What to eat in San Carlos de Bariloche

Beyond having been declared “Chocolate National Capital”, this city of the province of Rio Negro offers endless flavors. The gastronomic range is a real spectacle to the palate: deciding what to eat in San Carlos de Bariloche can pose a great challenge for its visitors. The delights of this place are countless!

The dishes of Bariloche are characterized by Patagonian smoked, being the typical food of the place salmon and trout, both typical species of Patagonian lakes and rivers. That means you will also have the option to taste them fresh and battered in sauces. Just choose as you please.

Of course, you don’t have to set aside Patagonian lamb (traditional region), deer and wild boar. In short, San Carlos de Bariloche offers you options of red and white meats, either grilled or in a variety of sauces (such as mushrooms). There are also pasta alternatives filled with marine delicacies.

Don’t worry if you’re traveling with kids who prefer classic food. In San Carlos de Bariloche there are also pizza options, barbecue and homemade pastas. Likewise, variety of desserts, among which stands out the “Chocolate Fondue”.

WHY IS BARILOCHE THE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CAPITAL?

Bariloche is full of chocolate shops and, for this reason, offers chocolate in all its presentations. The best thing is that this fascinating product is made in sight of visitors, having the opportunity to taste it before buying it. A kind of quality control that always exceeds expectations.

As if that weren’t enough, in the city is the Chocolate Museum, where you can learn more about the origin of this delight, its elaboration, its goodness and how it was settled in San Carlos de Bariloche until the city turned into the National Chocolate Capital.

If you eat it, it comes in several ways: in bars with nuts, cereals and berries characteristic of the region, or in the majestic Chocolate Fondue. In short, it is the must-have of an afternoon snack.

After the above, it is important to note that the desserts of the city have an obvious inclination towards the pastries of northern Europe. You’ll find cakes, mousses, pancakes decorated with wild fruit sauces and homemade ice cream. If you prefer regional sweets, you can also delight in lemon pie and cheese cake.

Without a doubt, you should have a clearer idea of what to eat in San Carlos de Bariloche now. However, you still need to know a unique dish from the city and its classic and must-see drinks, so let’s move on!

CURANTO, TYPICAL DELIGHT OF BARILOCHE

Beyond the above, there is a typical dish very characteristic of Bariloche. It is curanto, a traditional food of the region that is cooked underground, on stones and wrapped in leaves. But what is it?

The first thing to be clear about is that the name is due to the mode of preparation and not the ingredients. Curanto means “hot stone” and consists of a peculiar way of Mapuches to cook. It is appropriate to remember the influence that native indigenous tribes have had on Bariloche.

So, it is when vegetables such as: potatoes, sweet potatoes, apples, carrots and stuffed pumpkins are cooked on incandescent stones with beef, lamb, chicken, pork and chorizos, all immersed in a hole that is dug into the ground and covered with it. For this, the food is wrapped in maquí or buttock leaves and wet cloth.

It is a kind of oven, with the steam passing through the surface of the soil that warns that the cooking time is over. The smell and taste of Curanto is indescribable, so you should try it. One of the many delicacies to eat in San Carlos de Bariloche.

BEER, WINE AND TEA

If it is drinks, there is no doubt that exquisite wine is the ideal companion for every dish served in Bariloche. However, craft beer is a classic of this destination. Bariloche is home to craft breweries: both traditional and avant-garde.

It happens that this city is already more than 100 years old manufacturing this product, to the point of offering tourists a “beer route” in which, of course, you cannot miss a good tasting. To make things even better, the tasting is accompanied by the famous Argentine bites, which are small portions of smoked meats, cheeses and other ingredients. 

In the meantime, tea is the best choice for snacks. In fact, there are tea houses all over Bariloche. They are other icons of the city where you can taste homemade breads and sweets accompanied by this hot drink, including traditional chocolate. In this order of ideas, we invite you to consult our article on the gastronomic routes of Bariloche.

As you will see, in general, the gastronomy of the place stands out for the influence of its first settlers, Germans and Swiss. This means that the European touch goes beyond its architecture. Whatever it is, what to eat in San Carlos de Bariloche will not be a problem, but a real pleasure to the palate. In case of advice, do not hesitate to write to our travel specialists. They can help you assemble your itinerary!