El Federal

Amazing empanadas, you absolutely have to try. They have a 3 and a 6 option — I split a 3 option version with my parents as we all had other dishes coming out and it was the perfect amount.
The environment was beautiful, quiet and romantic atmosphere with a great music selection. Great lighting and furniture.
They were so quick to respond to my dad dropping his wine and breaking a glass. They quickly moved us to a whole other table immediately and we were a bit surprised, as we would have been happy with staying at that table. Finally, we had the nicest waitress ever! So understanding, responsive and patient. Spoke perfect English, Italian and obviously Spanish.
Finally, we came to the beautiful Buenos Aires for two days on either side of our trip to Antarctica/​Ushuaia, we went here on our way there and on our way back my parents continuously asked to go back. I insisted we tried somewhere else new. So we did, it was one of the highest rated places in the area and it really disappointed them in comparison to what they saw with this place. Can’t recommend enough!

Por las reviews que veía acá pensé que me iba a encontrar con algo magnífico, pero mi experiencia fue un meh! Nobleza obliga, pedí un menú de almuerzo durante la semana por lo que puede ser que la experiencia «a la carta» sea completamente diferente. Por $ 125 comí una tarta de vegetales con hojas verdes, que estaba muy buena la masa tenía gusto casero. Incluye bebida sin alcohol y postre o café. Elegí un brownie con crema que la verdad tenía gusto a medio viejo ya, estaba bastante seco. La panera es para destacar estaba deliciosa y con una manteca con hierbas muy recomendable. En resumen, el menú mediodía cumple hasta ahí, recomiendo probar otras opciones! Intentaré volver y darle otra oportunidad!

Buena opción para programas de mediodias de oficina. Hay diferentes menus del día fijos todos los días e incluye una bebida y un postre. Quizás el precio es un poco elevado para el tipo de comida que sirven y por ser al mediodía. Comimos una tarta soufflé (muy Rica) agua y un brownie con crema (dejaba bastante que desear) $ 130

The place was full of tourists the night I visited. But I shouldn’t really hold it against them, being one myself. The service is great. The waitress was very friendly and speaks great English. The reason for two stars is that the t bone I ordered was bland, tough, full of gristle, and is generally a disappointment. My hands were cramping up from cutting it. I’ve been to Argentina twice and ate my fair share of Argentine steaks. Their t bone is the worst I’ve had here. And that includes the room-​service NY steak last night at the Sheraton across the street and the restaurant at the Sheraton Iguazu (that was actually quite excellent). What makes it worse is that the wine selection is very limited in terms of availability — they were out of most small bottle and by the glass choices on their list that the waiter had to recommend something off the list. It was fair, but I was really excited about the cab franc from salta that they didn’t have. Some may say it’s not a steakhouse, don’t be so harsh. But if you only have 6 entrees on the menu then I expect every one of them to be good. All in all, I can’t help but feel this was a low key tourist trap with in mind that the location next to the convention center alone would generate enough business they do not worry about repeat customers. That thought alone is depressing. And to think that my original plan was the true tourist’s choice, la brigada, is just me torturing myself.

We found this place on Unilocal and it was just as great as all the favorable reviews! The atmosphere was awesome, great wine selection, amazing empanadas, delicious entrees, and they have an English menu. The only drawback was that we got there a little late (10PM) and they were sold out of some of their best dishes. However, our second choices were delicious.

Great atmosphere, small boutique type restaurant, very rustic & charming, excellent service. The waitress speaks good English. Many of the patrons spoke English the night we had dinner there. We ate were early by argentine standards but there were still several patrons there already.
Bread is delicious. The appetizer was excellent.
The menu was small and several items were not available that night. Two tables left before ordering presumably because the menu was limited.
The trout my wife ordered was a bit bland but good. The rack of lamb, Patagonia Mia, which is supposed to be their favorite dish was ALL FAT. IMPOSSIBLE TO EAT.

I’ve been for a while in BA and found this rest through Unilocal highly recommended! The lamb and the empanadas are in my top 5 in Argentina, a very nice and quiet place to drink some wine and enjoy Argentinian cuisine.

Thought we woul have a light lunch and ordered the roasted pork, wow the size exceeded my expectations, flavor was absolutely delish, an A for atmosphere, service excellent. Definitely worth a 2^nd or 3^rd visit

Came here for just the empanadas. They were really really good. We got the plate with a taste of a few different kinds which included corn, chicken and beef. They are little empanadas and were a great snack. They also come with a really good sauce on the side. It was pretty expensive though and the taste of a few plate we got didn’t include a lamb empanada which i was surprised about. Overall, really good but with all the amazing empanada places around im not sure i could come back here (for just the empanadas that is)

We stumbled upon this place as it was very close to our hotel with great reviews. The menu consists of Argentine dishes from all regions of the country. Our server, Nico, was extremely friendly and explained the menu in English and Spanish. He even made some good recommendations for the rest of our short stay in the city.
The barbacoa lamb dish was incredible and easily serves two. We also ordered the beet gnocchi and it was great, but also serves two. Wish we had a refrigerator in our hotel room for the leftovers.

Absolutely loved this restaurant. I would fly back to Argentina just to come here. The service, the food, the décor, the ambiance were all on point.
The restaurant is relatively small and personal– maybe 10 or so tables total with a choice of spacious booths, small tables, large corner bench type tables with pillows. The décor is what I would describe as modern mixed with ranch style, and it added up to a warm and cozy effect. It was pretty dark and quiet, a romantic setting.
The service was absolutely spectacular. We were helped by a gentleman named Niko. He spoke Spanish, Portuguese, and English all very well. He was accommodating and attentive. He gave us recommendations for what to do around the city and even offered to show us around. I’m a sucker for great service.
The food was exquisite. The spread they give with the bread is some garlic goodness that I wish I could have every day of my life. So so good. Empanadas were some of the best I’ve ever had, particularly the queso. We both had the braised lamb, which was the daily special, and it was cooked very decently. It fell apart as you were cutting into it.
The only downside was the temperature (very warm as the AC only serves the back of the restaurant) but Niko opened a door for us and was very apologetic when I asked him to turn on the AC.

Best empanadas I’ve ever had ever!
The breadbasket and herbed cheese is awesome. Service is friendly and cool. Décor is chill. Music is mellow, lighting is dim and nice.
Wish I found it sooner.

Great place right around the corner from the Plaza Hotel. The empanadas were the best we have had so far. I tried the slow cooked lamb and it was delicious. The wait staff could not have been any friendlier. A little on the pricy side but so is everything in this area.

Absolutely delicious regional dishes. If you want to get away from the endless asados and empanadas– though their empanadas here are amazing– this is your place. I had the Atlantic Hake and my wife had the lamb and we couldn’t have been happier. And vegetables! Also, they are open from 1100 til late, so if you want to eat earlier than the locals do, not a problem. Also, as of this writing, September 2015, they accept Visa for certain– that’s how we paid– and possibly American Express– no sticker on the door for AMEX but listed on the bill tray.

Stayed at the Plaza Hotel. el Federal is just around the corner. Our waiter was incredibly friendly and helpful in assisting us decide on the food we were going to order. We are American and he spoke English. The barbecued ribs were awesome. Friendly atmosphere. Can’t skip this place.

Conocí el Federal por los comentarios de un amigo. El restaurante esta ubicado en pleno retiro, bien micro céntrico.
Ambientado mitad autóctono y mitad gauchesca, es comida porteña de autor. La atención muy buena, estaba sorprendentemente vacío. Pancito con un poco se queso untable y a esperar.
Pedimos el cordero «Patagonia mia» y el cerdo pampeano con una entrada de provoleta de Cabra endulzado con miel.
Una delicia todo se deshacía… es un poco caro pero llegamos con un descuento de Restorando del 30%.
Me gusto seguro vuelva en otra oportunidad

Imperdible «Patagonia Clásica» (Cordero braseado por más de seis horas): una manteca que se desprende solo.
El restaurant combina cocina regional argentina con un toque de autor (carta acotada pero muy buena que incluye pescados, otras carnes, etc).
Ideal para llevar a extranjeros y darle una vuelta de tuerca al clásico asadito.