From the Market to the Table: A Journey Through Local Gastronomy

Are you a lover of good food? Do you have a palate that prefers homemade dishes? Do you enjoy eating well while “taking care of your wallet”? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I have carefully selected a list of the best places to eat that might interest you.

My name is Rafael Langoni, born and raised in Concepción del Uruguay, a small town located in the east of Entre Ríos, about 300 kilometers from the capital, Buenos Aires. In the following, I will mention my favorite places to dine out, have a coffee, or try some of the typical dishes of the area—all while enjoying nature and good background music.

First of all, there is the roadside inn "El Faro". It is a special place just meters from the river, with unmissable sunrises and sunsets. In addition, from there you can view the Bridge of Isla del Puerto, which spans 210 meters and features illuminated piles and flashing lights in various colors. The gastronomic offering here is very varied—with meals prepared on the spot—and also offers a wide variety of cocktails. If I had to recommend a dish, it would be the pork shoulder empanadas along with rustic potatoes. It is, without a doubt, one of my favorite spots; ideal for going with a partner or friends. As they themselves describe it: “A meeting point where the river breeze, the light of the lighthouse, and good flavor create a unique experience.” Furthermore, it is very easy to get to—it's not far from the city center—and you don’t need to reserve a table in advance. You can visit it via their Instagram account, “el Faro.3260”, or contact them by landline.

Another excellent combination of river and good food is offered by the two inns on Isla del Puerto, located a few kilometers from the city center and surrounded by the characteristic flora and fauna of the area. In the southern sector of this resort, there is "Costa Ingá" and, in the northern sector, "Panza Verde"—a name commonly associated with the people of Entre Ríos. To reach either of these restaurants, you need to cross the aforementioned bridge and drive a few kilometers, passing by the imposing Uruguay River, the deep green of the vegetation, and the song of the birds.

Specifically, "Costa Ingá" offers an extensive menu of food, beverages, and a café, standing out for its fresh dishes made with regional products. Some chef recommendations include the grilled flank steak and the milanesa a caballo (breaded meat topped with a fried egg), served with fries and fried eggs. In addition, this establishment organizes exclusive events such as wine tastings and pairings. Almost at the end of the island, "Panza Verde" offers an upscale selection of dishes, drinks, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. In my opinion, the food is fabulous—its pizzas, calzones, and Caesar salad particularly shine. It also hosts a myriad of events and activities like family Regata Crucero, book presentations (the latest being “Aves Urbanas”), and dinner shows with local and nearby bands. No reservation is necessary, and you can dine at relatively low prices (between 10 and 20 thousand Argentine pesos). The photos speak for themselves, so I simply recommend these places and invite tourists to check out their Instagram accounts for themselves.

Likewise, I would like to briefly mention two places that have recently opened on the island and deserve to be included in this list. One is the food truck "Tractor", which, as its name suggests, is a van located at one of the inns and offers fast food along with high-quality craft beer. The other is "House Rooftop", an innovative space located on the terrace of the Portal de la Isla del Puerto. Although its capacity is limited and access is on a first-come, first-served basis, its gastronomic service combined with an unmissable panoramic view makes it one of the most strategic options to combine recreation, nature, and good food.

Next, I will refer to one of the most popular and appreciated types of places among Argentinians: the parrillas (steak houses). In my city—although it is relatively small—there are five of these establishments, which vary in both service and attention.

The steakhouse "La Segunda" and the steakhouse "Monumento", both located at the entrance of the city—side by side, just after the Urquiza Monument roundabout—serve the same main menu, composed of various cuts of grilled meat and several types of salads. This ensures that there is always a table available if one of them is full.

The steakhouse "La Gruta" is a cozy, warm, rustic-style cabin located on National Highway No. 14 at the city entrance. It offers its diners a wide variety of traditional starters, grilled meats, and desserts. Among the main options I would like to highlight is its famous matambre a la pizza: a beef cut covered with tomato sauce, cheese, and strips of bell pepper.

Similarly, although not located exactly in the city but rather in a neighboring village, I will mention two steak houses widely recognized and appreciated for their quality and service: the dining steakhouse "Caseros" and "Patio de Campo". The first, located on the edge of Provincial Route No. 39, offers a combination of grilled meats and carefully prepared dishes that attract a larger number of customers. The second, situated in the town of Caseros, specializes in meats, salads, and desserts—all of the highest quality and sourced from animals raised by the owners themselves. This latter place manages to capture the regional spirit and transport its guests into a genuine small-town experience of tranquility and respite. The only drawback of these establishments is that they are not exactly inexpensive and, as mentioned earlier, tend to be quite crowded, so you might have to wait outside until a table becomes available.

Finally, I want to highlight those dining establishments and cafés that, in addition to offering a varied gastronomic proposal, are located around the Main Square “Francisco Ramírez”.

The Café Restó "Helena" serves specialty coffee, seasonal cuisine, and pastries made by local producers. Described by its owners in an Instagram reel as “A place where you will be the protagonists of the story, where you come to have breakfast, lunch, a snack, or dinner—whether with friends, at work meetings, alone, or however you prefer,” this establishment opens every day at 7 AM and operates continuously until night, although its prices are considerably high.

"Bartolo Bar" functions as a pizzeria, restaurant, fernet bar (a typical Argentine drink), and brewery among other options. It is a very pleasant place and highly recommended for its location, as well as for the option to sit both indoors and outdoors. Its dishes are finely prepared, and the service is of primary quality. However, its prices are less affordable compared to other establishments in more peripheral areas.

"Danubio Azul", located in front of the aforementioned bar, offers a combination of authentic flavors and excellent service. Its signature dish is the Bife a la Riojana, characteristic of this dining establishment. Compared to other establishments, "Danubio Azul" presents low prices while maintaining the quality and presentation of its dishes. Additionally, it offers an executive menu—consisting of an appetizer, main course, drink, and sometimes dessert—that is characterized as economical, varied, and healthy.

Finally, two blocks from Plaza Ramírez is "La Delfina". Personally, I consider this restaurant one of the most refined and traditional in the city. It is a pioneer in preparing meats, pastas, fish, and exotic dishes such as Tortilla Catalina or chicken in mussel and mushroom sauce. However, its selective and somewhat elitist approach might represent a drawback for some diners.

For each location mentioned above, feel free to use the following hashtags to share your experience: El Faro (#ElFaro); Costa Ingá (#CostaInga); Panza Verde (#PanzaVerde); Tractor food truck (#TractorFoodTruck); House Rooftop (#HouseRooftop); La Segunda (#LaSegunda); Monumento (#Monumento); La Gruta (#LaGruta); Caseros (#Caseros); Patio de Campo (#PatioDeCampo); Helena (#HelenaCafe); Bartolo Bar (#BartoloBar); Danubio Azul (#DanubioAzul); La Delfina (#LaDelfina).

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This article was written by Rafael Langoni for Traveossa. All rights reserved.
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