Best Things to do in Buenos Aires While Traveling Gluten-Free

Buenos Aires Travel Tips

G-Free Travel Rating

8/10

Major Airport

Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE)

Official Language

Spanish

Currency:

Argentine Peso (ARS)

Power Outlets:

Types C & I

Eating Gluten Free in Buenos Aires

Each place we travel has unique challenges. Buenos Aires had a very good understanding of gluten free and lots of options. Some of the food was fantastic but we encountered a consistent problem, especially in Buenos Aires. Service was really difficult at multiple places. It’s unclear where it was related to being tourists or lack of willingness to deal with the language barrier. This stands out given the variety of places where we have traveled with many different languages. Kinda disappointing!

Our top list of things to do while in Buenos Aires

Caminito

Caminito emerged from immigrant origins and was shaped by dockworkers who used leftover ship paint to brighten their homes. This tradition contributed to the area’s unique appearance, which over time has transformed it into a very popular spot for tourists to go visit.

Today, it is a short open-air street museum highlighting vividly painted tin houses that lean at odd angles. Another distinctive feature is the balconies, which showcase mannequins representing Argentina’s iconic figures, such as Lionel Messi. If you wish to get a photo in front of the Messi balcony, it’s best to arrive early to avoid the line of tourists waiting for their turn. As you meander along the walkway, you’ll find tango dancers performing in the open and local artists displaying their works.

Buenos Aires Rose Garden

I really wanted to check out the rose garden because it just looked idyllic in the photos I saw online. Unfortunately, our limited time in the city made it impossible to fit the rose garden into our schedule, especially since it is closed on Mondays—a detail I missed when planning our activities. This garden reminds me of the Garden of Dreams we explored in Kathmandu. Both spaces offer a peaceful retreat amid the hustle and bustle of a big city. The garden allows you to go for a slow stroll along its winding paths, passing more than 18,000 roses that bloom each year.

Within the garden, you can find benches tucked under pergolas draped with climbing roses or enjoy drifting leisurely in a rowboat across the small lake. The entire space seems designed for relaxation, providing a place to slow down and appreciate the surroundings.

San Telmo Market

San Telmo is a neighborhood you won’t want to miss, especially for its vibrant market. Established in 1897, the San Telmo Market was created to centralize vendors and supply fresh produce, meats and goods to the growing population of European immigrants after the yellow fever outbreak. Although the stalls have all been updated, the original architecture–including the central dome and iron beams–have been carefully preserved. The market offers a unique atmosphere, blending nostalgia with lively energy. Inside, food vendors dominate, but the surrounding blocks are filled with antique shops and clothing stores, making it a hub for shopping and exploration.

Every Sunday, San Telmo hosts a street fair, where a multitude of stalls line at least 10 blocks of Defensa street and extend onto a few of its side streets. Here you can find ample opportunities for shopping and entertainment, with street performers adding to the lively atmosphere. While food vendors are scarce at the Sunday fair, the area is home to many small restaurants that can satisfy your hunger.

Keep in mind that Sundays are particularly busy, so it’s best to arrive early if you want a spot at one of the local eateries.

Visit La Bombonera

Home to Boca Juniors, one of Argentina’s most successful and iconic soccer (fútbol) clubs. You may recognize names like Diego Maradona or Juan Román Riquelme as some of the few major stars that have come from there. Not only are the players celebrated globally, but the stadium itself is a historic and iconic landmark, rich with tradition and stories.

Founded in 1905, Boca Juniors emerged from the vibrant neighborhood of La Boca, thanks to Italian immigrants who brought their love of football as a way to forge community and a sense of belonging.

In 1906, Boca Juniors adopted their now-famous colors. The team had originally played in variations of black and white kits, similar to many of their opponents. After losing a crucial playoff match, the club was compelled to seek a new identity. Drawing inspiration from the neighborhood’s bustling maritime hub, they decided to adopt the colors of the first ship to enter the harbor. That ship happened to be Swedish, leading Boca Juniors to embrace the blue and yellow that define them today.

Visiting the Stadium

For those who have the opportunity, visiting the Boca Juniors stadium is an unforgettable expereience. Guided tours are available for fans and visitors to explore the storied grounds. If you are fortunate, you might even secure tickets to witness a home match, where the atomophere is famously considered the most passionate and loudest in the world.

Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur

The reserve is one of the most remarkable green spaces in Buenos Aires – a tranquil escape that feels worlds away from the city, even though it sits right beside the modern skyline of Puerto Madero. Stretching along the Rio de la Plata, the reserve is a vast mixture of wetlands, grasslands and small forests. What makes it truly unique is that it wasn’t originally planned as a nature preserve at all- it formed accidentally when land was reclaimed from the river in 1970s and then abandoned. Over time, nature took over, creating a thriving ecosystem.

It is a hot spot for walking, cycling, birdwatching, and simply slowing down. And the best part is there is NO fee to enter. Just remember it is closed on Mondays and rainy days.

Plaza de Mayo

Plaza de Mayo is the historic and symbolic heart of Buenos Aires- a grand square where Argentina’s past and present seem to meet all at once. Founded in 1580, it is the city’s oldest public square and has long been the stage for the country’s most important political and social moments, even today many political demonstrations take place here.

Surrounding the square are some of the nation’s most iconic buildings. The pink-hued Casa Rosada, the presidential palace, stands on one side, famous for its balcony where leaders like Eva Perón addressed crowds. But the plaza is not just about architecture-it carries deep emotional weight.

Since the late 1970s, the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo have gathered here to demand justice for their children who disappeared during Argentina’s military dictatorship, turning the plaza into a powerful symbol of memory and resilience.

Bike Tour

Taking a bike tour proved to be a convenient and enjoyable way to quickly learn about the history of various neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. Unlike renting an Uber, biking offered a more environmentally friendly option for sightseeing around the city. For our adventure, we decided to use La Bicicleta Naranja, and the experience was exceptional. The guide spoke fluent English and shared extensive insights about the neighborhoods we visited.

As we pedaled along, we moved seamlessly from admiring grand European-style architecture to exploring the colorful artsy streets of La Boca. It was an easy and relaxing half-day excursion, allowing us to see the city from a fresh perspective.

Couple of things to remember:

Wear sunscreen on your forearms and tops of hands. We forgot about this (packed for Antarctica) and paid the price.
Take lots of water. They do supply a bottle of water for each participant.
We recommend selecting a company who has helmets you can borrow. Just in case, you take a tumble you want to make sure your noggin is protected.

Eating Gluten-Free in Buenos Aires

When I began searching for gluten-free restaurants in Buenos Aires using the FindMe Gluten-Free App, I was surprised by the number of options available. Many of these establishments were labeled as dedicated gluten-free, making the process of finding suitable places to eat much easier than in other countries. The restaurant industry seems to have a greater awareness of the importance of accommodating a gluten-free diet. This general understanding was especially helpful when ordering, particularly if you know the essential phrase “Sin TACC.” However, despite the abundance of options, we encountered an unexpected challenge: the waitstaff appeared reluctant to serve us. This was an unfortunate experience for us, as we had not felt unwelcome while dining out during our travels outside the country, but Buenos Aires was different.

Estacion Columbia

This is a small establishment located near the San Telmo market. When we stopped in, the restaurant was very busy, and we were told it would be 1.5-hour wait. After having our name written down, we decided to walk around. When we came back it was still very busy; however, we noticed that locals were being sat before us. One particularly determined guest even positioned herself in front of the door to prevent us from entering before her party. The waitress/hostess informed us that the wait would be an additional 45 minutes. At this point, I was exhausted, hot and low on water, with a headache starting to develop. This was our arrival day, and although we took a short nap after our overnight flight, it was not enough. With it being a twenty-minute uber ride back to our hotel, plus additional time to find a different restaurant, we decided to wait.

Eventually, we were seated and given a menu in Spanish. When we inquired about gluten-free items, the waitress initially said they have none. After pressing her again, she agreed to ask the chef, who turned out to be much friendlier and more helpful. I had found this place on the FindMe app with recent positive reviews, which is why I questioned the waitress so persistently. Almost everything could be made gluten-free except for two items. He also couldn’t confirm the sauces were gluten-free because they were outsourced and lacked an ingredient list. He also provided us with an English menu, making ordering easier. Despite the waitress’s horrendous service, the food was fantastic, especially the empanadas!!

Cucina Paradiso

Be careful with this one. This is a local chain with multiple locations throughout Buenos Aires, but only one of them is a dedicated gluten-free restaurant where the entire menu is gluten-free. When I saw it listed on the FindMe GF App and noted that it was only half a mile from our hotel, I assumed it would be an easy choice. We looked at the menu, and Terry decided to try the lasagna and sample the breadbasket brought out to the table. The bread looked suspiciously good, so I clarified and the waiter, who confirmed it was not gluten-free. We then double-checked about the lasagna and learned it was not gluten-free either. This taught us to always verifyy and not infer all locations are the same. Only one location, Cucina Paradiso senza glutine, is entirely gluten-free; the others offer gluten-free options for most of the menu items. Thankfully, our waiter was knowledgeable about which dishes could be made gluten-free and even brought out a gluten-free roll for Terry. Terry ended up ordering mushroom risotto, which he said was good, but disappointing after hoping for lasagna.

Sommelier en bicicleta

This was a last minute wine tasting our hotel recommended and turned out to be a fantastic experience. All the wines were excellent and the pours were generous. Lucky for us, it was conveniently just two blocks from our hotel. They improvised a gluten-free charcuterie board for Terry by simply removing the crackers and filling the board with extra cheese and nuts.

Mine Hotel Boutique

Mine Hotel Boutique does not have a restaurant, but they do offer breakfast in the morning. The selection is limited, mainly consiting of various fruits. However, they prepare eggs cooked to order. It is important to be cautious with cross-contamination. The hotel also has a toaster, and of course, we packed a loaf of Canyon Bakehouse Bread just in case. Again, use caution with cross-contamination when using the toaster.

Campobravo

A dedicated gluten-free restaurant located in the Puerto Madero district along the harbor. This time we were well aware, since the gluten-free status was clearly posted throughout the building. The outdoor seating provided a pleasant opportunity for people-watching and enjoying the weather, which we had plenty of time to do as we were served after all other guests. Since everything was gluten-free, communication was straightforward. Terry ordered their signature steak and truffle fries, while I chose pasta with prawns. The portions were large, but the steak was disappointing, especially as we were expecting high-quality Argentian beef.

Rapanui

An ice cream shop recommended by our bike tour guide. We both enjoyed the ice cream, but the ordering was somewhat confusing. There were multiple lines, making it difficult to know where to go. You place your order first, receive a receipt, and then proceed to pick out your ice cream Overall, it was a decent experience, but nothing extraordinary.

E Qui Ristorante

Located in the Canning plaza near our hotel, we ate here twice on our last day in Argentina. They offer a breakfast buffet in conjunction with guests staying at the Hotel Plaza Central Canning. Although, nothing was labeled as gluten-free, if you ask, they provide granola bars and toast specifically for gluten-free diners. Otherwise, the safe options are eggs, bacon, or yogurt. We also had a late lunch here before leaving, and the pasta was excellent.

Maridaje Resto

Maridaje was our more upscale dining experience in Buenos Aires. As is typical in Argentina, they eat late, so we were the first to arrive when the restaurant opened. Our waiter was not very confident about which menu items were gluten-free, but was willing to confirm details as needed. They also offered an English menu, which made ordering easier. When our food was served, a different person brought it out and confirmed it’s gluten-free addressing any concerns. Terry ordered steak to make up for his previous disappointment, and it was much better this time.

Carrefour

This is a chain grocery store found around Argentina, at least in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, that had a decent selection of gluten-free items. In fact, they plan to expand the selections offered each year. Most products will be located together in the organic section. They offered gluten-free bread, pasta and snacks.