Don Julio
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Recommended Reviews - Don Julio
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Did Don Julio's live up to the hype? Can any restaurant ranked #10 in the world by World's Best Restaurants -- and crowned #1 steakhouse three consecutive years -- truly live up to its reputation? I'd say yes, and then some. A word of advice: sit inside. That's where the magic happens. The open-flame grills roaring indoors create an incredible ambiance -- intimate, lively, and unlike anything else. The outdoor seating is charming in its own right (cozy blankets draped over every chair), but the interior is the real experience. Service was exceptional. Before we even ordered, our waiter personally walked us through the kitchen to introduce us to the various cuts on display -- a thoughtful touch that made the whole meal feel like an event. We settled on the ribeye and one other cut, with the ribeye stealing the show: thick, juicy, and cooked to perfection over open flame. To top it all off, the meal came with complimentary champagne, chorizo, empanadas, and dessert -- generous extras that made an already outstanding dinner feel truly special.
Number 1 steakhouse and number 10 restaurant in the world. It's not often that the actual experience meets the hype and expectations. This was one of those moments. This was one of the things I was most looking forward to on this trip, and I made a reservation through our hotel months in advance. Fantastic meal overall. The steaks were great. Service was on point right from the beginning when they gave us wine and yummy corn empanadas when we arrived. The chocolate-covered dulce de leche at the end was delectable.
We thought we could get a dinner reservation with maybe a week's advance but found out they are 3 months out when we tried in February. We were able to get a first seating Lunch reservation 3 weeks in advance. Arrived on a Saturday for an 11 am reservation and already was starting to pick up. We were met with a complimentary glass of Chandon Brut (with refills) which was a nice touch. Also, there was a pumpkin mini empanada that was being passed out as we waited to be seated. Didn't taste it but heard comments from others that were enjoying it. We were seated outside promptly at 11. Inviting outdoor Dining with tablecloths. A plethora of different cuts of steak! We ended up going with the Ribeye (Ojo de Bife)and noticed that many were sharing their steak. When we saw 500 grams (or over a pound) for the Ribeye and many of the cuts, we understood why. Steak came out a perfect medium rare (as recommended)-tender with that char/smoke flavor-delicious! Our side salad was enjoyed. House baked bread with tasty dips as well a complimentary tomato with sauce (off menu-cant remember name) appetizer were a great start to our meal. Service was exceptional from beginning to end including the table side steak carving. Believe the hype, this is the Parrilla in Buenos Aires!
This one? A big disappointment. And yeah, I might catch some heat for saying it. It's trendy, all over social media, crowned by many as the best parrilla in Buenos Aires supposedly even a Michelin star winner. So naturally, the bar was set high. Maybe too high. I'm not saying the food was terrible. It wasn't. It just didn't shine. Nothing on the plate made me pause, nothing made me lean back and say, "Okay, now I get it." Maybe I ordered the wrong thing. Maybe it was an off night. But when you walk into a place with that kind of reputation, you expect more than just "fine." I came without a reservation, fully aware I'd have to wait. No problem there. What did bother me, though, was watching others in line being handed bubbles, empanadas, little bites to hold them over while in the full hour I stood there, not once was I offered anything. Maybe it was an oversight. Maybe not. But standing there empty-handed while others were being catered to didn't feel great. I wish I had more to say more praise, more critique, more something. But honestly, there just isn't much else. It didn't offend. It just didn't impress. And sometimes, that's the bigger letdown
We celebrated a birthday at Don Julio Parrilla with reservations booked weeks in advance. We were part of the first seating, and the entire operation ran incredibly smoothly. While waiting the very minimal time for our table, we were treated to free Prosecco and mini empanadas--I actually managed to enjoy almost two glasses before we were seated! Indoor dining seems to be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis based on your reservation time. We were given an outdoor table, which offered a lovely atmosphere, but it does come with a significant caveat. While Palermo is undeniably one of the nicer neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, its popularity with tourists makes it a target for pickpockets and scammers. If you are dining outside, you need to remain vigilant. During our meal, we witnessed a specific scam happen twice: individuals selling socks would approach outdoor tables and casually lay a few pairs down right over people's belongings. When they picked their merchandise back up, they would subtly swipe whatever was underneath. Be extremely careful and absolutely do not leave your phone or wallet resting on the table. One table managed to get their phone back only after chasing the thief down for several blocks, while an older group nearby wasn't as lucky. To the restaurant's credit, the staff actively pushes these individuals away when they spot them bothering customers, and there was a police officer stationed near the entrance for the entirety of our meal. I never felt unsafe dining there or walking around the area, but falling victim to a scam can easily ruin an evening. If you want a more relaxed experience where you don't have to keep your guard up as much, I highly recommend aiming for an indoor table. Moving on to the meal itself, It absolutely lives up to the hype. We shared the ribeye, and it was fantastic. I might not go so far as to call it the absolute best steak in the world, having had my fair share of great cuts across NYC, LA, Japan, Korea, and Australia, but the quality was undeniable and it was cooked perfectly. The accompanying sauces were excellent, and I absolutely loved the grilled cheese and the house-grown grilled peppers. If you are seated outside, take a moment to step inside, perhaps to use the restroom, just to see the open kitchen and the magnificent wine cellar downstairs. It is incredible to witness the sheer care they put into cooking the meats. What truly sets Don Julio apart, however, is the staff. They are extremely friendly and welcoming, and the service is easily among the best of any restaurant I have visited in the world. To celebrate the birthday, they generously comped one of our appetizers and provided a beautiful dessert. It was an incredibly kind gesture they didn't have to do, and we deeply appreciated the caring hospitality. This is the exact type of restaurant I will always want to come back to whenever I am in Buenos Aires; the food is incredible, but the service is even better.
On a 1-month getaway, other than lodging and air, I'd planned very little. Don Julio was the sole spot I'd planned to dine at, making 3pm reservations for an outdoor table well in advance of my trip. I'd read about Don Julio and noted its Michelin star but had no expectations other than a great meat meal at an authentic Argentinian parilla (steakhouse). And, despite the late hour at which Argentinians generally dine, I'd opted for a late afternoon seating in anticipation of how full I'd be when leaving. With outdoor temperatures approaching 90 degrees I was relieved to be greeted with a glass of champagne and follow the hostess to a table for 4, inside the restaurant. From there? Everything was just as perfect as that introduction. On a walking tour days earlier my guide had pointed out Don Julio noting their popularity and prices. My group and another person on the tour had upcoming reservations there and he assured us it was good and we'd enjoy it but made the point that the same experience can be had all over Buenos Aires at a lesser cost. Having now had the Don Julio experience and experienced several other parilla I concur with only part of his comment: One can have a similar experience and meal elsewhere but one cannot have the Don Julio experience. It's worth having. The staff at Don Julio is unlike the staff at any other Argentinian restaurant. Their level of attentiveness is outstanding. Without getting into the nitty gritty of the excellent meal and service I will say that they feature a very big menu and an even bigger wine list. My table of 4 sampled Rib-eye, Tenderloin, and Prime Rib with various tomato accompaniments, bread, wine, and... ah, who knows? The whole experience was dreamy and one of my fondest membranes of my vacation. Expensive for Argentina, sure, but with tip and wine my meal for 4 ran just under $400; Almost reason enough to fly to Buenos Aires. Don Julio was an experience I'd regret having missed.
Pretty well priced for a Michelin star place in South America. the service was great, and the welcome empanada was so impressing, my mother ordered additional during the meal. the ambiance was fantastic, although we were dining with all tourists, it still gave a nice feel of BA. we ordered a ton of meats and loved the chimichurris. The bread was great but the weird green sauce/soup was so bitter
The food was amazing. I've been trying different type of restaurants in Argentina. It was a little bit hard for me to find a good one, but this one for sure is high-quality not disappointed.
One of the most famous steakhouses in the world with great service. My booking is at 10:30pm and when I arrived a bit early, I was immediately greeted with an empanada and a glass of sparkling wine while I wait. They showed me the wine cellar on the way in which is quite an impressive collection. Steak portions are generally huge in Argentina so I got the half portion rib eye. Extremely well prepared with nice condiments - compared to New York steakhouses it has a more charcoal grilled flavor. One thing to pick on is while the steak knife looks pretty it is a bit difficult to use. Overall the experience is great and it is not too expensive for a fine dining experience at one of the best restaurants in the world. Reserve for a table early though as I booked almost a month early but I still only managed to get a 10:30pm table (despite they eat late in Argentina)
I was a bit wary when coming in because I saw mixed reviews on Reddit and this spot only boasts a 4.4 on Google Maps. However, as a one Michelin star steakhouse and rated number one in the world, I had to give it a go while in Buenos Aires. I arrived a bit late to my reservation as there was a bit of traffic on the way. However, they were kind enough to seat me still and handed me a glass of complimentary champagne while waiting for the table to clear. Before seating, they gave me a tour of the meat grill and the downstairs wine cellar as well. My seat was outside (where the majority of the seats were), but I didn't mind it as it was quite nice outside. As for the actual food, I asked for a "bife de chorizo ancho, jugoso tirando a punto" - an Argentine sirloin, wide side, rare leaning towards medium. ChatGPT said this would be the juiciest cut, and I was really impressed by the steak. It was very sizable, and most bites were extremely flavorful. My only pet peeve is that there were some bites that were a bit chewier and tougher, but in hindsight it's really hard to get such a large steak cooked fully perfectly. Overall I had quite a solid experience at Don Julio and would come back again if I were in Buenos Aires.
We went here for lunch. Had a reservation for 1:30 PM and were seated at 1:55. we had a table on the gallery upstairs. ordered the large menu with wine pairing. everything was great , except that our ribeye was medium instead of medium rare.'c They corrected this immediately .Service was excellent and so was the good and wine.
Nice space, a bit of a revolving door with block set seating times to fit in as many people as possible. After eating 4 Asados in country before we ate here we had tried a variety of styles of cooking. We loved the Proveleta and skirt steak (seasoning and cook were perfect). The rest of the meal was good. This was the first arugula salad with Parmesan that I've ever asked for seconds on! Because we ordered the set menu we were unable to do a wine pairing with it which was very confusing, that should be the easiest to do a pairing with. We didn't know what courses were being served with the set menu so we asked the sommelier to choose wines for each course but they wouldn't, they focused more on our tastes versus helping us to find the best for each course.
Not worth the hype in my opinion although my meal was good. The service was quick and effective but I wouldn't rate it in the worlds best steaks.
11 years ago
Come for the asado, stay for the empanadas... There was absolutely nothing about my meal at Don Julio, that was not great. Our group of 8 people was courteously greeted by the staff upon arrival. They had our table prepared and ready to receive us. We started lunch with an amazing meat empanada. I know this is not their specialty but if you go there and doesn't order one you will regret it. Follow by the empanadas we got salad, appetizers and french fries. By that time I was already happy and didn't need any more food, but the best was yet to come. I should tell you I usually don't eat a lot of meat. And even though I am Brazilian, I don't go to steakhouses very often. Oh, but if Don Julio was a walking distance from my house I would. We got to try three different cuts of meat and there wasn't one I didn't enjoy. Portions were quite gigantic, and that is my only complaint. I wish I had more space in my belly to eat some more. TIP: reserve some time to eat calmly and peacefully. You shouldn't rush your meal at Don Julio, and you should take your time to try as many dishes as possible. read more
We needed somewhere that we could dine at early (by Argentine standards) since we had a shuttle to catch to tango at 9 pm. Don Julio was the perfect choice.. by 8 pm the restaurant was already packed with tourists (because only tourists eat this early). Don Julio is the favorite of many locals and tourist so we were excited to give it a try. While we did have a fine meal here, in our opinion it was still not quite as good as La Cabrera. While eating there is a fun experience, one that you want to spend a long time enjoying, Don Julio is more of a standard steak house. No free sides here like they give you there, but they did serve a delicious chimichurri sauce which alone might be worth coming for. And the most important thing to compare - the steak - per my bf who eats a lot of steak - was still more flavorful and better at La Cabrera. But good here also. I opted for the chicken ravioli which was outstanding. It was a very generous portion (see my picture) that I couldn't completely finish. We also ordered a side of grilled vegetables that was also outstanding. Highly recommend getting it as a side. We let them know that we were in a bit of a hurry and they accommodated us by by hurrying our meal along, which I really appreciate (since it is not the norm here). By the way they gave us a 12:1 rate on USD which was about as good as we were able to get anywhere. read more
4 years ago
Amazing experience! Even the wait was pleasant. They provide soon-to-be patrons waiting on the curb with some bubbly and empanadas. So you know service is important to them. The food is amazing. My T-Bone steak was phenomenal. Even better you can't beat the prices for the quality and quantity of the food. A T-Bone and Prime Rib steak, one side and a bottle of wine set me up $120 USD. If you're ever in Argentina, listen the hoards of other reviewers and make it a priority to visit Don Julio. read more
After reading all the great reviews about Don Julio, we knew this was a must try during our trip to BA. We couldn't get reservations on a Friday night because they were full, but because our hotel was close, we walked over at about 9pm and were told it would be an hour wait for inside, or we could eat outside immediately. Being the Minnesotans that we are, eating outside in 60 degree weather is no big deal. They also gave us blankets to wrap around us to keep us warm. Everyone waiting for tables was huddled around us drinking complimentary prosecco, so it was kind of hard to have an intimate conversation. We had a nice dinner, but I'm not sure if we lost out by not eating inside. Our service was only okay and the food itself was not the best we had in BA, although it was good. We had several servers throughout our meal, and it was hard to order wine with our meal after ordering cocktails to begin with. We ordered the chorizo, proveleta, bife de lomo, fries, and mushrooms. Our meal came to about $100USD for 2 people, but we ordered too much food. I would recommend Don Julio because I feel like its a classic Argentinian steakhouse, but I'd also make sure to give La Carniceria (also in Palermo) a try. We had a better and much cheaper meal there ($45 USD). read more
4 years ago
We went to Don Julio at least 5 times during our stay in Buenos Aires. Incredible steaks, best we have had in long time. Service is amazing, staff are friendly. Fresh bread, Chimichurri, fresh tomatoes and empanada and olive oil they serve complementary is the best. We bought few bottles of their olive oils too!! This is a must have if you are in the neighborhood. I suggest you book in advance. read more
Excellent steakhouse. Service is impeccable. I went for lunch without reservation and got a table pretty quick. They serve you champagne while you wait. Servers are super friendly. They start you with warm bread and olive oil. I got the rib eye and it pertectly medium rare with an crispy sear. Got a lettuce, tomatoes and onion salad and it was very prepared with lemon, oil and salt. I wasn't too crazy about their sauces. I just added salt to my steak. Portion was pretty big, enough for 2 people. And of course... you can have steak without a good glass of malbec! Love the decor with all the wine bottles. If you go down to the bathrooms you can also see their wine cellar, which is very cool. If you are in Buenos Aires, I'll definitely recommend the steaks here. read more
4 years ago
I'm so happy. This was one of the best meals I had in Buenos Aires. The experience was amazing and I can't rave enough about the bife de ojos, mashed potatoes and Malbec. Absolutely try to dine here if you're in BA. I went on a Wednesday afternoon for lunch without a reservation and was seated right away. read more
6 years ago
This is fancy steak house in BA. My friend and I were offered complimentary champagne (yay!) and we ordered steaks. The steaks were good but a little more cooked than I wanted. I like the restaurant's decor a lot and the restaurant's atmosphere. The prices are reasonable for a fancy steak dinner, especially compared to prices in the US. I will definitely return here in the future. read more
4 years ago
12 years ago
Went with a group of 8 on a Monday night. We waited for a very long time but were treated well while we lingered (with many others) on the sidewalk. They served us champagne while we waited etc...good move. What can I say...the food was INCREDIBLE. I had a T bone and a sausage app. The salad was great. The pastas (ESP the ravioli) got rave reviews from my companions. This is a must stop if you're in town. Worth the wait. read more
11 years ago
4.5 stars. When roaming about BA, there's one parrilla which everyone recommends and it is Don Julio. Obviously, my friend and I decided to make it our first dinner in Argentina and it was great. It was easily one of the greatest steaks that I have ever had. Getting a shareable bottle of malbec is so easy and their wine list is comprehensive. (You also get free champagne as you wait in line.) The service is better than the equivalent steakhouses in America. You have to check out Don Julio is you're in BA. It is necessary. I also appreciate how DJ asks how you would like your steak cooked. While it is typical for Argentine meat to be on the well side, I prefer mine rare to medium rare... which was an easy ask here. Here's why I didn't round up to five stars: 1. Empanada game WEAK. 2. It is touristy. While it may be one of the world's most worthwhile tourist trap, there is a feel of BA/Argentine authenticity that I would be looking for in such a renowned parrilla. read more
8 years ago
I have been to many parillas in Argentina and I can assure you that this has been by favorite or at the very least tied for my favorite. I showed up late thursday night with some friend without a reservation and received excellent service considering it was a party of 8. This is a very nonchalant, no-nonsense, steakhouse where you get amazing quality grass-fed beef from a piping hot grill with a simple to understand menu (in case you aren't familiar with Argentine cuts). Prices are also competitive with other top parillas in the city and very affordable considering the strong value of the dollar to the peso at the time of this review. Ordered the sweetbreads as an appetizer and they were creamy and great followed by a ribeye cooked medium rare. If you're in town and hanging out in Palermo, I personally had a very good experience from both a dining service and food quality standpoint. read more
8 years ago
A fine representation of an Argentinian Parrilla. Great meat, great service, prices according to quality. If you don't mind waiting for a table, you are in for a great treat. Ranked #1 steakhouse in Buenos Aires and #6 restaurant in all Latin America, it is a place you cannot miss out. The sweetbreads are like butter that melts in your mouth. The provoleta with red peppers is out of this world. And the entrecot is an amazing cut that you will be more than happy with. Very good variety of wines in their own wine cellar. All featured in my pics. This place is a must! read more
Don Julio is truly one of a kind amazing. I went to Argentina expecting amazing steak, and Don Julio went above and beyond in astounding my taste buds. BEST STEAK IN BUENOS AIRES!!!! I went with 2 friends on a Monday night and got there around 7 pm (when they open). It was already litttt - we had to be seated outside because of the number of reservations/walk ins they had. We got free champagne and it was exceptionally nice for free champagne - I usually expect mediocre quality from complimentary beverages/food, but damn it was some exceptional champagne. We ordered the sausage platter and I got the ribeye. The sausage platter was hella good - I'm not the biggest fan of sausage, but it was super juicy! I hate lamb, but their lamb sausage was actually alright - I could barely taste the lamb, and the flavors complimented each other perfectly. Not only that, but they cut the sausage for you at the table which is super nice especially as a clumsy left handed gal who manages to mess everything food related up lol. The ribeye was the stuff of wet dreams - tender, juicy, and beautiful. The steak cut like butter it was so tender. Argentinians don't season their meat with anything but salt because they believe that exceptionally good steak doesn't need anything else, and I now understand what they're talking about. That ribeye will be the steak that got away (in my stomach). No steak can compare. Don Julio is a little pricey - I ended up spending $35-40 splitting wine, sausage, and getting my own ribeye. However, the quality of the food and service is worth every penny!!! Would recommend to anyone looking for the best steak in Buenos Aires!!! read more
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The best steak I had in town, touristy-ness be damned. I loved everything about this place, from the sparkling wine at the hostess stand, to the neighborhood vibe, to the unapologetic nature of the menu. This is a pean to beef and hearty accoutrements, and nothing succeeds like excess. read more
5 years ago
3 years ago
We read the hype online about this place. The menu says they source their meat from cows raised in the highlands. If you read online, Argentina's cow industry has grown through similar changes that US industry went through - basically feed farms vs grass fields. I was excited to taste the difference, especially since in Hawaii we have an excellent steak house that dry ages their beef for 15 or 30 days and I was heading to Buenos Aires after trying the 18 day dry aged Kansas City steak at Yachtsman steakhouse, Disney World. So, did Don Julio live up to the hype? Let me explain a bit more about the differences. Dry aged steak is very tender whereas Don Julio steak was hearty and beefy. It required some chew but was not tough. It was cooked medium. The flavor had some beefiness to it with a little salt to accent, which was just right. While not a mind blowing experience, it was some good, straight up meat. Definitely more flavorful than your typical US steak. The bife de chorizo was huge and FYI, you can order just half. My friend is vegetarian, and yes, you can eat here too. The provolone grilled cheese was delicious. The corn empanada was delicious! Just one piece per order. The grilled veggies come with yam, onion, bell pepper but is mostly yam. The asparagus is delicious, seasoned with lemon and salt. There is also a veggie ravioli too which we did not order. The wine is great and you must have steak and wine for a true experience. So, one steak, two veggie sides, one corn empanada, one cheese disc, three glasses of wine = $98 USD. This cost is similar to a mid range US restaurant in price but with higher end service and professionalism. Service spoke English. They accept USD. The lady overseeing the floor was very attentive. It's an enjoyable experience moreso than the money. I would recommend it. read more
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One of the best meat restaurants. A pleasant atmosphere and excellent service strongly recommend read more
9 years ago
7 years ago
I loved Don Julio Parrilla. The Service from the Staff was excellent. He suggested if plates were too big and too small which cuts and wines were better. We had a reservation and strongly advise to do so. Regardless of day this place gets busy. It has a nice bodega ambiance setting. Open view grill and some tables are set on a second floor. Every way you turn is a good picture view. The food quality and flavor was excellent and the prices on the higher end but well worth it and not as high as some places in Puerto Madero. read more
9 years ago
Loved my experience here!! I ate so much steak in my 5 days in Buenos Aires, but this place is by far my favorite. I heard so many great things about this restaurant, so I asked someone from my hotel make a reservation for my bf and I for our last night in Buenos Aires. The restaurant itself is very trendy and I loved the layout. We sat upstairs so we had a great view of the chefs cooking in the open kitchen and also of the entire first floor. We ordered the ribeye and filet mignon (medium and medium rare respectively), along with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. The steaks were SOOOOO good and juicy. And the chimichurri sauce that they brought out complimented the steaks so well. The only negative that I would say about the filet mignon is that it was a littleeee bit tough even though it was cooked medium rare. The mashed potatoes were fluffy and delicious. I also enjoyed the vegetables, though it did feel like they didn't distribute the salt evenly. Service also deserves an A+. They were very attentive and our server was able to speak conversational English, which I was very happy about since I've mainly had to get around Argentina using hand gestures. The bill came out to around $100 for 2 people, which I think is a great deal compared to how much steakhouses cost in America. Definitely a must try steakhouse if you are in Buenos Aires!! read more
7 years ago
First time in BA from USA Highly recommended , first class service Steaks were excellent and huge. Grilled sweet potatoes and thyme mash potatoes delicious. We ordered medium steak came out medium rare rather send it back than have it over cooked, but it cut like butter all of us said " OMG ! " The pics in plates are 1/3 of 2 steaks for 3 people we shared , unless you can eat a huge steak it's recommended you share steaks as they are huge Argentina known for steaks hit it on the mark. Service excellent. Depending on day expect to wait up to 1 hour or more on weekends , check hours as they close at 4-7 pm to prepare for dinner as the busiest times are after 7 pm. Locals eat late that's the norm If you want to eat at your favorite time make a reservation but they do fill up fast days in advance. Enjoy !!! read more
More info about Don Julio
Guatemala 4691
C1425BUK Buenos Aires
Argentina
Palermo
Directions
011 4831-9564
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