Palermo is Buenos Aires' bohemian neighbourhood, buzzing with energy, creativity, and some of the city’s best food and nightlife.
We list the 9 top things to do in Palermo, from shopping for handcrafted pieces at local boutiques to unique dining experiences that capture the neighbourhood’s fun spirit.
After visiting twice, these are the places that stood out the most.
9 Top Things to Do in Palermo, Buenos Aires
1. Experience asado at Latin America's best steakhouse
Asado in Argentina is more than a meal, it’s a cultural ritual. At Don Julio, you’ll experience a traditional parrilla at its finest, where wood fire, slow cooking, and just a touch of salt let the beef shine.
They take it to the next level, serving the highest quality grass-fed beef, aged for extra depth of flavour.
Ranked the 10th best restaurant in the world in 2024, it’s one of the best things to do in Palermo. Portions are big, and the wine list is excellent.
While you might be able to walk in when it opens at lunch, dinner definitely requires a reservation.
2. Shop handcrafted leather pieces
Leather shopping in Buenos Aires is a must. Thanks to Argentina’s cattle industry, the quality is outstanding, and prices are far lower than in Europe or North America.
Whether it’s shoes, handbags, coats, or belts, you’ll find beautifully crafted pieces that range from classic designs to more contemporary styles.
For sustainably made leather jackets and handbags
Nimes is a favourite for contemporary pieces that are chic yet practical. Their designs are sustainably made, using natural vegetable tanning without chemicals. I picked up a leather coat here that I absolutely love.
For accessories and gifts
Tienda Patrón brings together pieces from different Argentine designers, from handbags to finely crafted jewellery. It’s the best place for stylish accessories and to buy gifts. I found a chic cowhide shoulder bag here.
For men's shoes
Teran's handcrafted designs are sharp and contemporary - Ari picked up a pair of formal black dress shoes along with a leather duffel bag that’s become his go-to travel piece.
3. Relax at Home Hotel, a hidden poolside oasis
We liked the hotel's blend of retro mid-century furniture with bold wallpaper and contemporary Argentine touches.
Service is excellent here, and we enjoyed our stay so much that we returned on our second trip to Buenos Aires.
4. Dine at Niño Gordo, a surreal Tokyo-meets-Argentina grill
Niño Gordo
For one of the hottest tables in Buenos Aires, book a table at Niño Gordo. This Japanese-Argentine grill is as much about the atmosphere as it is about the food.
On our second trip, it ended up being our favourite meal in the city.
The dining room feels like a Tokyo night market crossed with a surreal art installation, with red lanterns glowing overhead and a hip-hop soundtrack that makes it all feel like a party.
The food is exceptional. We loved the katsu sando, bao with strip loin, and beef tataki with sticky rice.
Ranked on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list, it’s a spot you’ll want to reserve well in advance - especially if you want a table in the dining room for the full experience.
5. Experience Palermo’s punky cocktail bar, Tres Monos
Tres Monos cocktail bar
Step into Tres Monos and you’ll find graffiti-splashed walls, purple-and-pink neon, and a punk energy that feels totally different from the polished speakeasies you see in so many cities.
Ranked #7 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list, it’s fun and unpretentious, with inventive cocktails, cheeky names like the Chimi Hedrix and Britney Spritz, and bartenders who keep the energy fun.
My favourite was the Bananita Mona - a silky mix of banana, vanilla, and chocolate - while the mini sausages with mustard and BBQ sauce made the perfect salty bite.
It's one of the coolest things to do in Palermo.
✔️ Top Tip: you can make reservations through the link on their Instagram page.
6. Discover Palermo’s bohemian neighbourhood cafes
Palermo’s leafy streets are full of cafes that capture the neighbourhood's relaxed, creative spirit.
For fresh, organic vegetarian dishes, head to Artemisia, a bright and airy spot perfect for a healthy lunch.
Salvaje Bakery, set in a former garage, is known for its sourdough breads, inventive pastries, and coffee.
And for a buzzy local favourite, try Oli Cafe, a modern bistro with fresh, international flavours - we especially loved the chicken caesar and the all-in salad with avocado.
7. Take home handmade steak knives from Casafilo
For a one-of-a-kind Buenos Aires souvenir, head to Casafilo, a Palermo workshop known for crafting the best steak knives in the city.
They’re the same artisans behind the custom knives at Don Julio, ranked among the world’s top steakhouses.
Each knife is beautifully made, with handles in wood, bone, or horn - you can even mix and match to create your own set. We picked up four steak knives and a turkey carving set.
8. Try a milanesa sandwich and sorrentinos at Los Dos Hermanos
Milanese sandwich and sorrentinos at Los Dos Hermanos
Over 60% of Argentinians have Italian roots, and you taste that influence in everyday comfort food - especially dishes like milanesa and sorrentinos.
At Los Dos Hermanos, a classic bodegón on the edge of Palermo, both are done just right. The space is as local as it gets, with red tablecloths, a sizzling grill, and plates that come out in generous portions.
The milanesa sandwich is a crowd-pleaser: a thin, breaded cutlet layered with ham, cheese, lettuce, and tomato, stuffed into crusty bread that barely holds it together.
We also loved the sorrentinos: Argentina’s oversized, round ravioli - served with tomato sauce and plenty of grated cheese.
It was our best, no-frills meal in the city.
9. Grab late-night burgers at Pérez H
What happens when you mix Argentina’s love for high-quality beef with American-style fast food? You get some of the best late-night burgers ever.
Palermo is packed with burger bars, but our favourite is Pérez H, where the burgers come stacked high and you can order one dripping with molten cheese sauce.
They are completely satisfying after a night out in Palermo. On weekends they are open until 6am!
We hope you enjoyed these fun things to do in Palermo!
Don't miss our 1 Week Argentina itinerary and our list of 23 unique things to do in Buenos Aires.
For more luxurious experiences, check out our list of 7 things to do in the Recoleta neighbourhood.
Get started on booking your trip to Argentina
- 🛏️ Book your accommodation: Booking.com is our go-to for finding places to stay. Sort by top reviewed.
- 🤠 Book your tour: browse local highly-rated tours through Viator or GetYourGuide.
- 🛫 Book your flight: use Skyscanner to compare flights across different airlines (we recommend booking direct with the airline however).
Don't forget about travel insurance
👩⚕️ For affordable travel insurance: go with SafetyWing - it's budget-friendly and you can even buy it while abroad, but note the max medical coverage is $250,000 USD. 🏥 For comprehensive travel insurance: go with World Nomads - it's more expensive, but the max emergency medical coverage is $5-10 million, depending on the plan.Save and pin these top things to do in Palermo, Buenos Aires for later:
