Argentinian food is one of those cuisines where what happens at the table is, in a sense, simple. A piece of beef. Some salt. A glass of Malbec. A handful of empanadas. The complexity is hidden — in the breed of the cattle, in the 100-year-old grill techniques, in the slight differences between the Mendoza and Salta wine valleys, in the way an empanada from Tucumán is folded differently from one from Buenos Aires. Argentinians know all of this without ever talking about it, the way Italians know about pasta shapes.
Dubai's Argentinian food scene is small but unexpectedly serious. The headliner is Asado at The Palace Downtown, which is one of the best Argentinian restaurants outside Argentina itself — the Malbec list alone runs to 80+ labels. Gaucho DIFC brings the polished Argentine-British steakhouse experience. And for the casual end — empanadas, chorizo, milanesa — there is a quiet network of cafés, takeaways and supermarket Latin sections that any Argentine expat knows by heart. This is your complete map.
The Best Argentinian Restaurants in Dubai (Ranked)
Asado at The Palace Downtown
Lakeside terrace, The Palace Downtown Dubai, Downtown · AED 350–700ppThe most authoritative Argentinian dining experience in Dubai, full stop. The terrace looks out over the lake at the Burj Khalifa fountains. The parrilla is wood-fired. The beef is Argentine Pampas grass-fed (with a small selection of Wagyu for those who want it). The Malbec list spans 80+ labels including specific producers from Mendoza, Salta, and the Uco Valley that you cannot find anywhere else in the UAE. Must-orders: the empanada trio starter (AED 75), tira de asado (AED 165), bife de chorizo (AED 245), and the signature 800g rib-eye for two (AED 920). Service is genuinely Argentinian — warm, opinionated, will steer you toward the right Malbec without being pushy. Book the terrace for sunset.
Gaucho Dubai (DIFC)
DIFC Gate Village 11 · AED 320–620ppThe London-Argentinian steakhouse export, perfectly calibrated for DIFC. Cuts are sourced from a single Argentine breed (Aberdeen Angus crossed with Hereford) raised in the Pampas. The signature is the "Beef Sampler" board (lomo, ancho, churrasco and chorizo cuts — AED 480 for two). The wine list is shorter than Asado's but tighter; the Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Malbec at AED 1,200 is a real cellar pick. Set business lunch (3 courses, AED 175) is the best Argentinian value in DIFC. The room is more corporate than romantic — book Asado for date night, Gaucho for client lunch.
Buenos Aires Grill (JLT)
Cluster F, Jumeirah Lakes Towers · AED 150–280ppAn honest mid-range Argentinian steakhouse run by a Buenos Aires-born chef who genuinely cares. Cuts are Australian grass-fed (not Argentine Pampas, but the closest accessible substitute) at roughly half the price of Asado or Gaucho. Standard tenderloin is AED 145, ribeye AED 165. The empanada selection (4 pieces, AED 48) is hand-folded and properly seasoned. Chimichurri is house-made daily and one of the best in Dubai. The wine list is shorter and heavier on Chilean and Spanish bottles than Argentinian, which is a small disappointment, but Bodega Norton Malbec is on the by-the-glass list at AED 48. Good for weeknight steak with friends.
La Cabaña (Al Quoz)
Alserkal Avenue back row · AED 50–120ppA 6-seat takeaway counter on a back corner of Alserkal Avenue, run by an Argentine couple who moved to Dubai in 2019 and decided to start selling empanadas to their neighbours. The empanadas are hand-folded with the proper repulgue (the woven seal), priced at AED 14–18 each, with weekly specials including humita (corn), criolla (beef-onion-egg) and bondiola (slow-cooked pork). The Tuesday humita is a quiet underground favourite. They also do alfajores (AED 12 each) and pour Argentinian Malbec by the glass at AED 35. No reservations, walk-in only, often sold out by 8pm.
Café Bastille (DIFC)
DIFC Gate Village · AED 90–180ppA French-Argentine cross-over bistro that does Buenos Aires-style empanadas (3 pieces, AED 38) alongside French staples like croque monsieur and steak frites. Not strictly Argentinian, but the empanadas are genuinely good and the chef ran a kitchen in Recoleta before relocating. Best for DIFC lunch when you want Argentinian flavours without the steak commitment.
Looking for more? Our complete Best Argentinian Steakhouses in Dubai guide has the full ranked list of every Argentinian-leaning steakhouse including South American crossovers like Alma de Cuba and Asado at One&Only.
The Essential Argentinian Dishes
Tira de Asado (Short Ribs)
Cross-cut beef short ribs, 1.5–2cm thick, grilled bone-side first over hardwood charcoal until rendered and slightly chewy. The most authentic Argentinian grill cut. Asado AED 165, Gaucho AED 180.
Where to order →Bife de Chorizo (Sirloin Steak)
A thick-cut sirloin with the fat cap left on, grilled over charcoal until medium-rare. The "national steak" of Argentina. Best at Asado at AED 245 for 350g; the version at Gaucho is leaner but technically excellent.
Empanadas
Hand-folded pastry parcels stuffed with spiced beef-onion-egg (criolla style), chicken, ham-and-cheese, corn (humita), or pork (bondiola). Baked, not fried. AED 14–25 per piece depending on venue.
Empanadas guide →Milanesa
A breaded, pan-fried thin cutlet of beef (occasionally chicken), inherited from the Italian milanese tradition by Argentina's massive Italian immigration wave. The most common home-cooking dish in Argentina. Asado does an excellent milanesa napolitana at AED 145.
Chimichurri
The sauce. Parsley, garlic, oregano, red wine vinegar, olive oil, optional chilli flakes. Spooned over grilled meat. Bottled versions are available at Spinneys; the homemade version is dramatically better.
Chimichurri guide →Provoleta
A thick slice of provolone, grilled on a small cast-iron disc over charcoal until the bottom forms a deep crust and the centre melts. Topped with oregano, chilli flakes and olive oil. The opening course of any proper asado. Asado serves it at AED 95.
Choripán
A grilled chorizo split lengthwise and served in a crusty roll with chimichurri. The "hot dog" of Argentina — stadium food, street food, soccer food. Buenos Aires Grill does an honest one at AED 38; La Cabaña an even better one at AED 32.
Dulce de Leche
Caramelised condensed milk. Used in alfajores, on toast for breakfast, swirled into ice cream, eaten by the spoon out of the jar. Spinneys carries San Ignacio brand (AED 22); the artisan version from La Cabaña Al Quoz is the genuine article.
Alfajores
Two shortbread biscuits sandwiched around dulce de leche, sometimes coated in chocolate. The national snack of Argentina. The Havanna brand sold at Spinneys is the standard; La Cabaña makes a fresh version with crumblier texture that is significantly better.
Mate
A bitter, grassy herbal tea drunk through a metal straw (bombilla) from a hollowed gourd (mate). Cultural backbone of Argentina. Cruz de Malta yerba is sold at Spinneys; gourds and bombillas at La Cabaña or via Amazon UAE.
Argentinian Food by Area in Dubai
Downtown Dubai
Asado at The Palace — the flagship. La Cantine du Faubourg (Argentine cuts on French menu). Bistro 21 (occasional Argentine specials).
Downtown area guide →DIFC
Gaucho — the corporate steakhouse standard. Café Bastille — cross-over empanadas. La Cantine du Faubourg.
DIFC area guide →JLT
Buenos Aires Grill — the best mid-range Argentinian in Dubai. La Brasa Roja (Colombian with Argentine cuts).
Al Quoz / Alserkal
La Cabaña — the hidden empanada and alfajor counter. Worth the drive.
Al Quoz area guide →Palm Jumeirah
The Galliard (Anantara The Palm) — occasional Argentine asado pop-up nights. Worth checking the event calendar.
Palm area guide →Pop-Ups & Markets
Time Out Market Dubai (Souk Madinat) hosts Argentinian guest chefs roughly every 6 weeks; check the calendar.
Where to Shop for Argentinian Ingredients in Dubai
- Spinneys Mall of the Emirates — Latin Section. The most complete Argentinian aisle in Dubai. Yerba mate (Cruz de Malta), Malbec wine (Bodega Norton, Catena, Bodegas Salentein), chimichurri (Pampero, Don Marcelo), dulce de leche (San Ignacio), alfajores (Havanna), empanada discs (La Salteña). AED 8–35 per item.
- Carrefour Mall of the Emirates — Latin Section. Similar coverage to Spinneys at slightly lower prices. Best for empanada discs and dulce de leche.
- The Meat Co. (Souk Madinat). The best butcher for Argentine-style cuts. They will dry-age beef to order and cut to thickness on request. Plan 5–7 days ahead for the tira de asado cut.
- La Cabaña (Al Quoz). Small artisan retail line — house-made chimichurri (AED 35 per jar), dulce de leche (AED 48), alfajores (AED 12 each, fresh-baked daily).
- Le Clos (DIFC). The deepest Malbec selection in Dubai — over 200 Argentinian wines including verticals from Catena Zapata, Achaval-Ferrer, Bodega Aleanna and the entire Trapiche range. Tastings available by appointment.
Related Reading — Argentinian & South American Food in Dubai
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Argentine beef available halal-certified in Dubai?
Yes. All beef served at licensed Dubai restaurants — including Asado, Gaucho and Buenos Aires Grill — is halal-certified, including the Argentine Pampas beef. Argentine beef exporters have halal-slaughter facilities specifically serving the Gulf market; the Dubai supply chain is robust. Some of the rare unsourced cuts (specific producer single-vineyard beef) may not be halal-certified; ask staff if it matters for your group.
What is the difference between an Argentinian and a Brazilian rodízio?
Style of service. A Brazilian rodízio (churrascaria) is all-you-can-eat with continuous skewer service — waiters bring rotating cuts directly to your table until you flip your card to red. An Argentinian asado is a more à la carte experience: you order specific cuts, they cook on the parrilla, they arrive as one or two courses. Argentinian is calmer and more deliberate; Brazilian is faster and more festive. Both can be excellent.
Are there vegetarian options at Argentinian restaurants in Dubai?
Limited but not zero. Asado serves provoleta (grilled provolone, AED 95), a grilled vegetable plate (AED 65), and humita (corn) empanadas. Gaucho has a roasted aubergine and red pepper salad and a black bean stew. Buenos Aires Grill is the most limited — basically salads and provoleta. Argentinian cuisine is foundationally meat-and-dairy oriented and vegan options are rare; for plant-based dining, look at our healthy eating in Dubai guide for better-suited alternatives.
When is the best time of year for Argentinian dining in Dubai?
October to April for outdoor dining — Asado's lakeside terrace is essentially the perfect setting in this window, with comfortable evening temperatures of 18–24°C. May to September the outdoor terraces are unbearable, so the indoor rooms at Gaucho DIFC and Buenos Aires Grill JLT become the better picks. Argentinian wine week (typically held in late October at Le Clos DIFC) is a worthwhile annual event for Malbec enthusiasts.
