El Preferido de Palermo
7.7Friend Score / 10#11 of 15 Restaurants in Buenos Aires
Known formilanesa de bife de chorizotortilla de papashouse-made charcuteriechacarero salami
A 1952 corner bodegón in a pink 1885 building — Borges wrote about it — lovingly revived by the Don Julio team. It serves elevated Argentine comfort food: house-made charcuterie, milanesas, tortilla de papas that arrives molten. Easier to get into than its famous sibling, but book ahead; walk-in waits at dinner are real.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon–Sat 12:00–00:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Plaza Italia station (Subte D), about 7 blocks; buses on Santa Fe and Scalabrini Ortiz |
| Time needed | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Best time to go | Weekday lunch — the room glows and tables are easiest |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.7/10- Value7.5
- iconic6.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level6.0
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility7.5
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a reservation at El Preferido?
- Strongly recommended for dinner — walk-ins report long waits, and the room is small. Lunch on a weekday is your best shot without booking. Reserve through their online system or Instagram links.
- What's the connection between El Preferido and Don Julio?
- Same owner — the Don Julio team took over this historic 1952 bodegón and restored it rather than reinventing it. It's a block away, so many people treat it as the 'can't get into Don Julio' fallback, but it's a destination in its own right with a completely different menu.
- How do I get to El Preferido de Palermo?
- It's at Jorge Luis Borges 2108, corner of Guatemala, in Palermo Soho. Subte D to Plaza Italia and a 7-block walk, or any bus down Santa Fe; from anywhere in Palermo it's an easy stroll.
- Is El Preferido good for lunch instead of dinner?
- Arguably better — the corner windows light up the room at midday, tables are easier to snag, and a long bodegón lunch with vermouth is exactly what the place was built for. Dinner is lovelier for date-night mood but tighter on availability.
- Why is the building pink, and what's the Borges connection?
- The corner house dates to 1885 and keeps its traditional pink-painted facade; Borges name-checked the spot, and the revival deliberately preserved the old almacén character — tiles, counters, shelves of preserves. It's one of the prettiest corners in Palermo.
- What are El Preferido's hours?
- Generally open midday through midnight or so, with sources conflicting on whether it runs continuously or closes between lunch and dinner, and on Sundays. If your plans hinge on an odd hour or a Sunday, check their Instagram before you go.
- Is El Preferido expensive?
- Mid-to-upper for Buenos Aires — noticeably cheaper than Don Julio, pricier than a neighborhood bodegón. For the cooking and the room, most people leave feeling it was fair.
- What should I order at El Preferido de Palermo?
- The tortilla de papas (order it 'babé' — runny), the milanesa, house-cured charcuterie from their own program, and the flan for dessert. It's bodegón food executed at a high level, so the humble-sounding dishes are the stars.
Nearby in Ask Buenos Aires
- LattenteCafé0.05 km · 1 min walk
- Don JulioRestaurant0.07 km · 1 min walk
- Palermo SohoNeighborhood0.27 km · 3 min walk
- Feria de Palermo Soho (Plaza Serrano)Market0.32 km · 4 min walk
- Ninina Bakery & CaféCafé0.56 km · 7 min walk
Where to stay near El Preferido de Palermo
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