Buenos Aires, Argentina > Buenos Aires > Café Tortoni

Café Tortoni

Av. De Mayo 829 Rivadavia 826, Microcentro; Tel. +(011.54.11) 4342.4328
Hours: Open weekly from 8:00AM till 2:00AM, weekends until 3:00AM
Price range: $$

Founded in 1858 and self proclaimed as the oldest café in the country, Tortoni is also the most heavily touristed café in town (you can tell by the white tour busses lined up outside). But, upon entrance, visitors are taken back into the golden era of Argentina where intellectuals, politicians and artists frequented this historic establishment. Cavernously deep with dark wooden oak tables, classic bow-tied waiters and art deco-looking neon lights take this place above and beyond the average old-school Buenos Aires Café.

Enjoy coffee drinks, sandwiches, and a plethora of eats, treats and sweets, while scouring the donated works of arts and plaques that are crammed across the walls, the biggest names in art in Argentina like B. Quinquela Martin, Sigfredo Pastor,Carlos Scannapieco, photographer Roman de la Torre Jose Sebastian Tallon and of course Carlos Gardel. You can even grab a game of pool in the back at your leisure.

Nightly tango shows are available for group reservations and there is live music on the weekends. Check out their sophisticated website for show times and prices and a complete menu.

—Café Tortoni review by Greg Roden

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