Porteño

Fantastic argentinian place!
We came here on a Friday night (you definitely need to book in advance) and all the flavors were great!
We had fried zucchini flowers as starters, 8 hour woodfired pig (delicious!), mashed potato and the grilled cheese with BBQ peppers.
The drinks were also really good !!!
I definitely recommend it and I will be back there soon :)

I have been to Portenos four or so times now and I love it! A Sydney institution. Must orders: cheese/​pepper starter, the lamb, the pig and the brussel sprouts. Make sure to arrive early to have a drink in their great bar upstairs. They also have an amazing list of Malbecs which compliment the meat heavy dinner. Order your meat immediately when you arrive as they do run out — if you are a small group I would choose the lamb over the pig.

We came here for my birthday — bit of a splurge, pricier than a «good» restaurant but not so overpriced that it’ll break the bank.
Beautiful setting and décor. Definitely has that Latino flair, feels like I’m back down in South America again! I had a delicious Malbec and we loaded up on entrees. Bread and chicken liver/​ham pâté, blood sausage with red peppers in garlic. I was gutted they didn’t have ceviche this time around — settled for the BBQ octopus which was amazing.
This place (I guess with all Argentinian food) is VERY meat heavy … wish they had the ceviche and I guess, more seafood. You will be very meat-​stuffed after this place which is OK? No complaints but not something that I (personally) can eat too often.
Signature dish is the 8-​hour pig and lamb. This is cooked to perfection and falls off the bone! We were able to share this between two people (half pig, half lamb) and still not be able to finish it because it’s THAT rich. An excellent choice, but probably not something I can eat too often!

Very disappointing! Long wait and decided to have bar tapas that were super salty and old oil fried (calamari, zucchini, empanadas). The worst meal in Sydney during my moth visit…
The waiters and service was very good!!!

A fantastic Argentinian style grill with meat galore! So many delicious options and everything is nice and tender. I had been wanting to visit here for ages and finally got around to it. It was well worth the wait!

We came here because Anthony Bourdain loved it and raved about their steaks. The bad started with the seating. There were just 2 of us, and they sat us away from other tables at a big 8 person communal table, facing the wall, next to the toilets. We were at least able turn around to face the restaurant and move a couple of seats away from the restrooms. Still, this table was awkward. The waiters looked at us with what seemed sympathy, being so isolated. The food itself was average to bad. The wagyu steak was greasy – that is different from fatty, I agree that steak w/​fat in it is more favorable. But fat/​grease AROUND it is not good. And their infamous wagyu is served swimming in the oil they cook it in. The grass fed steak had thick membrane that made it hard to cut. Between that and how rare it was it was unappetizing and inedible. Potatoes were cold. Corn was good, but too much stuff in it. Did not stay for dessert. Staff was nice enough but Aussies are nice in general. It was cool to see Surry Hills, but I advise visitors to eat elsewhere.

Really enjoyed this place, was laid back & the staff were helpful without being intrusive. The menu is designed to be shared dishes so the ideal for 2 people is around 4 dishes from the choices of starter, main & accompanies. There is plenty of choice for the meat lover! We had octopus to star with which was hot & juicy served in a beetroot jus, to follow we had flavoured pork sausage made on site, it was succulent & juicy and filling! We also had the wage steak which was cooked to perfection & melted in the mouth, for side dish we ordered broccoli, with crispy onions & oyster cream, very delicious. You don’t need much to be full, the meals are rich & flavoursome. We left room for desert & had Argentine pavlova with hazelnut & apple, not too sweet but just enough to finish. The only drawback are the hard chairs, not very relaxing. The price is from $ 15 to $ 50 a dish & they have an extensive wine menu. Would definitely recommend

Hello meats! We started with beef empanadas and that was fantastic then for main, we had the 8 hour slow roasted pig and lamb. The hype is real y’all. Seriously some of the best pig and lamb I’ve ever had. We also got the brussels sprouts to accompany the meats and it was the perfect portion for the two of us.
Go and meat your heart out!!!

«It’s true. All of it.»
Is what Han Solo says in the new Star Wars trailer that sent fans into a frenzy. I only mention that because he was sitting at the table next to us when I went to Porteno for a friend’s birthday dinner. My poor friend. It was his special night, but all anyone could do was freak out over Harrison Ford.
But also, the legends of the food and service and drinks and everything about this place are true. We started with drizzanks upstairs at Gardel’s Bar and man, the bartenders there are just so ace. They’re so friendly! Easygoing and chatty and funny, and happy to whip up a banana old fashioned, and give me a taste of their favourite fernet when we got to talking about that.
The food. There was heaps of us, so we went for the $ 80 banquet menu. The bread, olive oil and pâté sent me into paroxysms of pleasure before a grilled meat had even been tried. Don’t fill up on starters, everyone whispered to each other, but it was hard not to when they tasted like that. Then it was Spanish mackerel on a bed of pink wagyu, then Brussels sprouts and lentils, then some kind of sweet corn, then fennel and cabbage and radish salad, then parilla-​roast chicken, then sirloin, then Jurassic Park-​sized chorizo with lashings of chimmichurri, and by the time dessert came around we were gurgling and swaying and battling to remember out own names.
Phenomenal dining experience. The restaurant and bar itself are beautiful, real old hacienda-​style with marble tables and dark wood. IF this was a first date they would have had me the second I walked in the door.

We started with Chorizo, beef tongue, calamari, and empanadas. Everything was great, but if I had to order one less thing it would the beef tongue. It was great but the pickled taste was probably my least fav
For dinner we went with an order of pork, lamb, and the wagyu beef, with the a side of brussel sprouts for good measure. The pork was beautifully done with crack like crispy skin. The lamb was wonderful as well but the wagyu was what had me blown away. The meat was like butter! Oh, and a special thanks to our Canadian waitress for recommending the brussel sprouts, they were everything you promised. I only mention she’s Canadian because I don’t recall her name.
Yes, the place can be a bit pricey, but the food and service is well worth it. I’ll definitely consider stopping by again on my next visit to Sydney and will recommend this to everyone who has never been.

Fantastic meat place run by an eccentric bunch of food lovers. Great vibe, but of attitude trying to get in so make sure you book. It’s hard to just rock up. Really great food!

Fantastic bar upstairs to keep you entertained while you wait for your table.
What can I say, it was very meaty, as expected.
Next time, I’ll arrive earlier and nab a table quickly. Being seated at 10pm meant alot of items on the menu were not available.
Great music and cocktails. Crowd a little pretentious but hey, it’s Surry Hills after all.

I really hate to do this because I know Unilocal reviews should be about the quality of the food. But I have to complain about their reservation policy. We tried to make reservations online and was told that someone would call us to discuss availability. We received no calls or emails. We tried calling the restaurant, but no one picked up. Alas, we went, and were told we would have to wait 1.5 hours.
Really? I know Anthony Bourdain raved about this place, but jumping through all these hoops for nothing was really a turn off, and we took our business elsewhere.

Porteno is fabulous! The service is perfect & the food is to die for, even for vegetarians. Try the Brussels Sprouts– divine! Highly recommended.

The good: amazing décor, amazing scenery, impressive in captivating an old world style. The music was also perfect. A trip back in time!
The food is potentially good. If it was not swimming in butter and salt. I think mine was just prepared very poorly… there is no way that is what all the other people on here are eating. You go here for the ambiance.
I actually had two servers come up to me with whom I expressed my concern that my dish (The lamb… the expensive one :)) was almost not palatable due to the over-​salting and butter (dude… butter! And who doesn’t love butter? How can you screw that up?) and both didn’t listen and thought I was being sarcastic! Errr… ok I can see that I suppose. But damn man read body language! No offer to fix once I finally was like… ‘guys… I am telling you it is BAD… and that is all). So. yeah really really crappy night and out 70 bucks. But again… I imagine most times the food is good. I am hard pressed to think it epic though.
The bad: the formula they have in regards to up selling is both obvious and petty. First… Wait upstairs in the bar for a table. For everyone. Why? Well it is gorgeous, but it was all about ‘buy an overpriced drink made with cheap whiskey (jack Daniels? Wow guys) and gin and «scotch». This stuff is rail. Why oh why?
So I walk in alone… Place not too busy. Greeter says ‘table in 15 minutes… Head upstairs to the bar’. I say ‘no thanks… I will take a quick walk and be back in 10′. He was stunned! So away I went and in 10 came back… He sends me up to the bar. Listen… If this is ikea and you MUST go to the upstairs bar (again… It IS beautiful minus all the rail alcohol) just say so! Put the bar DOWNSTAIRS!
So they put a menu in front of you on the drinks. No thanks. Then another menu next to you with a glass of water. Please… No more!
So then the table… Exact words… «Our portions are big and meant for sharing… So you should be good with 2 – 3 dishes.» Ummm… I am alone. Just me. Errr. Ok so I order the lamb and the bread. The waitress was like «ok well that comes with no salad or anything… Do you want to add on?» So I replied… «Err are the meals really THAT small?» She got the point. Ok whew!
Going back? No way… much much better food all around sydney… like around the corner. Again… bling and super fancy stuff means you cut elsewhere. Yet again mom and pop shops (like the dive thai food I had the two previous nights… some of the best food I have ever had… can’t remember the names though sorry!) win.
Ambiance. Yeah epic. The food though and the tricks to get you to spend more and more… no way man.

Outstanding and beautiful food! Everything prepared and cooked to perfection.
A very lively vibe, tasteful and rocking music and style with a very important plus which is the excellent service!
Zero pretentions, honest to goodness yumminess!
Best place ever to show your friends and family a great time!

Last night was my first, and very unfortunately my last, Porteño experience. A group of 10, we opted for the set menu. With a price tag of $ 80 per head PLUS a 10% «service surcharge» I clearly had quite high expectations for the quality of the food that would be presented to us and obviously had no idea at how disappointed and hungry I would be when I left.
I’ll start with what I did actually enjoy about the Porteño set menu.
The Beef Empanadas were pretty damn good, as was the Vitello Tonnato, though there was a little too much mayonnaise through it that overwhelmed what could have been an otherwise spectacular dish. The pork pâté was great, and I don’t usually eat pâté, so well done on that. The dessert (which I think was supposed to be the Postre Chaja?) was incredible and that it was the last thing served marginally redeemed the entire disappointment that was the rest of the meal. I’d have been quite pleased if I’d just been given $ 80 of dessert all night because at least then I would have left content that not only had I gotten my money’s worth, but I’d also have not been hungry.
Now, the Chorizo Porteno, and actually also the Grill Selection, which was lamb and pork, was the biggest let down of the night. Tasteless, bland, awful. The Chorizo Porteno was that bad I pushed it to the side of my plate after one bite. The crackling on the pork was chewy and under-​salted. The pork itself was… Ok. The lamb, while cooked to absolute perfection, was not seasoned at all and tasted like it had been sitting in a pot of water for a good part of the evening. Being that, according to your website, these are supposed to be the «best meats in town» I’m sure you’ll understand why I was craving a quarter pounder from McDonalds on the way home, because at least their meat patties have flavour.
I have honestly never been so disappointed in a meal in my entire life, which is quite ironic given that you now know I also eat McDonalds.
I’m glad that your other diners have had such positive experiences at your restaurant, and perhaps this was an off night, but that I still had to pay $ 80 (plus the 10% surcharge. Seriously. A surcharge?) for whatever you would like to call the food that was served to me is what pained me the most.
Hats off to your wait staff, though. Good people.

I’ll start off by saying that I’m not the biggest meat fan. I like it but don’t love it. So I wasn’t that excited about going to Porteno for dinner. How wrong I was! I loved every bit of it!
We got there early before doors opened at 6 and there was already a long queue outside. Luckily we had a booking so didn’t have to wait. But if you were going to walk in I would highly recommend getting there early!
We ordered the set banquet menu and at $ 80 per head I thought it was great value. The banquet menu allowed you to sample a large variety of dishes including their signature dishes of both slow roasted pork and lamb and the fried brussel sprouts.
All dishes that were brought out were delicious. Standouts for me were the tuna and wagyu steak which was beautifully light. Also both desserts were amazing; the South American pavolva and flourless chocolate cake. I somehow managed to find room for them in my over expanded belly and I did not regret it!
There is so much food which comes out that we needed a doggy bag to take it away! So make sure you come here hungry!
You do not need to love meat to love this place as they serve other dishes which are equally good. Definitely one of the better meals I’ve had in a while!

What I loved about Porteno is that I felt like I had two dining experiences– one upstairs in the plush lounge (Gardel’s Bar) while I was waiting for a table and then another one when my friend and I got seated.
The upstairs is full of comfy chairs — the type that you just sort of sink into and can’t imagine getting out of — and my friend and I decided to order an appetiser to help tide our hunger over while we waited for our table. We opted for the «Costillas de Cordero,» lamb ribs marinated in miso and beer. These were not my favorite, as the lamb was pretty fatty and because of the miso incredibly salty. They did the trick for staving off the hangri-​ness that comes if you haven’t eaten in awhile, but beyond that they wouldn’t be fit for consumption in my opinion.
When we finally managed to get out of our comfy chairs when our table was ready I was blown away by the meal we got. Porteno isn’t cheap, but it delivers with quality and taste. From my understanding most dishes are meant to be shared, so we opted for the Skirt Steak as well as a side dish of braised spinach.
The meat was tender, juicy and super flavorful, and if there had been more on the plate I would have kept eating. The spinach came with delicious cripsy onions on top and had an accompanying tahini sauce and was quite delicious as well.
If you don’t want to spend a ton of money I’d recommend hanging out upstairs at Gardel’s as the vibe is fantastic but if you’re in the mood for a bit of a splurge go all out and have the full Porteno experience. You may end up with the meat sweats afterwards, but it’ll be worth it, I promise!

Best get here early if you want a table — even in the pouring rain queue starts early!
I have been late and faced a three hour wait for a table, which although one can while away the time upstairs, is a long haul. If you have a party of 5 or more you can book, but that wasn’t me, folks.
So I was pleased to be first in the queue for a table for three on a rainy Saturday night. By the time the doors opened a queue of about 50 people was outside, admittedly many of them with bookings, but a fair crew like me of opportunists.
After a short and anxious wait for my dining buddies to arrive, as they will not seat you until the entire party has arrived, the maitre d’ was as good as his word and straight to a table we went.
Hard to describe this place — it is like a bad 70’s courtyard inside, but the smell of roasting meat and other delights makes it very inviting indeed.
The menu is reasonably varied considering it’s all about wood-​fired meat, and there should be something for everyone.
For us, that was chorizo, stuffed peppers, slow cooked pork, slow cooked lamb, brussel sprouts and lentils, and a fennel salad.
Bizarrely the food began to arrive almost immediately, in fact before our first drink arrive, but in the end it mattered not, we had plenty.
All was delicious — all consumed, every bone gnawed by me (well, my bones anyhow, although I did eye up my mates) every gravy licked… a fine repast indeed. A red wine recommendation by the waitress/​sommelier was excellent, both bottles of it, and all that remained was dessert.
Ah, dessert! For me the apricot and chocolate tart was always going to be it, and my buddies got ice cream, and the other a deconstructed rhubarb crumble (I think) i am not sure because I was all eyes for the tart — OMG it was stunning. The table next door asked what it was so they could get one — my gast was so flabbered I didn’t think to take a picture of this delight, and before you could say eat up I had! Although I did share a slice after longing puppy-​dog looks from a buddy — seriously! In any event is was outstanding and I almost ordered a second one, because, because… o no good reason, so we didn’t, but damn I coulda scoffed it!
Great work, will be back, highly recommended.

Everything about this experience was perfection!
Look, I’m a sucker for everything old school, old fashioned, classic, elegant. The moment I stepped in the door, there was a handsome host to greet me and he literally asked me «madame, will you be dining with us tonight or are you here for the bar upstairs?»… Something like that. I was like, is this 2013 or Buenos Aires, circa 1950?
Well, I just about fainted. I was like «uuhhh, I’m uhhhh… upstairs! downstairs later!»… *grinning*
The lobby is beautiful, I felt like someone was going to swish through and do a tango at any moment! Sexy. I just wanted to stand there and take it all in.
Talk about a phenomenal first impression.
So then I went upstairs to Gardel’s Bar, which should be another review. Loved it, fyi. So fast forward back to the food.
The olives, the wine, the pâté, the meat!!! Don’t come here if you’re a vegetarian. This is not for you. Everything is super heavy and drenched in oil. I saved up my food for tonight, lol. Basically fasted, haha.
The service is impeccable, All their staff are super handsome and well-​mannered, charming, attentive. Makes dining a very pleasant experience. Hehe. We had a malbec of course, with our meal. Absolutely flawless.
Dessert was out of this world! Some kind of burnt caramel flan thing and an argentine style «pavlova»… who cares, it was truly amazing.
LOVE this place. So awesome.

One of my highlights while staying in Sydney. After seeing this place on Anthony Bourdain’s show i had to try it. The one dish i was looking forward to was the slow roasted pigs head, the lovely lady serving us (i think she’s married to one of the owners) mentioned they were already sold out by 8:30pm! She came back 15 mins later and managed to save me half a pigs head and half lamb just for me as she noticed i was pretty bummed when i heard the bad news.
Both the lamb and the pork was delicious and very juicy. But the highlight for me was actually the blood sausage i daringly ordered as an entrée! This was my first experience of the dark meat/​blood combo and it was surprisingly tasty. I can’t wait to try some more elsewhere for a comparison.
The service was great and they were very helpful when it came to the wine list as they specialise in the malbec (argentinian red), that i knew very little about, which ended up being a great drop. Looking forward to coming back to Porteno soon!

The food is out of this world… the 8 hour slow roasted pork is to die for, the brussel sprouts were amazing.
All the waitstaff and bartenders are dressed in 50s rockabilly outfits which adds to the fun. They take their drink making seriously, which is appreciated.
This place was hyped up for me before I dined but it lived up to its expectations.

I first heard about Porteno when Anthony Bourdain spoke in Sydney back in March this year. I was taking a trip to Buenos Aires later that month and I made a note to visit Porteno afterwards to compare steaks. It took me 4 months and all I can say is WHY DIDN’T I COME EARLIER!!!
Three of us rocked up at 730pm on a Friday night and we were told we could get seated at 9pm and that we could order drinks and tapas while we wait upstairs (you clever bastards.) A place that has a floor dedicated to letting you hang out a bit while you wait to get seated? Sweet. When you walk in you feel like you’re transplanted back to the 50’s with rockabilly fashion everywhere you look. Not what I expected, and totally cool nonetheless.
We ordered pork belly skewers and croquette tapas while we waited. The skewers were seriously amazing… juicy and tender, well done on the pork belly. The corquettes were OK.
Note: the key to getting seated faster is to stand downstairs and to stare at the hostess long enough for her to get uncomfortable.
We were seated at roughly 930pm and promptly ordered bread with pork pâté, fried brussel sprouts, chorizo, sirloin, short ribs, and Kobe wagyu beef. The bread was fresh from the oven (I burned myself) and the pork pâté is definitely an acquired taste, but it’s tasty if it’s your thing. The brussel sprouts were surprisingly good; I’m not a fan of brussel sprouts by any means but I would order these again when I come here the next time. We kind of overdid it with the chorizo, and while it was a good dish I don’t think I’d get it again.
The best part about Argentinian style steak besides the meat are its toppings… chimichurri and salsa criolla. I felt like I was back in Buenos Aires after tasting Porteno’s version. The sirloin was good… the short ribs were better… but the Kobe wagyu was by far the best. You HAVE to try all three, and you HAVE to use chimichurri and salsa criolla on your bread and meat. It would be a shame for you to come and not experience the party that would pop off if your mouth with this combination. Pair it with a malbec and you are good to go. Please visit.