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Friends smile as they clink glasses of white wine.

Photo courtesy of Ramos Generales.

Lunch in Argentina Wine Country

Karen CatchpoleDecember 10, 2021

Leisurely lunches are a beloved tradition in Mendoza, Argentina, South America’s most famous wine region. Now, a few celebrity chefs and exciting newcomers are taking the local food and wine offerings to a new level. Here are three Argentina restaurants we recommend for your tasting-tour.

Kaiken Ramos Generales by Francis Mallmann

A man in a pink chef’s coat puts lemon slices on a grill.
At Kaiken Ramos Generales by Francis Mallmann, chefs grill in the open air.

In February 2020, Francis Mallmann, Argentina’s most famous chef, teamed up with Bodega Kaiken, a winery near Mendoza. They first opened a food truck that served gourmet sandwiches. In 2021, they left the truck for this permanent open-air restaurant run by executive chefs Diego Salvador Irrera and Javier Luengo. Both chefs worked in Mallmann restaurants for decades. The sandwiches are still available, like the lomo with pancetta, Argentine cuartirolo cheese and housemade mayo. The expanded menu focuses on meats and vegetables grilled over an open flame. Try the tenderloin wrapped around avocado, tomato, chili and mascarpone. Or a salad that combines smoky sweetbreads with baby arugula, radishes and cherry tomatoes. The service is impeccable as well.

Cundo Cocina

A set table with sofa seating sits beside a vineyard.
Mountain-view alfresco dining at Cundo Cocina. Photo courtesy of Cundo Cocina.

Altamira is an emerging section of the Uco Valley, about 70 miles south of Mendoza city. Here, Cundo Cocina restaurant opened in December 2020 on a family-owned vineyard. Chef Seba Juez worked at world-renowned El Bulli in Spain and applies the techniques he learned abroad to local produce. He creates sophisticated dishes such as sweet and creamy roasted squash with turmeric, yogurt, pumpkin seeds and black garlic, topped with a poached egg. The wine list is from Altamira—including the owners’ Presente Wines—so a meal here is an opportunity to taste rare local bottles.

Rastro by Huentala Wines

Art is on display around Huentala Winery. Photo courtesy of Huentala Winery
Art is on display around Huentala Winery. Photo courtesy of Huentala Winery.

Huentala Winery is an ambitious operation in the Gualtallary region of the Uco Valley. In 2022, it opened a 250-seat version of its restaurant. Panoramic views of the vineyard and the signature outdoor art complement the creative cuisine. Diners pick four dishes from 12 diverse options, including trout over creamed corn and goat dumplings with mushrooms in broth. For each dish, the staff offers house wine pairing options. A light sunset menu is also available for later arrivals and the winery’s overnight guests.

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