Must-Try El Calafate Restaurants

Restaurants near Perito Moreno Glacier

If you’re craving a warm meal after your glacier hike, you’ll find a few welcoming spots right inside the Los Glaciares National Park. While the Perito Moreno Glacier food scene is small and simple, it perfectly matches the setting—rustic, scenic, and ideal for that post-trek refuel.

Here are the top Perito Moreno Glacier restaurants worth checking out:

Grilled meats with rosemary garnish, dining experience.

Restó del Glaciar Perito Moreno

Nestled near the main boardwalks, this glass-walled café offers jaw-dropping glacier views. So close, you might hear the ice cracking while sipping your drink made with glacier ice. This beloved stop for travelers offers warmth and comfort food without leaving the park.

Cuisine: Argentine | Price range: ARS 6,000+
Must-tries: Local specialties, grilled meats, hearty stews, pastries, and strong Patagonian coffee
Timings: 10:30am to 4:30pm
Location: Main visitor center area, near lower boardwalk access | Find on Maps here ➜
Booking: Walk-in only
Good for: Families, quick lunches, and relaxed glacier-view dining

Grilled lamb chops with greens on a plate.

Natives of Patagonia

Tucked slightly away from the busiest walkways, Natives of Patagonia blends modern comfort with a touch of Patagonian heritage. It’s a newer Perito Moreno Glacier restaurant, known for its creative plating. With stone walls, local artwork, and soft lighting, it’s an unexpectedly elegant spot for such a remote location.

Cuisine: International & Argentine fusion | Price range: ARS 8,000+
Must-tries: Regional lamb, trout, vegetarian options, and desserts inspired by Calafate berries
Timings: 10:30am to 5:15pm
Location: Near the upper parking area | Find on Maps here ➜
Booking: Recommended (especially during high season)
Good for: Romantic lunches, small groups, and travelers looking to unwind after trekking

Reach Perito Moreno Glacier with ease ➜

Top restaurants in El Calafate

Back from a glacier trek and hungry for something heartier than trail snacks? Welcome to El Calafate, Patagonia’s culinary base camp, where dining is about storytelling. And, these El Calafate restaurants turn dinner into a post-adventure ritual.

Couple enjoying candlelit dinner with wine

La Zaina Restaurant El Calafate

Step through heavy wooden doors into a warmly lit space that feels like a cellar and mountain lodge. Once a trading post, La Zaina now hums with quiet sophistication, soft jazz, flickering candles, and a roaring fireplace that never seems to go out. Locals call it the “heart of Patagonian cuisine”, and travelers often say that it is one of the best restaurants in El Calafate, Argentina.

Cuisine: Patagonian Contemporary | Price range: ARS 45,000 – 70,000
Must-tries: Slow-roasted Patagonian lamb, seared trout with Calafate-berry glaze, and melt-in-your-mouth empanadas
Timings: 4:30pm to 11:30pm, closed on Sundays
Location: Gobernador Gregores 1057, near the town center | Find on Maps here ➜
Booking: Recommended (tiny, intimate dining room)
Good for: Romantic dinners, vineyard lovers, indulgent evenings after trekking

Pasta salad and bread on a dining table with people serving food.

Morrison Restaurant El Calafate

Imagine rustic wood, warm lighting, and that irresistible smell of sizzling steak. Morrison manages to be both classy and casual. It’s the kind of place where hikers and couples dine side by side, swapping stories over Malbec and dessert.

Cuisine: Modern Argentine & International | Price range: ARS 25,000 – 30,000
Must-tries: Rib-eye steak, handmade pastas, and rich chocolate mousse are worth every calorie
Timings: 12pm to 3pm and 6:30pm to 11pm
Location: Puerto Deseado 22, just off Libertador Ave | Find on Maps here ➜
Booking: Recommended for dinner
Good for: Groups, families, and anyone craving comfort food done right

Grilled Argentine beef chorizo bife with rosemary on slate board.

Rústico Asador y Parrilla

Just the smoky scent of meat cooking over wood fire, that’s the vibe of Rústico Asador y Parrilla. This grillhouse overlooks Lake Argentino and serves what many call the best lamb in town. Long tables, loud laughter, and that unmistakable sizzle from the parrilla, this is Patagonia on a plate.

Cuisine: Traditional Argentine Grill | Price range: ARS 20,000 – 35,000
Must-tries: Patagonian lamb, chorizo, trout, and house-made chimichurri
Timings: 5pm to 11pm, closed on Sundays
Location: P.º Kirchner 5291 | Find on Maps here ➜
Booking: Yes, for dinner with a view
Good for: Meat lovers, authentic local dining, sunset meals

Roast beef slices on a wooden board with herbs and dipping sauce.

Mi Rancho

A local legend. Housed in a century-old Patagonian home, Mi Rancho feels more like visiting a friend’s kitchen than a restaurant. The chef greets you personally, the menu changes daily, and every plate is cooked with heart.

Cuisine: Argentine Bistro | Price range: ARS 40,000 – 60,000
Must-tries: House-made pastas, beef tenderloin with Malbec reduction, and dreamy flan
Timings: 12pm to 3pm, 7pm to 11pm
Location: 9 de Julio Esq. Gdor. Moyano | Find on Maps here ➜
Booking: Required (only a handful of tables)
Good for: Couples, slow-food lovers, anyone craving authenticity

Woodfire pizza baking in a traditional oven with flames.

La Lechuza Pizza y Pastas

Cheerful, bustling, and unmistakably Italian at heart. Think checkered tablecloths and the chatter of families after a day by the glacier. Perfect when you want comfort food without ceremony.

Cuisine: Italian-Argentine | Price range: ARS 12,000 – 20,000
Must-tries: Wood-fired pizzas, classic pastas, salads, and homemade tiramisu
Timings: 12pm – 11:30pm
Location: Av. del Libertador 1301 | Find on Maps here ➜
Booking: Walk-ins are welcome
Good for: Families, casual dining, pizza-and-brew nights

Tiramisu dessert with cocoa powder on a plate next to a cup of coffee.

Pura Vida Resto Bar

Cheerful, bustling, and unmistakably Italian at heart. Think checkered tablecloths and the chatter of families after a day by the glacier. Perfect when you want comfort food without ceremony.

Cuisine: Italian-Argentine | Price range: ARS 12,000 – 20,000
Must-tries: Wood-fired pizzas, classic pastas, salads, and homemade tiramisu
Timings: 12pm – 11:30pm
Location: Av. del Libertador 1301 | Find on Maps here ➜
Booking: Walk-ins are welcome
Good for: Families, casual dining, pizza-and-brew nights

Plan your visit to Perito Moreno Glaicer ➜

Frequently asked questions about El Calafate restaurants

What are the best El Calafate restaurants for first-time visitors?

If you’re new to town, check out La Zaina Restaurant El Calafate and Morrison Restaurant El Calafate. These two are among the best restaurants in El Calafate Argentina, loved for their atmosphere and food.

What kind of food do restaurants in El Calafate Argentina serve?

Most restaurants in El Calafate Argentina, celebrate regional Patagonian cuisine, like grilled lamb, trout, and Calafate-berry desserts. You’ll also find hearty Italian comfort food, fresh salads, and plenty of Argentine local blends to round off your meal.

What time do El Calafate restaurants open?

Dinner service in El Calafate restaurants typically starts late, around 7pm and runs until 11 or even midnight. Lunch is served from 12pm to 3pm, though many smaller spots close between meals.

What is the best Calafate restaurant for a romantic dinner?

If you’re after a classic El Calafate experience, head to La Zaina. Candlelight, wood beams, and a menu that reads like a love letter to Patagonia. Mi Rancho also wins hearts with its warm, intimate service and traditional home-cooked dishes.

Do Calafate restaurants cater to vegetarians or gluten-free diets?

Yes, most do. Morrison Restaurant El Calafate and Pura Vida Resto Bar have vegetarian options, and several cafés offer gluten-free choices. Menus are usually flexible, and staff are happy to adapt dishes; just mention your preferences when ordering.

Should I book in advance for dinner in El Calafate?

During peak season (December–March), absolutely. The best El Calafate restaurants, like La Zaina, Mi Rancho, and Morrison, fill up quickly in the evenings. Off-season, you can usually walk in, but if you’ve just finished a Perito Moreno trek, trust us, you’ll want that table waiting!

Where can I find local Calafate berry dishes?

Try Pura Vida or La Zaina Restaurant in El Calafate for desserts made with the famous Calafate berries. Legend says that if you eat the berry, you’ll return to Patagonia someday, a sweet promise you won’t mind testing.

Is there a restaurant at Perito Moreno Glacier?

Yes, there are two options called Restó del Glaciar and Nativos de Patagonia. Both are perfect for refueling at lunch before heading back to El Calafate restaurants for a heartier dinner.