Last updated on January 11, 2024
Tea and cake in a good cafe is one of my favourite things, and during my time in trendy Palermo in Buenos Aires there was no shortage of options to choose from. This is a round-up of my favourite 10 cafes in Palermo in no particular order. All have wi-fi and vegetarian options. I’m focused on cafes in Palermo because that’s where I lived, but I also think it’s definitely home to the best cafes in Buenos Aires.
The best cafes in Buenos Aires’ Palermo District
1. Bartola
Nicaragua 5935, Palermo Hollywood and Gurruchaga 1795, Palermo Soho
Bartola is delightfully kitsch with bunting, mismatched furniture and a pastel palette. There are cakes, teas and juices and a good breakfast/brunch menu, as well as sandwiches and pizza.
There are two branches – a small, cosy one with lovely outdoor seating on one of Palermo Soho’s most pretty roads; and another in Recoleta.
2. bBlue Deli and Natural Bar
Armenia 1692, Palermo Soho
bBlue was my favourite post-yoga stop for a healthy smoothie or salad. The light filled, yet cosy, place is owned by a blueberry farmer and serves a delicious crumble. The breakfasts are huge, and there’s also a great tea menu. it’s the kind of place you tend to leave feeling refreshed.
3. Oui Oui
Nicaragua 6068, Palermo Hollywood
Steve and I were looking for a good brunch and Oui Oui perfectly delivered. This charming cafe seems made for weekend mornings. It’s the ideal pace to enjoy a breakfast of eggs and coffee amid the bustling Palermo streets. It served the best submarine (a glass of hot milk with chocolate to melt into it) that I tasted in the city, with lots of crumbly chocolate so you could make it just right. Definitely one of Palermo’s best cafes.
4. Pani
Nicaragua 6044, Palermo Hollywood
Pani is a girly delight, full of pretty crockery, and even prettier cakes. The pink lemonade even comes in a pink jug in the shape of a penguin. You probably shouldn’t go there without trying something sweet like one of the tempting macaroons.
There is also a menu of savoury dishes such as pizza, wraps and salad. There’s an outdoor courtyard as well as plenty of seats inside beside shelves full of cute teapots.
5. Voltaire
1946 Carranza, Palermo Hollywood
Sitting here on a sunny day is a wonderful way to appreciate Palermo’s charms. Outside the cafe, the lamp posts, signs and trees are wrapped in colourful crochet and inside is cosy and inviting. Whenever I went to Voltaire it always had a bustle to it and was a great place to while away some time working. Unlike most places in Buenos Aires, it’s possible to get a light lunch rather than a portion fit for two. It gets very busy at the weekends.
6. Libros del Pasaje
Thames 1762, Palermo Soho
I’ve already raved about this in my post on Buenos Aires best bookshops, but it has to be included on this list too as the cafe is one of the best parts. It’s at the back of the bookshop, next to a small music section so you can sit surrounded by books and music. It’s wonderfully cosy and possibly my favourite place to sit and read in the city. I miss it, writing about it now.
7. Eterna Cadencia
Honduras 5574, Palermo Hollywood
If I’m including Libros del Pasaje then Eterna Cadencia deserves a mention too. It’s a more classical bookstore than Libros del Pasaje and the cafe feels rather more grand with high ceilings and a glass roof. My favourite place to sit was at the back on the sofas where you could peek into the bookshop or stare up to the sky. You can see more pictures in my Buenos Aires bookshops post.
8. Full City Coffee House
Thames 1535, Palermo Soho
Run by a Colombian-British couple, Full City Coffehouse serves its own blend of Colombian coffee, plus lots of reasonably priced snacks, such as arepas, burgers and salads.
9. Birkin
Nicaragua 6025
You know how much we love Portland, and this hip vintage cafe, Birkin, was inspired by the city’s Stumptown Coffee Roasters, and it would certainly look at home in the Pacific Northwest. If you like this, also read our guide to what to do in Portland, plus our round up of Portland’s best vegetarian-friendly restaurants.
10. LATTEnTE
The coffee and cookies come highly recommended in LATTEnTE. It wasn’t open when I visited Buenos Aires, but from the looks of its Instagram and the reviews on TripAdvisor, it does a mean flat white and the interiors are hip and inviting.
Best cafes in Palermo, Buenos Aires
I also have a post on the best vegetarian restaurants in Buenos Aires. Many of the restaurants double as cafes, including Natural Deli, which is where I took the photo at the top of the page. Let me know if there are any you think I’ve left out.
And if you’re planning a trip anytime soon, be sure to check out our travel planning resources, which are full of heaps of tips and advice for saving time and money, and getting the most out of your trip.
