improve in knowlodge of argentine cuisine. The place has indoor and outdoor tables in a very good disposition.

The atmosphere is fantastic with a good decor and a terrace for when the weather is nice. We've been there twice so far and everything we have tried is good. The empanadas are excellent, steaks are great and the daily special was halibut and maybe the best I've ever tasted.

I was assigned the task of finding a location for a business dinner for a small group of people from three different companies. I searched on various websites to get an overview of what may be out there that I didn't know about. I had been to Buenos Aires Cafe a few months ago with a friend. I was really impressed with each course. So, I decided this would be the place. Everything worked fine from the moment we walked in through dinner. Everyone had some variation they wanted to what they ordered. Everything came out as ordered and everyone was happy. I'll be back.

Called this restaurant on Feb 3rd to book a reservation for Friday, Feb 14th. A young gentlemen told me that they would only take reservations for 6 or more people. I asked him if he was sure since it was Valentines Day and he told me yes, they will only reserve for 6 or more people. I double checked their opening time with him and was told that they open at 5pm so we made sure we were there at 5:05pm on Valentines Day to beat the rush. We were greeted by a very uppity host who told us that without a reservation we would only be able to eat at the bar. I politely explained that I had called almost 2 weeks ago about a reservation and he immediately got defensive and told me that it wasn't him that I talked to. I never said it was; I was just letting him know that we had tried to get a reservation well in advance and were told incorrectly that they would not be taking them. He didn't even apologize, just looked at us and told us that maybe they could work us in by 8pm even though looking around the interior it was almost empty. It was incredibly rude to not even receive an apology. We went to a competing restaurant just down the way from them and walked right in and were treated perfectly. I would never recommend this restaurant based on the incorrect information from the 1st employee and rude attitude of the 2nd. Good customer service is a must. Even if the food is perfect, when the service is bad it's not worth it.

On side street across from Amy's Ice Cream. Next to alley access to parking garage. We had pumking gnucchi appetizer (good, but not great) and Empanadas- (spicy beef, mild beef, and spinach filled -very good). I had a Mixta Salad, quite good. Daughter-in-law and I had Canelones Caseros, crepes filled with spinach,etc. (very good). My son had the Churrasco, 10 oz. NY strip (excellent, with a great sauce/herbs). My wife had a prime rib sandwich, (disappointing- meat on dry white bread bun, nothing else, and mostly bread). Her Margarita was very watered down as well. I had a strange new drink for me, and it was good.. I would go back, but careful what to order. I liked the new flavors. The service was slow. I was glad we were not in a hurry.

Have been here a few times and absolutely love the food, although it's a little on the pricey side. Last experience wasn't terrible, but could have been better. We were seated at a large table with extremely high chairs that were hard to move, and they sat very low, which made it difficult to eat. When we were ready to go, they said the credit card machine was down and it could take up to 20 minutes to get it fixed. We asked if they could take a check and they said no. Luckily they had it fixed in about 10 minutes or so, but they do need to come up with a better back up system. Overall, we really like the place and will definitely be back.

We visited for lunch and there was not a crowd issue at all. The food was as close to the traditional Argentine food my husband grew up on that we have ever had in a restaurant setting. The empanadas were excellent. Our meals were both good as well. The food was flavorful and authentic. The service was also excellent. We would absolutely return and recommend this experience.

I went here one evening for dessert and was very pleased. I paired up my cuatro leches cake with a fine glass of port. The staff was friendly and attentive. I am definitely going back.

We sat at a comfy booth and was waited on by friendly waiter. This is when the show begins. Youll be asked your drink choice and just sit back and enjoy the interminable amount of food on your plate. By the way, the owner is the chef that is correct the chef ............she is amazing cook and does make sure you are pleased at all times. You really have to have a hearty appetite to be able to taste all the choices. The grilled filet mignon is so good with polenta and asparagas is wonderful and so are the dessert choices. Be careful you may want some great Argentien winewith that shrimp with empanadas such great food!! . You wont remember what happens afterwards. Go with hungry friends. This hard to find so please it is close to Cactus and Love Moms.

We rec dined at Buenos Aires Café on a Friday evening after a business meeting ran into the early evening. We had a rather large group, with a prior reservation, and we added a couple of tables to that. The restaurant easily accommodated the additional numbers. Service was great, very attentive, but not hovering. From initial glasses of ice water to final payment of the bill, everything was smooth and efficient! The restaurant has an extensive menu covering a wide variety of foods, from appetizers, soups, salads, beef, chicken, seafood, all presented with a South American flair. With such a variety available, we had a bit of a time trying to narrow it down. we settled on a split baby spinach salad as an appetizer, it was terrific. Super fresh spinach, and ample portions of all the veggies, nuts, and cheese, and a delightfully light dressing. Our shared entrées included the Canelones Caseros, two spinach-filled crêpes, wrapped and topped with a delicious vegetable sauce, marinara, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. The dish was outstanding! Our other shared entree was the Gnocchi Quartet, which consisted of four different kinds of deliciously prepared gnocchi, blended in a medley of fresh vegetables, and a light cream sauce… also a winner! The restaurant has a nice list of premium cocktails, and other libations, as well as a decent wine list. The wine list has a nice variety from around the world, but is rather limited, and that is just an observation not a complaint! We selected a very nice Pinot Grigio from the Torresello winery in Italy. It was served at the perfect temperature, iced in a bucket, and went exceedingly well with the meal we had selected. All in all an excellent meal, start to finish, especially in light of the rather large group we had. Highly recommend Buenos Aires Café for a delightful and delicious dining experience…

We were surprised to find such a quality restaurant in such a strange setting - a McMall if you like. But this food was exceptional. As everyone says, the empanadas are excellent, but so was the 'Shepherds Pie,' so-called. These were flavours I'm not used to, so maybe all Argentinean food is this good, but the spices and quality here were really stunning.

Just tried out the new Buenos Aires Cafe that has moved to the Hill Country Galleria (13500 Galleria Circle) right across from Amy's Ice Cream! Westlake has precious few excellent restaurants, but now we have an Argentinian bistro, and my whole family enjoyed our dinner last night! Light, airy ambiance to the place, great attentive staff, and the chef, Reina, came to our table to make sure we were all happy with our meals. We sure were, with melt-in-your-mouth empanada appetizers, a lovely mixed green salad with hearts of palm, and a variety of entrees to choose from! We took our waiter's recommendation to get the Argentinian shepherd's pie, bubbling in its own juices. I got the gnocchis, a burst of flavors, vegetables, and savory sauces. My teens got the pork medallions with mashed potatoes and raved. Desserts were also exemplary - Quatros Leches cake, drenched in creamy milk; a tart lemon pie that tasted better than any Key Lime pie I've ever eaten! Everything was reasonably priced, and the wine list was very much a cut above the usual fare. I recommend this family-owned place highly!

I stopped by for a lunch since the place I was going to was closed. I didn't really know what to expect. I ordered Chef's Special and received some meat with polenta and Brussel sprouts. The food was good, but my surprise was when I received the check for $25. The portion was not huge, but I thought the price was a bit too high. The service was ok, I would say that they were understaffed.

Burnos Aires Cafe in east Austin is a low key lunch and dinner retreat far from the tourist scene. Bespoke orders of piping hot and delicious empanadas, good vegetarian/vegan options and interesting beer selection on tap. Chimichurri is delicious with a full complement of bright and subtle flavors. Go before the area completely gentrifies and the tourist trade rushes in!!

1st time to visit. I am not a friend of malls, but this mall has some of the best collection for a small hill country town I've ever seen. Happy hour menus offers a nice value-$5 martinis, $3 off glasses of wine (1/2 price bottles if not dining alone!), along with a nice Tapas menu. Their empanadas are not to be missed. Probably the finest pastry I've ever seen on any empanada, with a variety of fillings. I had chicken andit came with amazing chimichurra! Also tried the cheese plate-great value for $6! The house made Chorizo was delicious, but reminded me more of local good quality pork link sausage versus the dry Spanish chorizo, or the mexican chorizo. Not a critique, just an observation as I had never tried Argentinian chorizo before. For entree I had the Parrillada for one. It was much better than described on their website. It came with a molten cheese in a small cast iron pan, a quail, a small filet, more chorizo and grilled pork loin (slightly on the dry side). Filet perfectly cooked, beautifully roasted potatoes and asparagus. I obviously took home leftovers! The visit definitely left me with the desire to return and try other menu items. The service was excellent (ate at the bar) and the place is family owned/operated by Argentinians.

The wine was terribly overpriced for very mediocre if not bad wine. I had the mussels which had no depth of flavor and were also overpriced. We have come here several times , but this will be the last. Their menu hasn’t changed in the entire time they have been in business.

We are regulars. We love sitting outside and having a glass of good red wine with empanadas and their 'provoleta' melted provolone cheese with tomatoes on bread. Last night we stopped for dinner with good friends and asked for the parrillada to share, prawns in prosciutto and a few empanadas. We all loved our dinner. It was flavorful, cooked to perception and simply delicious. The pork was especially good. The wine and the proseco were perfect, too. The panqueues (crepes with milk caramel) were tremendous. We have never been disappointed by the 'four milks cake'. Steaks are always a safe bet, especially with a good dose of Chimichurri. Our waiter was super friendly and helpful. Attentive but not overwhelmingly in your face. Total for four, super well fed, including appetizer, meal, drinks and desert, was under $50. Great value considering the quality of the meal.

The bartender was super sweet and let us know before hand that he was still working on his Mojito recipee. We chose to order them anyway. They were not Mojitos...lol...but we drank them. The french Fries and Olives were both Gluten Free and Vegan so we were good to go. Cute place

Fantastic dining experience. The chicken and steak were delicious. The salad and mixed vegetables were excellent. I would definitely go back.

This is by far my favorite restaurant in Austin. Every time you show up you can expect an incredible atmosphere, exquisite design and presentation, and food full of robust and yet delicate flavors that will truly make your mouth water anytime you think of your dining experience at Buenos Aires. There is something in the way this restaurant's character shines through with the perfect mixture of elegance and adventure. And to top it all off... You get a meal, and a dining ambiance to remember for a life time that is perfectly priced and very affordable. As you can tell.. they have made a fan out of me! :)

We were a party of 12 and it was an absolutely perfect experience! The food was delicious, the service was personal and attentive without being intrusive, and the wines were fabulous. They even brought fresh flowers to the table for our daughter since it was her birthday. I can’t say enough good things about these nice folks. I’m going to be back in Austin in October and will make reservations in advance for sure.

Having traveled in Argentina in the 1970's, this restaurant brought back some great memories of great food. Additionally, we wanted to try some Argentine faire as our Christmas Dinner for 2016 will be an Argentine menu - we do a menu from a different country every year. We met Silvia, Manager for Special Events and Catering, who gave us some great ideas for our family Christmas dinner. We ordered some Empanadas as a starter with chicken and beef. We also ordered a mixed green salad and a Shepard's Pie to share. The food was fabulous and the setting brought back the memories from many years ago. Silvia spent some time with us sharing her ideas of the typical Argentine Christmas dinner - it's warm in Argentina at Christmas time - so our Christmas menu will be more of a summer selection rather than a winter faire. She was a joy to talk to as she grew up in Argentina. Give the Buenos Aires Cafe a try when in Austin - you will love the setting and the menu - and say "Hi" to Silvia - she will ensure your dining experience is nothing short of fabulous.

The Buenos Aires Cafe in downtown Austin is closed on Sundays. So we thought to try this one out by taking 45 minutes drive. Very disappointed with the staff and service here. Messed up an order, uncooked food and rude behavior. We weren’t comfortable dining there. Giving two stars only for delicious Empanadas and Chimichurri sauce. However, not visiting this place again.

The atmosphere is typical of a mall driven restaurant but the service is very friendly and they know how to cook. Both my vegetables (green beans and broccoli) were cooked perfectly. My breaded steak was fine. No complaints. My daughters gnocchi had perfect gulf shrimp. There was a nice trio playing live.

My husband and I dined here on a weeknight. Hidden on a side street in the Galleria shopping center, it wasn't crowded at all. The decor is pleasant. The menu and wine lists were interesting and had nice options. We started with empanadas and a salad. Both were delicious. My husband had the traditional gnocchi and really enjoyed it. I had the mussels. They were a bit small, but the bowl was nice sized. It came with awesome grilled bread for dipping. I tried an Argentinian white wine which I really enjoyed. Prices were reasonable. I will definitely come back on a future visit to Austin. We didn't order dessert but the ones delivered to a table nearby looked great.

We visited on a Saturday night as a large group (4 couples) and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Our server Fxxxxxx S did a superb job and the kitchen was timely. My wife and I shared 2 Carne Picante Empanada's, 2 small salads (Caesar and Baby Spinach) and a Mussels Al Vino Bianco. The salads were quite good and the Mussels were delicious only under cooked since several didn't open. The Empanada's were different and okay, not spicy at all though and I don't think I'd order the dish again. The rest of the diners all had full meals and most had steaks they seemed to enjoy. The Flank Steak was referred to twice as a "Flintstones steak", but I don't really understand the meaning of that, since the diner said the steak was enjoyable. Ohhh, It was quite loud as they have live entertainment and our table was close. Communication with folks seated at the other end of the table was difficult at best. The music was nice though. It is a bit pricey but fine dining generally is, and this qualifies for fine dining because of the service.

We have been traveling and have not been here for a number of months. It was good to return! The service is always great--friendly and helpful. The food continues to be a "high point" of the visit--but, that is the reason you go out out eat! The wine list is very nice and the Malbec options are great, but the name of the place IS Buenos Aires! The happy hour is the best deal in town. The bar is very popular, but not crowded. Parking is always tough, but there is a big garage behind the restaurant. This is a great place for a quick meal if you are going to the Galleria.

What a wonderful place for a nice business lunch, or a romantic dinner....this bistro has more than one face. I really like the location in Bee Caves, a little more quiet, with a great wine selection. My absolute fave here is the Lomito beef sandwich. A scrumptious steak sandwich on crusty bread, served with a spinach salad side, or opt for the sea salt fries, you can't lose. Delicious empanadas, and desserts to die for. Forget tres leches...they have quatros leches, and it is in a class of it's own!

yuuuummmmm!!

This was our second visit to the Cafe. They'd done some remodeling since our last visit, but certainly didn't detract from the amazing food served at this (Austin) eastside eatery. Everything is fresh, fresh, fresh. Portion sizes are NOT Texas-size, which is a delightful change to the gluttonous over-indulgence I've observed at places where quantity over quality is the norm. Buenos Aires' faire is yummy from the first bite to the last and should be savored accordingly. Service is attentive, but not fussy. We had a great, not over-priced red wine to go with our meal. Definitely one of our Austin faves!

I visited here this past Wednesday. We didn't have a reservation and were able to get a table immediately. The service was very attentive. Hits: good wine prices and selection. We had a Tannat/Merlot which was $32 and delicious. Grilled artichokes: Amazing. I would just come back for the artichokes. They give you 3 tiny halves grilled with an herb butter and served with aioli. Empanadas: we ordered the special one and the meat empanada. The meat one was very good, the special just ok. Misses: Bacon wrapped pork. The pork would have been good if it was not overdone. This was served with their version of au gratin potatoes that needed more seasoning. 4 Types of Gnocchi: This dish sound very appealing with 4 types of gnocchi in one dish, but the gnocchi was undercooked and the sauce was just ok. This would be a great dish if it was revamped.

Good friends, one of them From Argentina, took us here to experience what he called a good simile of Authentic Argentinian food. Experience is as follows: 1- seated immediately in a most uncomfortable table. It took FOREVER to get a waiter to even come take our drink order and my husband had to summon someone. The manager came and apologized and brought back 4 empanadas on the house!! They were yum!! Flaky, a little spicy, and very good :) 2- Food- i had the Baby Spinach salad. Ohhhhhmigod! It was soo delicious! Hubby and Argentinian friend had the milanesa. It was different than the mexican version I'm used to, but very good. They serve chimichurri with everything. Other friend had the steak-which I had a piece of. Im not a meat person, but this steak would please any meat lover- well seasoned, and juicy inside. The dessert was awesome!! I think it was called Piononi. (?) Overall, the food was very good, the manager very nice. He came to check on us various times. :) In the end, I didnt even mind the horrid high table in the middle of everything that we were seated on. :)

Pretty good food selection. Piano played with the meal.Good evening. Great evening with the right friends

Buenos Aires Cafe is a great little restaurant tucked in the Hill Country Galleria. The food is fantastic. I love the Pastel de Papas - shepherd’s pie, and the Pollo al Horno - marinated free range chicken breast roasted with fresh herbs and spices. They have a nice wine selection and great ambience. They also have gluten free options (both meals I mentioned are gf). The prices are great too! This is a nice spot for a date night or to meet up with friends.

I have to admit upfront that I have had an estancia in Argentina the past 20 years, so I am very familiar with Argentine cuisine. But I will not recuse myself from reviewing an "Argentine" restaurant because of it. We have eaten here consistently since they opened. The food is always good, nice sized portions, and presented well. Even if you do not eat beef, which Argentina is famous for, you can choose from a wide variety of pastas, chicken dishes, and even vegetarian meals. Deserts are typical Argentine fare, which will knock-your-socks-off if you have a love affair with dulce-de-leche.

Buenos Aires Cafe is my favorite place in Lakeway/Bee Cave to eat. I always get the traditional steak that comes with the most amazing chimichuri sauce. If you go early, it is family friendly, and is a great date spot later in evening.

Very good food, quiet enough for good conversation and attentive service. This is a must restaurant to keep on your list. Try the mussels...excellent.

Having spent time in BA I have a few quibbles with the food. The pastry for the empenafas is too rich and not quite right. Seasoning is a bit off on some of the dishes. But that said I like this restaurant and will be back. The prices are good and the staff is friendly. This is a great break from the usual Tex Mex. if you haven't tried it and E 5th doesn't scare you off give Buenos Aires a try!

I went with a cousin and his wife to try the supposed called Argentinian food, started with an empanada, kind of small for the price and a lot of fat and oily, flavor was ok, had a scallop “just one literally “, I ordered the parrillada meat, and I cannot believe what I was seeing, a piece of flavorless chicken, a short ribs “more fat than meat” and a piece of meat “I cannot figure out what cut was it” that plate for $42 dollars, seriously, for a restaurant with rustic and cheap decorations. I have been in real Argentinian restaurant and is a big difference. Well I will give une star of 5. And I don’t think will recommend this place to any of my friends.

Terrible experience. Had dinner with a party of 6 on a Monday night, reservations were made in advance. I ordered wine and it took over 30 minutes to get it. The host of the dinner had to personally leave the table twice to find out what was going on with our orders. The waitstaff was inattentive and neglectful which was unacceptable in any restaurant but more so in such an upscale place where the bill was several hundred dollars. The waitstaff had to be flagged down to get their attention. They were not at all concerned with the fact that we had been waiting over an hour to get our food. No apologies from any staff, no attempt to redress the situation. For my meal, which again, took over an hour to get, I ordered another Argentinean specialty, the Parrillada, which cost $29.99. I had to send it back because the steak was cold. A dish that costs $29.99 should never have to be sent back because it is cold. That it pure neglect. Furthermore, I resent the fact that they charged the host for a bottle of unopened wine. That is really unacceptable. Buenos Aires Cafe was terrible and I will not be returning.

Food was delicious, atmosphere was very quaint. Parking was a bit of a challenge in this neighborhood. We shared a gnocci sampler with 4 different kinds - it was simply delicious! Beer selection a little lacking, with some interesting wine choices. All in all we enjoyed it and would eat here again.

I had lunch at the Buenos Aires Cafe today, I was taken there by an Argentinian friend who highly recommends it. The outside decor is attractive and inviting, and this theme continues inside the restaurant with lots of images of Buenos Aires on all the walls. The menu is simple but very well done. The thin steak "Milanesa" is excellent, and they had a shrimp and jalapeno soup of the day that was unbelievably good. Their fries are the thin and crispy type you get at most restaurants in Buenos Aires. They have a nice selection of hot and cold sandwiches which are all very reasonably priced, and there are also a number of vegetarian options on the menu. The restaurant space is very small, so it's good to get there earlier or later to ensure seating. There is also some outdoor seating, but that can be rather hot most of the year in Austin. The service was very friendly and the plates were all nicely presented. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who is looking for a tasty break from all the good Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin.

I am from Austin & met my friend from Llano at this restaurant for a weekday lunch. OMG it was so wonderful. I had the steak sandwich with chimecurry sauch & fries, she had the roasted red pepper soup and salad. We shared a vegetarian Verdura empanada. It was perfect. Not a crumb left on any plate.

we dined at the 6th street cafe. great food, excellent service.

My daughter and I went to lunch today at the east 6th street location. Nice ambiance, friendly and attentive service. We shared the mussels appetizer special--and it was truly special. The mussels were cooked perfectly(tender and juicy) and the savory broth was excellent with multiple flavor layers(Spanish chorizo,onion,artichoke). I chose two of the empanadas-Picante and Pollo. They we perfectly fried with good moist, flavorful fillings. I also had an excellent bowl of shrimp bisque. Great shrimp flavor like you get when you make a stock from the shells. Bright tomato flavor without overpowering the dish.

Our friends took us here to eat some dessert before we left Austin. The desserts were so good -- there was four of us, and we tried all the desserts except for the creme brulee & flan. We had ordered an extra slice of quatro leches. So good, when we come back in July, we're gonna hit up this place again for dinner & dessert & drinks

Although this place used to be packed, I should have known something was up when I walked in on a Thursday night and the place was almost empty.... My gnocchi tasted liked playdough -- uncooked, mushy, and mostly flavorless. My partner's and his mother's pork tenderloins were dry and overcooked. He said his veggies were almost raw and inedible. His father's small steak and veggies were eaten, but dang! They were expensive! The live piano music in the almost barren place was so loud I left w/a headache. Altogether a disappointing experience and an embarrassing birthday dinner, as I picked the place. We will not be back.

food was GREAT. Service..well...the hubby had wine spilt on him :( but other than that t'was ok.

I think the raves about this place must be from people who have never had real Argentine cooking. The empanadas were flabby and greasy, and nothing about the flavor made me think I was in Argentina. (Empanadas are one of the few foods Argentinos eat with their hands, but it was impossible to do so with these.) No milanesa de pollo on the menu, no ensalada rusa, no salsa golf, and the chimichurri was too spicy to be authentic. I see that the owner is an Argentina, but trained in the US. Maybe something got lost along the way. The food here is okay, but just okay. The wine list is not bad at all. But if you want the flavors of Buenos Aires, this isn't it, sorry to say.

We visited the 6th street location for lunch on a Saturday. The restaurant wasn't too crowded, but it was lively. We had empanadas (pretty good), and two sandwiches, Milanesa and Portobello Mushroom (both were very good). The spinach salad was delicious, and the fries were perfectly crispy on the outside/soft on the inside. There is a decent wine list, and we saw the table next to us have dessert, which looked incredible! We might have had dessert as well, but we couldn't even get refills on our water. Our waiter completely checked out. He was still around, but not paying ONE BIT of attention to his tables. We had to finally ask another waiter for the check, as we had to be somewhere! What a shame to have such a nice culinary experience marred by inept, inattentive service. To their credit, the other servers seemed to be doing much better. I may give it another try, but it will definitely be on a probationary basis. One more offense and they will be off my list.

This was our first time for lunch here--it is as good as the happy hour and dinner! There were a number of tables filled and the service/food was excellent. The portions are generous and well presented. We find this to be an excellent restaurant for guests or simply a casual dinner before a movie. It is good to know that it also "works" well for lunch! There is a lot of competition in the Galleria for a good meal, but the cafe competes well!

I've been there three times: twice for lunch and once for dinner. Lunch was fantastic on both counts. The Lomito Beef and Pork sandwiches are out of the world, mouth-watering good. For dinner, we tried some surf-n-turf type special and it was OK. Some desserts are made to order but all are made in-house. I've had every kind. If you like quattro leches, this is the place for it. Service is sketchy but generally good. The restaurant is tiny and gets packed easily at peak times so be prepared to rub elbows with random strangers. Try this place before word spreads and it's no longer the ''neighborhood gem".

The worst: I have talked to two managers about this issue, both have dropped the ball and have done nothing to compensate us for the terrible service on our $400+ tab. -Nov 11th, Monday night, party of 6, reserved 5 days in advance -Waited 30 minutes to get cocktails (only 2 of the 6 ordered one, the rest waited for wine) -Waited 1 hour to get our bottle of wine (wine sat at the counter waiting to be picked up within view of our table for a long time) -Waited 1.25-1.5 hours to get our food -We had to go looking for the waitress/busboy/anyone three times -Steaks were cold and had to be reheated -Green beans were cold and undercooked -Charged our bill for an extra bottle of wine at $37 -No apology or acknowledgment of the wait and poor service -A large party of 6+ came in after us. The waitress opened up a closed room for them and served them before our table. She apparently waited on them as well. -Asked for extra sauce in our to go box--waitress didn't include it -Spoke to Manager Mo the next day. He stated we would receive a "substantial gift certificate" by mail and would call me back. Never received gift certificate, and never received a call back. Called again the following week and he no longer worked there. -Spoke to Manager Pamela offered us an "appetizer coupon." I stated that wasn't enough for the horrendous service and that Mo had stated we'd get a "substantial gift certificate." She said she'd call me back in 1 hour and never did. We suggested to our friends that we go to this restaurant for our nice meal. After this experience and the lack of management concern, we will *never* return. It was terrible. ****** Update: Manager Pamela called, stated the erroneously charged bottle of wine would be refunded. Also stated owner offered a $15 gift certificate. I told her that wasn't enough for the horrendous service and we'd never return. ***I do not recommend this restaurant. If anything goes wrong, they don't make it right.***

I don't want this to sound like a brother-in-law review, but this is truly our favorite Austin restaurant. We bring every out of town visitor here, head there for every special event and even after a hard day, it's a comfortable place to relax with a favorite dish of comfort food. We have never had a bad meal here even after being a regular for maybe five years. Everything on the menu is good, but don't miss the specials. There are no fish dishes on the regular menu and the specials are usually some sort of seafood. Don't pass them up as they are usually amazing. One more tip, though please leave some for us, try the Hermanos Torrontes. This wine will make you a white wine lover, even if you don't normally drink white wines. There are two locations, our neighborhood location is in Bee Cave, but they also have a location near downtown Austin on east sixth. Austin has an amazing restaurant scene, but when we need just a local place where everyone knows your name, it's the Buenos Aires in Bee Cave.

Excellent drinks and fine food. Didn't have wine, but the wine list was extensive, and reasonably priced.Our only mistake: arriving 2 minutes too late for haooy hour (3-6 pm) and the tapas menu.

Although they were out of the spicy beef empanadas, the other empanadas were excellent as was the rest of the food. We sat at the bar for our meal and our server/bartender Mike was excellent....and was celebrating his birthday.

We went there for a family dinner, and were very impressed with all they had to offer. The staff was very friendly, attentive and were knowledgeable about the menu and wine list. The menu was traditional, and the desserts were creative. We loved the wine our server helped us select. For a steak restaurant, they could have more steaks to select from, there were not many options, but what we had was good. We weren't a fan of the chocolate creme brulee, with the chili in it. Great atmosphere, and we will probably return.

Unique menu. Get there early, dine with a small party, this is a very small place with limited seating.

Met a committee group here for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Go for the half sandwich with fries or salad or soup; it's plenty of food and a good deal. CJ is a great server -- personable, attentive, and efficient.

My family and I have been going to BA Cafe regularly (4-5 times a year) for a decade or so. Last night was our last visit for a long time, sadly. All three of the menus had food particles in them when we opened them. Our order -- notwithstanding the tablet used by our waitress, she took forever -- was mixed up. We had to ask for the dessert menu three times before it was delivered to our table, at which time we just decided to bail and have dessert across the street at Amy's Ice Cream. I am a generous tipper -- as any former waiter should be -- but, for the first time in many years I left no tip. All the prices had gone up since our last visit. I like my cocktails but I refuse to pay $15 for a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned in a place like BA Cafe. It's not the Four Seasons, after all. Very disappointed overall, and sad, really, because we liked going there. But there are far too many good restaurants in Austin to repeat a bad experience like this anytime soon.

Stopped twice for drinks and were impressed by bartender skills. Tried his Pisco Sour, Old Fashioned & sangria; all good! Oh, the empanadas rocked, chimichurri is delicious!

This place is been hyped up by some friends of mine. Shepard's pie was recommended by bartender. Lots of potatoes not much meat at all. Good flavor but not satisfying. Empanadas look real nice and taste good. Steak is pricey.

After spending some time in Argentina, I always like to be reminded. However, I would stay away from the meat plates or Parillada Plates. They were not the best cuts and everything was greasy. Stick with their main entrees, those are amazing.

I went there last Sunday with my family. They were short staffed. It took them 20 min just to bring water and when they did my daughter's glass had a huge green spinach leaf inside. So disgusting!!!!! Finally the food arrived. It was good but a bit pricy. I dont think I will return.

Been here a few times. Food is decent. It does depend on what you get. The sauce in the mussels is wonderful. The French fries are good as well. Service is usually good as well. I haven't been impressed with the deserts but I shouldn't eat them. I am glad this place is in the Galleria.