Buenos Aires Cafe
(512) 441-9000
2414 South First St
Austin,
TX
78704
30.241973
-97.759758
Neighborhood: Dawson
Reviews & Ratings for Buenos Aires Cafe
18 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 18 reviews
Unique South American Experience
by megn
July 22, 2006
We went here one evening after reading the reviews on Citysearch and trying to find something new. What a wonderful surprise! The food was very good. Started with empanadas and then we had the butternut squash gnocchi which was the special of the evening and another dish that is the house favorite (there is a spanish name I can't remember) that was similiar to shepard's pie. All the above were fantastic. We also tried one of the many freshly made in house pasteries for dessert. We were pleased with everything including the charming atmosphere and service.
One disappointment: After reading the review(s) listed on Citysearch we took some time to stop and select a bottle of wine to bring only to find out they do now have thier liquor license and were going to charge us a $15 corking fee to open our bottle. Hopefully the information is updated here soon, but in the interum it would have been more appropriate to wave the fee as we pointed out to our server that the information provided by Citysearch stated to byob otherwise we wouldn't have bought/brought it (they didn't).
Otherwise, we enjoyed our whole experience.
- Pros: Good food, nice ambience, good service
- Cons: Misinformation - do not byob unless you want a corking fee (they have a liquor license now)
Great Food, Lazy service?
by JimTremoz
March 10, 2009
The food at Buenos Aires is fantastic. It's always fresh, always tasty, never a bad meal. The coffee and dessert are also very good. The owner, Chef and most of the staff do an outstanding job.
I eat there on a very regular basis, and am therefore somewhat familiar with their hours, and the fact that even though they may be open, they may only have empanadas, coffee and dessert at certain times of the day.
So it came as quite a shock to me a couple of weeks ago, when I went in before dinner to grab a coffee and dessert with a couple friends, and was told by the waiter that "uhh.. yeah.. you know.. the Green Muse has coffee.. right across the street" after stating that we just wanted coffee and dessert.
I must say, I didn't recognize the waiter, so he hasn't been there long. Certainly not one of the regular waiters. It really left a bad taste in my mouth, being turned away from one of my favorite restaurants because the waiter was either too lazy or too ignorant to handle some coffee and dessert.
- Pros: Wonderful Food, Great Location
- Cons: strange hours, poor service
The best of the best in Rivercity--unless you're testy velvetspel crazy.
by LoveThisSickSadWorld
February 17, 2009
to velvetspel being told "If you want to" isn't rude as you were not told no. You're palpably either control freaky or a psycho emotional abuser. What do your kids or significant other say about it? If you have neither, well, there you go ;P (if you can't stand anyone no one can stand you).
The service is decent, maybe busy at lunch. The alfajores de chocolate, the portabella at lunch or empanadas, the spinach salad, try a pinono and a top it with a cortado (but not after 8pm).
Charming, open-spaced cafe serves South American staples south of the river.
by Contributor
September 17, 2008
The city's first Argentine cafe is a bright and airy space painted in cool earth tones. Smart black-and-white cloths decorate the six tables and tango music completes the effect of being in a refined café. Young urbanites and Argentine nationals are drawn to the authentic empanadas, milanesas and hand-made pastas as well as the organic coffee and teas. The bakery case features regional pastries like medialunas and tres leches cake.
High Marks
"Try the empanadas, the carne picante is my favorite. They are truly out of this world!" (pipede, Citysearch user)
"My favorite part about this place is the oh so tiny size of the Cafe and the welcoming vibes in the air. Even though the tables are extremely close, it really doesn't matter much as everyone here seems to be having the time of their lives." (snugglygirl007, Citysearch user)
"The waiter was very attentive and approachable and the cuisine was different and refreshing and very affordable. Best kept secret in Austin." (julyhorn, Citysearch user)
Low Marks
"...you might have to wait an hour to sit at a table six inches away from the people next to you." (johnny50, Citysearch user)
"Ambience is so-so, parking can be tricky, not a lot of seats..." (austin_sommelier, Citysearch user)
Best Quality Food and Service
by pipede
September 06, 2008
We LOVE this place! Some friends took us to this amazing eatery a little over 5 months ago and we have been 1 (sometimes 2) times a month ever since. Every time we go there is a wait, but that is to be expected considering the quality of the food. We are immediately offered drinks while we wait and seated promptly once another table leaves. First off, try the empanadas, the carne picante is my favorite. They are truly out of this world! The organic spinach salad with pecans, goat cheese and fuji apples is to die for and a steal at $4.99 for a small and $6.99 for a large! As for entrees, you really can't go wrong. The Milanesa and Pollo al Horno are amazing, but if you want to be wowed, go for the special. It is always FRESH and very inventive. Not to mention the stellar presentation. Even if you don't do dessert, you have too here. So basically from start to finish we have loved our food and experience every time. As for service, the staff and head chef/owner are all amazing and very attentive. I would highly recommend Buenos to everyone .
- Pros: Everything
- Cons: Nothing
Terrible Service
by apple8
May 13, 2008
A friend of mine told me Buenos Aires had yummy gnocchi, so I thought I'd try it out. I took another friend who had been before and said the food was good, but the service was really bad. From what I could tell she was absolutely correct. I never actually got my meal (a sandwich) but had some really tasty empanadas. After waiting an hour (yes, an hour) for two sandwiches (yes, sandwiches) we left. It was the lunch hour, but it was a Tuesday. It appeared there was maybe only one waitress for the cafe of 10 tables, but an hour for sandwiches?! When a table that was sat 30 minutes after we were got there food and we were still sat hungry, I called the waitress over. She seemed confused by us not having any food, but said it should be right out. It became pretty clear at that point she had forgotten to put our order in or it had been lost. No apology. No more waitress for another 20 minutes at which point we left. We went across the street to Baby Greens and had delicious salad wraps in our mouths within 10 minutes.
First class by Peter B. at InsiderPages
Contributor
February 02, 2008
Love the food, love the service. Every meal is a true sensation for the taste buds. The empanadas are fabulous, the deserts outstanding and the variety of entree's tops. I have never had a bad meal here. The waiters are excellent professionals, very knowledgable and friendly. A very interesting wine list to accompany your meal. Would recommend Buenos Aires Cafe very highly
OMG. OMFG.
by snugglygirl007
January 11, 2008
WOW.
This is F-A-B. Where do I start? Perhaps with the end? If a place has an ambience that sends you off into the night to show your first born whip, for the very first time, to your girl - that's perfection!
This place is truly delightful. The food is incredible, with wonderful just-right portions, beautiful presentation, and the prices are pretty damn good for the 5 star yumminess you get. My favorite part about this place is the oh so tiny size of the Cafe and the welcoming vibes in the air. Even though the tables are extremely close, it really doesn't matter much as everyone here seems to be having the time of their lives. It does get loud, but again, it just doesn't matter much ..... this place pulls off the mix of everything perfectly - casual but elegant and lovely but hot.
- Pros: WOOF
- Cons: You just might have to wait to get a piece of this
Great service
by johnny50
November 12, 2007
I have eaten at Buenos Aires many times and recommend it to everyone I know. The food is amazing and the service is even better. You feel like you are best friends with the guys running the place by the time you leave. I read a few bad reviews of the service, anyone that wrote that has never worked in the service industry. These guys do absolutely the best job they can given the circumstances. This is after all, one of the busiest restaurants in town, they appear to have no bussers or hosts or bartenders, yet they not only take care of you as quick as possible, they make sure you are happy, which must be hard in a tiny. loud, overcrowded cafe. If you go, just buy the special. It is always freaking incredible. It makes up for the fact you might have to wait an hour to sit at a table six inches away from the people next to you.
- Pros: Great food, great service.
- Cons: Loud and crowded.
Best small neighborhood romantic dinner
by raegoldring
October 22, 2007
I have been here many times and it is always delicious! Be sure to have a bottle of one of their Malbec wines.
- Pros: Delicious food and wine
- Cons: Small and popular, so there is often a wait
MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT
by bradskate
September 28, 2007
Okay so, forgive me if I gush, but I love Buenos Aires. A co-worker introduced me to this place and it has been my favorite ever since. The lunch and dinner menu are completely different. Lunch has lighter dishes like sandwiches, salads and empanadas. For dinner is is completely gourmet and much pricier. The chef is a grad from Le Cordon Bleu - the highest certification for a chef - and it shows! Try the Spinach Salad and Veradura Empanada or whatever they?re offering as the special for the day. Before you eat, take a peek at the freshly made pastries. The fruit tarts are to die for.
- Pros: Food, desserts
- Cons: parking
