South America
Argentina
Capital Federal District
Buenos Aires
Things to do in Buenos Aires
Cafe Tortoni
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Cafe Tortoni

See all things to do
See all things to do
Cafe Tortoni
4
#110 of 998 things to do in Buenos Aires
Cabarets
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Monday
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Friday
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 1:00 AM
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About
This famous cafe, the oldest in Argentina, features reasonably priced tango shows in its velvet-covered back room.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: El Centro (Downtown)
How to get there
  • Piedras • 2 min walk
  • Avenida de Mayo • 3 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
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See what travellers are saying
  • JM2246
    London, United Kingdom37 contributions
    Nice place full of history, but a bit of a tourist trap.
    We didn’t go to a Tango show, we just visited for lunch. The cafe is well decorated with some amazing art work- it does feel like a lot of history happened here. Is certainly worth popping in to have a look if you are nearby. We had lunch here and I was not impressed. The food was plain and overpriced. The service was extremely slow (it took the waiter 20 minutes just to bring us a menu).
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 December 2022
  • Sandy J
    Albuquerque, New Mexico14 contributions
    A must
    Great historic cafe - carrying on with not many changes for over 150 years! If you use blue dollar exchange rate, it is very reasonably priced. Nice salad and sandwiches and bar. Great waiter. We stayed nearby and there was a line everyday but our wait was about 20 minutes and it was worth it!
    Visited December 2022
    Written 22 January 2023
  • Nazim J
    Great Bookham, United Kingdom7 contributions
    Great historical cafe
    I’ve read a lot of reviews on this place and they say it is a tourist trap. It is what it is. A historical cafe, with great art and a great tango show. Prices are always going to be a little higher than usual. We had a great time. Went twice - once to scout and once to book the tango show. No regrets. Great place. Well worth the visit
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 January 2023
  • Michael A
    Nassau, New Providence Island1,899 contributions
    Worth a look but not worth going out of your way
    Cafe Tortoni is worth a look if you're on the Avenida de Mayo. However, it's not worth going out of your way. Be advised that Cafe Tortoni keeps half of its tables empty in order to ensure a long queue of customers outside its entrance.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 10 April 2023
  • Viatgesrjr
    Mayaguez, Puerto Rico1,198 contributions
    Churros and Hot Chocolate in a Historical Cafe
    The first two times we went there was a line of over 40 people waiting to come in. Third time there were only 15 people waiting, requiring a 20 min wait. We followed the advice of a long time Buenos Aires resident who recommended hot chocolate and churros. The churros were quite special filled with of course: dulce de leche. There is plenty of history associated with this cafe. The more you appreciate the history, and the opportunity to be a part of it; the more you will enjoy the food.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 April 2023
  • Pedro P
    3 contributions
    Beautiful place with tons of history
    Place is historical and feels so. It also feels authentical, so do not expect a turist-centered attention. Cheescake is amazing. Do check for tango events being held downstairs. They require a separate admission fee but they are totally worth it.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 12 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
3,021 reviews
Excellent
1,275
Very good
1,009
Average
443
Poor
173
Terrible
121
tr1pAddv1z0r
12 contributions
Check...
Nov 2023 • Couples
Well, the cafe is lovely and we were glad to check it off our list. As mentioned in other reviews, there was no reason for the wait outside, as, once we did get in, there were about ten available tables, not counting those we couldn't see in the back. I suspect that having a long line, ergo the long wait, is part of the gimmick to make tourists think this is something worth waiting for inside. Good grief...they even keep the door shuttered until they let parties in one at a time!

This said, the cafe con leche was excellent, however, the dulce de leche ice cream tasted like the carton it was scooped from...stale. The wait staff (2 different fellows) was borderline rude...inattentive and totally unfriendly.

Why wouldn't these folks want to make this as lovely an experience as is the cafe's decor?

Once we were able to get our check (after 2 requests), the waiter commented that the tip had not been included. Seriously, did he think we couldn't read la cuenta? Here's our tip: Check out the photos online and skip visiting.
Written 3 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pedro P
3 contributions
Beautiful place with tons of history
Sep 2023 • Friends
Place is historical and feels so. It also feels authentical, so do not expect a turist-centered attention. Cheescake is amazing.

Do check for tango events being held downstairs. They require a separate admission fee but they are totally worth it.
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea M
Hillsborough, NJ2 contributions
Just an iconic name…
May 2023 • Solo
Long queue waiting outside and inside half the tables empty. I did not have time to wait so I went inside just to buy a souvenir. The rude gentleman in charge of the gift shop was eating and asked me (4:30pm) to come back in 10 mins. Seriously? Never going back.
Written 23 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudia C
Aruba9 contributions
Heavenly Churros
Apr 2023
Beautiful place. Food was okay. But the hot chocolate and churro, wow! That was amazing!! It was crispy and tasty. Definitely will go back for the churros.
Written 28 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Viatgesrjr
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico1,198 contributions
Churros and Hot Chocolate in a Historical Cafe
Apr 2023 • Couples
The first two times we went there was a line of over 40 people waiting to come in. Third time there were only 15 people waiting, requiring a 20 min wait. We followed the advice of a long time Buenos Aires resident who recommended hot chocolate and churros. The churros were quite special filled with of course: dulce de leche. There is plenty of history associated with this cafe. The more you appreciate the history, and the opportunity to be a part of it; the more you will enjoy the food.
Written 22 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie M
11 contributions
Truly awful
Apr 2023
What a disappointment. We queued for nearly an hour from about 12.15pm only to discover when we went in it was over half empty. Not only did this really annoy us but it meant there was little buzz or atmosphere. Our waiter was so disengaged. Not one smile, proper greeting or anything. Very rude . The food is truly dreadful. I've never had such inedible medialunas. We left most and the brownie was equally poor. The only redeeming feature was the tea. The café is nice enough but many as nice. I would never recommend . A true waste of time.
Written 22 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael A
Nassau, New Providence Island1,899 contributions
Worth a look but not worth going out of your way
Mar 2023
Cafe Tortoni is worth a look if you're on the Avenida de Mayo. However, it's not worth going out of your way. Be advised that Cafe Tortoni keeps half of its tables empty in order to ensure a long queue of customers outside its entrance.
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dietwee
Antwerp, Belgium239 contributions
Tourist trap, awful food
Apr 2023 • Friends
A classic tourist trap. Food is small cold not fresh and very poor quality. To much staff being busy doing nothing. We were there for 30 min before we could order (place not even half full) and it took another 45 min before our horrible food was there.
Just go in, take a look but don't eat there. They overcharged us for thing we didn't order. Staf not friendly, just being busy with each other. That's not a way of running an established business.
Written 8 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ralph F
Dubai, United Arab Emirates136 contributions
Not to be missed
Mar 2023 • Couples
Great experience and excellent food and drinks as we tried the coffee with Tia Maria which was delicious. We enjoyed looking around and had a very pleasant lady serving our table. We will be back for sure
Written 31 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
P. Aud
New York City, NY523 contributions
Poor food nice decor
Mar 2023 • Family
Food was below average. Come here for the decor but not for the food. Line outside but quite empty inside. Overall mediocre.
Written 21 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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CAFE TORTONI: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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