Meat, fish, sweets, grilled steaks are the most typical dishes in the cuisine of Argentina.

Barbecue and Mate Tea are Argentinian inventions with a social function. Many Argentinian families have in their own grill in the backyard of their homes (called parrillas), where they meet on the weekends for a meal together with friends and relatives.

The beef here has different cuts to that of Europe. The "baby bife" is approximately 1/2kg of steak, which could nourish a whole family. The "bife de chorizo" is a gigantic rump steak , the "bife de lomo" a filet. "Asado de tira" is the part of the ribs, the "bife de costilla" is a T-bone Steak, the "matambre" is a very thin cut piece of meat with lots of fat. Like in Europe, meat is prepared rare, mid rare, done, well done etc. The sauce which comes with the meat dish is called "chimichurri". However, because of the excellent taste of the meat, it can well be eaten without sauce.

A full plate of mixed grill contains practically all animal innards from various animals. The Sausage (chorizo) and the black pudding (morcilla) are very popular. Served with the meats are vegetables (sweet potatoes, pumpkin puree) and mixed salads. In a restaurant it is of course possible to order other parts of meats.

Other specialities:
Depending on the season and region, it is possible to eat in Argentina very good food and meat such as deer, lamb, sheep, goat, fish, and other seafood. Special delicacies are: king prawns (centolla) from Tierra de Fuego and wild boar (jabalí) or trout in Bariloche. Also, Parana Fish (i.e. Surubi) are a speciality. Special dishes, going back as far as colonial times are: "pastel de choclo" or the "humita". More typical are chicken "pollo" in its most varied prepartions, "milanesa" (Viennese escalope), "empanadas" (fried pastry shells filled with chopped beef, chicken, maize or cheese and ham) or "choripan" similar to a Hot Dog. Many Italian restaurants are found here which serve pizza and pasta.

Desserts:
The Argentine people love sweets. Next to fresh fruit salads and good ice cream, a wide range of desserts are offered. Two Argentine specialities are the "dulce de leche", milk-caramel marmalade which is also used to as a bread spread and the "alfajores" (small cake-formed biscuits with different fillings).