Culinary delights in the Perito Moreno region

The breathtaking landscape of the Perito Moreno Glacier is undoubtedly the main reason to visit this remote corner of Patagonia. But those who embark on a journey to this fascinating region will also get their money’s worth in culinary terms. From nature’s freshest ingredients to regional specialties and international haute cuisine – the Perito Moreno region has a lot to offer. Here is an overview of the local gastronomic highlights.

El Calafate – The culinary base

The small town of El Calafate is the perfect base for visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier and other attractions in Los Glaciares National Park. With its numerous restaurants, cafés and bars, it is also a paradise for gourmets.

Patagonian specialties

What would a trip to Patagonia be without sampling the regional cuisine? In El Calafate there are several cosy restaurants that specialize in preparing typical Patagonian dishes. A must is the “Cordero Patagonico” – tenderly cooked Patagonian roast lamb, often served with rosemary, garlic and homemade chips. Game dishes such as ostrich, wild boar or guanaco meat are also highly recommended. Be sure to try the “calafate”, the small dark berry after which the city is named – whether as jam, syrup or liqueur.

Seafood delights

Although it is not a coastal town, El Calafate has excellent fish restaurants serving the freshest seafood from the Bay of Beagle. Specialties include prawns, sea urchins, oysters and various crustaceans as well as fish dishes with delicious Robalo, Abadejo or Argentine sea trout.

International cuisine

In addition to regional cuisine, El Calafate also has a large selection of international restaurants ranging from Italian and French cuisine to steakhouses and Asian specialties. La Zaina is particularly popular with travelers with its creative fusion cuisine and excellent wine from its own vineyard. Don Vincenzo and On Vapour are also well worth a visit for sophisticated French cuisine in a cozy atmosphere.

Patagonian wine and beer

The Patagonia region is still a relatively new but fast-growing wine-growing area. The soil conditions and the cool climate in the Río Santa Cruz valley in particular offer ideal conditions for the cultivation of first-class red wines. Be sure to try the excellent Malbec from this region – dense, spicy and full-bodied. The local craft beers from El Calafate are also worth trying, for example from the Beag Brewery. The charming wine taverns and bars in El Calafate are the perfect place to sample these local delicacies after an exciting day on the glacier.

Food trails and tours

If you really want to explore the local cuisine, you can join one of the food walks and tours on offer. On the “Calafate Delicious Tours”, for example, gourmets can sample homemade specialties, wines and beers at several stops throughout the city. The “Ruta del Jazmín” also leads to small family-run restaurants and wineries in the suburbs.

National park gastronomy

Although there are not too many restaurants in Los Glaciares National Park itself, there are some very special dining options for glacier visitors:

Refugios and lodges

If you stay overnight in one of the cozy mountain huts or ecolodges in the national park, you can also enjoy regional and home-made cuisine. Game dishes, fresh lamb specialties and Patagonian fish are often prepared using traditional methods in the kitchens of the individual accommodations. Some lodges also offer multi-course menus with regional delicacies.

Food trucks and catering

Food trucks or small mobile catering units are also stationed at various viewpoints and hiking trails in the national park during the high season. Here you can fortify yourself after a glacier hike with snacks, drinks or simple dishes such as wild chili.

A trip to the Perito Moreno region is not only an absolute must for nature lovers, but also a feast for the senses for all connoisseurs. Let yourself be pampered by the unique cuisine of this region!

Gastronomy recommendations for Calafate

La Cocina

• Address: Av. Del Libertador n° 1245
• Phone: 02902 491758 / +54 9 2966613950
• E-Mail: restaurantelacocina@cotecal.com.ar

Mako Fuego y Vinos

• Address: Av. del Libertador n° 1223
• Phone: 02902 493414 / +54 9 2966630559
• E-Mail: makoreservas1223@gmail.com
• Website: makorestaurants.com.ar
• Instagram: mako_fuegosyvinos

• La Pulperia
  • Address: Av. Del Libertador n°4315
  • Phone: +54 9 2966559897
  • E-Mail: calabalgataenpatagonia@cotecal.com.ar
  • Specialty: Argentinean food
  • Hours: From Monday to Saturday from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm