North American, Continental and Middle Eastern cuisine is generally available, whilst local food is largely a mixture of Basque, Spanish and Italian. Beef is of a particularly high quality and meat-eaters should not miss out on the chance to dine at a parrillada, or grill room, where a large variety of barbecue-style dishes can be sampled. In general, restaurants are good value. They are classified by a fork sign with three forks implying a good evening out. Hotel residents are usually asked to sign a charge slip. Argentine wines are very good and inexpensive. Local distilleries produce their own brands of most well-known spirits. Whiskies and gins are excellent, as are classic and local wines. Caribbean and South American rum adds flavour to cocktails. There are no licensing laws.
National specialities:
• Carbonada stew, made with beef, corn, pumpkin, tomatoes, potatoes and yams.
• Puchero (tasty mulligan stew).
• Tartas, a kind of vegetable pie.
• Empanadas del horno are puff pastry stuffed with different ingredients; commonly, minced meat.
• Charrasco Argentino is a large, juicy Gaucho steak - a must-eat for carnivores
• Alfajores (cookies) filled with dulche de leche ( caramelised milk sauce) and coated in chocolate
• There is plenty of Italian food on offer, including pizza and Ñoquis (Gnocchi).
• Panqueques are delicious crepe deserts.
• Sweet squash in cream.
• Locro (pork and maize stew).
National drinks:
• Yerba mate (tea-like drink).
• Quilmes is the national brand of lager.
Legal drinking age: The legal age for drinking alcohol in a bar/cafe is 18.
Tipping: Tips are theoretically outlawed but some hotels or restaurants will add 25 per cent service charge, plus a 21 per cent tax charge. In these cases, a minimal tip is still expected. Otherwise, 10 per cent on top of the bill will suffice. The same applies in bars. Taxi drivers tend to expect tips from visitors.

Buenos Aires’ nightlife is vibrant. There are many theatres and concert halls showcasing foreign artists. Nightclubs featuring jazz and tango are plentiful. Tango lessons and dancing can be enjoyed at lively milongas (tango parties), throughout Buenos Aires. There are also many intimate boîtes (clubs) and stage shows. There are casinos throughout Argentina.

Buenos Aires has traditionally enjoyed a reputation as a shopper’s paradise, possibly of even being the best shopping city in Latin America. Leather goods are a good buy, as are native crafts and souvenirs. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-2000, Sat 0900-1300. In the outskirts and provinces, they tend to close at midday.