We retuned here after 22 years, and this classic 19th century French cafe still delivers. Elegant surroundings, a line that moved quickly pleasant staff, who tolerated my rusty Spanish with a bit of their English. Came in for an afternoon bite to hole us over for a late dinner. Very good hard cider on tap, a good Chardonnay. Now, the classic medialuna (half moon: a croissant with hame and cheese is made with sweet dough--many are glazed. ) my limo sandwich with roasted rosemary potatoes had regular savory bread. The churros are filled with Dulce de leche and a a bit denser than in NYC. The hot chocolate is served in two pitchers--chocolate & hot milk-- make your own. They also have tango shows in a small theater in back. read more

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I came here on an early Wednesday morning with a group of 4 people for breakfast. It was pretty empty so we could sit wherever we wanted. It's the oldest cafe in Buenos Aires and I liked the old school feel of it. We ordered a cafe con leche (latte), a tostada mixto (ham and cheese toastie sandwich), and a medialuna (smaller sweet croissant pastry). The portions were large so definitely shareable. The latte and the tostada mixto were good. Service was good as well, faster than I expected (I'm from NYC where everything is fast haha). The reviews said service was slow which I did not experience but it could be that I came early in the morning so it wasn't busy. read more

There's always a line outside in the elements even at 4:30 on a drizzling Tuesday. It was four deep when got there, but it quickly turned into 8 deep. We waited about 10 to 15 mins. You cannot fake the patina of time and tradition here. Cafe tortoni oozes it. Having said that unless you're familiar with its history- I am not. The place is nice, not ornate or flamboyant or instagramable. The cappuccino, chocolate and churros is better than most but it's not worth waiting in line for say more than half an hour. read more

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Why do I need to wait in line for 30 minutes to enter a cafe when it's half empty inside? I have no idea. But it's a touristy spot so you gotta follow the rules. The place is beautiful, got beautiful decor and artwork all around. The waiters (once you get their attention) are very nice. Service is very very slow but that's typical of Argentine culture. It took them about 20 minutes to bring the bill. read more

Café Tortoni - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Buenos Aires, C

I loved this place and yes we waited in line for 30 min but it was worth it for the lovely experience. Coffee was good but the churros were lousy. So just go for the coffee or hot chocolate! Price a little higher but the area is beautiful of a long gone era. read more

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Food was okay, nothing too great or out of this world. It's nice for the vibe and the historical context. The wait time to be seated and go inside was about 20 minutes for one person. The inside is very nice and to think there were historical people here is something. Open face sandwich and a dulce de leche frappe was my go to. Straightforward and tasted good. You can be here as long as you want, more or less writing or reading or just watch people pass by inside. read more

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I wanted to check out this famous landmark and spend some of my last Argentine pesos. It was a weekday after 1pm and there was no wait or line. I had my choice of tables. Inside had an old world vibe. I was given a Spanish menu and it contained a variety of drinks, pastries and sweets, plates, sandwiches, etc I ordered a cold brew and it came with way too much ice. It wasn't anywhere close to my top cold brews and left me unsatisfied after emptying my wallet. Service was perfunctory. Skippable in my opinion. read more

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This restaurant has been around forever. There was a line outside when we went and we waited for quite a while on our first morning in Buenos Aires. It's historic and cool but I wouldn't wait in the line again. The coffee, oj and potatoes were all good. Just not worth a super long wait. read more

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On a Sunday in the early afternoon we had to wait outside for about 15-20 minutes to be seated. Not a big deal. Our waiter was very friendly and eager to learn more words in English. The service was prompt, the inside was clean, the ambiance is wonderful. And the desserts...oh, were they good. This ended up being our "lunch" and it was incredibly indulgent and something we will not forget. I would love to come back here, if time permitted. read more

Café Tortoni - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Buenos Aires, C

It's been 27 years since my last visit but the place is the same. A little more touristy but good service and food.

This is a tourist must-go place. After seeing much of street cafe shops selling similar bakeries pastries, I think it's time to try authentic traditional cafe even with long line. The menus are in Spanish, we need google translator and an english speaking waiter to explain to us. For simplicity we chose a combo for 2- Té del Atardecer (2 infusiones, 2 copas de jugo de naranja exprimido, tostado mixto, alfajor, brownie, 2 medialunas, 2 churros, tostadas, manteca y mermelada). Well it might be for breakfast, it did not matter. The food is so so, I'm not coffee lover, so no comments on coffee. I did enjoy the classic decor with history, in the middle someone briefly showcased bit of tango, that's bit of surprise. Overall we did enjoy our experience. read more

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The oldest cafe in Buenos Aires! Founded in 1858, it is the oldest café in Buenos Aires and worth a visit. The lines are long to get in but moves very fast. They welcome about 15 people at a time so worth the wait. Hot chocolate was the best. Mix equal parts of Hot milk with hot melted pure chocolate with a side of churros was simply perfect. Great cafe straight out of the 1800s and totally worth a visit. read more

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Beautiful historic cafe in the center of Buenos Aires. The ambiance is terrific with lots of paintings, historic pictures and artworks. It's over 175 years old and was frequented by the likes of Borges and Neruda. There's always a line out front, but it moves fast. The service is good. The food is overpriced and terrible, but you are not there for the food. read more

Café Tortoni - Interior - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Buenos Aires, C

The oldest cafe in the whole country--we waited in line for 40 minutes at 11am on a Saturday morning. The decor and ambiance inside is stunning, and I can definitely tell why this cafe is so iconic. Service was on the slower side but friendly. We came for submarinos, coffee, and hot chocolate, as well as churros and chocolate cake. Churros were top tier--crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Hot chocolate and submarinos were decadent, and the coffee was decent too. Worth visiting for the impressive interior and sweet treat if you have the time! read more

Café Tortoni - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Buenos Aires, C

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Lovely and beautiful. My Bombon Suizo and Cafe con leche was delicious. Service was prompt and delightful. read more

Café Tortoni - Bombon Suizo y Cafe con leche - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Buenos Aires, C

The oldest cafe in Buenos Aires. Not originally on the list to visit, but when they constantly have a line outside, ya squeeze in a quick visit. Our tour guide suggested coffee and churros, so that's what this review is based on. The coffee & churros were average. I expected so much more from.the churros. Unfortunately, they were dry, the chocolate inside was minimal, and weirdly flavorless. I missed the fluffy softness, with a not to sweet flavor I enjoy of a churro. After waiting outside in line for about 15 mins (this was short as we heard many waited 45 mins or more), service was relatively fast. The restaurant was quiet for its size. For nostalgic purposes, it's cool, but for a meal or snack, I'd go elsewhere. They supposedly have a Tango show a couple nights a week in a separate area, but inquiring about it from the staff and how it works wasn't too helpful. read more

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Came here for breakfast around 9:30AM on a weekday, and there was no wait. Got the picada para 1 (charcuterie board with meat, cheese, olives, tomatoes, walnuts, and bread). This was plenty to share with my boyfriend. It was beautifully presented, but wasn't anything extraordinarily special. The inside of the cafe was beautiful read more

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There was a line to get in but it was not too long. I thought it was worth the wait. It's gorgeous inside and such a classic experience that I highly recommend if you have the time. Server was very sweet and patient and it looks gorgeous in the back does little Museum and a back room highly recommend taking the time to walk around and checking it all out. read more

Café Tortoni - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Buenos Aires, C

This is a tourist trap if I've ever eaten at one. You won't get good food here. Only the chocolate used with the churros and the cider are solid. It's a frustratingly bland menu given the huge popularity. The churros are famous but we were given a clearly stale or bad batch. I shouldn't have to fight a churro. It should be soft inside, slightly crisp outside, and not a combative stick. Any American dad could make you a better burger on their backyard grill. The potatoes were, well, potatoes. I heard a tour guide outside say this is where you find locals. Everyone inside was speaking English, Mandarin, and broken Spanish. Americans, let me translate: this is the Mi Tierra for Texans, the Katz Deli for New Yorkers, the original Starbucks location for Washingtonites, the Boudin Bakery for Californians, and all minus good food. Service is slightly slow but that's understandable given the popularity. Restrooms are very poorly marked. Facing the bar, the women's restroom is on its right side and the men's is on the left. Expect to wait in line outside at least 30 minutes for a table on a weekday, likely more on a weekend. Too many people visit here for a photos and to say "we've been here" when they should get cheaper, better food faster at many other establishments around town. This is a skip for food. It's a pretty building that's probably fine to see a tango show inside of, but the food is disappointing. read more

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We wanted to try a traditional Argentine breakfast, so we want to the famous Cafe Tortoni for it! There was a slight wait (like 20-30 minutes), that wasn't worth it in my opinion. The service was really, really slow and rude and the food was standard. We had lattes and coffee with orange juice and toast, complete with a spread of jams. The toast was like anything you could find literally anywhere else. The jams were really, really good though! Especially the dulce de leche one! The interior of this place was breathtaking. It was grand/elegant and the high ceilings gave the illusion of space, even though we were all crammed into the space together. In my opinion, there are better places to find breakfast, but this was fun to experience because it is such a staple! read more

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Long lines at noon. Cool building. But the wait was only 16 min. Thexpateries are only so so....nothing to rave about. The place is in a time capsule. At least try it. read more

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Ordered the hot chocolate and 3 churros. The hot chocolate comes separate in a small milk pitcher and a chocolate pitcher. You pour them together at the ratio you like. The churro is stuffed with chocolate and was a little on the harder side and not so doughy. read more

Uno de los cafés más emblemáticos de la ciudad que conserva su historia. Para poder almorzar aquí, tuvimos que esperar en la fila afuera durante 1,5 horas. Es un lugar bastante popular entre los locales y los turistas. Si vienes para el desayuno, probablemente no habrá tanta espera. Dentro hay varias salas: La principal, donde todos comen y conversan; Una sala donde, cada noche, se realiza un show de tango (es necesario hacer una reserva); Una sala donde puedes conocer la historia del lugar y leer sobre las personas famosas que han visitado el Café Tortoni. El menú es bastante simple y accesible. No dejes de probar el churro de aquí. read more

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Came here on a weekday morning and expected a line but thankfully not! There were only two groups in front of me at around 8:45AM but while I was waiting, the line grew to probably 25 people and when I left around 10AM, the line had probably doubled. Get here early! It probably helped that when I was walking there, it was raining which likely deterred people as well. In any case, menu items are expensive as expected, go there for the historical building and ambience I suppose. I got a hot chocolate with the churros, and my order came out really quickly. Churros weren't hot but they were crunchy and filled with dulce de leche, hot chocolate came with milk that you pour by yourself which I thought was neat. Hot chocolate was way too sweet, really didn't like it very much. Building is nice, good spot to hang out for a while, free wifi. My food came out to be 7200 ARS which is super pricey for what I got but it's a tourist place so it's expected. read more

Café Tortoni - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Buenos Aires, C

Culturally rich restaurant that features a tango venue and was pleasantly surprised by its ambiance. The decor gave the impression of stepping back in time, and the space was clean and comfortable. Our party of nine was seated quickly, and the service was excellent. The waiter spoke English, which was a plus. While the food was generally underwhelming, I opted for a cheeseburger due to my overload of empanadas. However, the papas bravas were a highlight and quite delicious. The Irish coffee was a standout, rescuing my meal from being too bland. For dessert, the fresas con crema was a delightful treat with high-quality whipped cream, and my friend's prosciutto sandwich looked incredible, sparking some serious food envy. Although I didn't have room for the churros, they looked tempting. I'd definitely return for a tango show and to further explore the menu. read more

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This is a must-see if you're going to Buenos Aires. Affordable and incredibly delicious. The atmosphere feels like you're back in the 18th century. Beautiful art adorns the walls with Edison styled lighting. The vibe is not doubt Buenos Aires and tango. In the back, they have a tango salon where they still perform. It's crude and simplistic, as it should be. The food is delicious. I had a cheeseburger and it was incredible. Not over seasoned and a perfect size. They don't skimp on the serving size. I also paired it with a cider and a Malbec, and now I'm drunk. #worthit The service is good and you won't regret coming to this location. I'm truly glad we visited this historic restaurant. read more

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Do not waste your time going there. It is tourist trap. Expensive. The food is very bad. I had cappuccino that was the worst cappuccino ever. Churro was stale. The service was extremely slow. The inside may be nice and historic but definitely not worth the wait outside to get in. Do not go! I highly recommend Confiteria La Ideal instead! read more

I wouldn't say this cafe is amazing but it is a must visit due to its history. We ordered the hot chocolate, alfajores, and the churros - which are must orders in this place. The inside is cool for sure but I was a bit underwhelmed. The service was good and the place was pretty busy. There is definitely a wait at the door so you have to strategize what time you should come and be in line. If the line is too long, it's almost not worth it in my opinion. I think the prices are reasonable. One rule of thumb, if you are coming from the States, please beware of the tap water and ice. My husband who has lived in BA before got major diarrhea because he drank tap water. The tap water/ice is clean but they have a lot of minerals in their water that can affect your stomach if you are not used to their water so just be mindful when ordering cold drinks. We ordered bottled water just to make sure. read more

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This is one of those places that you visit because: IT IS. This 160-year old business functions primarily as a coffee shop in an historic old building in downtown Buenos Aires. Just about anytime of day you'll find a long line outside of the main entrance of those waiting to enter and find a place to sit down. Frankly, other than "it is", I can't figure out why this is the case. The coffee is OK, but not first rate, as are the pastries but there's nothing superlative about this place other than the fact that it's old, in historic building, represents some of the "old days look and feel" of Buenos Aires of yesteryear. Go and enjoy if you're curious. But I can't say We will never return again. read more

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Oldest Cafe in Buenos Aires, check. Beautiful interior, check. Good coffee? No bueno. But being a huge coffee fan with a fondness of decore, I am glad I made the visit. It started with a 20-minute wait, but the line does move fast. The inside and ambiance was really nice and the details were wonderful. The menu was ... well... average. And the service was quick but apathetic. I ordered 2 churros and a Cafe with Baileys. I was hoping to make it ice but the waiter either wouldn't modify it OR I was communicating poorly. Both could be the case. I enjoyed the churros and it was the best I have ever had. (BTW, that's not saying much as my experience is limited in a region with bad churros). The cafe, though, was not drinkable. Actually, worse Baileys coffee I have ever had. It tastes as if they forgot to add milk? I don't know, but it is very bitter. read more

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Ok.. so yes this is touristy.... but for good reason. Definitely a good place to stop for a coffee and snack. I could literally eat and drink my way around Buenos Aires, but for breakfast or a sweet tooth - this is the place to go. This history is fantastic and don't forget to check out the old stage/theatre. read more

The interior design of this shop was stunning. My friend and I waited in line for ~15 minutes to enter at 8:30p. We ordered a cafe frios (like an affogato except the coffee brew was also cold) and a strawberry smoothie as we both were pretty full and did not want a heavy dish. Both drinks were good, but not earth shattering. There is a mark up for the food given the reputation and name this shop has. It's a nice experience to go once while in BA, but I would not say it's a deal breaker should you skip it. There is a way to reserve and schedule ahead for tango viewings on their website, but there was no tango show the day we went. I think it would be more worthwhile if you were interested in viewing tango along side a quick bite/nice drink. read more

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So... Café Tortoni is historic and elegant, very Instagram worthy. The tango room, photos, statuary, art, stained glass ceilings, and tuxedoed waiters all make this an elegant place. But, the actual food leaves much to be desired. After a 15-20 minute wait in line outside, we hungrily ordered. I got the pre fixe of a ham and cheese mixto sandwich, torte of my choosing, fresh orange juice, and café con leche. My partner got the hamburger. The hamburger was overcooked and not very good, although the rosemary potatoes accompanying it were decent. My ham and cheese mixto sandwich was cold and not cooked enough, like no effort was put into this quite simple item. The lemon pie was good and the orange juice was fresh. If you are looking for coffee or a pastry and don't mind a line, you might find Café Tortoni to your liking. If you are looking for anything more, Buenos Aires has many great restaurants with better food. read more

Café Tortoni - The tango room. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Buenos Aires, C

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Worth the wait! Long line to stand in, but it moves fairly quick. We were in Argentina mid Oct. 2023 and we stopped at this place twice. The food and drinks were so good. Prices were great! Definitely a good place to enjoy some yummy food and treats! read more

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Café Tortoni has been around for about 160 years, so on that point alone it deserves 3 stars. But better than that, the place exudes old world charm, grace and elegance. It has the best atmosphere of any café to be found in Buenos Aries. But it does get overly crowded with lines often extending out onto the sidewalk. Café Tortoni is really all about coffee which is very good, sort of a super elegant nut with the flavor of a Starbucks. They also serve cakes, pastry and breads. I had their "Array of select cheeses for two people" and my friend had their "Tenderloin steak au gratin with cheese and tomato." Both were very good but nothing superlative. read more

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Past its prime. Perfunctory service. High prices for the quality of food. Too many stupid Instagrammers taking their selfies. Just a tourist trap. read more

When we saw the line out front, we knew that this was gonna be good. It was ok. Ya, just ok. The food was average, the service was ok. The bathrooms were disgusting. What this place did have going for it was its nostalgic beauty as an old fashioned cafe. Truly gorgeous on the inside. Good place to maybe just have a coffee and a piece of pie... read more

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This café has been open for more than 160 years, it is a BIG name in Buenos Aires. We came for "snack", what they call "Merienda" in Argentina. A lady was at the door and kinda didn't let us in... she jumped on us trying to convince us to go to the tango show. We were not sure whether we wanted to watch the show or not so she closed the door on our noses until we decided. Finally my group convinced me to go to the tango show and she let us in. We paid $15 dollars each to watch the show. Can't say it was bad but it was definitely not the best. While we were watching the tango show, we tried to order something to drink but the waiter refused, he stated he wasn't going to take an order for us to have drinks because the show finished in about 45 minutes and there wasn't enough time for them to bring them down to the basement, where the show takes place. It was, honestly, the most absurd excuse I have EVER heard of. He was at the back of the salon, texting the whole time while our throats were dry as the summer breeze. 45 minutes later and the show was FINALLY over... it was like we were in the dessert, where there was not even water for us to drink. We came up to the Café and another waiter came to us and gave us some menus. We ordered really fast and got some coffees and sandwiches cause it was not dinner time yet. The coffee was good but not the best I tried while in Buenos Aires. It's an old cafe but I didn't find it as special as it should be. It was all a combination of service, tastes, time taken, etc... You can go and rate yourself but to me, Cafe Tortoni was not what I was expecting. They failed my expectations. read more

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Best cafe in town. Love it such a history and also the tango dance. A+ I will go there again for sure

Came here in the afternoon for a coffee break. There was a line out the door but don't let that deter you. It actually went by pretty quick and the café itself is huge inside, plenty of seating. I got the chocolate con leche and churros. The chocolate milk was amazing. Silky, chocolatey, creamy. The churros were disappointing. I thought they were known for it but the churros we got were stale. I had to drown it in my chocolate milk to eat it. Overall, a good break to sit and relax while visiting a historic café of Buenos. The cafe was pretty, had an old school vibe and they accept credit card. Maybe just skip the churros. read more

Café Tortoni - Hot chocolate con churros - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Buenos Aires, C